Chapter 7: The Past (2)

*still a flashback.

[Lexxeignne]

I sat in the chair and sipped the coffee I had brought. The wind blows gently on my skin.

‘Ah, it feels so good…’

Someone stood beside me. It’s Yasmin, the gangsta girl I helped.

"I hope you don’t mind this place. It's been difficult for us since I can remember," she uttered with a sigh, then crossed her arms over her chest.

“I'm not complaining, Yasmin. You know it’s not so bad living here. Somehow, this place made me feel better. It's different in my world, which is full of bitter memories. Yeah, my family is rich but has no happiness. I'd rather be poor because I feel even more alive than have your actions restricted all the time. I also envy poor families because parents love their children. Yasmin, you’re lucky for your parents, so don't give them a headache, okay? I think your parents love you very much. You know, I'm jealous of you.” I said bitterly.

She gave me a small smile. "I thought being rich means you can have everything the world offers. I was wrong. I’m glad I’m poor then."

I shook my head. "But it's not a bad thing to desire to become rich. Yasmin, if you become rich, I can see you'll be happy because you've experienced being poor." She looked at me with a smile.

"Maybe you're right. I can tell your past hasn't been good," she said, and I fell silent.

I let out a sigh. "Can I stay here temporarily until I find a job?" I uttered, and she tapped my shoulder.

"Of course, you can stay here as long as you want, Lexxeignne. Finally, I have a companion looking for a racket! Hehe," she exclaimed, and I chuckled.

Since then, Yasmin and I have looked for different jobs together. I lived with Yasmin’s family for a year, but afterward; I left that place because my life was not going well as I thought. Every night, I get into fights with different gangs. Many gangsters always challenge me and hunt me down. So I have no choice but to leave.

To leave safely, I have to wear a disguise. I was very careful with my every move lest they’ll recognize me. It took me days to avoid the gang and take a random bus. I sat near the window in the last row. Sighing while looking out the window and watching the heavy traffic for hours with a grumbling stomach.

When all the passengers got off at the last stop, I got off as well. Suddenly, my stomach rumbles loudly. When I looked at my wallet, I didn't have any money. Poor me.

I was just walking down the road feeling empty and having a grumbling and aching stomach. Where would I go now? No one approaches me because I'm ugly. Even children laugh at me with a mocking look. After hours of walking, I felt a little dizzy, and I did not realize that I was in the middle of the road and was about to be run over by a car. Fortunately, the car stops at the last second before bumping me. I thought I’m going to die.

"Are you okay?" said a sophisticated woman. I looked at her face and was instantly stunned. She held me up with an anxious expression. She’s…

"I'm bringing you to the hospital!"

Her panicked voice cut me off from my trance. "Don't! I'm just dizzy from hunger. I haven't eaten since yesterday." I said, and I closed my eyes.

"Come with me." She helped me settle in her car. Then she sat in the driver's seat and looked at something in the cupboard. She turned to me and handed me cookies.

"Eat that first to relieve your hunger a little." I thanked her and ate what she gave me with misty eyes. Damn, I can’t cry right now. I don’t want her to see me crying.

Her car stopped at a restaurant. She helped me down, then we walked in. The staff greeted her and led us to a table. We sat down and she let me order what I wanted to eat.

“I don’t have money–” I said, but she cut me off.

“It’s on me. So just order anything you want,” she said with a smile. How come she didn’t feel disgusted with my ugly appearance? She’s so kind. I felt like crying, but I forced a smile.

"Thank you, ma’am. May I ask… your name?" I asked.

She smiled. "I’m Vanessa. And you are?”

“My name is Lexxeignne Morales,” I replied while biting my inner cheek to stop myself from sobbing.

“Are you lost?” she asked, and I quickly shook my head.

"No. I just have nowhere to go." I said sadly and sigh.

Suddenly, a server came with my order, and my mouth watered as soon as I saw the food. My stomach grumble loudly and my face flushed in embarrassment. I'm really hungry. She laughed it off and urged me to eat. I immediately dug in.

After eating, I burst into tears. She just smiled at me.

“Ma’am Vanessa. Thank you very much. I will never forget your kindness. How can I repay you? I really apologize for consuming your time. You are very kind even though you don't know me. I hope God bless you more.” I said.

“I’m happy to help. So you said you have nowhere to go?” she asked.

