Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"Look," Maddie emphasized, punctuating each word with a hint of steel in her voice, "My kids, my heartache. I'd rather ditch the hollow accolades than let those who've hurt them off the hook! That's it, end of story. I didn't sign my name this time, and I won't in the future. The school better brace itself and not make a mountain out of a molehill like today."

Sinclair Nelson was speechless.

He could already foresee that any future academic accolades for Roseanne's trio would now be beyond their reach.

Seeing Sinclair's face turn an ashen shade of fury, Hancock cautiously interjected, "So, any chance of smoothing things over?"

"Not a chance! Extend Babur's suspension to 12 months!"

With that, Sinclair stormed back to his office and slammed the door shut with a resounding thud.

Hancock shivered, never having seen Sinclair so livid...

...

Thwack!

Back in the lab's lounge area, Scales nailed the dartboard's bullseye once again.

He casually threw the remaining darts, thwack, thwack, thwack - each hitting the mark with impressive precision.

"Wowza," Mamie gawked, "Caley, you've been practicing, haven't you? That aim's killer!"noveldrama

Scales cracked open a water bottle, "Practiced a few months."

"...Just a few months? Sure you weren't at Versailles?"

Mamie pondered, "Think the school's caught wind yet?"

"Probably," Scales replied, taking a sip.

"And they've been quiet because...?"

Roseanne pocketed her phone, looked up, and said, "Ms. Payne handled it. She's already talked to the school."

"What'd they say?" Mamie's eyes widened in anticipation.

"Nothing much to say."

"Figures. They didn't lift a finger when we were being bullied, but now wanna swoop in for the glory? As if. Today's a good day. I'm treating myself to a cheat meal."

Scales frowned, "Thought you were off your diet?"

Mamie sighed, "I was, until my check-up last week. Got told I have fatty liver, so now I'm thinking of reigning it in."

Scales just looked at her.

"What's that look for? You judging me?"

"No, it's just..."

"Just what?"

"I was thinking..... maybe I could help you stay on track."

"You?" Mamie eyed him skeptically, "Ever done it before?"

"Who says I haven't-"

Mamie raised an eyebrow.

Scales resigned, "...Anyway, I can help. Wanna bet?"

"Challenge accepted!"

"Good. Tomorrow, 6 AM, I'll be waiting outside your place."

"For what?"

"Morning run."

Mamie hesitated, "Actually, thinking it over, dieting's really a personal thing. No need to trouble you!"

As they left the lab at dusk, Scales almost reached the door then doubled back to Mamie, "Remember, 6 AM tomorrow."

"But I didn't agree― Hey, come back—"

Scales walked away, ignoring her protests.

Mamie was left bewildered...

January 29th, Scales's birthday,

coincidentally fell on a Saturday. The

Dixon family decided to keep it

low-key, inviting only close relatives and friends for a homey celebration.

UMS

No big announcements, just an intimate family gathering.

Laird Dixon told his son he could invite a few friends of his own..

Seanne and Mamie. immediately thought ofl

ent

On the day, Roseanne and Mamie left the lab together, heading to the Dixon residence.

et

el.ne

They had anticipated the Dixon's weren't your average family, but upon arriving and seeing the patrolling security detail firsthand, they realized just how "unaverage" they truly were.