No Mercy by L. Divine Read Free Book Online

smell like the cigarettes she smokes. I gave her a little something for that but it hasn’t kicked in yet.
    “What’s up?” Ms. Toni asks, touching the beautiful vase full of exotic flowers.
    Mr. Cho also pays special attention to the bouquet. If I didn’t know better I’d say that I just broke up a make out session.
    “It’s that time of the month and I was late to Mrs. Bennett’s class because of it. Sorry to blurt out all of m y business, Mr. Cho, but I’m in a bit of a rush.” Even though I’m out of the room because of Mrs. Bennett’s request, I know she’s still going to hold me accountable for the morning work.
    “Oh Jayd,” Ms. Toni says, hugging me back. “You’ve got to stay out of that woman’s way.”
    “Me?” I say, near tears. “She’s the one who’s always messing with me. I don’t know what I did to her to make her hate me so much.”
                  “She can’t break you, Jayd. That’s why most people on power trips abuse those who refuse to bow,” Mr. Cho says, kissing Ms. Toni on the cheek. “I’ve seen Mrs. Bennett break many students, but never one like you.”
                  “John’s right, Jayd,” Ms. Toni says, calling Mr. Cho by his first name. Now I’m really uncomfortable. “As long as she doesn’t break your spirit you’ll be fine.”
                  Ms. Toni reaches into her desks and takes out her student passes. As the ASB advisor she’s got every pass available. 
                  “You wouldn’t happen to have any Advil would you?” I ask. What I really need is a heating pad and some of Mama’s raspberry tea, but modern medicine will have to do in this moment.
                  “You know I’ve got my baby,” Ms. Toni says, pulling a bottle out of the first aid kit on the wall next to her desk and handing it to me. “As long as I’m here that woman won’t get away with too much. Success is the best revenge, Jayd. Remember that.”
                  I don’t know about that one. I can think of many other ways to get revenge on Mrs. Bennett, and my diploma has nothing to do with any of them. Turning the other cheek with her has run its course. Along with Esmeralda and Rousseau, Mrs. Bennett’s on my short list of hating elders that need to be taught a lesson in chilling out on my ass. They only have themselves to blame when I come after them with all I’ve got.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    “Most people would rather see you cry than smile.”
    -Mama
    Drama High, volume 15: Street Soldiers
     
    ~3~
    NEVER NOT BROKEN
     
                  It was rough getting through the rest of third and fourth period, but it was worth it to finally get to lunch. Chase treated me and Alia to take out and bought dessert. We’re so close that my play brother can even tell when I need a good dose of chocolate ganache cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory, my favorite local restaurant.
                  “Greetings, scavengers,” Matt says, interrupting our feast. It’s unusual for the drama club devotee to socialize during lunch even if he and Chase hang out from time to time. He’s usually off campus smoking a cigarette somewhere.
                  “Matt,” I say, too busy licking my fork to say much.
                  “We’re announcing auditions for the Fall Festival,” he says, passing out the fliers. “It’ll be interesting to see who tries out this year.”
                  “You know I’m in,” Chase says, reading the neon colored paper—no doubt Seth’s contribution. If it weren’t for Seth’s organizational skills and Matt’s physical labor, the drama club wouldn’t be nearly as successful as it is. What’s Seth going to do next year when Matt graduates with the rest of us seniors?
                  “Alice in Wonderland,” I say, feeling a personal relationship already developing