Chapter 9

Laila POV

Today is the beginning of my torment. When I entered the school this morning, I get strange look from everyone. Everyone was staring at me awkwardly. Infact some of the girls in the junior class look at me like I am shit.

I met Mr Falade and Miss Samuel on my way to class and they stopped me when I greet them.

They had grow to like me since I passed their test in class.

"Are you okay?" Miss Samuel asked with worry after i greeted them.

"Yes ma." I said. They were looking at me like I am some pitiful puppy. I don't know what is going on but i hate the way they look at me. I hate people looking at me pitifully or sympathetically. And it because i wasn't raised that way. My aunt never treat me like a baby or weak person.

"Did you do anything to Jason?" Mr Falade asked me. I don't know what to tell him. I don't know if I should lie or tell them the truth that I meddle in Jason affair.

They will think I'm crazy. Who meddle with Jason.

"Not really." I said looking at everywhere except their eyes.

"What did you do?" He demanded.

"Defend some junior students." I said truthfully.

They did not look so much happy about it like they should.

"What you did is not bad but it's Jason. You shouldn't have meddle. When he gets tired he stop. Everyone had learn to accept it." Miss Samuel said.

"I will be fine." I said to them. They gave me a look I did not understand. So I added. "Like you said he gets tired. He will eventually gets tired."

Mr Falade shakes his head. "I hope so. Take care of yourself Miss Sofela."

He gave me one last look and walk away.

"No one had ever confronted Jason not since I get here. The last teacher that did it almost lose his job. His mother is a powerful woman."

"I hope he gets tired quickly this time because I like you Laila." She smile at me.

"Thank you miss Samuel." I appreciate gratefully.

She nods and went away in the direction of the school general hall.

When I get to my class, Florence was already sitting in her seat. I ignore the look some of my class mate were giving me.

What had Jason done this time for them to stare at me awkwardly? I thought.

I hate the way they look at me. It's not like i am some sort of criminal or I'm wearing a mask.

"Laila." Florence said and she quickly embrace me.

"Hi. I miss you too." I said smiling.

She pull away gently. She look at me and then at the group of students staring at us. Then back at me.

"Miss you too but there's something you need to know because I think you haven't heard about it." She said to me and she help me settle down on my seat.

"What's it?" I asked curiously. I am dieing to know what is going on and why I am getting awkward stare from every one.

"You didn't check your watsap message on the school tab?" She asked.

I shake my head. "No. I don't have data." I said almost quitely.

"Well this is." She said and she gave me her tab. She showed me the message of a group chat.

Then I saw my picture, the one on my school ID card.

"Read this." Florence point to the story below.

And I did. It has my name and some weird shit about me. Majority of the story is a lie and not about me.

"Most of this is a lie."I said to Florence.

" I know but the last part about you been from the ghetto and here on some charity scholarship get people to give some stupid comments. " She said with worry.

I was about to say something when Ivy, Jessica and their friends came into the class and walk toward me standing in my front.

"I always knew there is something odd about you. So you are just some trash." Ivy said laughing. Her friends join her in laughing.

"Watch your tongue Ivy." Florence warned. I could see she is angry and I'm glad at least someone is on my side.

"What is Florence?" Jessica asked. "Are you going to beat us for her? The trash you've been following around since we've resume is nothing but some poor girl who don't have enough to even buy good shoes." She said looking at my cheap sandals.

"You act so big and try to get the favour of the teachers not knowing you are some unfortunate human that someone just took pity on and decided to bring you here. You don't belong here. " Ivy said. "I have always knew it."

"At least Jason did one good thing making us know the stone among diamonds." Her friend said.

"Yes, he confirm our thoughts." Another said.

"Will you shut the hell up Praise?" Florence said to the girl behind Jessica. She just eye her.

"I never did any of what you are accusing me of and I am not an unfortunate being." I said angrily at her.

They laugh and it make my blood boil.

"Really? So what are you? The daughter of a minister, a governor, president, business tycoon, lawyer? Uhm? What are you? I'm curious Sofela."

"I bet you never buy anything worth twenty thousand naira as your personal belongings." One of her friend said. And they scoff.

"Look here Laila or whatever the hell your name is. We know who you are now, so don't try to act like you belong here. You don't. No one here" She gesture with her hand. " is your equal so know your place trash." Ivy said looking me in the eyes.

I see how much she hate me.

The bell rings for assembly. The students in the classroom reluctantly stood up to go the hall for assembly.

"Charity girl." One of them spit.

"And you Florence." Jessica said looking at Florence. "You abandon your friends for this... Impoverished pitiable tramp."

"She is not a tramp Jessica." Florence said between clench teeth.

"Really?" She chuckles. "But she look like it. Enjoy being friends with the charity girl." She said.

And they turn and walk out of the class. I let out a breath that I didn't know i was holding.

No one had ever talk so bad to me, ever. I was holding the urge not to slap them. I know physically I have the ability to win them but in other ways, they can win me. And i am not ready to taint my name or Florence's.

"I'm sorry about that." Florence apologized.

"You don't have to be sorry for what you did not cause." I said to her sincerely. "I will pass. And thanks for defending me."

"I know you will do the same." She smile sadly.

"It's means a lot. Thanks." I said sadly.

"You don't have to listen to whatever they say. They are just acting like the bitch they are, okay?"

I nods.

"We have to go to the assembly. No one must see us in the class during assembly." Florence said.

"You should go Florence. I don't feel like going. " I said.

I don't want to get her into trouble. Because I don't feel like going to the morning assembly. I can't stand people murmuring as I walk past them or giving me awkward look.

"What about you? You are going to be punish if you are caught in the class." She is seriously corcern.

"Don't worry i will deal with it. I don't want to get you in any more trouble." I said. She look at me with worries in her eyes.

"Okay." She agreed. "Don't think about it too much Laila."

I give her a nod. Then she leave the class leaving me with my thoughts.

I have try to stay low since I got here. I didn't try to be someone I'm not. I know i can never have half of the things i see with my classmates but I don't need them. I have live fine without them. I don't need to pretend to be like them and I have been careful not to get in trouble with anyone. Because they are above me in terms of social stratification.

But now just in the middle of the term, my secret is been exposed. All thanks to some sadistic punk.

I suddenly feel weak and angry. I have never felt so weak in my entire life. And I hate it. I hate it so much because it's not like me.