Daze Runners

"I'm not there yet!"
 This page contains ***major spoilers*** for the series. If you're not caught up, stay back! Av's not gonna be too thrilled if you react to spoilers prematurely...

## Daze Runners

### Air date

October 17th, 2020 (original)
September 17th, 2022 (re-release)

### Director

Potato Flakin

***Daze Runners*** is the third episode of *The Adventures of Evie and Mya* in Season 1 and the third episode overall.

## Synopsis

Evie and Mya fill an earlier-than-expected shift as Office Aides for Principal Rex, but unbeknownst to them, Daniela is plotting to get rid of them - and she'll go to any length to gain her coveted position back.

## Transcript

*The episode opens at Pineshadow Middle School at mid-day, shortly after lunchtime. As of now, it's near the end of 4th period. In math class, Evie and Mya sit together, a window letting in overcast light next to them that warmed the top of their heads.*

Today's assignment in class involved studying and calculating peremeter and area. It was pretty easy if you got the hang of it.

While Evie had gotten the worksheet done in less than fifteen minutes and had already turned it into the basket, keeping her nose in another book, Mya was still working and fiddling with the last few set of problems. Compared to her friend, she was the slower learner and didn't have the advanced knowledge she did, likely because Evie was interstellar at pretty much everything, almost perfect.

Anything handed to her was done as fast as possible.

Minutes ticked on by, and Mya steadily concentrated, working the problems out, adding and subtracting. Finally, the last problem was done, and she sighed.

As she tucked the paper into the turn-in bin, the math teacher, Mrs. Hawkins, addressed the class. "Five minutes remaining, kiddos! If you are close to finishing your assignment, work 'till the bell! It'll be homework if it's not finished!" she shouted.

"Yes ma'am!" the class chorused back. Hawkins gleamed with pride.

Out of all teachers, Hawkins was one of the most popular and favored by students and teachers alike at PMS. She had numerous "Teacher of the Month" and "Teacher of the Year" awards from her tenure, and on her wall were various gifts from her students. She had a way with them and was *always* sweet to her classes - and they respected her back.

Hawkins also had a lot of soft spots for her students - namely Evie and Mya.

Mya sat down next to Evie, observing the cover of the book she was reading. It wasn't *Aether and the Darkness Falls*, which she occasionally re-read, or any of its sequel books.

Instead, the book had a black cover made up of varying shades of light blue, pink, purple, and orange, creating flames, flowers, birds, and other patterns that made her spiral into a small trance.

*The cover art... such an intricate design! The flames, the birds, the flowers... it speaks to my inner self!*

She peered around, catching the book's title.

*We Set the Dark on Fire. Sounds spicy! I wonder if I can see what's going on from where Ev's at, title's got me thinking...*

Carefully, Mya leaned over, craning her head to peer at the scene that Evie was reading. However, Evie had quick reflexes, and seeing her friend attempt to read the current event unfolding, she slipped her bookmark in and closed the book shut with a small *pop*, setting it down on her desk.

She faced her, an alarmed look in her dark green eyes. Her face was *red*.

"Do *not* tell me you were reading what I was just reading," she said breathlessly, seemingly embarrassed. Mya tilted her head to the side, confused and frowning.

"Ev, what *were* you reading? Hmm, I wonder... open up, you're being a closed book. What was the scene about? Was it-"

Evie, her face cherry-colored, moved up against Mya's right ear, whispering, "Not school appropriate." Mya's cheeks flushed in sudden embarrassment, and she looked away, her skin burning. Her eyes were stretched wide, and she huffed, taking in a small gulp of air.

*Ew ew ew ew I could have read something really... bad. What was I thinking??? Wait... if the book has... that kind of content...*

"How on earth do you have that, then? Was it in the library?"

Evie shook her head. "Dad bought it for me because mom didn't like the premise. Thought it gave the "wrong idea," thought it was mushy. She's a dunce when it comes to books." She snorted. "It's a thrilling book. Kinda worried for the lead characters, though."

"Can I read some of the non-naughty stuff?" Mya asked. "Just curious. The book sounds cool."

"Oh, it's *insane*," Evie stated excitedly. "Okay, I have my bookmark in, I'll flip back some pages and you can read with me."

Evie immediately flipped back around fifty pages, placing the book between the crack of her and Mya's desk. Mya started reading, as did her friend, who kept focusing on every detail and every intense bit of the scenes before them.

Mya could feel her heart warming and her mind spinning. This scene was really pretty, super smooth, and quite tense. Especially with the one main topic it was all about, shining in stunning glory.

"Dani and Carmen are so cute!!!" she exclaimed to Evie, who nodded and giggled.

"Yeah. They're cute all right. Cute little badass Latina sapphics."

She giggled again at herself, and for a moment, Mya left her eyes on her. She was so dorky, so sweet, so passionate about a book, enjoyed sharing it with her. In the small patch of light shining down on her, she seemed angelic.

Evie looked back at Mya fondly, giving her a small smile. Her heart rate increased, and her body began to sting of some kind of warmth. A feeling that she hadn't yet experienced.

But before she could touch on it and continue her delightful staring contest-like game with Evie, the bell rang, signaling the end of 4th period. Evie shoved her book into her backpack and followed Mya out into the hall.

"Goodbye class! See you tomorrow!" Mrs. Hawkins shouted as her students left.

In the hallway, Evie and Mya started their walk upstairs to fifth period for science.

"So, what do you think's gonna happen next period?" Mya questioned.

Evie rolled her eyes. "Nothing. Mr. Gill is boring. I swear, he's so tired of children and is constantly frosty toward us. He needs to lighten up, make us have some actual fun."

"Damn right! He even walks like he's a constipated ape."

Evie *laughed* hysterically, nearly spitting at another girl that looked at her with concern. Her glasses fell to the bottom of her nose, but she shoved them back up. "Mya, don't say such things! We're in public!"

"*Touché*. But I'm still right."

"Well, hey, at least Gill gives us somewhat of an education. *That's* what I want."

Mya glanced at her. "You've always prioritized that; after all, you're the determined, intelligent one." Evie had standards and sought out the best education so she could be at the top of her classes. It wasn't to prove any superiority, no - but she had much talent to discover and gain.

Mya deeply admired that, Evie's leaps and bounds to success, her smarts, her charm, the way she moved and spoke so professionally and from the heart... *why* did her cheeks feel so warm when they met gazes?

Just as the girls reached the stairs, a voice shouted out to them, stopping them abruptly - and wiping Mya's thoughts off her slate.

"Evie! Mya! Hold on for a minute!"

The two instantly halted, spinning around, and approaching through the crowd was none other than the school's principal.

*Principal Rex*.

Her light brown hair bobbed at her sides, heels clacking on the tile flooring. She was wearing a white overcoat over her sweater and skirt.

Fear flashed in Evie and Mya's eyes, and believing that they were about to be in trouble for whatever reason, they moved closer to each other.

"Girls, don't look so horrified! It's not bad at all, I just need you in my office. Come on along now, follow me!"

"Erm, Principal?" Evie interrupted. "We need to get to class, or otherwise, we're going to get marked absent..."

Rex turned back, smiling at her innocently. "Don't worry, Evie. I've told Gill that you and Mya aren't expected to be in class... along with a few of your other teachers."

With her words, she and Mya hesitantly followed Rex, albeit baffled and slightly unnerved, through the thinning crowd and entered the office. Inside was a cozy space with a few lounge chairs and desks, Rex's being at the very front that faced the large windows, revealing the school's main halls and some of the cafeteria.

It was quiet today, the way the principal liked it.

"So... why are we here?" Mya inquired nervously, fingers fiddling with the edge of her pullover jacket.

Rex, plopping down in her chair, scooted up to them. "So, I've been tinkering with my schedules lately, and I've decided... what I have isn't entirely *appropriate*. In fact, today is you two's shift as Office Aides!"

Evie and Mya were appalled, gasping. Then Evie internally slapped herself on her face.

*How could I have forgotten? Today was me and Mya's shifts!*

The position of Office Aide was coveted in PMS. One could *only* earn the role, bestowed upon them by Rex, if they were intelligent, put others above their own needs, were compassionate, and were dedicated to a cause.

