Chp 1

Where am I? what the heck is going on! Last time I remember I was with V, wearing that shimmery pub type dress. I had just-I think, I-oh my, did I break the RULES!? Now will I be stuck here forever!?

I sat down, shut my eyelids tightly, I hold my breath for a moment. And inhaled a large amount of air, I calmed my body, so I can think of how to do and what to do!

So, when it happened it was…

Oh FUCK, I am late again. I have almost done my hair. Where's that band? Oh, here it is, sleeping peacefully on bed. I tied my hair up, and done!

"Nova!" I jerked, when she screamed my name. "You are day-dreaming again. I am fed up of this stupidity, and- no, no, no, look at you, how are you dressed, Nova seriously, now should I iron your dress, and make you wear it. You are not a small child! You need to take responsibilities, and this is something so common. Ugh, why am I even talking to you, it's like crashing your head on wall." She went out, banging the door on my face. Leaving me alone in my bedroom with just a piece of guilt for myself.

So, hey there. The women who just banged the door on my face, is my mom. I am Nova Ride, you must have come to know by that!

And as my name says my life is total opposite of it, there's nothing interesting or new in my life. you would laugh, on what wishes I have…

But still I m goanna tell you that, even though it doesn't concern you! like Cat did from that series, Victorious. She said it to all of her friends, even though they were not interested in it and she knew

I always dreamt to be the popular girl of my school, I even want bunch of friends with whom I can enjoy (like having perks, of party invitations!), and adding up more on my list, I want to kiss the most popular guy of our school who tends to be my next door neighbour, Vaughn Shirley'! oh how can I forget adding alcohol!

-"Nova, are you going to stand there forever!" she yelled from downstairs. "Coming, just wait a moment mom." I yelled back. took my bag, which was kept in a ugh, very, ugh, manner on my desk. And went downstairs.

My mom, is same like yours, there's is nothing different, she passes taunts like some expert, if there would be any competition of passing taunts, I would have surely enrolled my mom there!

"Today is your first day, and last year, and as usual you are late. I am totally not surprised!" yeah, he had to say this, when finally for god's sake, mom was calmed, he fuelled again in that lil fire, to make it a huge blast for me, and by this behaviour, even I am not surprised. I rolled my eyes so hard, that my eyeball can pop out and go through Vaughn's house!

I looked at those tasty bread, and omelette which had coriander on top of it, placed on the white marble dining table. Sorry, I can't put you in my mouth. Or else I'll have another bowl full of taunts, from them.

*****

Thank God, I am on time. the corridor was filled with the buzzing sound of people. And as usual those bunch of minions were surrounded near Maren's locker, and guys busy in their phone, and some looking over that cheerleaders with lust in their eyes, eww..that is so disgusting!

I searched over the room, for my only best friend Kate. Ah, there she is, holding a book in her hand, her eyes which was behind those thick glasses were glued in that pages, she was reading! I always wonder why didn't the glasses, fall a lil on her slender nose. Like it usually happens with other pep's who were specs.

"Kate..here, Kate!" I waved my hand. While she was turning her head to see where I am calling from!

She looked at me, and closed her book delicately. She started walking towards me.

"I thought you would have been late again, so I was standing there, well, leave it. See, what I got!"

"What?"

She shoved the book, which was in her hand, "a new novel! Ahhh." She looked at me like, a child looks at her mother when she buys her favourite thing.

"Woah, that's cool K." I hope now she doesn't say me, to read or-

"Should, I tell you about, what happened earlier, in the chapters I read?"

"I would love to hear that, but" I kept my hand on her shoulder, and squeezed it, and started to walk, "but, we have more important things to discuss." I really don't like novels, and I am so not interested in listening, what happened in it earlier. I am a girl, with some manners, I don't want to spoil the friendship, when I only have one!

"N, what is this imp thing?" she looked at me with full excitement in her little green eyes, which was hidden behind her big glasses. Oh crap. And then, it took my attention.

"K, I was talking about this!" I pointed my finger, towards the board.

"Upcoming audition, for dance!?"

"Yes! We are so, goanna take this opportunity, as this is our chance, listen K, if we participate in this, we are not going to be the invisible girls anymore! We will get invitation for parties, and we will soon become famous, or at least, people will start noticing us."

K, threw my hands, from her shoulder, and exclaimed, "I don't understand what's going on in that pretty lil head of yours, but one thing I surely knows is, I am not participating!"

"What? Are you for real, don't you feel left behind in class, and- and, don't you want Chris, kissing you on cheeks!?" hope this works, Chris, always does, he is friend of Vaughn, and he is super handsome, not more than V, though!

K wave her hand, and snaps it, "Listen Nova, I am an introvert! and I am very comfortable going un-noticed and, if Chris likes me too, he will come to me by himself, I don't want to do things for him, which I'll regret in future. And you should do the same, but its your life after all, so it's your choice!"