“Yes. But I will look for a place to stay.”

"Don’t bother. Come with me. I can’t sleep knowing someone I just helped has no place to stay. Oh right, I'm looking for a new helper at home. Do you want to be my maid?" she offered, and my eyes widened.

"Really?! Of course! I would love to. Thank you very much! You are an angel sent from God above! Don't worry, I know how to do any house chores!" I exclaimed with excitement. She smiled.

“I’m counting on you,”

I’m over the moon as we walked out of the restaurant until we got into her car.

From now on, she’s my inspiration to move on with life. You are really an angel that saves me from despair, Vanessa. I wish I could tell you who I really was… maybe when the right time comes.

*end of flashback*

My emotions become a roller coaster when I remember my past again. From the time I left the house, I lived with Yasmin’s family until I met Vanessa. It's been three years. Even though I tried to bury the past, it still haunts me every time.

However, I suddenly remembered Ayenn and Zenno. I know I still have a grudge against them. They were there that day, but they didn't even defend me from people who thought differently of me. They were also one of those people who avoided me because they thought I was a murderer.

Yes, I almost killed the mayor's son. But I did it to save myself because that bastard almost rape me. They even reversed the truth of what happened that night. But I promised myself I would make them pay ten folds. Because of that bastard, my parents almost disowned me, although they called me a disgrace.

I'm sure they'll be surprised when I make a comeback after three years. It’s time to show myself to the world.

-----

"Kyahh, idol! Can I have your autograph, please?"

"You're really beautiful, Idol!"

"How to be you?!"

"You're so pretty, Ms. Lex!"

Ah, so noisy.

"Tsk. They’re so noisy!" said Sam with an annoyed expression.

"Aren't you used to it yet?"

She shrugged her shoulders with eyebrows furrowed together. "I will never get used to the noise. It vexed me to the point I wanted to throw them into the canyon!" she said with gritted teeth.

I chuckled. She’s so hot-headed today.

We halted when someone stopped us in the hallway. Tsk. It’s the mean girls again. I just look at them with a bored expression.

"How do you feel about being popular? Hah! FYI, you're not that beautiful! You look like a monkey!" a clown-looking girl said, and they laughed.

I smirked and crossed my arms over my chest. "Are you referring to yourself, b*tches? You're so pathetic! Tsk. Tsk. Trying hard to be a Queen Bee. You're nothing but a weakling ugly monkey!" I retorted, and the crowd laughed. The girl’s face flushed with anger.

"Oh! And one more thing, is it my birthday party today? Are you all a hired clown for my party?" said Sam provocatively.

Laughter filled the hallway. And now the mean girls were very annoyed and fumed in anger.

"You b*tch!" The girl tried to attack me, but I quickly avoided it, almost causing her to fall down if I hadn’t grabbed her uniform. Well, I was leaning on the terrace when she pounced on me. Currently, we are on the third floor. Everyone gasped and yelled in horror.

"Please, don't let me go!" the girl pleaded while crying and trembling in horror. Well, she should be, because I only hold her with my right hand. Damn. This monkey is so heavy!

The students below were shouting with terror-stricken. Tsk. What a show. I sighed and grabbed the girl with full force, using both hands, and slowly pulled her up. Sam helped me. And we dropped the girl to the floor. She wept on the floor while still shaking, and her group consoled her.

I snorted. "Tsk. Try dieting. You are so heavy," I said and walked away, with Sam following behind.

"It's your fault why I almost fell!!" the girl shouted, which made me halt and looked at her with disdain.

"I wish I hadn’t grabbed you and let you fall so that your bones would break into pieces. If you weren't half an idiot. You even tried to dive in with no water. You should’ve told us in advance to put up a small swimming pool down there if you want a thrilling show." I said in disgust and finally turned around and walked towards the classroom. Sam followed me while laughing.

"What a dum-dum! She’s really a fool! Wahahaha," she said, and it made me laugh too. It’s actually so funny.

When we entered the classroom, our classmates were laughing. They stopped when we entered.

"Awesome! You're really our idol, Lex! You were so cool!" said one of my classmates and the others agreed.

"Oh! It's a pity she didn't fall completely! That b*tch deserves it!" They laughed.

We chuckled and went straight to our seats and the girls approached us while grinning.

"Are you alright? Those b*tches are so annoying!" Camila said with annoyance.