Even then, Rex was a tough principal and figure to *get* by. While she was soft as a throw pillow and deeply cared for her subjects and staff, she could also come off as intimidating and stern. When trouble arose, she killed it instantly. Trouble was the beetle she wanted to step on repeatedly until it *died*.

Some students, wary of upsetting or getting in the principal's crossfire, called her the "T-Rex" because of her short fuse.

Clearing her throat, beckoning Evie and Mya's attention back to her, Rex continued. "Your shift is still on Wednesdays and Fridays, but it's pushed up to after 4th period now to accommodate..." She momentarily trailed off, her blue eyes flickering with a negative emotion neither Evie or Mya could properly read.

"...personal matters, that's it."

Evie and Mya nodded respectfully, preparing for their earlier-than-usual shift and placing their backpacks onto two unoccupied chairs. Rex, seeing that they were pleased, grinned at them and turned to her computer, pulling up a web list.

"Mmmkay. First task you girls need to do is deliver this set of paperwork to Amy..."

Picking up a set of sixteen papers, the principal split them in half and handed each stack to Evie and Mya. "Off you go now, girls. Lots to do today!"

Without another word, the two walked out and began traversing the short distance down to the nurse's office, located near the gym.

Unbeknownst to the two girls, someone was also walking toward the office.

"This shouldn't be too bad today..." Mya murmured.

"Yeah. And if we get done early, we can go back to class."

"Perks of being an Office Aide, am I right, Ev?"

"Sure you are, My."

Nearby, behind a brick pillar, a shocked young girl saw Evie and Mya *gallivanting* with the papers and cursed under her breath with *rage*.

Daniela had been looking to fill *her* shift as Office Aide to the principal, leaving class a little late due to some... *words* exchanged with her teacher.

And by the time she got here, those two *freaks* had taken her spot.

They had *replaced* her.

*Rex had replaced her*.

*Those two bratty steam-fried punks stole the very thing I worked hard on to achieve! My passion!*

Daniela clenched her fists, scraping her nails and wrist against the brick pillar. A low growl rose from the back of her throat.

*Steal my position from me, Ly, Heartley, and I'll gladly steal it back from you. I'll show you who the REAL Office Aide is! I'll show you who's meant to be in the limelight!*

*I'll prove it to you two. And I'll prove to mother that she'll regret tossing me aside like this!*

**SEASON 1, EPISODE 3 - DAZE RUNNERS**

After a short walk, Evie opened the door to Nurse Amy's cozy, small office, covered in fuzzy blankets, paintings, and antiques. Amy was tucked in the corner, applying antiseptic to an 8th grader with a cut cheek. Hearing the girls enter, she faced them cheerfully.

"Oh, hi girls! What can I help you with today?"

Both girls handed off their paperwork to her, Mya bowing respectfully while Evie dipped her head. Amy took them and set them on their desk.

"Thank you! I needed to get those, but you two are swift! You are some real cool Office Aides."

"We bring the dank, indeed," Mya agreed. Evie playfully batted her on her shoulder.

Amy, laughing at their interaction, handed them two lollipops which they stowed in their pockets. "Repaying your fine deed with some candy. Have a good day, girls!" she said as they walked back to the office.

*Hmm. That was easy. What's next?* Evie wondered.

The two pulled open the office door and strolled right back up to Rex's side. The "T-Rex" spun around in her chair to face them, her face contorted in a surprised expression.

"Back already? Knew it would be fast. Anywho... Coach Samoski would appreciate your help if you set up the gym for tonight's Lady Pines basketball game, there's a lot on his plate to cover."

The Lady Pines were PMS' women's basketball team - they fought with a competitive spirit and trained hard. Sports geeks in the school fawned over them, non-sports geeks respected their personalities and positive attitude towards the big game.

If tonight's game was gonna shine, they had to *make it* shine.

"Will do!" Mya proclaimed, and hooking Evie's hand in her fingers, they headed to the gym.

The gym was empty and silent inside; there was no class here during 5th period or 6th period, and Coach Samoski was taking the time to sit in his chair, whistling a tune.

Kids got on his nerves. He was glad to escape the 6th and 7th graders and looked forward to the 8th graders in 7th and 8th period.

Upon seeing Evie and Mya, however, he sprung up and approached them, his whistle dangling from the base of his neck. "Ah, ladies. I take it Rex sent you to help prepare for tonight's Lady Pines game?"

"That would be correct," Evie replied.

"Good deal. Each of you needs to check the bleachers, make sure they're polished and clean. Damn students like littering. Check the basketballs to see if all are inflated and have enough air. One of you also needs to test the buzzer to make sure it sounds correctly."

The girls gave a brief nod and got to work fast. They rubbed down the bleachers with polishing solution and scrubbed them with rags from the locker room. They were spotless to the point where anyone's face could now be seen in them.

The basketballs were also properly inflated and didn't need a tune up. Mya took to bouncing a few around.

"Lots of bounce!"

Finally, Evie had the honor of testing the buzzer, and using Samoski's control panel, she pressed the green button that would turn it on.

*BRSSZT!* The noise rung throughout the gym, and she gave a thumbs-up to Samoski.

"Could... you... at least... have forewarned that???" Mya protested, clutching her throbbing ears. Her eyes were frazzled and distressed.

Oops. Evie forgot Mya had sensitivity to loud noises. *At least it's not the fire alarms, I guess.*

"That's a job well done, ladies. Off you go, your duties await." Samoski returned to his chair, holding his whistle and muttering. "Dang kids don't like helping me compared to those two. These days..."

Side by side, Evie and Mya headed out of the prepared, glimmering gym and back to the office.

All was smooth sailing so far...

...and then it wasn't.

Out of nowhere, Daniela *leaped* in front of the two girls, blocking their way back to the office. A wide smirk was on her face, and she licked her top lip, ready to cause some divine intervention - or, for a lack of better words, *mayhem*.

She was looking rather playful. Playful in the sense that she wanted her subjects to be *tortured*.

"Daniela, I'm nearly *certain* you have better things to do in life than recreate hell, so do us a favor and *go back to class*," Evie demanded flatly, crossing her arms in irritation. Mya hung by her side anxiously.

"Why the rude welcome, Ly?" she refused, drawing an imaginary line on the floor with her black boot. "Class is boring, I'm not going to go back *there*. You two have been having *fun* without *me*, doing these fun *school chores*. And above all, I absolutely *hate that*."

She took a step closer, tapping the front of Evie's boot with her own haughtily, making her bare her teeth in a partial snarl.

"Do me a **favor** and **go back to class yourselves**. *That's* where *you* belong, *not me*! What, do you idiots really wanna be *Rex's pretty little office girls*?" Daniela snorted, laughing at herself. Her tone was meant to be as annoying and snobby as possible. She wanted to see those two pissed at her; when people were angry, it only added more *fuel* to the fire.

When there was more fuel to the fire, Daniela become more desperate to toy with her enemies just for some quick kicks.

"We're *not* pretty little office girls! We *earned* our positions, fairest and squarest, and it's our *duty* to prove our worth to the school! You haven't proven anything... besides being a *bully*!" Mya stated matter-of-factly, insulted by her choice of words and standing a tad taller than she did prior.

At once, Daniela snarled - Mya *seriously* screwed up attempting to talk back. The school's number one bully hated it when her targets possessed *confidence*.

It was like being burned with a hot iron. She wanted it to *stop*.

"**YOU BRATTY WEASELS**!" she hollered, shoving Mya *and* Evie into the brick of the gym wall violently as if they no more than frightened sheep.

"Ow..." Mya groaned, head spinning from the impact.

"Watch your *fricking* tongue, *Heartley*. Next time you find the courage to *bite* my ass, I'll *tear* that entire thing of your *mouth* and stomp on it until it's sent into *oblivion*."

She tightened her sharp grip on Mya's throat, taking her other arm away from Evie to apply even more pressure. The young girl was only able to squeak out an "Ermeeeehhh..."

"Oh, already speechless, *meddling sourpuss*? Serves you **right** for trying to ***DISHONOR ME***!" Daniela laughed maniacally, a vile sound to Evie, who gritted her teeth and felt *uncontained rage* brewing in her veins.

Daniela inched closer to Mya's face, almost pressing her nose up to hers. Her mouth curved in a villainous, malice-filled smile. Mya stood there, horrified, unable to move a bone or muscle. She was *paralyzed*, then and there, and had nowhere left to run.