"But-

"End of the discussion Nova!" and she starts walking toward class. Ugh. What should I do now? I really wanna do it, but… bell rang and we all went inside the class. Listening to Mrs. Woods our class and business teacher.

****

"So, todays class is over, if anyone, is interested in participating in the Dance Mania, give me your names, it is going to held next Saturday. And, I want every one of you, to take part in it, if you don't know how to do dance, then just shake your bump on the stage' everyone starts to laugh on that shaking part, even Mrs. Woods herself, "Because, this is your last year, and the last time, you are goanna, dance on this s-stage. Instead of saying, I wish, in future, do it now… I said now! enjoy every second of your life!" Maren, stood up and gracefully said, "Mrs. Woods, add me, in that list." Of course, she has to come, she is the diva, every guy has an eye for her, she is slim, and has sun kissed skin, curly honey brown hair, just making her look more beautiful, and I always admire her so confident attitude.

Mrs. Woods, was searching for more students, she was looking us in a hope, hope that we speak up, Jane stood up, and he said, "Count me inn too, I am interested to shake my bump a lil!" and he winked, everyone started to laugh on his stupidity, "Nice, Jane, anyone else?" Mrs. Woods, asked one more time.

"Mrs. Woods, me, I!" phew, at least I said it, I needed, loads of confidence to just say this. I looked at my left side, for Kate, she smiled, and showed her thumb up to me. I guess, she is okay.

****

We were going back to home.

The cloud was looking dense, as if it was going to fall on us, "So, N, what have you thought?"

"Huh, what, what?"

K rolled her eyes, "You know, you should, stop dreaming, in day."

"Stop there itself, today I had listened to a whole lec on this, in morning. And I didn't had my breakfast too!"

"Sorry!"

"don't need to be. I was, just looking at the sky, I think its going to rain harder."

"Yeah… and hey, start preparing for that competition from now onwards, or you'll be the walking joke, and it will be very tough to handle!"

"Are you, telling me to back off, in an indirect way!?"

"No, Nova, I just want to show you the reality, before it hits you, so start preparing it from now!" she started running towards, the road, which leads to her home.

And I went on mines.

I was going to unlock the door, and that's when I saw him, Vaughn, he was coming towards me, oh my god, is Vaughn coming towards me, towards fucking Nova!

Adrenaline rushed, and I waved my hands in air, Vaughn came near, and he went inside, his home. As if he didn't saw me, oh, he totally ignored me, and there I was, waving my hands at him in excitement, he was not coming near me, he was going inside his house. I felt sad, for what just happened, and SHOOT, I totally forgot about that dance.

****

After doing this much practise, I am doing so little good, ugh. I banged my body on sofa, I was out of breath. This dance, is going to be death of me.

While doing some dance steps, I made my way to kitchen, to feed myself up, with whatever left in fridge, mom was out on her work, and she'll be home by 9 or 10, dad is also out, oh why am I even talking about that men, even if he would be here, he would have made fun of me and my life again!

I was feeding myself some pasta, while my phone buzzed, its K doing video call, I picked it up, she was in her PJ's, "your mouth is full. And you are looking so cute!" a smiled formed on my face, at her naïve behaviour. I chewed it, and gulped the food quickly. "Sup, Kate?"

"Just checking up on you!" and a big smile came from her face.

"Um, that's so nice of you. uh, can you please stop smiling, it's just so annoying!" she busted into laugh.

I laughed too.

Well, that was, totally not a thing to laugh on, but I told you, I am a girl with manners.

"How, far is your practise going on?"

"Okay, so I had learned some moves, wanna, see it!?"

She nodded her head. I adjusted the phone on table, so I can show her some of my moves.

Here we go, hands up in the air, drop it, drop it, jazz, turn, jump, shake off, jazz, jazz and jazz. "How's it?"

She was clapping, "Thanks, K! afterall I did it!"

****

For the first time in my life, I am feeling excited to, get out of my bed, in morn, I loved this feeling. It is the day, time to show off everyone who is the real dancer.

When the hot water felled on my bare skin, I felt lively, I love bathing, lock me in the bathroom, and I won't complain. I would end all of your water, by just bathing. It is one of my favourite tasks to do. I think I should hurry up for now, or I'll be late for that competition.

Make up check, hair check, "Nova!" mom yelled again, she came inside, and her jaw fell down, she looked me up and down, up and down, up and down, "Finally, my words came handy!" she exclaimed. "From this taunt, I can clearly sense I am looking good, thanks, mom!" I went from the room.

Dad was busy reading his, newspaper, and thank god, his eyes are glued to paper, or he would have said something on my look.

I grabbed the toast bread. And ran out. As I don't want to be late.

****

This competition is my last competition.

I mean, look at me, and look at them. They were all so dressed well, everybody was talking with each other, and I, I was standing in the middle of the room all alone, no one was talking to me, nor did anyone look at me. I knew this would happen, and so I wanted Kate, but she, ugh!

