"Hello! Anyone there?" I inquired as I grasped the doorknob, pressing it lower and exerting considerable power on the door in order to open it and exit the restroom. After shrieking for what felt like a minute, chortles and laughter erupted from outside, resonating in my ear. Tears welled up in my eyes, and no one needed to remind me that my own bullies had locked me up on purpose. They are here once again; always ready to haunt me and stress the crap out of me. Always ready to make me experience nightmares every single f**g day at school. I'm sick of them, and I know they did this because they saw me with Derek. They did this because Derek initiated a conversation with me. They undoubtedly assumed he was interested in me. Only the Moon goddess knows how they'd react if they discovered we're step siblings. The worst that will happen is when they discover that we're mates. Anything that happens, I'm willing to accept my fate. I'm willing to endure all hardships just to be with my mate. I don't care what they'll do to me. I can't reject Derek all because of them.
"Please let me out.. I have a class to attend,". I implored, banging the door with my hands, yelling so loud so they could hear me. Instead of attempting to help, I heard one of them snickered and said, "What classes? You mean ballet classes, music classes or what? You're probably mad because you won't be able to join the cheerleading squad."
More snickers erupted, and I knew who had just spoken. Due to the tone at which the person spoke, I could tell that it was Maria, one of my worst bullies aside from Matilda.
"What makes someone like you want to join such a team? Was it because Miss Andrea admired your body shape, beauty, and height? Was that what convinced you to join us?"
She inquired sardonically, her voice tinted with derision. She was on the cheerleading team, and I knew her animosity for me would grow as I longed to join. They've all been envious of me ever since Miss Andrea complimented me on my attractiveness and physique. What increased their envy for me was when they observed Derek interacting with me.
"It's none of your business…. open this door and let me out!" I cried as I perched nervously on the door, hitting it hard with my fist. My cries fell on deaf ears and it would be hard for people to know that I'm locked up because the bathroom was well away from the main building of the school. This is going to be a tough one and I wonder how long they intend to keep me locked here.
I had promised to see Bonnie at the stadium. I also made a promise to Derek that I'll cheer him while he played football with the other team. How would he feel if I didn't show up?
"Please, you have to stop this! You have to open this door! What have I done wrong?"
"You really wanna know? You really really wanna know?"
A yappy scornful voice boomed at the right end and I'm aware that voice belongs to Dawn… You see, Dawn had always been a friend to me just like Bonnie. She was the second friend I had aside from Bonnie. We eat together, share stuff together, read together and even reveal our little secrets to each other. Her mom was also a single mother like my mom those times and so we both understood the plight of having single parents so we could relate well with each other. I had full trust in Dawn until one day, Bonnie told me not to get too close to her because she heard her discussing my secrets with my bullies. She had an inferiority complex and she often got bullied just like me. She chose to betray me all because she wanted to win the heart of my bullies. They told her to do silly things and she did them all because she wanted them to love her. She wanted to be a part of their team. She wanted so badly to be famous and known by people. She doesn't want to be the nerd and little Omega who often gets bullied around. When our bullies asked her to reveal some of my secrets, she did without hesitating and since then, I knew she wasn't worthy to be my friend. She turned her back on me and started acting mean towards me because my bullies asked her to. She first regretted it at first but now she enjoys it like her life depends on it. Watching my own friend demean me so badly was the final devastating blow. I never believed she would turn out to be my worst enemy. I already knew a lot of people don't like me but seeing my own friend hating on me, then I have no choice but to see her as my worst enemy. To me, she's more evil than my bullies because she went from good to bad..
She started hating me when Mason decided to be my boyfriend. Her jealousy and hatred towards me increased but Bonnie was always there to support my relationship with Mason. We both had no idea that Mason was only using me and was never interested in me. What an evil set of people!
"Why was the new boy staring at you? Why did he strike up a conversation with you? Don't tell me you're trying to make him shift his attention to you? We have many beautiful girls fighting to gain his attention and yet, he walked up to you to speak to you?!"