"You want me to *mark* your body so you have a reminder not to **mess with me**, Heartley?"

With her words, Evie's body surged in strength she didn't even expect to gain. Daniela had threatened to *mark Mya numerous times* just because she got in her way and talked back to her, gaining enough bravery to defend herself.

She would never cease harming her until she was bruised, scarred, and beaten to a *pulp*.

The sheer thought of *that* set Evie *off*.

"***GET BACK***!" she spat, sending a shockwave directly at Daniela. Before she could even process or react, Evie slipped away from her sightlines, disappearing like a ghost. Then, using her body weight, she roughly slammed into Daniela's right hip with a *thwap*.

Daniela, unbalanced, stumbled back a few steps and collided with a male student, walking in the hall nearby, and both toppled to the floor, making a *thud*.

Daniela's wild amber eyes met the boy's green eyes, observing his tanned skin and brown hair. Her cheeks turned into small wisps of cotton candy.

*Damn... he's actually quite attractive- god, what the hell am I doing? I'm not supposed to be falling for a goddamn love interest!*

Letting out a low hiss, she got back up and dusted off her sweater and jeans. She wanted *revenge*, and she needed it *right now*.

But unfortunately, Evie and Mya were already *gone*.

*Those freaks humiliated me! In front of this boy I'm in a twist over!* Her cheeks remained raw and pink. *This is NOT gonna fly. I'll get you two. I'm not ceasing this anytime soon, not until you two PAY for taking away what was mine from the beginning!*

"My *mother* is such a *flea-brained*, *sugar-sweet-brainwashed* imbecelic **principal** for giving those two all that attention. As if Ly and Heartley even *deserve* it!" she snidly remarked, rolling her eyes.

"Hold on... you're Rex's **daughter**?!"

*SHRIMP!*

Daniela wanted to smash her head into the brick wall and kill herself. Of course, she had to go into a peeved rant and forgot the boy *was right next to her*.

*And he heard every word that came out of her mouth*.

She didn't want people knowing that she and Rex were related; she would get far too much unwanted attention and possibly boil herself in more drama. While she had a hankering for that, the thought of the school knowing she and Rex were *kin by blood* was enough to make her sick.

Not only sick, but *beyond humiliated*. How *could* she be related to that strict *hag*?

"What it's like being the T-Rex's daughter? Do you get special treatment? Are you a prodigy? Does she brag about you often? Does-"

"**GET THE FRICK AWAY FROM ME**!" Daniela yowled, shoving the male student into the wall. Her face had ballooned and turned into a *tomato*. "*Stay away* from me. I have *plans* to deal with, and you're *not* one of them."

Daniela whirled away from him and headed back down the hall, her face gradually regaining its natural pale color. Oh, Evie and Mya were gonna be made into *toast* for embarrassing her, in front of a *man*, like this.

*No matter how many times I try, those two are weeds who keep on popping up.*

*I'm going to put those two DOWN in the GROUND. And I will be victorious!*

Evie and Mya returned to Rex's office, Mya having recovered from the shock of Daniela's antagonistic agenda and Evie satisfied that she delivered some karma.

The two had decided to not report the incident to the "T-Rex" - no actual damage was done. Besides, Daniela shook up people all the time - she hadn't done real harm, such as cause *injuries*. The principal hated it when minor, non-serious cases were reported.

"Glad to see you two are back," Rex then greeted. "There's more tasks for you to do, let's see..."

The next task was a simple one - clean the board in Mr. Stavs' room. Mya got that done in less than a minute and wrote a small message for the teacher as a token of respect.

Then, Evie and Mya had to help the janitor clear out the cafeteria. By the end, both Evie and Mya were sweating from the amount of arm movement they had to use. Still a job well done.

After that, they had to supervise a class of 6th graders. Evie sadly lost her patience quickly, but Mya adored a few and made a few friends.

*Classic Mya*, Evie thought.

The day was slowly winding down. Once Evie and Mya finished a few other tasks and unboxing a few computers for the computer teacher. Mrs. Limon, the two were hauling their exhausted selves back to the office.

God, they were *tired*. Hopefully, just *hopefully*, they could get back and get their final few tasks done early so they could go back to class and catch up on their work. Evie was set on that outcome - she could never afford to fall behind the others.

But before she could dwell more, she and Mya received a visitor. *She* slunk out from around the corner of the hall and obstructed their path for the *second time* that day.

And this time, Daniela was craving a sadism snack - she wouldn't let them go too easily compared to what happened at the gym earlier.

Smacking her lips and acting as if she ate a full meal, the bully made a few circles around the girls, sizing them up and scouting for weak vantage points. Anywhere she could impact, they'd fall, and then, winner winner chicken dinner.

In particular, the hellish amber of her eyes were locked on Mya, though she knew the midget was not her intended target. Evie gained goosebumps on her arms, and toughening in anger, she confronted her foe.

"Geez, do you really have *nothing* to do in your life but antagonize us and feed off *our* pain?" she fired back at Daniela, stopping her from making her circles, and she crossed her arms. "Honestly, Dani, get a *life* and go back to *whatever hecking class* you came from. You're wasting our time, and you're wasting *yours*."

"Do *not* call me **Dani**!" she snapped, her tone brimming with poison ivy. For unknown reasons, Daniela loathed it when anyone that *wasn't* her mother called her Dani. They were *undeserving* of having the privilege to even call that ugly nickname.

*Dumbasses.*

Daniela refused to let her gaze leave Evie, analyzing her. To her, she was her sworn *enemy*, a rival she faced up against in terms of strength, speed, and intelligence. Every time she thought she was on par with her, Evie was already a step ahead, pissing her off greatly.

Now, she was the *reason* she humiliated herself in front of a *stranger* and let out one of her most embarrassing secrets. Instead of showing her buffness, she was made into a *fool*.

Fueled by her vendetta, she grabbed the collar of Evie's gray sweater and dragged her a few inches forward.

"Listen here, Ly. You will *never* be the better Office Aide than me. You won't ever surpass me, *nor will you be better than me*!" she warned vaguely, baffling and concerning Evie at the same time.

"W-What do you mean?" she questioned. Mya's face paled, and nervous, she hid her hands behind her back.

Was Daniela doing this because she was *envious* of Evie? She had never imagined Daniela to be the type of person to get jealous.

Yes, she was heartless and merciless, but her getting furious over petty jealousy was new. She also knew about her one-sided rivalry with Evie, but that was usually Daniela's halfhearted attempt at creating petty drama that Evie ignored, much to her annoyance.

"Are you doing this because you're *jealous*?" she demanded.

"**Shut up**, Heartley," Daniela retorted. "This *thing* never concerned you. Say another word, and I'll break your *cheekbone*!"

Mya, cringing, took a few steps away from the scene and shivered. With her out of the picture, Evie was free for Daniela's taking.

"Ah, where were we, *Evie*?" She moved her face up against Evie's.

Her fight or flight instinct kicking in, Evie snarled and swung a sucker punch at Daniela, desperate to escape her clutches. However, the bully dodged, blocking it with her bicep, and utilizing her left leg, she struck Evie's right leg with her boot heel.

Yelping in pain, Evie toppled backwards and fell - only to be held by the sweater collar, her heels resting on the ground. Daniela had stopped her from a concussion, but at what cost?

For a few seconds, her foe pulled her up, then let her fall again, rinsing and repeating. She was toying with Evie. Once she got bored, she'd smash her head into the floor and give her a bruise to remember.

From a distance, Mya worried. She *knew* she needed to get involved and step in this firing line, but she had to be smart, or Daniela would monkey-maul her and throw her onto the side of the road later - or right that second.

Evie, on the other hand, struggled to break free from her captor; she knew she had to escape, as Daniela was thirsty for her misery - and *vengeance*. But she couldn't move, not unless she risked injury.

"I've been waiting for this *moment* all day," Daniela whispered, snickering. She placed a finger under Evie's chin, tracing up to her lip and scraping it with a fingernail.

She unfurled her fingers from Evie's sweater, one by one, until she was holding on by her pinky finger. Her smile was gleaming with sinister motivations, her head building with more ideas at her disposal.

