Chapter 5

In school the next day, Amanda went straight to Mr Jefferson's office to explain why she couldn't work with her partner. Upon getting to his office, she knocked lightly, waiting for the go ahead to come in.

"Amanda. Yes, what can I do for you?" he asked.

He was a tall lean man with a head full of hair. His glasses was perched on his nose as he peered down on the paper he was holding. When he spoke, it was with a thick foreign accent that she couldn't quite place.

 "Sir, I've come to inform you that I wouldn't be working with my partner anymore." She said.

"I see. If I may ask, why is this so".

Amanda proceeded to explain all that had happened. If there was one teacher whom she could say that didn't tolerate laziness of any kind, it was Mr Jefferson.

"Alright, that's fine. I hope you have yours ready?" He asked.

"Yes sir".

"Great, you'll submit together with others when I have your class later today." he said.

"Thank you." Amanda said before taking her leave.

She heaved a huge sigh of relief when she got out of the office. She didn't expect it to go so smoothly and was glad that Mr Jefferson saw reasons with her. She made her way towards her first class of the day which she happened to have with her friends. Settling on her chair, she brought out the books she would be using. Her friends soon joined her as they took the seat beside her.

 "I talked to Mr Jefferson and he accepted."she said.

 "That's great. Now, you're free", Emily said.

"But I have a feeling that Parker won't like this." Leslie said. 

 "Who cares about what he likes or not. He's clearly at fault here and Amanda shouldn't be made to do all the work that was originally assigned to the both of them." Emily said.

Just then, Parker walked into the class. It was as if wherever he stepped, he commanded silence. As he walked towards his seat at the back of the class, the classroom remained silent waiting to see his next move. Of course, he wasn't in the mood for anything but the class always watched him, like a predator stalking it's prey.

 "It's such a pity that for someone so handsome, he's a total douchebag." Emily said.

"I agree. Too bad he's a dwib and a self centered jerk." Leslie said.

The teacher soon came in, cutting off their conversations. Amanda focused on his teachings as she tried desperately to avoid looking back. 

 "Resist the urge to look back, it's not healthy." Emily said.

Amanda could tell that her friend fought desperately to hide her smile. At that moment, she felt like a love struck teenager. She shook off the feeling, concentrating on the teachings. When the class was over, Amanda was the first to get out. The next class was Mr Jefferson's and she wanted to settle in before he walked in.

As the other students walked into the class, Amanda prayed within her that Parker should somehow miss this class. She couldn't imagine what she'd do if Mr Jefferson embarrassed him due to what she had told him earlier. Her hopes were dashed when sometimes later, Parker walked in before Mr Jefferson did.

Amanda sat still, twisting her pen in her hands. She was nervous as she didn't know what to expect. Fiddling with her book, she could feel Brandon's eyes on her. She wondered if perhaps Mr Jefferson had already informed him about his punishment for failing to do the homework and he in turn was planning how best to punish her.

 "So class, I gave you an assignment in the previous class. I hope you have them ready?" Mr Jefferson asked.

Amanda pulled her's out from her bag, placing it on the table. Mr Jefferson went round the class, row by row collecting the assignment. When he got to where Parker sat, he stopped.

The whole class fell silent as they watched the impending confrontation they knew would happen between them.

"Where is your homework Parker?" He asked.

"I didn't do it sir."he said, boldly.

 "Why?

"I don't know how and my partner wasn't cooperative." He said.

At this, Amanda stared at him openly. She couldn't believe his guts, this was a blatant lie and the only reason why she wasn't bothered so much was because she had already informed Mr Jefferson about everything that had happened.

"I see you now resort to lies. For your information, your partner, Amanda has informed me about everything that had happened. Meet me in my office after lunch break, you'll be given the necessary punishments."he said before moving to the next row.

If it was possible, Amanda wished the ground could open up and swallow her. She didn't expect Mr Jefferson to openly embarrass Parker that way she what's worse, he mentioned her way. Amanda knew she was in deep trouble. Parker would never forgive nor forget what she had done. She could only hope that she comes out of it alive.

*********************

As Amanda walked home that day, after the close of school, her mind was filled with all that had happened. When Mr Jefferson's class ended, Parker left the class immediately. Throughout the rest of the day, he never spoke to her. She didn't know what his punishment was but rumours had it that he was invited to the principal's office which seemed worse.

"Did you really think you'd run away from me?" a voice sneered.

Amanda knew that voice. She shivered as she searched everywhere for it's source. She was in that alley, the same point where she was attacked by Ian and his friends. Parker came out into the light as Amanda slinked back. She was scared. She was alone and she didn't know what he was going to do.

 "What do you want Parker?" she said.

She wanted to appear brave but that was failing as her voice quavered with every word she said. Parker walked towards her like a predator about to catch his prey.

"Amanda, you've forgotten that no matter where you go or hide, I'll find you."he said quietly.

Her back was to the wall now, he was directly in front of him and she could feel his breath on her face. She fumbled in her pocket for her phone, hoping she could dial anyone's number, someone who could save her from this bully. 

She flinched when she saw Parker's fist. She was expecting a blow from him but it never came.

When she opened her eyes, he had moved back, staring at her like he couldn't recognize her.

"Just... Stay away from me. I don't want to hurt you and never will I." He said. 

Just then, before he could do anything else, he groaned, moving away from her. When he moved, Amanda saw her friends, Emily and Leslie. They had hit him with a huge book.

 "Never go close to her again, ever." Emily said.

At this point, Amanda was a bit scared of her. Her face was filled with terror as she landed him another blow on his head. Parker groaned as he walked away, holding his head.

 "Oh God, are you okay?" Emily said.

They moved towards her and Emily drew out a tissue paper, cleaning the blood on her cheeks. 

 "How did you guys find me?" Amanda croaked.

 "You dialled my number but you weren't speaking and when I heard that douchebag's voice on the phone, I knew you were in trouble. We were lucky we found you here. Seriously, you need to report this it's getting too much", Emily said.

"She's right, you really need to. This can't continue  said.

 anymore." Leslie said

"I'll be fine guys, I promise. I don't want to add any more problems to my already packed up ones." Amanda said.

Her friends took her home and she was glad that her parents weren't at home at that moment lest, the school would be raised down the following day. As she prepared for bed later that night, she wondered why she was always the target for bullies.

A sharp burst of thunder hit the small town and within minutes, the rains began pouring so did Amanda's tears.