~INTREPID~

A new day rose and the usual activities were carried out. Nina dressed up for school and went downstairs for breakfast. The academic session was running fast and spring break was around the corner. Nina greeted her parents and joined them for breakfast.

" Today, some family friends would be visiting us, so come home right on time, I bet you wouldn't want to miss making new friends" Mrs Branks snapped her fingers.

" Okay mum, bye " Nina bade and left for school. As usual everyone ran out of the class to welcome Hard Prince, Nina and Kate stayed back in the classroom doing their usual routine. Everyone came back to the classroom, but this time around a girl came back with her hair messed up and her cloth torn, such a pity. Nina was exasperated, she cursed under her breath. She refrianed from listening to his songs and deleted most of them. She suddenly felt a dislike for music.

It was time for break and she was determined not to take any flapdoodle from the so called Theophilus Parker.

" Oh, so the blind boy's here " she muttered when she saw Theo and his two friends, Kyle and Raymond, bullying a junior. She sat even- temperedly with Kate, ready to order something. Nina watched the poor boy cry as Theo emptied his lunch on him and mocked him facetiously. Nina became satiated by the scenario, like the flash of a lightening she got up.

" Hey, you "! Nina said intrepidly, pointing at Theo.

" What do you think you are doing"? Kate muttered to Nina and held her hands pleadingly, but Nina flung her hands.

" Stop it, leave the boy alone " Nina ordered.

" Oh hello wonder woman. you are ranting like a wounded cub, oh poor you " Theo teased scornfully and as if on cue, everyone laughed as usual. It was a habit for everyone to laugh whenever Theo mocked someone.

" Just leave the kid alone, okay. No hard feelings, I'm just gonna sit down quietly " Nina said, as she raised her hands slightly above her shoulder as a sign of relinquish and sat down. She knew she had just taken an inept act, well, it wouldn't end here.

Theo felt challenged, " oh...I see, you think you can come and alter the rules around here huh"!! Theo raved. A waitress was passing by with a tray of food to serve Nina, when Theo quickly grabbed a plate of Ketchup from the tray of food and poured it on Nina's cloth. Andrew angrily sprang to his feet to defend Nina, but to his uttermost surprise Nina gave Theo a deafening slap that echoed throughout the cafeteria. This act has never happened throughout the history of the school. Theo was startled, dumbstrucken, and transfixed to the spot where he stood, while Nina gazed at her hand in awe of what it had just done.

Everybody were startled by her audacious act, Kate smiled in triumph and so did Andrew and the boy who was bullied. Theo blinked hard and tried to gather his words, " did you..you..just slap me "?

Theo was exasperated, Nina was afraid and speechless. Theo went berserk and grabbed Nina by the hair ( that was always his area of attack ). Nina screamed in pain as he wringed her hair.

" You witch, you don't know me yet. I am a monster " Theo evinced and wringed her hair more. Nina was weak and felt powerless, everyone watched in terror. At this point, Nina felt hate towards Theo. Soon, it evoked into anger and she stepped fiercely on his feet, and as he flinched, she ran away.