I sat with Ashly and her friends at lunch, pretending to laugh along with their jokes. But my mind was elsewhere, consumed by the looming detention courtesy of Mrs. Stave, the ruthless teacher who ruled the school with an iron fist.
"Testimony, Testimony?" Ashly snapped me out of my thoughts, and the girls giggled.
"What's got you so distracted?" she asked, brow furrowed with concern.
"Maybe she's thinking about that bad boy Slavvy," Trinity teased, voice dripping with malice. "Every girl in school wants him, but he's trouble with a capital T. He's got connections to the underground mafia, and nobody messes with him."
"Except me," Ashly said, eyes flashing with defiance.
"Except you, because you have a boyfriend already," Bianca teased, rolling her eyes, and the girls erupted in giggles.
I rolled mine, glancing at Slavvy. He sat with a cluster of handsome boys who looked like they'd just stepped out of a mafia movie. Somehow, I hadn't noticed him all morning—three classes gone by without a glance—and yet here he was, magnetizing my attention.
"Testimony?" Ashly nudged me.
"Mmmmm?"
"What are you thinking about so much?"
"Uh… Mrs. Stave gave me detention."
"Why?"
"I forgot my book at home. I swear I put it in my bag."
"Mrs. Stave is terrible; that's why I never chose hospitality studies," Trinity added.
"Sorry, hun, she's giving you a hard time," Ashly comforted me.
"No, it's fine. I'll be okay," I said, standing.
"Where are you going?"
"Bathroom. Be right back."
I fixed my skirt and stepped out of the cafeteria. I accidentally bumped into someone, sending their tray tumbling to the floor.
"What the heck!!" the girl yelled, and before I knew it, a sharp sting burned my left cheek. Gasps rippled through the cafeteria as all eyes turned to me.
"I'm so sorry!" I whispered, clutching my cheek, and looked up at the girl who'd tripped me in class. Her hair tumbled down her back like a waterfall, her piercing blue eyes icy and unrelenting. Her skirt was scandalously short, revealing more skin than it should. Behind her, a group of girls loomed, exuding the same aura as if they'd stepped out of a mafia movie. Without a doubt, she was the queen bee of the school's underworld.
"Look who it is—the stupid village girl dressed like a grandma," she sneered, venom dripping from every word. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal the spotlight?"
"How dare you slap my sister?" Ashly's voice cut through the tension, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Well, well, look who it is," the girl shot back, turning on Ashly. "The girl who had an affair with Mr. Zulu, our substitute teacher, now has the nerve to stand in front of me." Ashly's confidence faltered, and I frowned, confused. What was she talking about?
"You know me very well, Ashly. So tell your ratty little sister to stay away from me, okay?" she snapped, flipping her hair irritably, and her entourage followed her as she left.
"You okay?" Ashly asked, looking at me with concern she tried to hide. But I saw straight through her worry.
"Yeah… I'll be fine," I muttered. I quickly left the room, humiliated, tears pricking at my eyes. I wished I had never come to this school; it felt like everyone hated me. And with my mom gone, there was no one to comfort me.
I opened the nearest door and locked myself inside the generator closet.
I sank to my knees, tears streaming freely.
God, why is everything falling apart? I try to be kind, to be cool with everyone, but it backfires every single time. Mighty God, I can't take it anymore.
I sobbed until I couldn't anymore. There was no one to comfort me. I was bullied relentlessly, with no one to stand up for me. It felt hopeless. I couldn't fight for myself. I always let people pick on me.
The bell rang, signaling the end of school, but I didn't care about fourth, fifth, or sixth periods. I lacked the courage to face anyone after that humiliation.
"Hey, little girl, what are you doing here? School's been over for an hour."
I woke up with a start. When I cry too much, I end up sleeping.
"Uh… what time is it?" I rubbed my eyes, dazed.
"It's half past four. I'm closing up. You have to go home," the janitor said strictly.
Half past four… My phone confirmed it. Was I sleeping, or was I dead? How had I slept this long? Oh no… detention!
"Where's the detention room?" I asked nervously.
"The teacher left. Only one student came to detention," he said, and my spirit sank.
I'd definitely be expelled by tomorrow.
"What happens if I skip detention?" I asked, voice trembling.
"You could get expelled, or the principal may call your parents in for a meeting," he said, and I felt my world crumble.
"Oh… thanks. I better go," I muttered and quickly left.
Great. Not only had I bunked classes, but I had also missed detention.
I walked slowly through the school grounds, trying to retrace my path home. A few minutes away, I stopped at a mama's shop for ice cream.
"Can I have a chocolate Magnum?" a deep voice asked, and I turned.
Slavvy. My eyes widened. What was he doing here?
"Hey," he said calmly.
"Hi…" I replied shyly.
"Here's your ice cream, sir," the lady said.
He handed her two hundred rand notes, though the ice cream cost only sixty. He was showing off.
"What are you doing here? School's been over for an hour," he asked.
"Uh… I… missed my ride home," I lied.
"Okay. I can take you home if you want," he offered politely, and I couldn't look away from his light brown eyes, so different from my dark brown ones.
I knew he was trouble. I knew I shouldn't be drawn in. But something about him pulled me closer.
"Thanks, but I'll walk," I said, trying to sound firm.
"Suit yourself," he said, shrugging, and licked his ice cream.
I walked away quickly, feeling his gaze burn into my back. I knew I shouldn't have looked, but I did.
He was still standing there, watching me.
I shivered. Who was this guy, really? And why did I feel like he was trouble incarnate?
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