Zenobia really…didn't want to go to class today. Even just sitting against the wall, listening to the meaningless chatter around her while waiting for the bell to ring was enough. She was hungry, she was tired, and her cheek was finally starting to hurt from the slap earlier this morning. Her eyes wanted to close so badly.
Sleep called and called, beckoning her to the darkness. She doubted anyone would notice if she did, yet she kept them open. Her attention unfortunately focused on her so called friends.
"Man, I'm really not feeling it today."
"We should ditch."
"Yeah, yeah, we can go steal some shit at Gerry's Grocer Goods."
Her mouth twitched hearing that. She really hated these people. Not a single one of them actually gave a damn unless it involved money or getting something out of whatever they did. It made it all the worse knowing they only stayed around her because of her mask.
Like her, they were outcasts that didn't belong, so they banded together in hopes of making themselves feel better. However, instead of trying to make use of the opportunities presented to better improve themselves and their skills, they'd rather commit crimes to further throw themselves into the mud. Something Zenobia didn't appreciate.
Ever since freshman year, they've clung to her like leeches, as if expecting her to happily host their delinquent activities. She didn't even know their names, just calling them by the masks they wore in her head. It was shallow of her, she'll admit that.
And usually, she felt guilty even though she really didn't need to be. Zenobia dare she say it considered them tolerable compared to the other pricks of the school. Today though…she really didn't give a damn and wished they'd leave her alone.
"Hey Zenobia, come join us. We can all grab a bite at Lucia's." All she wanted to do was take a nap, rest against the walls underneath the staircase in peace so she could muster up some energy for class…and she couldn't even get that. She rolled her eyes as she stood up, grabbing her black backpack by the arm strap.
Its weight dug heavily into her shoulder, nearly sending her back down. Tightening her hold she lifted it high, settling it on her shoulders. A sigh escaped her as she gave each of them a deadpan stare. If there was one thing about this little ragtag group that caught her eye, then it was their mask designs.
A raven, a demonic looking red mask with black tears flowing down, an ugly, puke green, bull shaped mask and finally, hers, a deteriorated fox. All symbols that their fellow students dubbed strange and shady. It didn't matter if their eye colors were considered normal or positive. They were stains to the public.
"Not interested." On the one hand it was frustrating being judged like that and it wasn't fair that people talked shit behind their backs. On the other hand, the three in front of Zenobia weren't helping themselves by ditching class and committing petty crimes.
She was sure that if she tried getting to know them more and actually hung out with them for more than ten minutes in the morning, she'd be able to see that these people were more than just bad first impression delinquents. That maybe beneath their surface conversations there would be more.
"Awww come on Zenobia!" And wasn't that sad? Despite what she told her mother, she still had that nasty, groomed habit of taking into account that first impression and making critical judgements of people she didn't even know. Ugh just thinking of her mother made her already bad mood worse.
Shaking her head with a sigh, she turned away. "I'm not interested in hanging out with you. Leave me alone." She only took three steps before a hand latched onto her shoulder. It grinded down, putting as much pressure as possible onto her already aching body.
A shame that she had no desire to show how much it hurt. For a moment she stood in place, satisfied with her own stubbornness at ignoring the pain. The only thing she did when spun around was stare as she came face to face with the raven. Even beyond the shrouded feathers hiding his gaze, she could see the rage pouring off him in waves.
"You think you're so badass, Zenobia? Too good for us?" He pushed down harder; she could hear his teeth clench. "You're just a nobody, a loser! I'm so sick of you acting like you're above us."
It wasn't that she believed herself to be above them, though she could definitely see why he came to that conclusion. Not that she wanted to bother talking with him. Perhaps another day, she could've put in some sort of attempt to make peace or to actually tell him how she felt.
But not today. If he was waiting for her to argue or fight back against him, he would be disappointed. When the muscles and bones within her shoulder screamed in agony from his grip, she kept her expression neutral. Of all days, he really picked the wrong one to do this.
"Get. Your hands. Off me." Her voice lowered; a deep timbre of ice laced in her words. She almost smirked seeing the others behind the raven shiver…almost. Her gaze burned into his while she waited. Like with her mother this morning she could see the movements slow around her, but she found herself puzzled.
"You think you scare me, bitch?!" There was a small glowing outline around his body. Even when he raised his fist high behind his head, ready to swing, she couldn't help but tilt her head as she watched. The outline was wavering with the windup, as if there was…hesitation. Only for that hand to be stopped before it could shoot forward.
