Chapter Two

The popular girls all gave squeals of laughter as I dropped to my hands and knees in front of April. I heard groans from the rest of the students, and dimly heard Jeff say; "Aw, dude! Don't do it man!"

I refused to let myself feel humiliated. This was April's twisted sense of payback. I was protecting Mitzy from her rage and possible magical repercussions. April was a powerful witch and when in a fury, Witches had been known to wreak havoc on those less powerful. If I could become her target, even for one day, it could spare lives.

I gave her patent leather heels a lick. I knew she wanted me to feel humiliated.

I refused to give her what she wanted.

"Good Doggy!" she said, patting my head. "Now take my backpack and help me get to class."

I got up and swung her Saint Laurent white backpack onto my shoulder, along with my backpack that I'd had since I'd been in seventh grade. We didn't have a lot of money, especially for three thousand dollar backpacks.

"Good Dog!" A couple of her entourage said.

"April, can he carry -my- backpack too?" one of the girl's said.

April paused, considering. "Yes. Fool, take all of my friend's backpacks too!"

I rolled my eyes but swung three onto my back. Two more backpacks had piled up at my feet. "I can't take those," I said.

"What do you mean?" April said, batting her extended lashes at me.

"I can't carry them!" I said. "I have yours, mine, Jenni's, Stephanie's, and Charlotte's. I can't take any more."

"Leave your backpack here, then!" she said.

"But I--" I saw her eyes fade to black, and I shook my head, allowing my backpack to slide back down to the ground. I shouldered the three I had then, picked up the other two in my hands, and followed April into the building.

The backpacks were heavy and kept trying to slide off my shoulders which made me stumble as I tried to keep up with her.

"Keep up with me, Fool!" she yelled, as I increased my speed to the laughter and giggles of the girls surrounding me.

The other students all looked at me as I stumbled through the hallways. Some had snide looks on their faces, and others looked concerned or frowned. Mitzy had picked up my backpack and followed a few paces behind. When we got to her first period class, which was home-economics, April paused as I handed all her friends their backpacks and they gave me vicious grins and walked inside.

"Be back exactly when the bell rings, Fool!" she said, as I held her backpack up to her.

"Yeah," I said in response.

"You will address me as Mistress, is that clear, Fool?"

I shook my head, rolling my eyes.

"I expect to hear 'Yes, Mistress!'"

I grit my teeth. "Look, I carried your stupid bags to your stupid class. I'll be back when the bell rings." I started to walk off.

Bonds of energy seized me in a vice-grip. I was lifted up onto my toes, and turned to confront April. "You will respond by saying 'Yes, Mistress!'"

I grit my teeth, clamping my mouth shut. If this went on too long, eventually--

"What's going on here?" a deep male voice said from behind me.

Mr. Jenkins, my science teacher, glanced up at me. "That you, Atkins?"

"She--" but something stuffed my throat, and I couldn't speak.

"Seth was helping get to class and put his hand on my butt!" April said.

Mr. Jenkins frowned. "That true, Atkins?"

I tried to shake my head, but something forced it up and down.

"Look, I don't know what's going on here, but work it out and fast. It's time for class to start."

Gee, thanks for the help. I thought.

"If Seth will apologize, I'll let it go, this time," April said.

I sighed. "I apologize."

The bonds released me, and I could move again.

"See me in my office after school today, Atkins."

"Yes, Sir."

Mr. Jenkins nodded, then walked away.

The halls had emptied by this point, and I knew if I didn't get to class fast, I was going to be late. "Yes, Mistress!" I hissed out and put as much venom as I could into the words.

April nodded and looked a bit sad at me. "You hate me."

"Of course I do!" I said, walking away from her. "What did you expect?"

I took off, hoping to get to class on time. Distantly, I heard April open the door.

"He hates me now."

I shook my head and sprinted to my classroom.