"So what now? Are we going to fight those b*tches?" Mara said, showing her arm’s muscles.

"Haha, there's no need! Lexxy baby already overthrew that mean girl with insults! Hahaha," said Sam while stifling a laugh.

"Yeah! They tried to pick on Lex but in the end, it backfires! hahaha," said Andrea.

"Ehem. Ehem. This is what Lexxy baby said earlier, 'I wish I hadn’t grabbed you and let you fall so that your bones would break into pieces. If you weren't half an idiot. You even tried to dive in with no water. You should’ve told us in advance to put up a small swimming pool down there if you want a thrilling show’ See? Superb! Hahaha," Sam imitated my words earlier. The entire class laughed.

What happened earlier became the talk of the entire campus all day. Out of shame, the b*tches skip classes.

It's good that stupid Aki isn’t around to pester me.

After class, we went straight to the parking lot. The three girls already made their way to the gate because their car was already there to fetch them. Sam and I went to the parking area. But when we arrived, my car's tire was punctured and Sam's motorbike was also punctured. Sam cried. I gritted my teeth. Whose dumbass did this?

"Like our surprise?"

We turned around and see a group of b*tches. Tsk. I knew they were behind this. Sam was about to confront them when I stopped her.

These b*tches were carrying baseball bats. Cowards.

"That's what you get for going against us. You are new to this school and yet you have the audacity to mess with us." the feeling queen bee said while tossing the baseball bat in the air with arrogance. I just remained standing while glaring daggers at them.

"Wow! You’re shameless! You dumb b*tches! As far as I knew you're the one messing with us. You're just insecure because she's prettier than your fake face!" said Sam.

Wrong move, Sam. Looks like we will get more in trouble.

"You're really pissing us off. Girls! Beat them up!" They rushed towards us while grinning. I held Sam’s arms, which were wallowing in fear. We were surrounded by ugly b*tches.

"Lex..." Sam said while trembling.

"When I say run, you run. Got it?"

"But… What about you?" she says worriedly.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself." I smiled at her and whispered, "I'm a gangster before. Don't worry,"

"But,"

Suddenly, someone rushed in and was about to strike Sam when I dodged the baseball bat with my hand. I grabbed it tightly and threw the girl away. The girl grunted as she collapsed to the ground.

"Now, Sam! Run," Sam ran hesitantly and the dumb b*tch group members all rushed at me. All I did was just avoid their blows. It's like I'm dancing in the air. I miss this. It’s like the past that I had tried to bury was happening again.

They looked very annoyed because they were hitting nothing but themselves. They were all grunted in pain. As much as I want to fight them back, I can’t because they are at a disadvantage if I show my strength. All I could do was avoid it. I sense they feel exhausted. Tsk. They use so much force to hit me, but they don't even hit me once. Sigh… I don't want to prolong the fight. So I put them to sleep one by one.

"You b*tch! Aahhhh!" I turned to their leader who was about to strike me, but I just dodged and tripped her, causing her to slam her face flat on the floor. She yelled in pain.

"Ughh," she stood up while holding her stuffy nose. "You will pay for this!" she said and rushed at me again. She tried punching me, but I avoided it all. I was looking for an opening to put her to sleep.

When I found an opening, I immediately squeezed her weak points, causing her to lose consciousness.

"Lex!" Sam called. Falling behind her were the security guards.

"What happened here?" The guard asked. Sam approached while scanning me.

"Are you okay, Lexxy baby?" I nodded, and she hugged me.

"You worried me, do you know that?" she sniffled.

She pulled away and looked at the unconscious b*tches.

"What happened to them?"

"I just put them to sleep. They were all tired of attacking me and they collapsed. Those baseball bats they carried were heavy." I said, and she laughed at what I said.

Some teachers came and asked what had happened. Sam and I explained what had happened. To make sure, they looked at the CCTV and saw the hilarious scene. The time the b*tches punctured the tire of our car until the fight. They laughed when they saw the part where the ugly b*tch rushed at me and I avoided her at the same time, tripping on her feet, causing her face to fall flat on the floor. They all burst out laughing.

After the incidents settled, they sent us home. Sam and I just took a taxi and towed my car and her motorbike.

I just sighed at what happened. Why is this happening? I can’t really avoid the troubles. Am I really that unlucky? Even Sam got involved. Sigh…