*In a few seconds, this idiot is gonna have her skull cracked open and blood pouring from her head... marvelously done, Daniela. At least one girl will be eliminated for the forseeable future. I'll get my spot back!*

Mya watched, her heart throbbing with fear, mind also spinning, but with emotions vastly different than Daniela's.

She was concerned for Evie, had this aching desire to *save her*. *Protect her* at the expense of her own life. Her friend could do nothing to counter or escape Daniela from the way she was hanging by a *thread*. And in the next few seconds, her skull would be broken open by the school's biggest, sadistic bully.

*She had to act now*.

Her fear dissipated and quickly changed into anger, red-hot and ready to light *blazes*. Daniela thought she could get away with everything, including hurting Evie, the very *Evie* who taught her not to crumble under pressure. To stand up for herself. To show her bullies that she was never going to back down from a challenge.

*Not today, not ever, Daniela! Say sike!*

Mya bolted forward, leaping up to Daniela - then opened her mouth, spitting at her cheek.

*Splosh*.

"**EW**! Grossgrossgrossgross, get it *off of me*! The *hell*!?" Daniela cursed, letting go of Evie and unintentionally pulling her back up. Evie swung herself forward, landing on two feet, and Mya leapt up to her side, side-hugging and steadying her.

But she wasn't done yet. As a good method of payback and a lesson to Daniela, she *also* stomped on her foot, coming down with the weight of an anvil.

"*Gah*!" Daniela groaned, bobbing like a buoy in the sea. Mya smirked at her, waving at her in a "friendly" matter. Evie, in disbelief, brought herself to grin at Mya for her tactical, decisive planning.

The look in her eyes sparked a *wildfire* in Daniela, and stomping her feet on the ground, she closed the distance between her and Mya.

"You will **REPENT FOR THAT**, **Heartley**! I'll-"

A male student at the entrance of the cafeteria began laughing at her. Daniela's heart *sunk*.

Turning around, she found the boy from earlier.

*Oh bloody HELL.*

"Have fun performing for him, *Dani*. Give him a nice little show, you owe him it after accidentally bumping into him a little while ago," Evie teased, holding hands with Mya as they headed back to the principal's office.

Daniela's entire face was even redder than a tomato, it was red as *blood*. She had let it *happen*, let Evie and Mya play her strings. Voices in her head mocked her for her shortcomings, causing her to bite her top lip out of frustration.

She was an utter, moronic *disaster* in front of Evie, Mya, and this one man.

And she *still* hadn't proved to her enemies that they were inferior *ants* beneath her.

"You should have seen yourself!" the boy exclaimed excitedly. "Honestly, why dontcha join theater? You could put up a-"

In shambles and *sick* of this relentless teasing and embarrassment, Daniela lost her nerve, screaming and slamming the student up against the cafeteria wall by his *neck*.

"***SCREW OFF*** and stop this mindless taunting unless you wish for *death*, because otherwise, ***I'LL SPLIT YOU IN FRICKING TWO***!!!"

Gulping, and green eyes wide in alarm, the boy nodded. Daniela let him go, and he ran quickly back in the direction of class. Eh, she just needed a break from him. He wasn't on her kill list.

*Ugh!* she chastised herself internally, pacing in the space between the cafeteria and hallway. *Ly and Heartley are a plague that simply don't die! I'm not trying hard enough to get rid of them. They think they're so superior, that they can be Rex's little darlings, and I appear to be her discarded daughter!*

*I'll put an end to this, once and for all. Today. This anarchy will end...*

Suddenly, on her left, Daniela noticed a door that led into a small storage closet. Wait... maybe...

*Hell yes*.

An idea formulated in her mind, and with extensive knowledge at the school at her feet, Daniela knew what she was going to do.

If Evie and Mya were let off the hook, Rex would no longer see Daniela as important.

But if they were permamently locked away, the limelight would permamently be on her, and she'd be the only Office Aide PMS would bow to...

*You're going down, you faux-ass fighters. No more special treatment for you... and I'll be Office Aide royalty!*

With Evie and Mya off on another task, giving her spare time to herself, Daniela, running her solo pride parade, marched into the office and up to her mother, who looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, Dani?" she prompted, her tone pricking with a slight edge as she eyed the dark-minded young girl.

"Mother... is it *possible* for me to have the library key? Book Fair is opening today and the English teachers wanted to bring their classes downstairs to check out the new books. The library doors are locked right now, so wouldn't it be ideal if the doors were, y'know, *open*?"

"Evie and Mya are already going to do that later. Also, *must* I remind you that you're too preoccupied *tormenting people* to do your damn job as Office Aide?"

Daniela stifled a stinging vexation and sighed, composing herself. In order to get this key, she had to pull off one of her many tricks: being a master con artist.

"Mom! I... I've been thinking about my actions lately... and I realized that I *can't* keep hurting people! The pain I put them through... sometimes I can't bear it, and when I go to bed, this feeling of guilt just builds inside of me... I don't wanna be *that* person anymore. I want to prove that I'm turning over a new leaf. And I want to start by rejoicing in what I have, my Office Aide position... let me help the girls out."

Rex's mouth hung open; she was in a state of stupor. Was she being deceived? Did she just hear Daniela, her *fearsome*, *rampaging* daughter, want to start again as a cleaner, *better* person?

"You're being serious?"

"Mhm. I'm... I'm sorry, mom. For screwing it up, making people miserable. I got it wrong and I won't act that way anymore. Let me start making it up to you *and* the school - by taking this small step."

She smiled at Rex, and finally, for the first time in a long time, her mother smiled back. She got up, opened her desk drawer, and pulled out a small silver key, placing it in her daughter's palm.

"It relieves me to see that you're willing to atone for your mistakes and putting yourself to great use. Thank you, Daniela," she said, taking a seat and returning to work.

*Congratulations, mother. Part one of my plan is complete!* Emerging from the office, Daniela peered around the empty hall, unable to see two reeking *brats* tainting her glory.

Perfection.

She crept over in the direction of the library doors, acting nonchalantly in case anyone or Rex was observing her actions. She approached the doors, pretending to unlock them.

Rex was no longer in her sightlines. Then, she heard footsteps and light talking.

*Shrimp. They're back.*

Daniela squeezed herself into a small nook in the library walls, pressing her entire body against the wall and clamping her mouth shut.

The duo walked past and into the office. Crisis averted.

Double perfection.

Steathily, and not using much weight in her steps, Daniela crept over to the brick pillar she stood by before and crouched in wait of her prey, eagerly awaiting their demise and permanent stay in a closet.

In the office, Evie and Mya trodded up to Principal Rex, exhausted and ready to give it a rest. They just did more heavy lifting and moving for a teacher, and by now, all they wanted was to get to 8th period and catch up on classwork.

But, of course, Rex had *one more* task for them. An easy one.

"You've done excellent today, ladies. However, I demand just one final thing from you. Mr. Alann had to leave earlier today for a doctor's appointment, and since there's no one else in his classroom right now, his materials for tomorrow's session have not been retrieved from the supply closet. He told me that if any Office Aide could nab his supplies, he'd be extremely grateful. After you do this, girls, you're free to go back to class."

"Hmm, I find no kerfuffle with it," Evie replied. Mya shrugged.

"Alright, then. Don't be long! The closet's right ahead of you, it's near the staircase," Rex explained, typing into a document on her computer. Evie and Mya pushed the door open and walked beside the pillar, soon finding the wooden door of the closet.

Both were *oblivious* to Daniela's presence behind them. While she nearly let out an elated snicker, she remained silent and waited for her time to strike.

"Is the door unlocked?" Mya asked Evie.

"Let's find out." She turned the handle. *Click*. Evie pulled it open, propping the door outward.

Inside the closet was a lot of boxes, cleaning supplies, and more. On top of the highest shelf, squashed between spray cleaner and teaching equipment, was paint jars and a jar of paintbrushes belonging to Mr. Alann.

"There we are! Let's get this blasted chore over with, matey!" Mya declared.

Daniela got up, and in her eyes, time rapidly slowed down. She had to accomplish this swiftly, or else, her chances of being a true Office Aide were slim to *none*.

This was her *only chance* to *win*. And she did not hesitate whatsoever.

She leapt up to the door, grabbed the handle, and *slammed* the door on Evie and Mya, holding the handle to prevent it from functioning.

