Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Crack!

Roseanne's gaze was ice-cold.

With that slap, the room went silent as a graveyard.

Even Hertha was dumbfounded, "You... you hit me? You actually dared to hit me?!"

Roseanne replied, "Why wouldn't I? You were rude first; I'm just defending my honor. This is school, not your personal playground. You can throw your tantrums, but I'm under no obligation to indulge them."

So, all the kindness I showed her, in her eyes, was just me being a pushover?

How ironic...

Sybil's expression darkened, suddenly speaking up, "Even if Jenny was out of line, Miss Cole, you can't just hit people! The school rules are clear - fighting and causing trouble can get you expelled."

Slater immediately chimed in, "Let's go, report her to the administration! We all saw it!"

Arkle, hearing this, tried to mediate, stepping between them, "Come on, we're all classmates. It doesn't have to escalate like this... Sometimes, it's better to let things go, as the old saying goes, let's turn swords into plowshares..."

"Back off! You hick!" Slater pushed Arkle away forcefully, "Whose side are you on? When we needed you to speak up, you were as good as dead. Now, when we're about to report Roseanne, you're all for making peace. Arkle, you've got quite the mouth on you, never realized you were such a talker!"

Arkle stammered, "I'm not... I just don't want everyone to fight... It's bad for all of us..."

He looked desperately for support, but when he started to speak, he was all over the place.novelbin

His eyes pleaded for help from Carlson, who had been silent till now.

Scanning the crowd, Carlson's gaze finally rested on Hertha's face and he said calmly, "Roseanne's not wrong, though. This is a school, not your house; no one's here to coddle you. If you dish it out, you've got to be ready to take it."

"You" Hertha was seething.

Slater didn't dare to confront

Carlson but didn't hold back against

Arkle, "Are you even part of our

net

team? Why do you always play against us? Those who know you would say you can't tell friends from foes, others might think she's got you wrapped around her finger!"

The insult was dirty, targeting both Arkle and implying something about Carlson.

Even Sybil's face changed upon hearing it.

Only Roseanne remained as calm as ever, turning to look at Mamie.

Their eyes met, understanding each other without words.

Mamie rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward, catching Slater off-guard-

Smack, smack!

Two sharp slaps echoed.

After hitting him, she immediately stepped back.

Slater was dazed, cheeks burning, "You- you dared to hit me?!"

et

Mamie nodded with a smile, "Yeah, hit you And why do all of you react with the same question? Is it some kind of script?"

"How dare you hit me?! You think too highly of yourself—" Slater was fuming, ready to throw punches.

But Arkle held him back firmly.

Arkle was taller and bulkier, and

when a little

got serious, Slater was like

es unable to break fro

swno

et

"Let me go! I'm going to the administration to report this! Just wait for your expulsion—"

"Sure," Roseanne said with a smile, her voice calm yet firm, "Let's see who gets expelled first, you or us."

Slater froze, "What do you mean?"