?


    "Look," Maddie emphasized, punctuating each word with a hint of steel in her voice, "My kids, my heartache. I''d rather ditch the hollow des 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."


    Sinir Nelson was speechless.


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


    Seeing Sinir''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, Sinir stormed back to his office and mmed the door shut with a resounding thud.


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


    ...


    Thwack!


    Back in theb''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!"


    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-upst 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 epted!"


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


    "For what?"


    "Morning run."


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


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


    "But I didn''t agree― Hey,e 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 rtives 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 theb 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.