FPE Impetus AU: Grading

Riley arrives at the classroom, but RUBY is sitting at her table. Usually, she doesn't arrive this early. Riley: You're here? RUBY: Yes. I just wanted some more time to talk with you. ... Is something wrong? Riley: I saw something. I'd rather not talk about it. We already spend a lot of time studying anyway, we don't need to study more. RUBY: Actually, I just wanted to talk. Y'know, have a normal conversation. Riley: I'd rather not. I want to be alone. RUBY: Alright, Riley. Riley: Wait! I actually have something really cool. *Riley pulls out a letter with a heart crudely drawn on it. * I'm gonna give Oliver/K a love letter. RUBY: R- Riley: You said you wouldn't say anything about Oliver/K, remember? RUBY: ... *Riley exits the room in search of - * Oliver/K: It's nothing. I watched a movie that scared me a bit. Made it difficult to sleep. Riley: OH, Oliver/K! *Oliver/K notices Riley. * I have something for you. *She hands over the note and Oliver/K starts reading it. * Note: "Dear Oliver/K. You're one of the most beautiful people in this school. Ever since I met you, you've been all I could think about. You're one of the reasons I even went to this school.  Your pranks are super funny. You have one of the best hair styles in the school. I'd love to be with you, especially when Prom starts. " Oliver/K: That's a pretty bad prank, Riley. Riley: I'm not pranking you. I mean it. Oliver/K: I guess you're stupider than I thought you were. *Riley looks at the floor in disappointment. * I'm already with someone else. This is just a teenage crush that you should've gotten over by now. *Riley starts tearing up. Zip whispers into Oliver/K's ear. A grin appears on their faces. * Actually, there is something that'd make me reconsider. Riley: Really? Oliver/K: Yeah. It's something that even you could do. Riley: I'll do it. Oliver/K: If you really love someone, you'd be willing to give up anything, even if it hurts you. So, tear off your tail. Riley: w-what? Oliver/K: Pull of your own tail! Show me how much you really want to be with me. Connor (Internally): Wh- *Riley grabs her tail. She genuinely considers removing it. They know what's best for her, right? ... * Riley: o ... o- ... I ... I don't want to. I'm sorry.  Oliver/K: ... Maybe you need some encouragement. Riley: w- *Zip grabs Riley by the arms. * Let go of me! *Oliver/K grabs Riley's tail and slowly tugs at it. The skin starts to tear off as blood pours from it. Riley's screams fill the halls as other students turn the corner. A tearing sound is heard as Riley's tail is fully torn off. Oliver/K drops it on the floor as them and Zip walk away, laughing. Riley stares at it. She's hurting, but she can't even make herself scream. She just stares in silence at the mutilated piece of her own body, now thrown on the floor like trash. She slowly walks back to class as blood drips from the stub where her tail used to be. RUBY enters the school room with various paper towels. * RUBY: Apply these. *Riley doesn't respond. * Riley, you'll bleed out if you don't apply pressure. *No response. * You're love letter was sweet. I'm sure anyone else would've accepted it. *Riley starts tearing up as she looks at RUBY. * Please? *Riley takes the paper towels and uses them to apply pressure to the wound. * Good. We can't let it get infected. Do you think you can call your parents to take you to the hospital? Riley: They're not here. RUBY: What do you mean? Riley: I don't want to talk about it. RUBY: It's okay. I'll try to talk to Miss Grace about it instead. I'll be right back. *RUBY walks to Miss Grace's office. Oliver/K, Edward, and Zip are giggling at what's been happening. Petunia is a little annoyed while Lizzy? * Lizzy: You really think that you're that funny?! Zip: Of course, we are. Lizzy: You- Zip: You've been repeating the same thing over and over. I think that I know why. Lizzy: Because I don't like seeing bullies get away with shitty behavior. Zip: No. It's because you just wanna take care of everyone. I'd probably expect that from someone who lives in an orphanage. Lizzy: I -  Petunia: Lizzy? Zip: She didn't tell you? I thought you were friends. I guess that explains why you felt so bad for Lilly and Engel. I bet you must relate to having parents who don't care. Lizzy: SHUT UP! SHUT UP! Petunia: Well, I wouldn't be so happy about that. At least she wasn't born by accident. Zip: So? At least my parents still care despite that. Your parents don't even take care of you. *Petunia's whole face flushes red with embarrassment as Oliver/K and Edward start to laugh. RUBY finally gets to Miss Grace's office and opens the door. * RUBY: Miss Grace, I - Oli- *The creature turns around. * ver/K? Am I interrupting a meeting? Miss Grace: No. You can speak. RUBY: Riley had her tail torn off. Is it okay if she can be excused so she can go to the hospital? Miss Grace: No. RUBY: Are there at least any bandages or something to help her? Miss Grace: No, again. RUBY: OK. I'll be leaving. Thank you for letting me speak. *RUBY exits the room. Those paper towels slow the bleeding, but due to how big the wound is, the bleeding won't be able to be stopped. How is she supposed to help Riley? Cauterize it? The idea makes RUBY uncomfortable. She knows how much it would hurt, but that's all she can think of. RUBY enters Miss Circle's classroom once again. She moves next to Riley and whispers into her ear. * RUBY (Whispering): Riley, I wasn't able to get you out. There aren't any bandages. If we don't seal the wound, you'll bleed out or get infected. I have an idea, but it'll hurt. Riley (Whispering): What is it? RUBY: Miss Bloomie's room has a Bunsen Burner. We could cauterize the wound if we - Riley: NO! RUBY (Whispering): Riley, I know it's going to hurt. But there aren't any other options. I don't want you to suffer but there aren't other options. *RUBY holds onto Riley hands. * I promise this'll help. After this, I'll do anything you want. Riley (Whispering): How much will it hurt? RUBY (Whispering): A lot. Riley (Whispering): Okay. I'll do it. Is it okay if I sit next to you? I need *Riley pauses. * I need someone. RUBY: I promise I will. *The rest of the class plays out normally and the next class arrives. Upon entering the classroom, RUBY walks towards Miss Bloomie. * RUBY: Miss Bloomie? Miss Bloomie: Just say it! RUBY: Can I use the Bunsen Burner? Miss Bloomie: Why? RUBY: I - I was going to use it on Riley. Miss Bloomie: Using a Bunsen Burner for that is - RUBY: You like hurting people, right? Using a Bunsen Burner like that would hurt a lot, right? She'd screaming so loudly. Miss Bloomie: Actually, that does sound like a good idea. *RUBY grabs the Bunsen Burner from the cabinet and sets it on the floor. Riley's shivering in fear. RUBY wraps her arms around Riley to calm her as much as she can. The Bunsen burner is moved towards what was left of Riley's tail. Oliver/K pulls out their phone and starts recording. Miss Bloomie is watching with a smile. Connor looks away. * Riley: *GHha* *AAahhahah* RUBY (Whispering): It's okay. It's okay. *The flame is moved away. It's done. The skin is now covered in burns. Tears drop from Riley's face as RUBY holds her as close as she can. * Miss Bloomie: Alright. Put the burner away and go back to your seats. We need to start class.