On the other side of the door, Evie and Mya were startled; Mya tripped on a box and fell, her forehead grazing a sharp object, and she squeaked in pain. Evie had landed on her bottom, but she jumped back up instantly, her danger senses spiraling out of control.

She ran up to the door, attempting to move the handle, but it stayed frozen in place.

"*What the hell*?!" she snapped. *Someone* was denying them a route to escape.

Evie then realized it.

*No. Fudge no. Don't tell me it's...*

And then, a face appeared in the doorway, effectively confirming that her suspicions were true.

Their captor was a vengeful, retribution-seeking *Daniela Burton Vunquist*.

"*Hiiiii*, Evie. And hello to you too, Heartley!" she greeted, laughing loud enough to be heard through the window. Mya gasped in shock, but Evie remained unfazed and *irate*. Her adrenaline was *kicking*.

"**OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR, DUMBQUIST**!" she demanded, pounding on the wood with her fists multiple times.

"Nah, I'm not gonna. You *twerps* kept getting in my *way* and stole *my position* from me. I *will* be Rex's Office Aide, and I will be her **ONLY ONE**!" She smirked, waving cutely at her and a bleeding Mya. "Have fun staying here... *forever*!"

Chuckling, Daniela slid the key into the lock and turned it. She then plucked the key out, stashed it in her pocket, and fled in the direction of the office.

"**OPEN THE FREAKING DOOR**!" Evie screeched, pushing the handle. However, despite Daniela's depature, the door was stuck and wouldn't move.

Evie pushed, shoved, and did all she could to crack the door and loosen the handle. But no matter what she did, the realization finally dawned on her.

Daniela had *locked them* inside the closet. She wanted to do this *all along*.

*Chết tiệt! We should have told Rex about our previous run-ins with her! She was planning to get rid of us and now we can't do a damn thing about it!*

"Mya! We're trapped!" she blurted out frantically. Mya dashed up to her side, horror in her green eyes.

"*No*!" She tried the door to no avail, then faced Evie, seeing how distressed and panicky she was. "Ev..."

Then Evie noticed a small gash on Mya's forehead, leaking blood, and she gasped. "My! You're bleeding!"

"Oh my god! Not bad, is it?"

"No, it's not bad. I have a bandage in my pocket." Quickly, Evie grabbed a small band-aid from her pocket, tore off the coverings, and applied it. "There you go."

"Thanks... but that aside, we have a *serious* problem. How do we get *out* of here? How do we even **tell** Rex that her own daughter locked us in here???"

Evie swallowed a rocky lump in her throat nervously. Time was running out. School would be ending for the day soon. Daniela would *never* tell her mother of what she had done.

There was no *way* Rex would ever find out under these circumstances. They had to escape as soon as possible!

Evie searched around for anything that could pick the lock on the door. On a box, she noticed a paper clip and stretched it out, thinning it into a straight metal line. Then, she shuffled up to the door and stuck it in, fiddling with the lock.

"Come on, come on!" she pleaded, Mya watching her uneasily. Her lip and hands were quivering.

After a minute, the lock still wouldn't crack, and Evie wailed, banging her head against the door.

Daniela's plan was *foolproof*. The only thing that could open the door now was a legitimate key.

The nearest set of keys was in Rex's office.

"*Damn it*!" Evie sunk to her knees, so frustrated, yearning to escape. But that thought was still in her mind.

*We should have told Rex everything.*

"We **SHOULD** have told Rex about Daniela! We could have prevented this, Mya! It was so obvious that she was scheming... she was hungry for the spotlight... *ugh*!"

Evie stared at the ground, her body flipping inside out from all the stress she was going through. Mya wordlessly moved closer to her, her mouth agape. She was *deeply* worried.

In situations like this, Evie typically had her composure.

She was an all-out nervous wreck here, breathing irregularly, panting excessively. Sweat dripped down her head and neck, and her fingernails were curled into the closet's carpet flooring.

"We should have known..." she whispered.

The outside world, so close to them, sealed away by their number one enemy.

A person who *despised* them.

A person who was the daughter of the *principal*. Who was jealous of their success and wanted to prove her *superiority*.

The longer they stayed, the less they were learning.

Daniela would have gotten away with *everything*.

Feelings welled within Evie. Hatred. The yearning. Fury.

*Blinding* fury.

*I won't let you get away with this, Daniela! YOU WON'T GET AWAY!*

With a growl, Evie sprung to her feet and *kicked* at the door. It didn't budge.

Mya watched in shock as her friend's tough layers disentegrated right in front of her.

In the meantime, Daniela had returned to the office and lounged in a chair near her mother's desk.

"Hmm, that took you quite a while, Dani... is everything handled?"

"Yeah, sorry it took so long. I got into a chat with the librarian about Book Fair. The doors have been unlocked," Daniela lied smoothly.

"Nice to hear that. How it's been going for you? Are you excited for Book Fair?"

"Doing *splendid*. Passing all my classes. And I'm hyped for Book Fair. Think I'm gonna buy myself a few books."

"I better loan you some cash, then."

"Ten dollars?"

"Sure."

For around ten to fifteen minutes, Daniela and Rex engaged in idle conversations as the principal worked. She didn't see it, but Daniela was smiling. Smiling weirdly.

*Too* weirdly.

Soon, kids chattering outside captured their attention, and peering through the window, Daniela and Rex saw the English classes heading to the library happily for Book Fair, chattering amongst themselves and their teachers.

*Almost there,* Daniela told herself. *Rex hasn't suspected a damn thing about Ly and Heartley.*

Well, she spoke too soon.

Rex then sighed, tapping her fingers on her desk, blue eyes far away. "Lord... I just realized that Evie and Mya haven't returned yet, and it's been, like, fifteen minutes! Have you seen them, Dani?"

*You've gotta be kidding me! Did she seriously have to gain brain cells right now?*

"Umh, no... I haven't seen them for hours," Daniela lied for a second time, feigning concern on her face. She frowned, not out of her charade, but because she began to fear her plan would backfire.

"Something has to be wrong... those two have a clean history. They wouldn't jack everything up and cause mischief, would they, Dani?"

"Definitely not."

"Hmm..." Rex, taking a sip of her mug of water to soothe herself, went back to typing on her computer. Two minutes later, she enveloped herself in a phone call, chitter-chattering mindlessly as per usual.

Daniela internally giggled to herself, her sly face going unnoticed.

*Those slithering, slimy snakes are probably whining for their parents to take them home. Justice has been served.*

*Try as you might, but this plan is tough as steel. I'm going to be the one and only Office Aide!*

Back in the closet...

*Thwump!*

Mya sat on a box in the back of the closet, biting on her lip anxiously as she stared at Evie, who had started to hurl her own body at the door in attempts to break it down, all ending in vain.

"Come *on*!" Evie exclaimed, throwing her shoulder into the wood. She bounced off in pain. The door stood strong.

She hissed something in Vietnamese under her breath, her hand shaking.

Mya's skin itched, welling with anxiety upon seeing her friend give it her everything. *Evie is risking damaging her body just to bust out! She's not thinking!*

"Ev, settle down! You don't need to throw your whole body on the line!" she begged.

"I *can't*!" she retorted, "We are getting *out of here* before that sadism-crazed *bully* lands us in *trouble*!"

Growling, Evie slammed her shoulder and hip into the door. She ricocheted off, gritting her teeth as double the amount of pain flooded her body.

Nonetheless, her head was spinning, and her drive to break free had gone to her head. She couldn't stop, *wouldn't stop*, until that door was crushed and Daniela was put on the *spot* for her cunning, yet putrid, act.

*I see it. That smirk on her face. Her confidence. That brash laugh. Believing she's disposed of us and has conquered in the world in a fell swoop. You made us suffer, but now it's your turn to know what vengeance tastes like!*

Letting out a caterwaul of rage, Evie bashed the door with her knuckles, over and over and over again. Pain seared through them, and Mya gasped, alarmed by what she was now doing.

*She's going to bludgeon herself! I need to save her from her own destruction!*

"Evie, *stop*! You're going to bloody yourself if you don't calm down!"

Her friend ignored her and kept on going, *bang bang bang*. She was panting and choking out a strange noise. Worst of all, she couldn't bring her body to cease the impulse scorching her outside and inside.