"I do hope there's a logical explanation as to why I've found such a sight before the bell?" Everyone, with the exception of Zenobia, found themselves stiffen. All their eyes drawn to the stern voice that loomed over them. The raven masked boy chuckled nervously as he released his victim, taking a few steps back while clearing his throat. His full attention was on the tall, slim, brunette that stood before them with her arms crossed.
"Oh hi, Principal Mude! I was just uh, showing Zenobia how to properly curl her fists. She's been watching some really cheesy kung-fu movies lately and they're not at all realistic, you know?" Zenobia had to admit that it was a creative excuse that he pulled out of his ass just now. It didn't help and wasn't believable in the slightest, but still creative all the same.
"Is that right?" Before anything else could be said, the bell for class rang. Truly the man was lucky. The raven found himself jumping, nearly smacking into his friends in an attempt to turn away. All of them glancing at one another before shooting their hands up to wave.
"Oh well, look at the time, I gotta go. Later Zenobia!" All of them scattered in different directions. Leaving Zenobia and the principal left standing in the hall while everyone else made a beeline to their destinations.
A few minutes trickled by, neither of them moving before the older woman huffed. She planted her hands on her hips while her gaze followed down the slowly emptying hall. As if she was still searching for the raven and his friends. After her deep sweep with her eyes, she turned back to the only other student in the hall.
"Are you alright, Zenobia?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure?"
"Uh huh."
She didn't look convinced in the slightest. Despite being masked halfway up as a wolf in dark blue and bronze, there was no sense of intimidation to be found. Zenobia has often looked at predator masks, her own mother specifically, yet Ms. Mude always lacked the scary factor. Well...to her at least. It was her eyes.
"I don't tolerate any sort of bullying at my school, Zenobia. You know this." Those glittering sea blue eyes that were filled with concerned sincerity. A look Zenobia wished she would see from her mom. "If they are not being respectful, then you need to tell me. What happened?"
And Zenobia really didn't have anything to say. There was no point in lying, because Ms. Mude saw the incident happen right there in front of her. Yet, there really was nothing for her to say. She didn't intend for things to go like they did, but she was rude.
With effort, she could've curbed her attitude. Not really giving a shit about them and their plans it could be argued that she even tried to provoke Raven. Today it seemed like she just couldn't help but say the wrong things. Pissing people off more than she normally did.
Still, she wasn't worried. She didn't care if Ms. Mude came to her rescue or not. They weren't her friends. Their reactions wouldn't bother her. And if a fight broke out...they certainly wouldn't win.
"They wouldn't have gotten far in bullying me."
"Is that so?"
"It would've been self-defense after the first hit."
At that Ms. Mude tilted her head, a twitch of a smile forming. Though what she was smiling about exactly, Zenobia wasn't entirely sure. Maybe she was amused at the fact that she had full confidence in kicking ass after the raven hit her? Or just the fact that she would've used the self-defense card had Ms. Mude not intervened?
Hell, the teen would've laughed herself at the fact she just confessed that she was willing to fight and win to her principal. Not that she had any fear of getting in trouble. Again, Ms. Mude cared. It also helped that it didn't actually get that far.
"Well, we'll need to have a more thorough discussion about this. That can be done at a later time. What class are you going to? I'll walk you there."
Color Zenobia shocked. Caring and compassionate yes, but as a principal, she HAD to be busy. And that just made the girl feel bad—awful! Guilt created a deep chasm in her stomach to where she couldn't help but be honest.
"I…actually wasn't planning on going to class today."
"Does it have to do with what I just saw?"
"No. I just don't feel like it."
Ms. Mude hummed, not saying anything after that. Though she did look the student over again, this time with a more invading gaze. Zenobia fidgeted in place, eyes wary. Though that wasn't due to the principal's gaze but rather habit.
She developed it long after being scrutinized for so long by her peers. One she's tried to break since middle school to no avail. At least she knew the head of the school wasn't judging her. When Ms. Mude finally spoke, she placed her hands on her hips.
"Did you know students are allowed to take up to three sick days throughout the year without a doctor's note?" Zenobia raised an eyebrow at that. Of course she knew that. Everyone did. She couldn't help squinting in confusion.
"Yeah. So?"
"Honestly, I like that rule. It's alright to take a day or two off once in a while, don't you think?"