Chapter 2: Minh

When I arrive at school, the first thing I realise is that I'm late. As I rush down the empty hallways, the panic rises in my chest. I couldn't afford another mark on my record, not when I'd already made so many mistakes. Ever single demerit lessened the chances of me ever having a future.

"Well, well, well. If isn't Little Miss Squinty. I thought I told you to go back you came from," a voice drawls behind me. I whirl around, coming face to face with the three people I least wanted to see today. I desperately glance around, searching for someone, anyone, who could help. My heartbeat skyrockets, and I fight to keep the panic off my face.

"What, searching for mommy?" smirks Mikey, highfiving a sniggering Joe, "keep searching little bird. She aint coming to your rescue this time." When my family had first migrated here, I didn't know much English and wore strange clothes, making me a prime target for bullying. It started out small, with name calling and slurs, but had gotten to the point where there were some days that I’d come home with a face so bloodied my aunt soul ask if a car had hit me. If it wasn't for Kat, they'd have probably beaten me to death already. Sometimes I wish they had. Joe takes a step forwards, and my desperation peaks. Don't be afraid, I tell myself, they can smell your fear.

"I have to get to class," I stumble, and I curse my voice for wavering, "people will notice if I don't show up soon."

"Oh really," Mikey drawls, his menacing grin growing bigger by the second, "now I don't think they will." He puts his hand up, and I close my eyes, waiting for the impact of his fist. It was easier when I didn't fight back. They'd just hit harder.

"Hello boys," I hear, and my eyes jolt open, "what did I tell you about bothering my friends." No- it couldn't be.

"Kat?" I cry out, my lips curling upwards.

"Hey squirt," she says, giving me a smile of her own. "Well boys? Don't tell me you've forgotten." Her voice is light, but the danger in the air is so thick I can almost reach out and touch it. It's obvious the boys can sense it too because their demeanors immediately change.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

If anyone else called me that, I'd be offended, but from Kat it was the highest honour. Kat uses nicknames to show affection, so it meant that she'd noticed me, that she noticed me. That she cared.

"We're sorry, Kat, we were just joking around. We didn't mean no harm," stammers out Tom, his eyes darting around as if he was considering making a run for it.

She scowls, as if she’d just smelt something utterly foul. “Don’t call me Kat. That’s for people who aren’t disgusting douchebags.”

“We’re sorry,” Mikey interjects, “like he said, we were just joking.” Kat glances over to my trembling body, then back to my three terrorisers.

"Oh really." she says, arching a single eyebrow. "A joke, huh? Well I have a better one for you." She looks over to where I am huddled, taking in my panic-ridden face. "What do you think, Mihn? Should we show these douchebags a real joke?" She puts her hand out towards them, offering the boys a maniacal smile. "Give me your backpack," she orders Tom.

"But-" he stutters.

"Just do it man," mumbles one of the other boys, giving him a small push. He looks back at them both, trying to get some help, but they both just stare at their feet, avoiding his gaze. After a moments consideration, he drops the backpack strap into her palm.

"Good boy," she coos, "wasn't so hard, was it?" She promptly unzips it, ruffling through it's pockets. Finally, she stops, finding what she's looking for. She takes out a bottle of chocolate milk, unscrewing the cap with ease. The three boys eyes all simultaneously widen, all knowing what was coming next.

Without a second thought, she pours the whole bottle into his backpack, over his brand new computer, all of his folders full of work. He makes a move to stop her, but one of the other boys holds him back, murmuring something along the lines of "just let her do her thing. It'll be worse if you interfere".

She smirks, obviously enjoying the pain she's causing them. It's moments like these that she truly scares me.

The 15 minute bell goes, and Kat pauses. She looks up for a moment, before turning back to the boys. Her face is back to normal, the epitome of calmness and efficiency.

"Well boys, guess we'll have to continue this session later. Minh, lets go." With that, Katie is striding off, and I scramble to catch up.

“Girl, you ok?” she asks, giving me a quick glance without breaking stride.

"It's just nice to see you again, Kat." I say sincerely, letting out a long breath.

"You too," she replies, turning around for a second to give me a gentle smile.

"Anything interesting happen while I was gone?” She asks.

"Sav got into a fight with Joel."

"Joel from history or 'peeking in the girl’s bathrooms' Joel?" she inquires, stopping at her locker and fiddling with the lock.

"Peeking in the girl’s bathrooms Joel" I reply.

"She win?" Kat asks, grabbing a history book along with her pencil case.

"Of course."

"Good," she smirks, slamming her locker closed.