Mary was brought back down to Earth by the shrill screams of the boy. When she opened her eyes, the color red filled her vision. Her hands were red, the boy's face was red, the floor was red, and Dollie was red. This only enraged Mary more. She begins to notice that the fierce swinging of her arms is not connecting and someone attempts to pull her off of the boy. She looks behind her to find a man that looked no older than 25. His magnificent blonde hair and teal eyes caught Mary's attention, enough to end her violent streak.

"Excuse me but I think you won. You can get off of him now." The handsome student teacher was now kneeling, holding both of Mary's shoulders, looking her deep in the eyes, and speaking directly into her soul.

"He stole Dollie from me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" She couldn't make eye contact with him, ashamed that an adult saw her act in this manner. 

"You're fucking crazy! Stay away from me!" The little boy scrambled to get up off the floor and he ran down Hallway A, making a quick left into the only bathrooms in that hallway. 

Mary's eyes began to swell up with tears and she let out a wail, upset with herself for what she had done. The student teacher wrapped his arms around her and assured her that everything would be alright. He escorted her to the principle's office and instructed her to have a seat while he spoke with the principle. 

     The intercom blared through all of the classrooms, the bathrooms, the hallways, and even the office where Mary was waiting impatiently. She had never been in trouble with anyone before, anyone except for Mother. 

"Jordan Collins, please report to the principle's office. I repeat: Jordan Collins, please report to the principle's office. Thank you."

As if no one had ever been called to the principle's office before, all of his fellow classmates oohed, implying that he was "done for". Jordan pushed his chair out from his desk and hung his head in shame, as he already knew what it was about. 

     The receptionist at the front desk of the office sends Jordan into the adjacent room and then instructs Mary to do the same. They sit next to each other and look up simultaneously to see the middle-aged, balding, divorced principle in a cheap tan suit. 

"I am extremely disappointed in the two of you. It is the first day of the new school year and you're already fighting. Mary, please tell me your side of the story." Principle Comondy nodded at Mary, noticing that she was too nervous to speak. 

"I was walking- to my class- and he-" Mary stuttered. 

"Who is 'he'?" Comondy questioned. 

Mary pointed a shaking finger to Jordan, having already forgotten his name after it was announced over the intercom system. 

"Okay...continue."

"He just took Dollie out of my hands and when he turned around to run away, I tripped him. I don't know why he wanted Dollie. I've never even met him before. He just took her and tried to run away. So I got angry."

"I see." The principle looked astonishly at Mary and then to Jordan and back to Mary once more. 

"How does a little girl like you do so much damage to Jordan's face?" Comondy asks. 

Mary looked to her right to see Jordan with his head tilted back and a tissue covering his nose. A black ring was forming around his puffy eye and she could faintly see blood spatters on his clothing that he failed to wash clean. 

"I don't know." Mary replied and shrugged her shoulders. 

"Well, Jordan, what do you say to Ms. Walker?" 

Jordan looked in complete disgust at Mary and reluctantly said the words, "I'm sorry."

"And Ms. Walker?"

Mary wasn't sure why Jordan deserved an apology. She defended herself and Dollie, but knowing the situation would only grow worse if she didn't, Mary said, "I'm sorry Jordan."

"Now, Mr. Collins, go back to class. Ms. Walker, please stay for a moment."

She watched as Jordan left the office without receiving any consequences to his actions. Stealing is wrong and Mary was sure that this wasn't his first time stealing something. After Jordan left without shutting the door, Principle Comondy stood up from his chair and shut it, in an attempt to keep their conversation as private as possible. 

"Ms. Walker, this may be your first day of school but this is, in no way, acceptable behavior. I will be placing a phone call home and asking your mother to come speak with me. This is very serious and I believe you need some type of professional help."

Mary sat in the uncomfortable office chairs in awe. She was receiving punishment for defending herself! Hearing only one side of the conversation between Mr. Comondy and Mother was enough punishment in itself. He hung up the phone and told Mary to "sit tight" until Mother arrived. 

     The minutes seemed to go by like hours while she waited for Mother to come scold her. Twenty-six minutes later, the office door creaked open and the sun from the office window reflected off of Mother's so-blonde-it-was-almost-white hair and blinded Mary. She winced to protect her eyes, plus she had no clue what Mother was going to do, so it also couldn't hurt to protect herself. 

     Their eyes met and Mary knew she was in the doghouse. Mother sat down next to her, in the chair Jordan sat in less than half an hour ago, quiet as a mouse. Principle Comondy shuffled in moments after her and gave Mary that same look. 

"Mrs. Walker...because of your daughter's violent behavior, we have no choice but to suspend her from school."

"Principle Comondy, I completely understand. Violence is not tolerated in my household either. I have no idea where Mary is getting this from. I'll be sure to get everything straightened out. Thank you." Mother replied. 

The principle could not sense the staggering tone in Mother's voice, but Mary surely could and it sent shivers down her spine.