Oh no, she didn't! Merrie-Beth starts to stand up, but I stop her. "Sara, why are you so mean? Have you not seen any of those anti-bullying campaigns? Daddy didn't love you enough as a child? I'm done with your bitchy hoe nastiness. It's sad really, no one even likes you. The only reason your little entourage hangs out with you is because they are scared of what you'll say about them. DO better! Be a better person, and you might actually make a real friend or two."
Still full of anger, I point my finger in Sara's face. "Oh, and if you ever call my best friend by that name again, you'll be leaving in an ambulance, and Daddy's sweet money will be paying for a long hospital visit. Is that clear?" The classroom is eerily quiet. Mrs. Lopez's mouth is agape in shock.
Looking at Sara, I stifle a laugh. If looks could kill, I'd be done, dead, deceased. She is quiet, though.
"Well, I think that is enough sharing for today kids. Sara, Arabella, I need both of you to stay after class." Considering the glare, she just sent me Mrs. Lopez is not happy.
The bell rings, and Merrie-Beth whispers that she will wait outside for me. I nod but don't say anything. I've never really been in trouble before. I put on a brave face and walk up to her desk; Sara is already standing there.
Mrs. Lopez glares at both of us for a couple of minutes and doesn't say a word. She could be an interrogator for the FBI. Finally, she speaks. "I'm very disappointed in both of you. Sara, how dare you call Merrie-Beth that, and Arabella, I'm goingto have to write you up. You threatened a student with bodily harm right in front of me. This is probably going to go on your permanent record, and you may not get to walk at graduation tomorrow."
Sara turns to me with a smirk firmly in place. If I wasn't so shocked, I'd have body slammed her onto the desk. How could this have happened on the last day? My aunt and uncle are going to be pissed at me if I don't get to attend graduation.
Mrs. Lopez turns her attention to The Bitch. "Don't look so smug, Sara. I'm writing you up, too. You'll probably face the same consequences."
Sara looks petrified. "Why? I didn't do anything wrong, Mrs. Lopez. That's not fair. Daddy will hear about this, and it won't be so good for your job."
Mrs. Lopez stands up and gets eye level with her, because she’s a fucking boss. "Sara, you threaten me all you want, and I don't care if you tell your Daddy or my supervisor. I have nothing to hide. You were being a bully, which is a serious offense, and no one at this school takes matters like this lightly. Why don't I call your Daddy myself? He's sure to love the very detailed account of what happened here today. Especially the part about my job."
Sara is positively livid. Her nostrils flare, and she looks at me in disbelief. Then, she focuses back on Mrs. Lopez. Sara takes a deep breath and mumbles something unintelligible.
"What was that?" Mrs. Lopez asks. I can tell she is slightly amused.
Sara reins in her temper. "Mrs. Lopez, there is no reason to tell my father. Please, forgive me for speaking out of turn. I was angry and said something stupid. I'll apologize to Merrie-Beth,and I won't hold a grudge against Arabella. She was just standing up for her friend."
Mrs. Lopez clears her throat, "Sara, I accept your apology, and proposal. You may leave now. Don't forget your apology to Merrie-Beth."
Sara smiles. "Of course, thanks so much."
"Oh, and Sara, if you mention any of this to anyone, especially Arabella's involvement, I will have to tell the whole story. And nobody wants that." Mrs. Lopez adds with a cheeky grin.
Sara looks at me and rolls her eyes. "Oh, alright. I won't." She storms out of the room and yells a halfhearted SORRY to Merri-Beth, almost knocking her over in the process as she runs out.
"Thanks." I say with a sheepish smile.
"You're welcome, and Arabella, I'm going to give you some sound advice. Don't let the Saras of this world make you sink down to their level. Standing up for a best friend is honorable, but never stoop so low that you can't get back up again. That thrill that hits you after besting someone like that doesn't last forever. And honey, let me tell you, they are not worth losing who you are or what you're trying to become." She smiles at me.
I nod my head and honestly contemplate what she said. "Yes, ma'am, thank you."
"What class do you have next?" She asks.
"World History." I reply.
"I'll write Merrie-Beth an excuse, also." She sits back down at her desk to write the excused absence notes.
Heading out of the classroom, I whisper to Merrie-Beth. "Hey Mer, get your money's worth?"
She scoffs, "Are you crazy? I wouldn’t have missed that for the world. Mrs. Lopez got the best of Sara. Do you realize she orchestrated that whole conversation so you wouldn't get in trouble? She's pretty awesome. Maybe we have severely underestimated her and the perks that her friendship could have brought us." She laughs. "Just sayin'."
I laugh. "Dually noted. Merrie-Beth, I am so tired of Sara. Enough is enough. Every word that passed my lips during my tirade was true. I'm done. She will no longer be allowed to make our lives a living hell."
Merrie-Beth looks like she is about to cry. She acts so strong and self-confident, but behind closed doors, I know her weight bothers her. It shouldn't. She has so much to offer this world. She is a healthy, vibrant, and beautiful girl.
"Mer, I'm sorry for what she said. She's an idiot." I say softly.
She looks up at the ceiling, and I know she is trying to get rid of the tears accumulating under her eyes. She looks at me and takes a deep breath. "Ella, I know it was mean of her to say, and I shouldn't let it bother me, but the truth is, it does. I am fat."
I hold up my hand to stop her, "You're a size eighteen, Mer, you're not fat. You have curves, big freaking deal. Every single one of us wishes we could look like someone else or that we could be someone else, have someone else's life, but we should just be happy being ourselves. Everyone has some sort of insecurity, hell parts of me jiggle when I walk, I say we should embrace our differences and love one another despite them."
