Amber's pov:

"It is so unfair! They are getting in trouble for something they didn't start!" Liam says, clearly pissed off as we walk to our last class of the day.

"I know, it's so wrong, but knowing Tessa, she will change up the story just to purposely make them look bad. It's how she's always been. I don't understand how they haven't caught on by now..."

"Oh I think I know why, her parents are loaded! Daddy's little princess isn't going to be getting in trouble anytime soon as long as her parents are funding some of the school's biggest programs." Liam rolls his eyes, but after a few seconds rolls them a second time once he looks ahead to see Tessa herself, walking out of the principal's office, smirking.

"Yet again, she got away with another thing that was pretty much all her doing." I groan, as Liam links his arm with mine.

I look at him questionably as he mumbles, "Hold me back just incase I try to attack."

"Hey, breathe in, breathe out." I reach up and let his head, because that is what our friendship has come to.

"Is it still illegal to slap someone on school grounds?"

"If it helps, their won't be as much cute guys in jail."

"But I like bad boys."

"You like all boys."

"But like, bad boys are just such turn ons."

"The ones that rob banks and steal cars?"

"Hey, it's not always the personality that matters...."

...

"GROSS!!!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~

"But coach, you can't do this, it wasn't our fault!"

I was making my way from the bathroom back to class until I heard a familiar voice coming from inside the principals office.

And then, it came followed by an even more familiar voice that I knew by heart...

My dad.

"Then you should have thought about that before stepping into someone else's argument! Sure you didn't start it, but you two are smart enough to know the rules that were strictly given. Especially around this time of the season." I could almost hear the anger in my dad's voice, but more importantly, the sound of disappointment.

He would be losing his best boxers.

One being the team captain, Luke, and Damien, who was also one of the best on the team.

It's not like my Dad wanted to punish them, he loves them, they've been training with him for so long.

But my dad has to do what he has to do.

If he let them slide, even if the school's punishment wasn't that bad, then what example would he be leading for the rest of the team?

That they can break his rules and still be able to box?

My dad has his rules for a reason.

He wants the best, and most dedicated boxers on his team.

And to do that, he has to show them who's really in charge.

As he would say, "A strong leader is kind and considerate, but aware when it is time to lead their followers."

Without thinking, I walk towards the principals door, listening in more on their conversation.

Well, I wouldn't say listening in....

I'm....

Listening to one's conversation who's voice is accessible to others without them knowing.

...

Yeah!

"Coach, I promise you, we know of your rules and we would never break them to hurt the team. Please, just give us a chance." My heart instantly tightens as I make out Damien's angelic voice.

"I know Damien, you two are great kids, but if the others on the team knew that you wouldn't be punished for breaking a rule, then what am I as a Coach? The rules are there for a reason, I just didn't expect that you two would be the ones to break it."

"We just tried to stop an argument though! I don't know what Tessa told you, but it's not true! Ask anyone! A witness!" Luke pleads to the principal.

"I'm sorry, but causing a ruckus for your fellow students and staff in the cafeteria does result in-..."

"It was my fault!"

I couldn't stop myself.

It just came out before I was aware of what I was even thinking.

It was almost like a blur.

A blur that I instantly regretted about five seconds after I said it.

All four of them quickly turn their attention on me as I nervously fiddle with my fingers under their stares.

"What?" My dad's voice is the first to break the silence.

His voice was stern, yet confused, but he had a soft look in his eyes.

I quickly scan my eyes over the principal and Luke, who looked at me with nothing but confusion.

And then, I look towards him as we make direct eye contact, his eyes burning into mine, as I shift my weight from one first to another out of nervousness.

Damien.

His hands were on both sides of the chair as he straightened his sitting position, while slightly tilting his head looking at me.

After I realized I was starting to stare, I quickly turn back towards the principal, who was looking at me intensely.

"Miss Amber, I'm sorry but you were not brought up once in any of the conversations that I had, care to explain why you would barge in all of a sudden and demand this whole ordeal your fault?" The principals demands, looking frustrated as if he was finally starting to have the problem under control.

Which actually, he clearly didn't have it "under control" because the person who did it is back in class...

... or with a guy in a janitors closet (Just sayin)

With no punishment.

The principal starts to tap on his desk out of impatience as I quickly rack my brain for any reason why the whole fight would be my fault.

...

What.

Have.

I.

Done.

"It wasn't... Ally who Tessa mentioned... it was me..." I stumble over my words, as the principal leans forward in his seat, "I'm listening..."

"Well, Tessa and I got in a huge argument over... uh... shoes..."

Shoes Amber.

Shoes.

GOOD ONE!

"Shoes?"

"Yes shoes, and then Ally happened to walk by me and say that my argument was more accurate."

Lord if you are listening....

"... We are talking about the shoes?"

"Sir, they were some pretty amazing shoes."

You can just...

Slap me.

Please.

In the face...

Or the head...

And knock me out of my misery.

"Well... then why wouldn't Tessa tell me about you?"

"Well sir, you know she is one for lying, I guess she thought Ally was an easy target, which means that you let her get away with an act of bullying-..."

"Miss Amber I-..."

"And doesn't that go against school integrity? You of all people should know that." But it wasn't me who said it. I look over to see Damien standing up from his seat, walking towards me, giving me a small....

Wink.

...

I don't want to say my heart did a backflip but my heart definitely just did a freakin good backflip.

I mean...

Uh...

"I... I... well then how did they get thrown into this?" This principal points towards Luke and Damien.

"They uh... helped me! Yeah, Tessa she... she said some really mean stuff," I turn towards my dad, knowing his weakness, I begin to force myself to cry, "and... and... I'm sorry dad, I know they are the best on the team and it is all my fault-..."

"No, No! Sweetie, don't say that... I, of course it's not your fault, in fact, they won't be getting into any trouble at all!"

Dad's weakness...

Seeing his daughter cry.

"Wait.. coach... really?" Luke stands up from his seat quickly, as my dad nods his head.

"Yes... but only because you helped my daughter. Do it again and you're off the team, got it?!" Both boys quickly nod their heads, as my dad looks at the principal.

"I hope you know I run this boxing team and give this school an actual reputation. Let someone hurt my daughter again and I'll skin you alive."

And trust me, it was a sight for sore eyes.

The principal nods his head quickly, in I would say fear, as my dad then takes my hand and excuses us out of his office.

But before he does, I turn my head one last time to make eye contact with Damien once again, who was already staring at me.

"Thank You." He mouthed, before smiling at me.

I nodded my head and smile back.