Chapter 8; The winter festival!

*Unedited*

Enjoy the chapter!

*

Two weeks after the preparations, It was Monday, the twenty eight-The Winter Festival. I was still grounded. Every day I wasn't at school, I spent staring at the TV until my eyes throbbed painfully, or staring at my ceiling. How come before, I was okay with staying at home all the time, but now I wasn't? It seems like the school changed me more than I changed it. And it barely did any change to me.

I was still the hot tempered, sassy, blunt and very (very) friendly Rhi.

Also, the attention I got didn't change that much either. I would get the usual stares as I walked down the hallways and in the cafeteria and gym, and sometimes brave souls will try to ask me out on a date.

I normally wouldn't mind all the attention, but it's not the one I hoped for. I wanted them to see me as one of them- even if I was a girl.

I wanted them to say 'Hey' and 'Good morning' as I walked past them.

I wanted them to not be nervous, wary or scared to talk to me, and ask me if I was free today to join them see movies at the cinema.

I guess when I finally entered a public school, where students were supposed to be different than in my former schools, I expected to make lots of friends since I found people who were a lot like me.

But it didn't happen.

I'm lucky Caleb wanted to be my friend.

Though, what would he do if one day one of the guys will ask him to hang out with them?

I was afraid I would find out very soon.

And I knew I would be all alone again.

*

I fiddled with my lower lips, glancing at Caleb unsurely. What was I to say? 'Hey, I'm still grounded by my overprotective aunt, who is like that for a reason I can't tell you, so I can't go to the festival even though I stupidly forgot and promised you I will'? That would be a very long answer, and even to me it sounded like an excuse. I couldn't get myself to lie to him more than I have already, either.

And, to be honest, I really wanted to go. But last time I went to such a huge gathering, I ended up with a sprained ankle, a cracked nose and a bruise on my rib cage. The other guy came out with much less luck.

After that, Aunt made me go to a temper control meetings. I said I went, but we both knew I lied. Though, she didn't mention it afterwards. Maybe she forgot, or maybe she didn't have the energy to start another argument. Probably the latter.

"Okay, I'll come." I answered eventually. Caleb's eyes lit, a smile and the small blush he always wore on his face. "Really? That's great! We're gonna have lots of fun, you'll see!" I was a bit surprised he didn't act like the normal shy Caleb, but didn't comment on that. It made me glad that he became more comfortable around me and less nervous and wary.

The real question was I the hell was I supposed to sneak out without Aunt-the woman who I could never get away with going out while I being grounded- not noticing?

I need to start thinking of a plan of some sort. Maybe get Belle on my side.

Considering the fact that aunt writes her paycheck, it might not be a good idea, though.

"S-so... We'll meet at the entrance at around eight?" I nodded, taking a bite of my sandwich. I could tell that everyone was pumped about the festival-even though it was more about the competition than the event itself. I was scared about what will come after I'll manage to get out of the house-if I will.

So, to put it lightly, I was screwed.

*

"I hope I'm going to see you tonight, little girl," I lifted my gaze from my phone, looking at Daniel as he strode closer towards me at the bus station. No one else was here, probably because most of the boys have cars or their house was close to school so they walked.

"Who are you?" I asked him, just to see him get angry. He was so arrogant I bet he thought everyone knew him.

It was fun pissing him off since it appeared to be so easy.

And of course, Daniel's angry expression told me I was right.

"Oh, yes. I really do hope since there would be so many people no one will notice if something happened to you." I rolled my eyes, standing up in front of him.

"Dude, lay off. I get that you're annoyed I'm not into you, but you're acting like a stalker. A creep." If my previous words angered him, this made him furious.

Luckily for me, before he could answer me-or possibly committee murder- the bus arrived, and I got up quickly.

I sighed. When will this boy understand that I give a damn about him?

*

I stared at the denim jeans shorts, blue shirt, the black stockings and the black hoodie. Was I really daring enough to not listen to my Aunt and go out?

I only did that once, and when I got caught it didn't ended well for me.

But this time, I really really wanted to go. It was a big chance to make amends with everyone, and I knew I'll have great time.

Maybe I shouldn't think too much about it, in fear of changing my mind. I got dressed quickly and quietly.

