IF YOU GOT A BONE TO PICK, COME TO ME

The whole class was startled by the deafening noise that shuttered the silent class from the thumping of the book on the desk by Ben. Ivy and  Lupita trembled, gazing at the direction of the source of the sound, unblinking. The rest of the class glazed and turned back to their various activities after noticing it was Ben. No one was ready to put themselves in their troubles except Laura who glared at them pained. Naomi and Alixes tapped her shoulders to calm her down on noticing the look on her face and how she was angrily vibrating.

"Hey, keep you're cool, girlfriend. Why do you always want to mingle in the issues of those worms. I guess you're now the number one member on their wanted list and will never spare you when they get the chance ", Alxies mumbled, taut.

"Keep those lectures to yourself for now, Alixes. I've got to skin some people who never learn their lessons easily alive now", answered Laura with an unreadable expression and strolled off to Ivy and Lupita's end.

Naomi and Alixes gazed after her with wide-eye after failing to get hold of her.

"Gosh,Laura, not again....", Naomi cried, etched.

" Damn, she's always like this, poking her nose where it doesn't belong. I don't know how we even became friends. I bet this behavior of hers will definitely land her where she least expected one day ", Alixes roared, sullen.

Ben grabbed a handful of Ivy's hair, making her groan in pain while Lupita held his wrists pleading.

"What was the meaning of what you just did by giving that chocolate to that brat, huh?",he yelled, angry. "Are you trying to shame face me, huh?, huh? come on, talk now"

"Please, stop it now, you're hurting her, please",Lupita cried, agonized.

Ben turned his gaze on,Lupita, glowering as he pushed her so hard to the floor.

" Talk now ",he roared at Ivy like a lion about to devour its pry.

"No, please....it's just a gift for her birthday", stammered Ivy in pain and agony amidst tears.

"Liar!!", he yelled about to slap her but his hand was suddenly stopped in the air.

Fred, Patrick and the rest of the class stared at the scene in awe. Laura held Ben's hand in the air with a sardonic smile, dancing all over her face.

" If you've got a bone to pick, I think you should rather settle it with me, Ben, not them", she exclaimed pushing him so hard to the floor by the hand.

This made the whole class chuckle and mumbled among themselves. Ben laid on the floor, fuming in shame and anger as he glared at Laura who was helping Lupita up from the floor. He got up with rage and punched Laura unexpectedly making Naomi and Alixes gasp, befuddled and shocked.

"Laura!! oh, my God", they shouted and rushed to her side to help her up.

" Gosh, please, stop this", Ivy and Lupita screamed in fear.

" Hey, are you, okay?", Naomi queried.

Fred and Patrick stood behind Ben with a wry grin, cheerful.

Laura wiped off the stain of blood from the corner of her lips with a mischievous smile and  stared back at Ben, wolfish. Without a word to Naomi nor Alixes, she slammed up and punched back Ben so hard on the face, causing him to bleed from his nose. Everyone wowed, astonished by the strength of her punch. They've never seen this aspect of Laura before.

"Damn!!, she's got such a manly punch", some of them whispered among themselves.

Fred and Patrick quickly held back Ben who was struggling to get back at Laura to prevent any further casualty.

One part of Laura that's so hidden from all his mates except her friends was her good boxing skills.

"Laura!!", Naomi and Alixes rushed to hold her back. "Hey, calm down, else you'll be in detention if any teacher finds out", Alixes exclaimed.

Just then, the bell rang for lesson. Ben angrily shrugged from the grips of his friends and trod to his desk. Patrick and Fred followed as well.

" Alixes, please take Laura to her desk now, I've got to rush off else I'll be punished for getting to class late", said Naomi to Alixes but before she could say anything, Laura stormed off to her desk, sullen.

They both stared at her, worried.

"Don't worry, Naomi, I can handle her, go now".

Naomi nodded and sped off to her class.

Minutes later, their drama teacher, Mrs. Park trod in. The class was dead silent as if nothing had happened and no one dared talk about it. They greeted and welcomed her, rising to their feet.

" Thanks, you may have your seats now ", she replied and everyone settled back in their desks. "I'm glad to announce our annual drama festivity to you all and this year, we'll be performing a drama "waiting for your love" by Henrietta Otu", she announced and the whole class roared with applause with the exception of Laura and Ben who were still upset.

" I've already spoken to your room teacher, Mr Mark and we've decided; Laura and Ben will be our lead characters". she added. Laura and Ben, gazed at her with shock.

" What?", they mumbled. Fred and Patrick glanced at Ben, astonished.

"Oh, no, this can't be good", Alixes exclaimed, staring at Laura who looked so puzzled and wane.

"Miss Laura Roberts and Mr Ben Hansel, please rise to your feet", Mrs Park called out. Laura and Ben rose to their feet, gazing at each other, unblinkingly and tight-lipped.