Evie's knuckles were pink, gradually turning into a shade of red. The more they drilled into the door, the more the skin would rip apart and start to bleed.

"**Evie**! **Please**!" Mya pleaded at the top of her lungs. However, she went on deaf ears.

Panting, Evie backed up, all the way up, nearly to where her friend was. Mya stepped back out of caution. What could she be attempting this time?

"I *will* get us out of here. We won't be stranded on **dry land**!"

Her eyes were locked on that door. If she ran at it, hard, with enough speed, she could slam that thing to the ground.

Mya realized what she was going to do, gasping, and seconds slowly ticked on by.

Evie steadied herself, preparing to risk the stability of her own body to take down Daniela.

*Evie... you're so dilligent. Noble. You're never reckless. But you're letting what Daniela did drown out your conscious!*

*If you don't stop this, you're going to badly injure yourself and we'll never escape!*

Evie grunted. *I'm going to get us out of here. I cannot stop! I won't stop! Daniela, you won't get everything you want on a silver platter!*

Mya clenched her own fists, the tension rising up to the surface. Her body was stiff and rigid.

*My friend... no, I won't allow you to beat yourself to a bloody pulp. I may not know how Daniela caused you to become so impulsive, but I care for you, and I'm never going to see you sacrifice yourself the way you wanna!*

It was as if she was graced with godspeed.

As in the second that Evie took off, aiming her head at the door, Mya flew faster and right in front. She stepped in front of Evie, pinning her back against the door.

Then, she came to her friend's much-needed aid.

"***STOP***!" she commanded, her voice rattling objects in the closet.

Evie, letting out a gasp, struggling to comprehend the amount of shock she was experiencing, skidded to a complete halt in front of Mya - just *barely* avoiding a collision with her.

"Mya... *why*?" she panted, shaken by what had happened mere seconds ago. Mya unsteadily gazed at her with perturbed leaf-green eyes.

"I... I *couldn't* let you sacrifice your whole body, Evie! You were beating yourself up, and... and I... you were going to cover yourself in *blood*! Seeing you like that... I didn't want you to bleed! To destroy your own body because of Daniela's attempt at locking us up!"

Evie stared at the ground, her breathing ragged and uneven. She studied her knuckles, and with horror, she saw that Mya was right. They were *red*, the skin raw. She wore them down to the point where they would have started to leak out blood.

Her body *ached*. The true extent of the pain hit her then, and she swayed back and forth wordlessly, her legs becoming strings.

"Evie...?" Mya prompted, giving her a hand.

Instead of taking it, Evie squeaked and sunk to the ground, still not uttering a single word. Her breathing was intensifying, rocketing into uncontrollable spurts that made Mya's stomach flip.

Knowing that she had to do something, Mya fell to her side and took her hands gently, caressing them with her thumbs.

It was here that Evie finally peered at Mya's, worried, somber, and delicate face, and choking out a noise that was rather reminiscent of a sob, her eyes remained latched to her friend's.

A second later, tears welled in them. Her breathing was beginning to slow down.

"Evie... I'm here. I promise I'm here. Relax," Mya reassured, dragging her words out.

She gripped her hands tighter. Evie was speechless, her mouth quivering, trying to form words that wouldn't get off her tongue.

After a riveting, intense minute, she was able to speak at last.

"I... I can't calm down," she stammered, adding, "Daniela is going to *lie* about us to Rex! She'll play the sweet one and make us into f-fools! The principal... she'll **b-blame us** for getting t-trapped he-here!"

"No she won't," Mya assured. "Rex can't fall for it. She is aware of what Daniela is capable of. And even if she did, I would fight to clear our names. You know that."

"But we don't know that! The worst could be happening as we sit here; Daniela is probably spewing nonsense and claiming that we're stupid enough to waste our time and get trapped here, throw everything *away* for a dumb prank! Rex could believe it! And then what happens? It goes on our *permament record*! Mya, we could be in grave *danger*! Not only with the *school*, but... but..."

"Evie... what are you trying to tell me?" Mya asked softly.

"*Our parents* are going to m-murder us! All because of Daniela's vendettas! We're going to be despised... I... I can't-"

Evie abruptly cut herself off, tears streaming down her face. Fear built in Mya once more, and bracing for the worst, she pulled Evie closer to her, now gripping her wrists.

"What can't you do? What are you fearing?"

Evie gulped, and through a wail, she admitted to Mya what she was truly fearing alongside everything else.

"M-Mom..."

Just like that, a puzzle clicked together in Mya's head. Evie wasn't just stressed out and having a breakdown because their Office Aide positions, the most coveted positions at PMS, were at risk of being lost.

It wasn't just because they failed to detect Daniela's underlying, sinister motives and desire to maintain her Office Aide position.

It wasn't just because Rex could believe the potential lies spat out by Daniela and could turn on them.

Evie feared what would happen if her *mother* found out.

Mya had known for years that Opal Ly was... a challenging mother. Even though she was mostly kind and passionate, she had a very strict side and had high expectations for Evie. One of those expectations was to *never* get herself in petty trouble, tainting her perfect record.

Should she find out about the closet scenario and believe the lies potentially being told, the consequences she would impose on Evie would be *harsh*.

"Oh, Ev..." Mya whispered, placing her hand gently on her shoulder. "That will *never* happen! Not as long as I'm your friend and exist and be around you. Your mother is complicated sometimes, but what went down here *won't* change her view of you. And, in fact, we *will* find a way to escape this hell, expose Daniela, inject her with karma, and keep what we've fairly earned. We're survivors. Leaders. We *don't* quit."

"You... you think that?" Evie questioned, her eyes struggling to remain on Mya's.

"Yes, I swear." Despite her words, Evie looked away, doubtful, and she tucked her head between her legs. She was still very upset and terrified of the outcomes they'd be facing.

A tear fell from her left eye. Mya's heart melted. *Poor thing... I won't let you go through this anymore. You're here with me. You won't be alone. WE won't be alone, not here, not anywhere, not ever.*

In that moment, she thought of the one thing she could muster to comfort Evie and blurted it out.

"Hold on to me."

Evie, surprised, turned to stare at her, wiping away her tears. She stayed where she was, mulling over what Mya had told her to do. Her holly-green eyes darted left and right.

Then, she hesitantly crawled up to Mya's lap and threw herself onto her, draping her strong arms over her shoulders. Mya wrapped her arms around her back, holding her in an affectionate hug.

Evie relaxed, loosening up in her presence. She was so warm, a bundle of joy in these dark times, and wanting more, she buried her face in her shoulder. She mumbled contently, easing into happiness for the first time in what seemed like ages.

Mya blushed. Her friend was heavy, but also warm. It was like she was holding a giant cat in her lap. She gently patted Evie on the back of her neck, which she liked, and she brushed her cheek against hers.

Her face reddening, Mya held her steady and also grazed her cheek up against hers. It was warm, slightly wet from the tears, but it was enough to make her heart soar.

*That's my Evie. Hold on to me... your ghosts will go away as long as you're here. You won't feel cold, or hopeless, or anything negative. From now, going forward... you'll feel nothing but the sunlight and clouds in my arms.*

Evie relaxed in her arms, holding onto her, her heartbeat slowed and no longer rapid.

*I almost want things to remain like this.* At the thought of the idea, Mya blushed again.

Suddenly, the door handle *moved*. A clicking noise was heard. Mya bolted upright, as did Evie, and they held onto each other protectively as the door opened. Was Daniela back for a tulmultuous round two?

Much to their stunned disbelief, however, it was the boy from earlier. He was holding a bronze key in his hand and smiled at the girls.

"What the? How did you find out about us?" Mya demanded, appalled.

The boy stepped toward them. "I heard you two break down in there when I was getting a drink from the fountain. No one was around but me, don't worry. I knew something was awry, so I went to the janitor and asked him for a spare key. She... she did this to you, didn't she? Daniela?"

"Hell yes she did," Evie muttered, swiftly lightening up. "But thank you for figuring this out and not assuming we locked ourselves in the closet."

"You have my thanks from the bottom of my heart!" Mya added.

"Heh, no problem. And by the way, I'm Henry Danielson. Glad to help."

"Okay," Evie stated. "Now that we're free from that damn closet, let's finish up our last task and hunt down that *nasty brat* so she can have some comeuppance."

