Chapter Eight

Things did not get better when Kim actually got to school. As she had expected, she was instantly dragged into the headmaster’s office and scolded. Kim did not even try to correct him this time. What was the point? By the time he finished his tirade, he threatened to phone home and give her an after school detention. Years ago, Kim would have cried and begged him not to and she would correct her behaviour knowing how Trudy would react to this news. Today however, Kim could barely muster more than an exhausted eye roll. Apparently that was “height of disrespect” and only made him double her punishment. 

As Kim was leaving, the headmaster barked at her hunched and retreating back, “Hopefully this will teach you to think before doing something so blatantly foolish- AUGH!” Kim whipped around and her eyes widened as the little square window on the wall had flapped open and, as if a great wolf had blown through it, everything on his desk had flown across the room and scattered. 

“What in the world!” The portly little man scrambled to the window, slamming it shut, “Bloody high winds, you’d think the weatherman would have had half a mind to mention that!” He muttered indignantly as he started going about picking up the scattered remains of what was once tidy piles of paper and stacked binders. Kim took this opportunity to slip out of the room. 

The hallways were as busy as always, lots of shoving, shouting and stupid antics. Kim tried to be invisible by leaning against the wall next to the lockers, hoping that the crowds would soon disperse and she could get her books in peace. Her own locker was at the end of the row, which meant that she was often on the receiving end of the row of human-dominos that was inevitably going to be shoved over by some guy trying to show off. Right now Kim was in no mood to be thrown into a wall so waiting was her best option.

“Oh look,” an unwelcome voice pierced Kim’s ear, “the freak is back.” Kim groaned and turned around to see the Bonnies standing there. They stood shoulder to shoulder as always, Kim had almost never seen them alone, no doubt they would lose their nerve if confronted alone. Beth, a blonde haired, blue eyed and very pretty fifth year girl was their ringleader with Sara and Chiomeh, fourth years, as backup. How they were so popular was a complete mystery to Kim, maybe it was their charisma, or it was actually about fear? Who knows. The trio surrounded Kim, leaving her no room for exit. Kim, feeling heavy and drained despite the early hour, glared at all three of them.

“Please let me out, I’d rather get this day over with.” she grumbled and made an attempt to get past them. But she was swiftly pushed back into the wall by Beth.

“How did Mr. Snibby let you back here looking like that? Are you a-” Beth called Kim a certain slur that made her flinch a little at its severity, “-and want to broadcast it to everyone? That’s sick.” 

“I am-!” Kim stopped herself, realising how this sounded, “Just let me go.” 

“You should be less arrogant going about with hair like that,” Sara interjected in her annoyingly snobby voice, “nobody likes a deviant, they’ll be thinking you want certain attention!”

The back of Kim’s neck heated up in her anxiety. People were staring now, and a few were muttering. The Bonnies were particularly brave today, it seemed. Usually whenever they wanted to give Kim grief, it would be either in the bathrooms or outside the gate- somewhere where teachers could not intervene, and the other younger girls were just as wary of the Bonnies as Kim was, so would not dare tell any teachers. Well, she was not going to put up with their nonsense today, she had been forced into school and already reprimanded for something she could not control , she was not about to put up with this today. Kim straightened up and opened her mouth to tell the trio where they could go…

The bell rang shrilly and everyone retreated into their classrooms. Beth glared at Kim.