Chapter 9 It was bad enough that I hadn't gotten the score I thought I deserved; even worse now that I'm being publicly humiliated. I blinked back the tears that threatened to form. No; I would not give him or the class the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Once had been too much! "How did you even graduate to this grade, freak?" he goatled. "Not only are you a charity case, but it seems that you're also hella stupid. Aren't you on à scholarship? Blue Hill High is wasting it on such a useless student like you! Do they just give scholarships to anyone these days?" That earned him another bout of laughter, and I could tell that he was satisfied by this, because he let his guard down slightly, and lowered his arm just enough that I was able to snatch my paper away from him. However, he was quick to react and tried to pull it away as I grabbed it, and the tug of war that proceeded between us finally made the paper rip down the middle, causing another bout of laughter as if I had just performed some clownish trick. Finally, Shane let the paper go and I quickly picked it up from the floor, cradling it against my chest. "That's enough!" Mr. Hemming snapped at everyone, before his venomous gaze turned to me. "Miss. Valentine, you should be ashamed considering your poor performance in the exam. Behave yourself!" "But I-!" I tried to protest, but was cut off once again. "Get back to your seat, Miss. Valentine! And stay back after class," Mr. Hemming continued. "You and I need to talk." I couldn't help but notice that even though Mr. Hemming interrupted our little fight, he still put the entire blame on me and let Shane off without even a warning. And I knew it was because of Shane's reputation. I was a nobody, and so I was the easier target. Shane and his group were the school's elite, whose parents funded most of the school's activities. So they were basically royalty. The unfairness of it all left a gash on my chest. Still...there was nothing I could do about it. I had no power to go against the rich and famous people in my school, especially when I had no one to back me up. "Is this understood?" he pressed, waiting for an answer. I nodded before I slumped my shoulders in defeat, nodding, "Yes, sir." "Alright," he said with a shrug. As I stumbled back to my seat/at the far end of the room, I heard some sniggers from the other students, causing me to sigh at their behavior. Wasn't it fun to be the spectator while others get bullied? No one wanted to mess with Caleb and his gang. Finally, after a grueling forty five minutes of photosynthesis, the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the day. The entire class immediately packed up and started to clear out of the room one after the other. I stayed back as Mr. Hemming asked me, sitting quietly and drumming my fingers on the desk to alleviate some of my anxiety. Waiting for the rest of the class to pour out, Mr. Hemming began to clear his table, putting away stacks of papers and markers. I watched as Caleb and his friends were the last to leave the room. And I couldn't help but notice how he had his arm around Caroline again, gently escorting her out the room. And as much as I hated to acknowledge it, felt a tightening sensation in my chest, like my heart was being squeezed by invisible fingers as I watched them leave together. But why was I feeling this way... this twinge of jealousy? It was ridiculous! I had nothing to be jealous of; after all, they were a couple...weren't they? 1/2 Chapter 9 But why did this weird sense of hope in my chest refuse to die? Why did I feel drawn towards Caleb like a moth to aflame? And most of all...why did I feel this sense of foreboding in my gut that there was more that meets the eyes? Chapter Comments 15 POST COMMENT NOW SHARE Title: ReelTalk Episode 32 - Rekindling Memories with Kiki Frags and Samantha Drews Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance Status: ongoing In the latest episode of ReelTalk, two beloved characters from the ReelShort universe, Kiki Frags and Samantha Drews, come together to reflect on their initial encounter and share behind-the-scenes anecdotes. As they delve into their past experiences on set, a wave of nostalgia washes over them, evoking both laughter and poignant moments. Exploring themes of friendship, love, and the unpredictable nature of relationships, this episode provides a deeper insight into the personalities of Kiki and Samantha. Their dynamic chemistry and genuine camaraderie shine through as they reveal untold stories that give fans a peek into the inner workings of their on-screen personas. What sets this episode apart is its authenticity in portraying the complexities of human connections within a romantic context. With humor, warmth, and relatable experiences, Kiki and Samantha's interaction captivates listeners, creating a sense of intimacy that resonates long after the episode concludes. For those eager to immerse themselves in this heartwarming journey down memory lane with Kiki and Samantha, ReelTalk Episode 32 is available to read at CrushReel. Join them as they navigate love, friendship, and the joys of reminiscing about the past in a narrative that is as touching as it is entertaining.