Noelle and Ashley got to school. There were quite a few stares of disdain and hatred from students towards Ashley (mostly from girls). Ashley sighed. It was going to be a long day. Noelle squeezed her friend's hand, and got a smile as a reward.
They split up soon after, as they had mostly different classes (which Noelle, as Noah, had intentionally planned). On her way to her first hour homeroom, she was intercepted by Brianna Mason and two of Ashley's other 'friends', Diane and Cassidy. Brianna had short red hair and green eyes, Diane was a tall girl with long black hair, and Cassidy was an ash blonde with green eyes. They were all pretty girls, but Brianna was a notch above them.
Brianna frowned. "Hey, did I see you come into the school with Ashley?"
Noelle shrugged. "Yeah, so?"
"What the hell? She HATES you!" Brianna looked angry.
"Things are different now. Excuse me.." She tried to get past Brianna, but Diane and Cassidy got in her way.
"You do NOT walk away from me when I'm talking to you! Look, I never agreed with how Ashley treated you, and after the way she done me, I'm willing to throw you a bone. Stay away from her, and things will go a lot better for you."
Noelle forced a smile. "I appreciate you saying that, and what you think you're doing for me, Bri. But you're not the boss of me."
Brianna got right up in Noelle's face. "Listen! You, of all people, should know what she's like. She'll fuck you over!"
"I'm a big girl, I'll take my chances, thanks."
Diane, who was a tall, if willowy, girl, grabbed Noelle's arm. "This isn't really a request, Noelle. We've decided. Everyone is going to stay away from Ashley. Nobody will help her out, be her friend, or even talk to her until she apologizes. Maybe."
"Have you talked to her yet? If it's an apology you want, she'll give you one." Noelle noticed Diane had a strong grip when she tried to break free.
Brianna seethed. "Yeah, right, she never apologizes. You just do as you're told!"
Noelle sighed and shook her head. "Brianna, Brianna. You just don't intimidate people as well as Ash. You certainly don't intimidate me. You may think you're the new Queen Bee, and that you can just take over from her, but it's not going to work. If you're lucky, Ashley will be nicer to you from here on out. But if you're not, she'll be back before you know it. You've known her for a long time, do you think it's an accident that people are afraid of a girl her size? She can really hurt you if she wants. But she's trying to turn over a new leaf, so provoking her is not a smart move for you."
Brianna slapped Noelle. Hard. "Fuck you! You don't know anything! I say she's done, and she's done! Why are you defending her? It doesn't make any sense!"
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ashley jumped onto Brianna's back and got a fistful of hair, which made the taller girl cry out. "Damn you, Bri! I don't mind if you slap me around, but don't you DARE hurt Noelle!"
Diane and Cassidy managed to pull Ashley off Brianna, but not without the taller girl losing a handful of hair and picking up a few scratches. Noelle was well aware that Ash had the tenacity of a honey badger, but actually seeing her in action (and with someone else as her target) filled her with awe, pride, and growing arousal.
Ashley was hot as hell when she was angry!
Diane was holding Ashley down, since she had the largest size advantage on the shrunken girl, and Brianna looked about ready to kick her in the ribs.
Noelle considered her options.