Dawn spat, her voice tinged with scorn and hatred. Even though I couldn't see her, I knew her eyes were brimming with intense hatred for me. It still amazes me how someone innocent and angelic could turn out to be a demon. If they could be an award for the most transformable person on earth, then it should definitely be given to Dawn.
"Is that why you're all doing this to me? Is it my fault that he spoke to me?!"
"We just want to issue you a warning, Isabel" A low snippy voice said this time and I knew it was Matilda, their bitchy leader. Her mom is a top model in the city and she has been into many modeling businesses since the age of six. She's Famous, rich, sassy and bitchy, her father is the Beta to the Alpha and her mom holds a special role in the pack's palace. She was born with a silver spoon and her pride intensifies every single day. I'm no match to her which is why I don't have the power to stand up against her. Our school community isn't helping at all. The rules don't favor the poor and whenever the rich kids breach any of the rules, they don't get punished or scolded at all instead, they get away with it. They always get things done their way, and it's all because their parents are great sponsors of the school. We, Omegas aren't always treated right and it's because of our status. I really wished I could change schools but I can't because the school is one of the best in the pack and I'm also on a partial scholarship.
"STAY AWAY from DEREK! Do not talk to him, do not go close to him and do not ever look into his eyes.." Matilda spat angrily, her thich snippy voice sent chills down my spine. Tears welled up in my eyes; why does the Moon goddess have to make things difficult for me? I wish Derek wasn't my step brother. If he was, we'd have announced that we're mates to them a long time ago.. if that had happened, most of the girls would leave him, knowing full well that he belongs to someone else. They'd also not have to trouble me since they'd be aware that we're mates.
I sobbed and clutched my chest, thinking about my plight and my predicament. I don't want to reject Derek and I don't intend to reject him anytime; I love him with all my heart and I'm glad to have a mate like him. I'm only hiding our mate bond as a secret from our parents because I want my mom to experience happiness being with his dad. I don't want her to return back to being lonely.
I sat on the floor of the bathroom, my whole body shaking as I continued sobbing.
"She's crying… poor Isabel," a soft voice mumbled, snickering along…
"Should we open the door for her?" I heard Dawn ask. Why is she concerned about me? I thought she hated me.. she should be glad to see me locked up. She doesn't care about me any more so why is she trying to act concerned? Her cruel parody of affection made my stomach churn.
"Don't open it yet. We'll return in the next few minutes. Or probably when they're done with the match…"
Matilda replied and they all laughed before walking out till their footsteps were inaudible.
More tears welled up my eyes, my face turned crimson and I tried hard to catch my breath. Why does the Moon goddess hate me this much? Why? Just why?!
***
The clinking sound of the lock outside the door drifted me out of my slumber. I quickly opened my eyes, I had no idea how long I've been in there. Probably thirty minutes…
I robbed my eyes and got on both feet, wondering who it was that was outside. I cried till I slept off after my bullies left. I never knew they'd come this early to open the door for me.
The door opened and Laura's cute face came into view. She was an introvert; one of the most timid girls in school. She is the most brilliant girl in class and she was previously bullied because she had red hair, freckles and often wears glasses. Her bullies stopped bullying her the day they found out she had asthma. Ever since then, she has always been at peace and often stays alone.
Her lashes fluttered as she gave me an intense stare, probably shocked to see me in the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" She asked with wide eyes. I gulped down the lump in my throat, a profound sense of relief flooding over me as I saw that I am finally free to leave the bathroom.
"I was locked up, Laura. Thanks for coming to save me,"
After explaining, I bit my lips and her eyes expanded as shock plastered over her face. Her jaw dropped as well and she took a step closer to me, trying hard to believe. She is aware that I often get bullied but she never expected my bullies to bully me to the extreme by locking me up in a bathroom.
"Who did this to you? Is it Matilda and her crew?"
I nodded and she pulled me closer before embracing me, trying hard to console me..
"I'm really sorry this happened to you.. no one should ever be treated this way.." She mumbled, wiping the tears from my eyes. All of a sudden, Mason appeared, looking enraged. He dragged my arm and searched my face.
"Who did this to you?!" He yelled. "Who locked you up!"
My brows cringed and my head spinned as I wondered how he got to know. Not just that, why is he so bothered about me?