Instead of Me

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"I was supposed to be having an easy day today, acting as Interim Principal while Dr. Williams was out of town, but then this kid came into my office to tell me all about how he had suspicions that you might be burning down the building or something. Or at least littering at the most. Smoking on campus, tuh!" He shook his head. "You better be grateful you don't have to see Dr. Williams today, Mr. Robertson."

Of course I had to deal with the oldest, grumpiest, creepiest teacher. Of course, Dr. Williams, the nicest principal in the world, was out of town the day that I got in trouble. But who would have told him?

He swung the door open to the main office. "Wait here." Mr. Rush pointed to some chairs. I plopped down, dropping my backpack to my ankles. He opened the door to Dr. Williams' office. "I'll call you when I'm ready for you. I have to finish some paperwork." He locked himself inside, probably enjoying the moment of being the person who gets to take away every slightest bit of joy from high schoolers. 

I rolled my eyes and slumped back into the most uncomfortable chair I had ever sat in. It was cold, and had no curve to the seat or the back. Eventually, I got bored. It had already been twenty minutes. I stood up and stretched my neck. I walked over to the secretary's desk. There was a note that told Mr. Rush that she was going to be in and out of the office all day today. 

The bell rang and students started piling into the hallways. I looked back through the windows and spotted a familiar face with a guilty expression. As soon as I made eye contact, they looked away, avoiding my gaze. My mouth gaped open as I connected the dots. 

Annie was the only one who knew that I always went to that same spot to smoke during the school day. Who did she probably share more secrets to than I wanted?

I stormed out of the office, not caring what my punishment from Mr. Rush would be. "You!" I shouted, my hands balled into fists. Everybody turned towards me, swarming out of my path. "You told Mr. Rush!" 

Heath crossed his arms and glared at me. "Payback for sleeping with my girlfriend," he muttered. 

The crowd collectively gasped. 

I shook my head, ready to raise my fists, and chuckled. "Do you know why she slept with me?" Teenage angst just filled my body. I was not acting as myself, but it felt so good. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Annie with horror plastered across her face. Heath clenched his jaw. "She was too afraid to lose her virginity to someone like you!"

"Someone like me?"

"Someone who goes through girls like they're trends!"

"Sorry, I think you're mixing the two of us up, Robertson. Seems to me like she had her decision all mixed up. But guess what. All you'll ever be is her friend. Your precious Anastasia will never be yours. You'll always be stuck by yourself, on the outside, while she moves on with her life, with a guy worthy of her."

My nostrils flared and I felt myself jump at him, holding onto his figure and running him into the lockers behind him. He let out a breath and pushed me away, punching me in the face. I held my cheek for a moment, anger boiling inside me. 

What was I thinking, getting in a fight with Heath? He was huge! 

"Finn!" Annie yelled from the crowd. I saw her push through students. 

I knew that I could probably only have one good punch. While Heath was looking up, searching for Annie, I punched him a few inches below his armpit in his ribs. The perfect punch. He leaned over, holding onto his side, gasping for air. He gained his bearings a lot faster than I expected and practically through me to the ground. This was it. I never got this far in Fight Club. What did I do next?

"Hey!" Mr. Rush's nasally voice yelled from behind us. "You two are in so much trouble! Finn Robertson, you will be lucky if you don't get expelled!" 

Another approaching voice came forward as Heath repeatedly punched me in the face. "Finn! Heath!" it bellowed. Through blurry vision, I saw Mr. Miller, dressed as sharply as ever.

"You two will both be lucky if you don't get expelled!" Mr. Rush called. 

"No offense, sir, but that isn't going to help the situation at all." Mr. Miller walked around us, with his lips pressed against his tongue. 

I grabbed onto Heath's shoulders and pushed him off me, feeling my cheeks swell by the second. But he came back at me, with more force than before. 

"You two better stop!" Mr. Rush yelled. "You too, Edward."

Mr. Miller looked at him like he was an idiot. "We need to get them apart before they seriously hurt each other."

"Just let them tussle it out." He grabbed Mr. Miller's arm and uselessly tried to pull him backwards, but Mr. Miller could not budge. He was a man of size and muscle. 

Mr. Miller tore his arm from Mr. Rush. "They're licensed to kill right now, sir." But Mr. Rush would not budge. With quick consideration, he turned and punched Mr. Rush squared in the face. His glass eye popped out and rolled toward the crowd. Girls screamed. One football player picked it up, laughed, and ran. Mr. Miller grabbed Heath by the shoulders and pulled him backwards, off of me. 

Annie stepped in and pushed me down when I struggled to get up, hoping to get the last hit. Heath squirmed against Mr. Miller, but he was stuck. 

Then the late bell rang. 

//

hello!

If you don't remember Mr. Rush, he was first introduced in Chapter 1. 

How do you like that for some action and drama?

Anyway, let me know what you think in the comments! And don't forget to vote!