Eire.(chapter 19)

I wasn't going to say anything to N. or her again. Kelli and I went inside. The girls were watching us, and I had to tell them about my… let's call it a date with Kelli. Kell went off to play soccer, like all the other boys, 15 minutes of play, and then it was all ours. I had time to talk to Anne.

On my way to the bathroom, I saw N. coming from the opposite direction. I knew we'd have to pass each other. I was furious with him, and he obviously was too. I wasn't going to try to avoid being hit by him, because the hallway was too small for two people. Everyone was staring at us, wondering what we'd do, it seemed like nothing, but we were getting closer, and I wasn't going to budge. Everyone was curious to see who would move 180 degrees so the other person could pass without touching, and that's when it happened. The jerk didn't turn around, and I was sure he would. He hit me in the collarbone with his shoulder, or maybe it looked like I had. Neither of us moved out of the way. Neither of us dodged, which I should have. Because that's what delicate girls do, afraid of a muscular boy approaching them, but I wasn't about to give in. I wasn't another bimbo, oh no, I was really pissed at him.

"Fuck you, N. You should watch your step. The whole world doesn't revolve around you."

He turned around, and the silence was broken by the boys' shouts, something like "ouch, naughty girl." My collarbone hurt real bad, I was mad as hell, and I wasn't surprised by the boys' reaction. It wasn't often that a girl raised her voice to a boy from Brutenport, especially N. None of them would take his punch because they'd be afraid of him. That jerk always dodged me at school; I never had to move, but now he was determined to show his friends who was the boss, and he was dead wrong. Because I stood up to him. I didn't have to say much, but all I had to do was take his punch and not fall to the ground in pain. I wasn't a weak bimbo; I knew how to defend myself; a few years of self-defense teaches you a lot. And N. had just learned that. He was surprised himself. I tried to rub my arm, glaring at him; I'd finally had enough. I turned and walked away. I flew straight into the bathroom, followed by N., who landed on the floor right behind me.

"Apologize! Apologize to her for hitting her."

It was Kell, furious as a hornet. He knew N. had tried to humiliate me and failed. But it was nothing. Damn it, I started to forgive him, he was a nobody! N. wasn't going to apologize to me; nothing good could come of it. N. was known for defending Brutenport's honor; the guys had fought many times with a gang of boys from Luchaniur, with N. at their head. But Kell wasn't any worse than him either; he was known for fierce fights, but he never fought over anything. A fight between Kelli and N. was the last thing I wanted, damn it, and it was all my fault.