"Warm welcome, to everyone" everyone looked at the stage, where Ms. Dona, was wearing an elegant gown, she made a bun, and was looking younger and more beautiful than me.

And here I am, wearing just a simple make up, and my yellow frock, which had daisy printed over it, the only sexy or cool thing about this dress was, it was above my knees! And how can I forget to add, I am also wearing the butterfly pendent gave by my grandfather on my last year birthday! I was looking like a stupid summer girl. And on other hand everyone did a high eye makeup and was wearing other make up on next level, they were dressed like some god da*m model.

My lil advice to you, if you have not participated in any of the competition in your whole life, then don't try it at the end of the year, or you would look like a psycho in front of others.

"So, as I have all of your attention, the first thing I want to say is, you all are looking very pretty!" yeah, except me, I look like from 90's, "So, lets enjoy today at fullest, we have first Oliva. Oliva, please come up on the stage."

Oh My Holy Fucking Shit! Oliva was a walking goddess, she is so pretty, today, I am seriously going to be a joke, look at her, she is wearing this, Gigi Hadid's dress! And her wavy hair, is just making her look flawless!

****

"Now, lets give a hand full of applause, and welcome our second last competitor, Nova Ride."

I could feel my body frozed, and my heart was not beating, because I am short of air, when she called my name, I couldn't move. "Nova, dear, are you there?"

Its time Nova, now or never. I walked towards the stage; with every inch of confidence, I was left with.

I was now in the spotlight, everyone eyes, were glued to me. song was played. And I forget what I had prepared myself for like days. Was it Jazz, first or shake, or turn or what!?

Breath Nova, Breath, I Shaked my body, first, peps were all looking me with full interest.

Okay, then what now, I waved my hands up in the air, and did jazz, I could hear some people laughing on my dance or was it my clothes? Okay, now this is not the time to think this.

I drop it off, and did jazz. Now, sha-a-a-ke, I felled on the stage, making a thud sound, everyone was laughing at me.

I tried to got up, but as I was wearing my sandals, my leg twisted, and I felled off again, embarrassment flushed all over my cheeks. The laughter was now louder than ever. "Nova, if you don't know how to walk, then you should have never worn those!" Chris screamed, and laughter was now crashing every wall of this room. I got up quickly, "Thank god, this time you didn't fell again!" some unknown voice commented. "You are that same little girl, who use to talk with birds!"

I ran down, pushing everyone off, who was in my way. And finally made my way out, of that shitshow.

Rain started heavily, it started to wash my make up off. For the first time in my life, when water was touching my face I felt like acid was dripping on me, I felt so bad, when that girl put out the bird scene…it was just too much, I had forget about it but now!

I walked in rain, to my way back home, I was stumbling in that foot-wear, but guess what, the only option I am left with is this. Buzz, I looked at my phone, "Cambridge University!" I was stunned by looking at campus, it is just like the way, I always dreamt off, I want to study here!

I ran towards home, stumbling and tumbling, and banged the door, "mom, dad!"

"Come in, you are all wet! And that's why pep has invented a thing called umbrella which you never carry, the only thing you carry is your grumpy face!"

Dad, passed me the towel, while talking me with the rudest tone he can, I took it, and gently rubbed it on my hands, mom, was watching her news with full interest, "mom dad, I have decided." My mom, didn't even took the effort to look at me, and said "What Nova?" I took a deep breath, "I want to go in Cambridge Uni!"

Mom turned her head towards me quickly, and dad jaw, felled on the ground, I passed a dazzling smile, "I, Nova, wants to go in Cambridge Uni!" mom got up, and she came towards me. for the first time in my life, I was getting this much attention. "Nova Ride, are you dreaming again, and if this is some kind of joke, then we'll kill you!" dad passed his sharp word at me.

"I am not joking or dreaming."

"Baby, have you made up your mind?" mom voice changed, it became very low, and she called me, Baby.

"Ugh, yes."

"AAAHHHHH! FINALLY, YOU CHOOSE SOMETHING WELL, ACTUALLY BEST!" Mom started to scream. I think I should have not told them. I am already regretting this.

I went up in my room, to change. I sat on my chair, placed the laptop on my desk, and checked about eligibility criteria and other things require to get in Cambridge.

****

Time flowed away, and it was 9 pm, tears formed up in my eyes, I fucked up, I fucked my whole life. I am not good at sports or other thing, I barely have good grades, I am not in any co-curriculum activities, nor I am doing anything extra which makes me stand out of them.

I failed in my life. I got up from the chair, and sat on the floor, crossing my legs placing my head on knees, tears formed up, and I let them flow.

I wish, I could get another chance, I would have made my career, I wish I had been more an active participant in class like Maren. I wish, I could give my exam again, and score good grades, I wish I would be smarter.

My eyelid was heavy, and for today, I had enough drama in my life. I let my body take control of it, and closed my eyes.

****

I had nice sleep today, whoa, what is this?! Am I dreaming!?