Chapter 2 Cold November

Furious about being attacked in class, April G rushed down the hallways of the Sigmond Ross Institution in hopes of finding comfort away from Roxy and Brother Baxter.

As the young lady ran away, a crystal ball came across her path and caused her to stumble as she stepped on it.

Her leg snapping from the impact of her fall, April G felt her heart sinking deeper into the abyss of her own despair.

"Ms. Jones?" said a Caucasian man in his late thirty's. His back slick hair shined with the flickering lights as he kneeled to April G. Causing creases in his blue and black gown as he helped her to her feet.

"Dean Trask? What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing. If I am not mistaking, the bell doesn't ring for another fifteen minutes."

"I forgot something in my locker. "

5 / 22

"April G. "Jerome said as he ran up to her.

"Mr. Carlton." Dean Trask said. "I'd hate to think Brother Baxter is scaring all of his students all of his students out of his class."

"Just had to go to the bathroom, Sir." Jerome explained as he held up a pink card.

"Very good than. Perhaps you can escort Ms. Jones to the nurse's office on the way.

"That's fine, Sir." Said April G. "I'm fine."

"By the sound of how your leg hit the ground, I find that hard to believe."

"I don't mind. It is wrong to let you go on your own like this." Jerome added.

"Then its settled. Please make sure Ms. Jones gets the proper guidance to the nurse's office."

"Yes, Sir."

Jerome extended has hand to April G as she reluctantly allowed him to help her up.

As the two students walked away, the dean caught a glimpse at the crystal ball that caused April G to trip.

"It can't be" Dean Trask said as he reached for the crystal ball slowly.

But the ball vanished in a purple cloud of smoke before he could touch it.

"Impossible."

The dean expressed an ominous glare at April G as she and Jerome went on their way to the nurse's office.

The ringing of the school bell prompt him to leave the hallway as he was soon passed by a herd of students making their way to class.

***

The transition of school periods prompts an unsettling crowd of female students who all heckled June as she walked to her next period still dropped in pudding.

"Leave me alone."

June said as she struggled to escape their taunting.

"What's wrong, Freak?" Vic said as he joined them. Too much white on you? Then again, your goth chicks like to be dark and depressing."

6 / 22

"Screw you, Vic."

June kept walking away until three his teammates blocked her path.

"Let me through."

"No problem." Vic said but first, let us clean you off."

As he said those words, tow cheerleaders took out their water bottles and hurled the liquid contents all over June, soaking her clothes.

"Rob a dub dub, Goth girl." Vic laughed as he and his friends left June to suffer.

"I hate those jerks." June complains trying to wipe the water from her eyes.

"Here maybe this will help." Veronica said as she approached her with a dry towards.

"What are you doing here?"

"I stayed behind to get somethings from my desk. When I caught up to Vic, I saw what he did to you."

"Why should you care? I don't have any friends, remember?"

"Look. I am sorry for what happened in the classroom. I was scared that he would hurt you if he knew about us."

"Trust me. It could be worse." Veronica said.

"Whatever. Just leave me alone."

Before she could leave, Veronica Pulled June back and gave her a kiss on the lips.

"I want to be with you" Veronica said. "Really, I do."

"Then why can't you just be with me?" June asked.

"You don't hear the things Vic says about people like us. But I have my whole life. Being gay is like having a target on your back where I come from."

"What makes you think I haven't grown up with the same type of bigotry before my mom died and I was brought here?"

"Because your dad didn't kill your mom when she came out gay like mine did." Veronica said.

7 / 22

"Of course not. My dad was not in the picture. So, you should know that when someone says that they love me, I expect them not to sell me out."

"Vic was there for me since the day I got sent here. Before you and I ever met, Vic was the first person I was ever comfortable with."

"Don't you think I want something like that?" June argued. "But I'm not going to keep doing these secret girlfriend crap if it means being bullied."

"I promise. No more secrets. Just give me till the end of the week to work things out with Vic."

June smiled at Veronica and the two embarrassed in a kiss.

"The nurse has some clean uniforms in stock. You should go there."

"Okay." June said.

As June walked away, Veronica reached out to her.

"What is it?"

"Here."

Veronica slid a bracket with butterflies on it around June's wrist.

"Early birthday gift and an apology." Veronica said.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

June walked off as Veronica looked away with a sigh of shame.

"Bravo, Babe." Vic approached her from behind the hallway.

"Do we have to do this?" Veronica asked.

"That lesbian's been turning you gay. It is time to teach her a lesson. Nobody steals my girls."

Veronica nodded at Vic's statement as she harbored an unsettling pit of regret.

***

8 / 22

The third bell rings throughout the halls of Sigmond Ross Institution as Madison walked to the locker room after playing basketball.

While opening her locker the voices of her teammates could be heard taking the form of criticizing and loathing.

"Chan was terrible. "One voice said med to Madison's disgust.

"I know. She should not be on this team at all. "

"I hear she only got a spot on the team because she is sleeping with the coach. "

As she heard the unsaddle whispers of her teammates, Madison grabbed her bag and shut her locker. Choosing not to change in her uniform.

The other girls suddenly stopped their conversation as she walked past them, not knowing that she heard everything that was said about her.

About halfway across the gymnasium, Coach Lockwood caught up to Madison.

"Ms. Chan. Might I have a word with you?" Coach Lockwood said.

"I really have to get to class." Madison said.

"I don't think your teacher will appreciate disturbing their class with that sweaty jersey."

The coach blocked of her exit.

"It will be. I promise."

Fearful of being in trouble, Madison agreed to Coach Lockwood's request and followed him to his office.

"There she goes again." One of her teammates snickered as they made their way to their next class.

"Don't mind your teammates, Madison. Girls your age tease each other all the time," said the coach.

Madison walked into the coach's office and took a seat across from his desk.

"I can't help but notice that you've had a hard time making friends on the team."

"I don't think I have a problem with anyone personally Coach Lockwood" Madison replied.

9 / 22

"I wish I could believe that Ms. Chan. But your performance during our past few games says otherwise. No one is willing to throw you the ball because you never make a winning shot. Half of the time, you stumble during the games and trip over your teammates."

"I'm trying my best, Sir. I come to practice every day and..."

"Maybe, this isn't the right team for you. I think you should consider a different hobby."

"No, sir. Please. Basketball is the only thing that helps me with...."

"Your depression?" said the coach.

"Yes, sir."

The coach stood up from his desk and pulled a chair next to Madison.

"I hope you know that students who have behavioral disadvantages aren't usually allowed to perform in sport teams."

As he continued the conversation, Coach Lockwood wrapped his arms around Madison's shoulders.

"Sir, please don't." Madison said.

"Just relax, Ms. Chan. We both know how this goes."

The coach rubbed is hand on Madison's back.

The young girl cringed at the touch of his hands as Coach Lockwood began to touch Madison.

"Please Stop" Madison cried.

"It's okay. We have done this before. Just let me do all the work.

The coach began to move his hand down Madison's shorts. But before he could get any further, the bell ring and Madison stood away from her instructor.

"I have to go to the nurses for my prescription."

Madison ran off as the coach watch from a far.

Unknown to Coach Lockwood, the strange white cat from before observed the entire incident.

"Soon, my girls. You shall be ready." The cat said before turning invisible.