"Go ahead. I'll wait outside the office. Having seen Daniela in action, you might need backup when you confront her." Henry, true to his word, slunk over to the office wall without Rex noticing.

Evie and Mya then bolted into the closet, grabbed the art supplies, and dashed midway down the left hall to Mr. Alann's room. They placed the supplies on the table, and with the lack of teachers in the hallway, they *ran* back to the office.

There was only ten minutes until the day's end, and Daniela was partying hardcore in her head. Evie and Mya were *goners* in that closet.

She had not only won, but her plan had been perfect the whole time. Evie and Mya were trapped and would *never* escape.

*This is what cloud nine feels like.*

She jumped off her chair, grabbing her backpack and preparing to sling it over her shoulder.

And without warning, the office door *slammed* open, startling her and Rex. In the doorway was *Evie Ly and Mya Heartley*.

They looked *more* than pissed off. Daniela's jaw fell to the floor.

*WHAT??? HOW??? THEY WERE LOCKED IN! My plan was FLAWLESS!*

"*Girls*! Where in the name of god's green *earth* have you **been**?" Rex snapped, her imposing "T-Rex" form taking shape. "You've worried me *sick* for around half an *hour*!"

"Well, *yeah*, we were locked in a **FREAKING CLOSET**!" Mya spat, shocking Rex. Daniela gasped, pretending to be stunned when in reality, she was *panicking*.

How could her plan have backfired so *horribly*?

"Tell me *how on earth* you got locked in a closet," Rex demanded, crossing her arms.

"To be honest with you, Principal... the *reason* we got trapped in said closet is standing in the blue sweater *right there*," Evie revealed, pointing an accusing finger directly at Daniela, who flinched.

"This *mosquito* had been following us around throughout the *entire day*, tormenting us to fuel her own petty agenda. Each time we defied her, she grew *restless*. Daniela gained the *audacity* to get rid of us by chucking us into a closet, gaining a key, and locking us *inside*."

"I was in here! What the heck are you talking about???" Daniela protested. Rex eyed the girls with an unreadable, painstaking expression.

"You, being in here? Stop *lying*, Daniela," Mya retorted angrily, green eyes blazing. "You followed us to the gym, stopped us near the stairwell, then *showed us your face* when you locked us in the closet. You're *guilty* as charged."

"I have no clue what you're even *talking about*!"

"That's a bunch of hoopla. Because of your nature, the *violent* games you play, and addiction to making people *suffer*, you *hurt* Evie. You *hurt* my best friend. *Badly*. If it weren't for this good samaritan, **our parents would have murdered us**!"

"Daniela *wouldn't* do such a thing!" Rex dived into the conversation. "She only went to unlock the library doors and came back, stayed with me the whole time. That *alone* is an alibi. Also, she's working on changing for the *better*. She really has! And she can prove it!"

"I have wanted to change. You're misunderstanding everything... I'm not the person who locked you in!"

Evie *facepalmed*, groaning in irritation. "Principal Rex, don't let what she told you make you *believe* she's automatically redeeming herself. Daniela is *deceptive*. She *knows* how to lie and manipulate things to get what she *wants*. She's *clever*. Too intelligent. When she needs something, she'll turn *violent*, and we've both seen how that goes!"

Daniela frowned. "Why are you antagonizing me?" she asked, appearing to be actually upset. "I haven't *done* anything to you! You're... you're being aggressive..."

"**Enough**!" Rex snarled, stepping up to both Evie and Mya, her eyes glimmering with blue disappointment and *fury*. "Evie, Mya, never in my *life* did I expect you to be so *rotten* to my own *daughter* and be *dumb enough* to *lie* for clout. You were my star Office Aides, the best students in the school... but these reckless antics that I've learned proves that you are no longer fitting of *your positions*."

Evie and Mya gasped, twitching with horror, and Evie dug her fingernails into Mya. *No! It's going to happen...*

"From now on, you two are *no longer* Office Aides and are *not welcome* into the office unless I am required to summon you." The "T-Rex" was *dead serious*, her ominous side terrifying the *daylight* out of the two.

They had lost *everything* they had worked to earn. And Daniela had gotten off scot-free, no repurcussions for her disturbing behavior in sight.

As her mother focused on Evie and Mya, Daniela grinned warmly. *Still fooled with my charm. Ly and Heartley are done for. The limelight is all on me!*

With her mission complete, she stretched and walked away, holding her backpack in her left hand.

But as she turned, her smug face appeared in Evie's sightlines.

*That dirty liar! You're not going anywhere and neither of us are going down without a fight!*

"Principal Rex, *prove* your daughter is innocent and open up that *desk drawer*. Because a hunch tells me that you're missing a key."

"Evie Ly, there is no way I'm going to do that when you and Mya both *lied* to me! I even saw her *put it back*!"

"Stop trying to fester the wound, Evie, it's gonna make it worse for you. I *did* put the key back."

Evie growled, forming a defensive stance and raising her hackles. "*Open* the drawer."

Rex snorted. "*Evie Ly*! You're causing unnecessary drama, cease this at *once*!"

"More like *continue this at once*!" Mya huffed, stomping over to Rex's side and nudging her out of the way. She pulled the desk drawer wide open.

And sure enough, to back Evie's hunch, *one* of the twenty school keys was *missing*.

*The library key*.

"*W-What*?!" Rex stammered, her face contorted in fear and confusion. "But I-I saw Daniela place it back in here!!!"

Daniela grimiced, her own face painted in panic. Everything was ripping at the seams. She had to get out of here!

But before she could bolt, Evie and Mya knew that she was going to attempt to flee, and they wouldn't let her escape this time.

All of a sudden, Mya barricaded the door with her body while Evie slammed Daniela up against the wall, pinning her there and refusing to let go of her sweater collar.

"*Where* is that key, Burton Vunquist? You *tell me right this damn minute*!" Evie demanded, her tone full of anger and revulsion.

"Evie! Please let go of her!" Rex pleaded desperately, but to her dismay, Evie refused to turn Daniela loose.

"You heard me, *Dumbiela*. *Where*. Is. The. **KEY**?"

"I haven't done anything wrong!" Daniela retorted, raising her hands defensively and confronting Evie's fire directly. "You're making a *mistake*! You lost your position, just deal with it and let me *go*, please!"

She winced as Evie pressed her face closer to hers, stamping her foot on the ground.

"Tell me. *Tell me* where you put the key and stop covering your *ass* with white lies."

Daniela shut her eyes. Her plan had blown right up in her face, and she couldn't believe it or process it. Evie and Mya, two people on the list of people she absolutely *loathed*, escaped their confinement. They were here, busting her doors down in order to expose her. She knew she was scraping the bottom of the barrel to stay afloat, and any second, the truth would come out.

She only had one choice.

*Flee*.

"**GET OFF**!" she shrieked, throwing Evie aside and dashing toward the door. Mya was in her way, but she didn't give a damn and also tossed her aside. Mya, stumbling, tripped over her feet, but before she could impact the ground, Evie caught her. They locked stares, and just for a *split* second, they blushed.

Then, they ran out of the office and pursued Daniela.

Outside, Henry had overheard the whole argument, and he braced, preparing for pandemonium.

Sure enough, Daniela slammed open the door and ran, Evie and Mya tailing her.

*Oh snap.* Henry *knew* that Daniela wasn't just running from penalties, she was running for her life.

Running so fast she didn't see him there.

And knowing what he had to do, he held out his leg. Daniela tripped over it and skidded on the ground face-down, impacting with a *screech*.

With her temporarily down, Henry kneeled over and reached in her back pocket, pulling out a small silver key.

Principal Rex arrived on the scene, pushing through Evie and Mya and facing Henry, her blue eyes stormy.

"Were you looking for this?" Henry asked, showing her the key. Rex gasped, her train of thought derailing and her heart plummeting *immediately*.

*Everything* Evie and Mya had told her was *true*. They were *never* lying to her and had given her the obvious, blatant truth from the get-go.

Dread filled her, and she scraped her teeth together, wanting to sock herself in the nose.

Daniela was using her same methods again. She became violent. Crazed. Desiring vengeance. Making people *suffer*.

Henry had only just proven to her that her daughter was a *liar*, a *bad, bad liar* - and that her daughter was *guilty as charged*.

