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A new week of school had started. Natalie couldn't believe she'd been stuck in Julia's body for nearly a week--it felt like months to her. For Julia, on the other hand, time couldn't have moved faster if it tried.

Natalie wasn't looking forward to school at all. It only meant she'd have to put all her energy into hiding from Kendra, Danielle, and Pam, not to mention Chad. She swore to herself if he even tried to say one word to her, she'd deck him as hard as she could in the jaw. That'd teach him. And she'd finally have a good reason to use the right hook Brian had taught her over the summer; she'd been dying to try it out.

Meanwhile, Julia was putting all her strength into trying to prevent herself from falling for Brian anymore than she already had. She began wishing she hadn't grown attached to him at all; it wasn't right, and it really wasn't fair to Natalie. But Julia just couldn't help herself--Brian was damn near irresistible in every way. There was nothing about him that wasn't perfect in Julia's eyes, and it scared her.

And seeing how miserable Natalie looked when they passed in the halls was really starting to get to her. She could see how much pain she was holding inside, and Julia couldn't help but feel for her.

As Natalie passed classmates in the hall, she felt like she was being scrutinized under a microscope. It felt like even though she'd covered the bruise on her cheek again, everyone could see right through her. She wanted to just stop and scream out to everyone how horrible Julia's life really was. She was beaten up by her boyfriend on a regular basis, her parents weren't around enough to even know or care, and her friends were back stabbing whores.

During fourth period, Natalie had asked to be excused from class to use the bathroom; what she really wanted was to just wander the halls alone, have time to herself. It was something she'd done previous years, back when she was in the body she belonged in.

Quietly whistling to herself, Natalie headed toward one f the back stairs. As she neared she heard quiet talking and fell silent, slowing down. She recognized the voices.

"Baby, I don't know why she hasn't just given in to you yet," a female voice cooed. "I mean, you're just so sexy I can hardly keep my hands off you."

Natalie heard a low male groan and the sound of kissing. Reaching the corner, she slowly peeked her head around it, keeping out of sight. What she saw before her was one of the most repulsive things she'd ever seen. Kendra, Julia's supposed best friend, was pinned to the wall at the bottom of the stairs by none other than Chad, her hand shoved down the front of his pants as they kissed in the sloppiest way imaginable. Natalie had to fight back the gag she could feel coming as she snuck back to where she was.

So not only was the asshole beating on Julia and nearly raping her, he was getting the goods from another girl--her best friend--to make up for it.

Smirking sadistically to herself as she hurried down the hall the way she'd come, Natalie knew she had to find Julia and tell her what she'd just seen. Quickly she headed up to the second floor and down the hall to the chemistry room. Luckily the door was open, and she knew from her own schedule that Julia would be there, seated by the door, which thankfully was wide open.

"Psst..." Natalie hissed, trying to get Julia's attention. Seeing her own face turn and look at her, Natalie waved her over.

"Um...Mrs. Kennedy?" Julia called out, raising her hand.

Mrs. Kennedy turned away from the board. "Yes, Ms. Raine?"

"May I please go use the bathroom?"

With a sigh, Mrs. Kennedy nodded. "Make it quick, please."

Julia bolted from her seat, hurrying to meet Natalie in the hall.

"What is it?" she asked as they headed further away from the room. Natalie turned to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"I just saw Chad and Kendra making out and talking shit about you down by the back stairs."

Julia's eyes widened. She couldn't believe she was hearing that. "...What?"

"Don't make me repeat it, because then I'm going to picture it in my head again and I'd really rather not do that..." Natalie said with a grimace.

"That...that back stabbing...cunt!" Julia gasped. "I hope they're fucking happy with each other. Now I...you...have a public reason to break it off with Chad."

"I will definitely take care of that for you. How's during the middle of lunch sound?" Natalie asked with a smirk. Julia grinned.

"I wish I had a camera already."

Lunch could not have come at a more perfect time. Natalie was practically itching to sink her claws into Kendra and Chad. She'd decided that for the idea she had to work best, she'd have to suck it up and sit with Kendra and the other drones she'd done so well at avoiding.

"Wow, so someone finally came back from the dead," Kendra said, almost in a bitching sort of way. "What happened to you?"

"Decided I needed some time on my own to figure things out. And boy did I ever," Natalie responded, flashing her 'BFF' a smirk.

"...Whatever that is supposed to mean," Kendra mumbled, taking a sip of her Evian.

"So, Kendra, has anything...new...developed in my absence?" Natalie asked, sending her a pointed glare.

"...No...?" she answered, and Natalie could se just how nervous she just became.

"Hey, baby," that slimy, snaky voice breathed into Natalie's ear, and even as she shuddered she couldn't help but smile. This was going to feel so good.

"Oh, I'll 'hey baby' you," she spat, turning around. Fast as lightning she grabbed Kendra's bottle of water and sloshed it in Chad's face, causing him to step back.

"What the hell, you little whore!" Chad exclaimed, causing the entire cafeteria to grow quiet. Over at a nearby table, Julia was sat under Brian's protective arm, a grin splitting her lips.

"This is for laying your fucking hands on me," Natalie growled, standing up and rearing her fist back. With a cracking snap, she slammed it into Chad's jaw. "And this is for cheating on me with that nasty cunt," Natalie continued, and while Chad was attending to his bruising jaw, she slammed her knee up into his groin, causing him to double over in pain.

"What the hell is your problem!?" Kendra shouted, standing up to face Natalie with a shocked expression.

Turning with a smirk, Natalie took a step closer. "You can have him. Just don't come crying to me when you end up with a bruised eye," Natalie growled, stepping past her. She knew she had to get out of the cafeteria before a teacher came along and got her suspended--though that might even happen anyway.

On the way out Natalie looked over at Julia and sent her a win. Julia just smiled wider before turning back to her shocked friends.

Finally laughing, Matt spoke up. "I can't believe she just did that. I hate to admit it but...that was fucking cool. That girl can hit!"

"I guess she's just very...surprising," Julia said with a grin, looking over at the hunched over Chad who was being attended to by Kendra. "I'll be back," she said, getting out of Brian's grip before she headed to the bathroom, knowing Natalie was probably there.