“You should stay away from Emma” Sophie said “if you’re not careful she could decide whether she likes you or not without really getting to know you.”

Abby thought about this for a moment it was not often she met someone who was mean… accept for Jack of course. “OK, I’ll be careful around her but it is a shame she isn’t that friendly.” Abby paused and looked over to Emma who was showing her other friends her phone. “How come she has friends anyway?” Sophie picked up her juice box, took a sip, then said “Well I don’t think they’re really friends, I mean like one time when Emma was home sick her “friends” gossiped about her and didn’t even volunteer to bring her homework for her. Also I heard that Emma’s father left the family two years ago.”

Suddenly Abby felt a pang of sympathy for Emma Lopez, but her feelings were soon interrupted when Jack Tyler started to make a thunderstorm over on one of the tables. Apparently the storm had started when Jack had said he wanted everyone to “share” their desserts with him and by the looks of it people were being quite generous “sharing” their desserts. Jack kept on with his sharing streak, bringing his storm to every table, leaving the kids desertless and filled with fear. Finally the storm came to Abby’s table. This time there was no hesitant look in Jack’s eyes. You could see that he had built up some new confidence and was coming for his revenge.

“Hey karate kid, that peanut butter and jelly sandwich looks good, in fact it looks too big for a small and delicate girl such as yourself.” Jack said snickering to himself “ I think it would be in your best interest to share with a humble boy such as myself.” Jack was practically hopping from one foot to another, the whole cafeteria was looking in their direction. Now Abby knew what Jack was doing: he was trying to get even. If Abby gave in, Jack would take back the school. But if Abby held her ground, she would now be taking charge and others would follow her example and Jack would no longer be a legend of fear.

Abby looked around. The students were holding their breath. Even Emma Lopez was paying attention. They all depended on her. Abby thought about it: she knew she couldn’t use violence. After all, Jack had never attempted to hurt her. So she had to use her wits to win this battle. Abby stood up and said “I know what you’re doing and I can understand too. I have taken your authority away from you and you want it back. I’m not going to stop you.”

“You’re not?” Sophie said

“You’re not?” Jack echoed.

Abby smiled with a knowing grin “No I’m not” she replied “But, your going to have to pay us to get it back.”

Jack raised his eyebrow “What do you mean ‘pay to get it back?’”

Abby’s smile grew wider and wider. “Well” Abby said “I hope you didn’t think I was going to give it to you that easily.” She paused, waiting for a little suspense. “If you want to tease and bully everyone in the school, you’re going to have to pay us five dollars every week”

“W-w-what” Jack stuttered

“You don’t think we are going to let you boss us around for free. Oh no no no, you are going pay us and I’m going to make sure you do.”

Abby paused and then spoke “I have been at this school less than a week I have already figured out you have been doing this for a long time and no one has ever tried to stop you except me. Now listen to me and listen to me very carefully. What is the point of being mean to everyone. What do you gain.” Abby paused to take a breath “I’ll tell you what you get, nothing. Nothing except people hating you. Tell me, have you ever been invited to a birthday party or any type of party from any one in the school?”

Jack said nothing for a while then faintly, almost like a whisper, he said “no”

“I thought so” Abby replied. “Life is short which is why we should do our best to make the world better after all. At the end of the day what can you say that you were proud of, what can people say this is how you made your mark in the world.”

Finally Abby sat back down and continued on her sandwich. There was silence in the cafeteria, and then claps, cheers and whistles from everyone in the room. Kids flooded her and said how brave she was. Jack stormed out of the cafeteria but before he left he turned and looked back. Abby caught the look. It was an angry look but in the corner of his eyes, Abby could see a small tear hardly noticeable, but noticeable still. Abby was wondering why Jack was crying, but before she could find out the bell rang telling her to return to class.

PS: I would like to thank the people who gave me info on school in my last chapter thank you for your help

jojo and  BookwormJo

Thank you 💜👍🥰