Love, War and Peace - Chapters 4 to 6

Chapter 4 - Rude Girl

Stella kept cursing on the way to our form room. She was clearly annoyed that I refused her offer of leaving this dump.
"Urgh," Stella groaned loudly. "Look at this place! They can't even spell rubbish!"
I paused and studied the walls around me. The Graffiti was impressive, not so much the spelling though. I spotted the one Stella was on about, Rubbish.
"Maybe, we could fix this place up?" I suggested. Stella made a Pfft noise.
"You can try, but you know you can't. Not this pathetic school."

"But-"
"And even if you miraculously managed," Stella snapped, "it'll only get wrecked again."
I sighed, but I knew I wasn't going to give up. I opened the door and calmly gestured Stella in. She shook her head, refusing to budge.
"Please, Stella?" I pleaded, "I promise you, once they have our gingerbread men, we'll be OK..." I wasn't certain about that, but I hoped so.
Stella raised an eyebrow and stared at me in disbelief. I knew I wasn't fooling anyone. When I turned my attention back to the class, which was on the verge of rioting, I knew it was hopeless.

A wobbly voice called out, sort of desperately, "Come in!"
Stella sighed and charged into the room. Instantly people stopped what they were doing and stared at her, fascinated.
A couple of guys nudged each other and said, "Well, if it isn't the feisty ginger and pathetic blonde?"
I swallowed down a lump in my throat. I slowly gave my golden peace of necklace a glance.

"If you ever come across the impossible, know that once you work for it, the impossible IS possible. Never give up hope, my sweet little Cherrydrop."
I opened my eyes again, determined to not let them get me down.
"Hi! I'm Cherry Rainbow!" I said with a forced smile.
Everyone sniggered and this one girl rudely asked, "What kind of name is THAT?"
Stella scrunched up her fists, ready for a one on one. I shook my head slowly at her.

"It is a bit unusual." I agreed. Stella gave me a pitying look.
"A BIT unusual?" The rude girl echoed. She laughed unpleasantly. I studied her dark makeup and her short, really short, uniform. Instantly, I knew she needed help too. Physically and mentally.
"Well, I suppose-"
"A BIT unusual?" The rude girl repeated, "Hun, no piece of crap is A BIT unusual. It's really disgusting, it's so stupid, s-"

"Shut up." Snapped an angry voice, he almost sounded like a dog growling. My blood froze with such a powerful, painful voice. It stung my heart. It's like a mother's instinct for her child if they were to cry in sheer despair.
Not only did the voice affect me, it affected everyone in the class too. They immediately stopped breathing.
Rude girl cringed in her chair, almost as if she was trying to cover herself. How come they're all so scared? I knew it was hard to take in, but surely they could still carry on?

Then I eventually understood. I seriously couldn't believe my eyes. How could they have not noticed that strange guy with his own hypnotizing pair?
"So yeah, we didn't WANT to, but our parents forced us," Stella quickly rambled on, breaking the silence, "enjoy your stupid gingerbread man, but that's the last you'll ever get. GOT IT?"
Typical Stella. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances with each other. I grabbed for my container and opened the lid. Instantly, the yummy smell filled the air, everyone sniffed appreciatively.

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Chapter 5 - Trust Me

Gingerbread men time! How will people respond?

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"Mmm, these babies rock!" Announced this big, burly guy with the brightest eyes I have ever seen. He munched away happily at his gingerbread man.
I think I handed one to everyone... No wait. Why do I keep forgetting the guy with the dark eyes? Why in the world do I keep forgetting?
I walked over to him. I swear I heard everyone hold their breath. Seriously, is there something I should know about him?

"Hey, would you like one?" I asked him. Unexpectedly, he glared at me.
The burly guy next to him, the one with the bright eyes, said in a warning voice, "Back off."
I nodded my head slowly, wondering what his problem was. Also, what's up with these two guys and their eyes? Why do they have to be so... different from everyone else's?
I was about to turn and sit next to Stella, but something held onto my wrist.

"Can I have his one?" Asked the bright-eyed guy, "Give it to me!"
"Sure." I said, trying to stop myself from sucking my teeth. "Here you go."
"Thanks, Cherry." He grinned, "Name's Jimmy."
"Jimmy? That's a nice name." I complimented. He grinned even more.
"Any name would be... to you." The rude girl muttered. I chose to ignore her unpleasant remark.
"-And this is Raven, my mate." Jimmy continued, pointing to the guy with the dark eyes. Wow, I thought, Raven is an awesome name for him.
"That's a cool name too." I said casually, not wanting to seem like I'm going overboard. Jimmy munched away as if my presence no longer existed.

I managed to finally take my sit. As soon as I sat down, Stella let out an irritable groan.
"How long left?" She moaned. I squeezed her hand.
"It'll be OK, Stella. Remember, we can do this." I whispered into her ear, assuring her. "Nothing can stop us."
She sniffed, "You really think so?"
"I really do."
I truly meant it. We managed to calm the class down with our gingerbread men, didn't we? Some people are now OK with us, which is great. It's what I had intended. Before I change them into better people, it's important that I earn their trust. And I will make sure that I do.

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Chapter 6 - Game On

Cherry's first lesson... Without her sister! What will be happening?

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Maths was the first lesson on my timetable. It's a shame that Stella had English then. We hugged each other, Stella wrapping me into her arms fiercely, and then we pulled away. It took a bit longer than it should have as Stella refused to let go.
Now I'm walking by myself, feeling lost without Stella. I didn't make it to class alone though, Misha, AKA Rude Girl, walked beside me along with all her other friends, who behaved exactly like her.

"Hey, what lesson you got now CHERRY?" Misha asked, needless to say, rudely.
"Maths." I answered, showing no hint of irritation in my voice. "What about you?"
"Why do you want to know?" She snapped, giving me a dirty look.
One of her friends, the red-haired giggled. "Maybe she wants to stalk you."
What a weird theory...
Misha gasped, "Is that true?"
I shook my head, "No, I assure you I have no intention of stalking anyone."

Red haired giggled, "What's that burning smell...? Oh yeah, it's YOU."
"Rainbow." Misha said, laughing a little but she covered it up with a small cough. "Why are you lying for? Lying is bad. You BAD girl!"
My heart sank. No, I thought, you can't let her get to you. You're NOT bad.
"Excuse me, but I have to get to class." I excused myself away from her crew and quickly hurried along to W14.
Yeah... She needs help, alright. And I'm going to help her one way or another. Then she'll see what a good girl I am.

I entered the classroom, which I noticed was much bigger than my form room. The male teacher looked up from his desk and beamed.
"Hello there! Welcome to Jefferson Technology College. Did you make it here OK?"
"Yes, thank you." I answered politely. I couldn't help but be bothered by how he looked me up and down. He held out his hand and I meekly accepted it.
I tried to pull my hand away, but his strong grip wouldn't let go.

"Um, thank you." I repeated again, a little urgency in my tone. I snapped my hands away and he quickly smiled apologetically.
"Right...!" He said, hesitantly turning his attention back to the class. "Who would like to sit with...?" His voice trailed away but he added, "This young lady?"
"Cherry," I told him, "Cherry Rainbow."
The new faces sniggered and so did some of the old ones. This time, I really did notice Raven. Raven's eyes were fixed onto the table, giving him the impression he was about to cry.
Unexpectedly, he looked up and smirked. His expression alone read, "Game on..."