Chapter one
"Go away!" Alessa yelled to the bully. "Leave my sister alone!"
The boy grinned at her. "Oh yeah? And what's a girl like you going to do?"
Alessa cracked her neck, her knuckles, and charged at the boy. He was startled for a moment, but he got into a position to take her on.
He was no match for Alessa. With her willowy build, she slithered out of his grasp, and leapt onto his back. He cried out, trying to shake her, as she pelted him with punches and yanked on his hair.
Of course, the teachers ran and tried to pull Alessa off, but without much luck. Jessamine huddled in the shadows between two buildings, watching and cringing. She knew her twin was in trouble and would probably be suspended.
Alessa was finally pried from the boys back, and was being pinned to the ground by a few teachers, both yelling to call their fathers, and get them here to take the twins home.
Jessamine was prepared to stay in the shadows, but her math teacher, Mrs. Leija, spotted her, and beckoned her out.
When Alessa noticed Jess, she calmed down and stopped struggling. She just locked eyes with Jessamine and refused to look away. The teachers cautiously let her go, waiting for her to spring up and run after the boy, but she just laid there.
"Are you going to behave Ms. Winglock?"
"Yes ma'am," Alessa said, sounding robotic.
"And you," Mrs. Leija turned to Jessamine. "Are you okay?"
The side of Jessamine's face hurt, and her ribs felt broken, but she feebly nodded and sat next to Alessa.
"You two are to remain here with Mr. Juani until your father's arrive. Do you understand?"
They both nodded. They watched their math teacher go into the school.
"Your face is bruising Jess," Mr. Juani said. "How bad are you hurt?"
Even though a part of her ached to tell him just what Dylan had done, the thought made her nauseous. "It's okay sir. It's just a small bruise. He didn't get me too bad."
He didn't seem to believe her, but left it at that.