Aunt was out on a dinner date, and will come back in an hour or two. Of course, I didn't plan to come back before her-I would never make it.

I only hoped she wouldn't notice my disappearance. And when I get caught, I'll just bear the consequences like a big girl.

Putting on my boots, I took the small backpack hanging on my door and my light relief glasses-just in case everything becomes too much.

Because I didn't often sneak out of the house, I decided that I wasn't ninja-like enough to go out the door. Too clumsy and noisy to do so.

So, I opened the window, looking down from the second floor unsurely. How the will I do that? There wasn't any tree like there usually is at all those books and movies where the girl tries to sneak out.

Jumping down was a big no-no, obviously. I'll probably die. No, I'll definitely die.

There was a wide and long pipe at the side of the outer wall near my window. Was it steady enough for me to use? I had a bad feeling about it.

Maybe try to go past Belle and the night guard at the entrance?

I took a deep breath and set on the railing, my hand reaching for the pipe. I shook it gently, making sure it wouldn't break halfway down.

Then, I straddled the pipe and started to go down as fast and as lightly as I could.

When I was a few feet from the ground, I actually thought it would be okay.

But of course, luck and me are not good friends.

One wrong movement and the pipe suddenly snapped, sending me to the ground on my back. The pipe was about to fall on me, so I rolled quickly to the side. It fell with a bang, but luckily the grass stifled the noise. I groaned, hissing from the light pain on my back and the back my head.

Eventually, I stood up when I realized I was supposed to meet with Caleb in twenty five minutes, and if won't hurry I will be late.

Running fast around the house, I waited for the bus. The ride took a bit longer than I thought, so I was a bit worried Caleb will think I wouldn't show up. Thankfully, I saw his figure as soon as the bus came to a stop.

He didn't wear a beanie this time, so I could see the brown locks of hair on his head.

Caleb had a white T-shirt and a black jacket on top of a blue hoodie. He also wore washed up jeans and sneakers. My shy friend sure looked cute.

And I wasn't ashamed to admit it out load.

"Yo, Cab, you look cute." He looked a bit surprised at first, but then the usual smile and little blush were on his face. "T-thanks, uh... you too." I winked at him, as smile on my face as I walked passed him, Caleb quickly by my side.

The Winter Festival was actually held in an open space that normally opened for carnivals.

There were some roller coasters and other rides, but the booths and food stands were held by our school and the girls' academy. For the competition for honor, of course. Also, there were two ice rinks and two scary houses that we were allowed to take care of ourselves. I had a feeling the boys may have over-did it in the scary house, and it'll be too scary for people to choose to enter it.

And they didn't put much effort to the ice rink. Thank god at least we had good food.

Unless those doofuses already ate it all. I bet they are close to it, and the night barely started.

"Ooh, let's buy some food first!" Caleb looked at me with a weird expression. "You're already hungry?" He asked. I looked around at the food stands.

"Sweetheart, I'm always hungry. Now where the hell can a girl get a hotdog?" He lets out a chuckle, but moves his gaze around him as well.

"There's one there," He pointed out after a few moment of searching. I pull Caleb by his sleeve without giving him the time to walk towards the stand.

After buying food (luckily, the boys haven't touch it. Yet.) we started to walk around.

"We should go to the ice rink, see how much of a mess they made." I told Caleb in amusement, even though I was actually quite worried they'll get in trouble with the people who came.

It wasn't as messy as I thought, but it might be for the reason there weren't many people here.

The ice rink next-door were the winner, it would seem.

"No no, it's not what you're supposed to do!" I lifted a brow, looking at a boy with glasses and another who stood in front of him. He didn't look like someone you will want to meet in a dark alley. Well, I wasn't one to judge other looks. They fought over a pair of ice skaters, a couple stood by the counter waiting for their skaters.

"You're supposed to sign them in first, give them the red band, and only then give them the skaters!" "That's what I was doing!" The taller guy yelled.

"No, you did everything wrong!" "The hell I did!"

Rolling my eyes, I walked and stood behind the terrified couple.