That sentiment, that very thought alone, made her snap. Rage, pure, *terrifying* amounts of rage took control.

In that moment, she became a *complete* T-Rex.

"***DANIELA BURTON VUNQUIST***!" she bellowed, her shout echoing all throughout the hallway. Evie and Mya thought it was loud enough that *everyone* on the second floor could hear.

Daniela stumbled to her feet, her face draining of all color. "Mom, I-"

"***I WILL NOT HEAR IT***!" Rex cut her *off* before she could even try justifying her actions. "*You* are a **disgrace** and a **filthy double-crosser** for pulling something as nasty as this. You **lied to me** and shamed **two** of my best students. Evie and Mya are **innocent**. You are *dishonoring* the influence PMS strives to *have*!"

"You don't understand! I *had* to do it!" Daniela pleaded. "You *replaced me* with those two and *never* told me! You took what was *my position*, something that I *worked to earn for years*, away from me! Put me down *below* with the low-lifes and let *those idiots* shine! How could you **DO THAT TO ME**?!"

Mya put a hand on her mouth and Evie put a hand on her shoulder. Daniela's *true* motivation was to gain back her position. Her mother had replaced her and never warned her of the shift.

Mya somehow felt a tiny bit of pity for Daniela. *She's not wrong. Losing something you worked to earn is hard to get over. But wanting payback and hurting others to get it only proves that Daniela will never, ever change.*

Daniela continued her rant, growing more furious with the principal. "You *don't care* about me. You *never have*! Because of your *dumb agenda*, you tried to take away ***something I prided myself on***! What kind of *mother* does-"

Snarling, Rex then *slapped* Daniela on her cheek violently, causing her to squeal in pain. A pink blotch appeared from where the blow landed.

Evie and Mya backed away from the scene. Never in their lives could they have imagined that Daniela's relationship with her own *mother* could be so *broken*.

"***KNOCK IT OFF, DANIELA***!" Rex commanded, holding her against the wall. "Do ***NOT*** dare to open *your mouth* until we get *home*. Say **one more protest**, and I'm taking away your Office Aide position ***permanently***!"

Daniela, much to the surprise of Evie, Mya, and Henry, obeyed her mother for the first time in ages, her amber eyes wide, pupils shrunken. Instead of being obnoxious and utilizing violence, she looked *horrified*, unmoved and stuck in her spot. She hung her head in defeat.

Rex faced Evie and Mya, softening into her principal figure compared to a beast. "I take back what I said to you two girls. From now on, you will *stay* permament Office Aides - I'm proud to have you help me and the office staff."

Suddenly, the bell rang, and without more dialogue exchanged, Rex hauled Daniela out of the PMS building.

Evie and Mya swiftly dashed into the office, grabbing their backpacks, waving a quick, fond farewell to Henry, and walking outside together.

In the middle of the outside awning, Evie turned to Mya, stopping her with a bright dark green gaze.

"Glad our little adventure is over now," she muttered. "It's something I *never* want to do again. But... I'm happy that I got to get through it with you."

She smiled at Mya, and Mya, insides floating and brimming with nothing but *butterflies*, moved closer to her. She felt so lightweight around her friend for some reason today, but she welcomed it nonetheless.

"I think I would have lost my last few brain cells if I didn't get trapped with you, Ev. And your mother won't kill you now since we both got our positions back. It's... actually quite bittersweet, thinking about it."

"Definitely. I... I can't thank you enough for holding onto me, the way you did... you're so... so... beautiful, to me."

Mya blushed, and for a moment, she held one of Evie's freckled cheeks. "And to me."

Evie hugged her, patting her on the back, and pulling out, she said, "Okay, I see mom's car, so I'm gonna go now. See you tomorrow, Mya!"

"Bye!" Mya stated in response, and her eyes remained fixated on Evie as she walked away.

*There's just something special about her. She's elegant, is a sweet little bug underneath her rocky exterior, likes snuggles from time to time...*

*She's so... so...*

"Hey! Move out of the way!" a middle school boy, looking to be in 6th grade, shouted at Mya, startling her out of her trance. "Sorry, sorry!"

Shaking her head, and with a blush on her face, Mya began to search for her parents' car.

Man, today *was* an adventure.

## Characters

* **Lynette DuPree** as Mrs. Hawkins
* **Peyton Elizabeth Lee** as Evie
* **Dakota Fanning** as Mya
* **Nora Dunn** as Rex
* **Eden Riegel** as Daniela
* **Nika Futterman** as Amy
* **Jim Rash** as Coach Samoski
* **Dee Bradley Baker** as Henry and unnamed sixth grade boy

## Trivia

* The title is a reference to the *Maze Runner* and *Blade Runner* franchises. Av says the title was based off Evie and Mya doing consistent errands and growing exhausted especially with Daniela relentlessly attacking them, putting them in a "daze."
* It is revealed that:
	+ Evie owns the 2019 Tehlor Key Mejia novel *We Set the Dark on Fire*, which is tied with its 2020 sequel as Av's favorite book of all time. It was included as an easter egg.
	+ It is heavily implied throughout the episode that Mya is beginning to catch feelings for Evie, though she is unaware of it yet.
	+ Continuing on from her background in *Prologue*, Evie is noted to be perfect at practically anything she does.
	+ Pineshadow Middle School's Office Aide position is very sacred, earned by one's hard work, compassion, and dedication.
		- Evie, Mya, and Daniela all have this position. Rex moved Daniela's shift down late and Evie and Mya's up higher because of Daniela's cynical and violent behavior, something which triggers Daniela's desire to eliminate the girls in the episode.
	+ Rex is a very tough figure to get by, so much so that she is known as the "T-Rex."
	+ Daniela is Rex's daughter and hates the fact that she is related to her by blood, finding it humiliating. She also takes advantage of Rex's lapses in judgment and usually almost always defies her.
		- This explains Rex's aggressive reaction to her bullying Evie, Mya, and Winter in *Meeting Winter*.
	+ Daniela hates being called Dani, noting that it's an ugly version of her full name.
	+ Daniela has a one-sided rivalry with Evie that doesn't usually go anywhere due to Evie mostly ignoring her.
	+ Evie has a more insecure side that she hides away under her tough layers.
		- It is implied her mother and the standards she has are the reasons why she has insecurity.
* The *We Set the Dark on Fire* moment Evie was reading about was the scene where Dani takes a shower and is overwhelmed by her feelings for Carmen. As the scene is for mature audiences only, Evie became slightly embarrassed when Mya attempted to read it, knowing she doesn't like naughty content.
	+ Mya asking if Evie got the book from a library is a reference to when Av first read *We Set the Dark on Fire* and was shocked by the sexual content - the book was in her own school library.
* Mya commenting that Mr. Gill walks like a "constipated ape" was a reference to the same joke made about Mr. Woolly by Owen in the Ellen Potter book *Slob*.
* When Mya tells Amy that they bring the dank, she alludes to the Gammer and Stonebank song *Crank Up the Dank*.
* Mya having hypersensitivity over loud noises is based off Av's own phonophobia.
* After Evie and Mya humiliate her in front of Henry, Daniela says that it won't fly with her. This alludes to one of Boscha's lines from *The Owl House*: "Oh, this is not gonna fly."
* Daniela calling Evie and Mya "faux-ass fighters" is a reference to band Foo Fighters.
* The scene where Evie demands that Daniela open the closet door and screams at her is a parallel to a similar scene in *Euphoria* where a frantic Jules begs Rue to open the bathroom door, scared for her life.
* "Chết tiệt" means "goddamn" in Vietnamese.
* Evie and Mya's confrontation in the closet, along with Evie's subsequent breakdown and Mya holding on to her, was inspired by the Leah Culver song *Won't Stop* and the Electro-Light song *Hold On to Me*. References to the songs are also scattered throughout the scene.
* From the moment Mya hugs Evie to the moment Henry opens the door, a snippet of the Tobu song *Seven* is heard.
* When Mya vows to be beside Evie, she alludes to the Feint song *We Won't Be Alone* - which is Av's favorite Monstercat song and a major song in the series.
* During her argument with Daniela, Mya mentions that her reasonings are "hoopla," which is a nod to the famous meme from *SpongeBob SquarePants* in the episode *Krusty Krab Training Video*.