99. Payback

Beep, beep, beep!

CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH

I woke up today clutching my head. By the time I put my feet on the floor, I had a splitting head ache from the noise.

What is that?

Against my better judgment, I walked towards the noise. With each step, I felt more and more like ripping my hair out. Unsurprisingly, I ended up at Puck's door.

I straightened up, gathered my nerve, and set my self to be ready for any untold horrors beyond the door, just to find…that it was, locked.

'Are you kidding?'

I clenched my teeth and started banging on the door.

"Whatever you're doing, you better stop! I don't care if you're-"

When I was in mid rant, the door opened, and I had to stop in mid air to avoid hitting him in the face.

A very disgruntled Puck stood at the doorway, wearing a hard hat, and tucking some blueprints under his arm.

"What do you want?" His eyes narrowed. "Scudge monster!" Right as I was started to get red with anger, something very weird occurred to me.

'Is it me, or did that sound really forced?'

I settled for glaring at him and returning to my original argument.

"I want to know what all the noise is, you evil little brat!" His face darkened for a second before he took on a smirk. If it wasn't for my pride, I probably would've taken a step back; that look always ended badly.

Puck leaned against the door frame nonchalantly and started looking at his dirt-encrusted fingernails.

"Oh nothing. Just a little project I'm working on." He smirked again, and I scowled in return. "It doesn't sound very little." The corner of his mouth twitched. He glared again, and slammed the door in my face. My nostrils flared and I stomped away rubbing my temples.

I didn't make it very far before I bumped into Uncle Jake. "Whoa there, 'Brina. Where are you going to in such a rush?" "As far away as I can get from him." The word dripped off my tongue like I was using a very dirty swear. My uncle had the nerve to chuckle. "Y'know, you're just giving him what he wants right?" I looked at him curiously. "Puck wants to be verbally abused daily?" I would be pretty happy to do that free of charge. Uncle Jake laughed again. "No, well sort of. He just wants to get under your skin. He's only doing it to bother you." I crossed my arms. "No, he does it because he's just like that." Jake shook his head. "Correction: He does it creatively because that's how he is. Just ignore him, and his antics. See what happens." He patted me on the shoulder, and continued walking down the hall, humming.

I started tapping my chin, lost in thought. 'Ignore him? Well…that's different from my usual tactic of calling him anything I could think of. And if anything, it might throw him off. I frowned. What if he thinks I just gave up? I'd never hear the end of it.

I started walking back to my room. It could be worth a try… I sat on my bed still thinking.

The silent treatment won't work…

I don't know that…

He wouldn't be smart enough to know he was getting it…

"Sabrina?" I jumped at the voice. "Yes?" Granny Relda smiled almost knowingly at me. "Would you like something to eat? Breakfast is almost ready." I thought of refusing her, just to continue my train of thought. I was kinda hungry though…And it would be a good time to try my new anti-puck strategy…"Sure. I'll be down in a few minutes."

"Hey Sa- Snot Face."

I cut through my blue ham and didn't pay him any attention.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

I continued eating as his face started getting red.

"Hey granny, freakazoid ain't talkin'"

"Isn't."

"Whatever! Make her speak!"

I had to bite my lip to keep a straight face.

"Sabrina?"

"Yes Granny Relda?"

I inclined my head towards her and I could've sworn that she sent a wink my way before she turned to Puck.

"That doesn't look like she's not speaking."

"But-"

"But nothing, eat."

Puck sent a very angry glare my way before sitting down. I picked up my plate and left the room without a backwards glance.