"Oy, What are you doing?" They stopped bickering to give me a glare. "This idiot is not following the protocol," The glasses boy said, looking at me with bright green eyes. "What did you just called me?" He dropped the skaters, pulling his rival by his shirt's collar. "I called you an idiot! What, do you have problems with your ears as well with your brain?" Just as the tall guy was about to punch him, I put a hand on his arm and pulled him towards me.

"Stop it you two, do you want the girls to win?" The tall guy shook my hand off of him, but didn't make any movement to show he was about to punch the boy.

"No," They both murmured, glaring at each other. "Me neither, so let's just try to get along for the next two hours. 'Key?"

The shorter boy shrugged, "Whatever," he said and moved back to his place.

Oh boy. If this happened only fifteen minutes after the opening, how many more fights will take place?

*

Turns out, the boys were even more serious about wining than I thought. There were a few little fights, but they stopped quickly before Uncle (or Principal Bart- thank god he was from my mom side, and I kept my dad surname) and other teacher came. We wouldn't have wanted the academy's headmaster to give the people a reason to not come to our booths.

Of course, I couldn't have an end to the day without drama.

"Well well well," I turned around with a fuddled expression, looking at a redhead who wore her school uniform, along with two friends besides her. It didn't take me long to guess she was from the all girls' academy. And they came just as Caleb has left to the bathrooms and to find a dessert for me.

I shoved my hand in the hoodie's pockets.

"We heard that Woodblock accepted a girl into their all boys' school, but we didn't expect it to be true." I lifted a brow. How did she know it was me, then? I voiced my thoughts.

"We saw you at one of the booths and at the rink," The girl with the short dark hair said. I smirked, "Stalker much?" I was quite amused, but it didn't seem like they were anything close to that.

"Well then..." I mumbled.

"Don't you feel ashamed of yourself?" The redhead asked, crossing her hands. I hummed, as if thinking for a second. "Nah I'm good. Thank you for worrying about me, though." She clacked her tongue. The short-hair girl tried this time. "She means that you being in a school where everyone are boys. Are you some kind of a whore?" I cocked my head to the side, looking up with a thinking expression on my face. "Noo, I didn't make them pay for what I did." At first, I kept my face blank, and they had horrified looks on their face. Then, I started to laugh, not noticing the crowd of both school gathering too glare at each other. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" I went into another fit of laughter. "I swear I am, geez don't look so terrified!" I let out a few more chuckles.

"You're alone for a few minutes and you already manage to make them think you're some kind of a whore?" I looked at the blue hair boy coming from the crowed, amusement in his eyes and a smile on his face.

I cracked a smile, "It was a joke!" Reagan, who appeared by his side, rolled his eyes. "It wasn't a funny one." He said. I hissed like I was in pain. "Careful, Cute boy, or you might just hurt my feelings." His glared deepened. "Stop calling me that," Reagan snapped. I frowned. "Why, you don't think you're cute? Are you insecure or something? Don't worry, I think you are definitely cute."

He was about to respond, but then a woman came from the girls who gathered in front of me and the guys.

"Well, dear god, I can't believe it's true; there's a girl in an all boys' school after all. Does your parents know what you're doing, young lady?" I opened my mouth to answer her, when my uncle voice sounded behind me.

"Her guardian indeed knows about it," Did Uncle Bart straight out admitted I'm not living with my parents? If that's what some have thought, they didn't show it on their face. Well, I couldn't tell what the boys thought, since my back was to them.

"This is absurd, Bart. I will not allow it." He lifted a brow. "I don't think it is any of you concerns, Ms. Glenn." Yes, you go Uncle Bart! Show her what we Martins are made of!

"Well, how about we see what your school board has to say about that, then?" She asked, fixing her already neat vest.

"I already did, and they say it is quite alright, since it's to test if we can accept more girls. Is there anything else you want to say, Ms. Glenn?" The headmaster scowled at him, then turned around and walked away, the girls after her.

"The Winter Festival is now officially over. Thank you for coming, and good night."

I looked around as the announcer spoke, and then clapped my hands once. "Well, at least no one broke any important organ at the end of day, right? I say it's a win for us." My gaze settled on the boy who had a bandage on his ankle and he leaned on his friend.

"Okay, maybe not for all of us."

~*~

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