Chapter Five

As we were walking to our first class which was literature, we saw Tony, a bully in the school, beating a nerd. I don't know her she must be new.

"This oughtta be fun." I smirked and Chess got my message.

"Hey Tony, leave the girl alone will ya?" I asked kindly.

"Why should I? You think I'm scared of two girls?"

"We tried to do this the nice way but as the saying goes, 'if persuasion fails, force must be applied'" Chess cracked her knuckles.

"I guess we have to do this the hard way then." I advanced at him and gave him a kick to the face. He tried to give me a straight punch to my face but I ducked and his hand made contact with the wall. As he growled in pain, I gave him a double kick then kicked him where the such doesn't shine. He fell to the ground whimpering from too much pain.

"Next time, think twice before you deal with us," Chess said slapping his cheek gently.

"And oh, straight forward punches didn't work on me, still don't work and never will." I said and gave Chess a high-five.

"What's your name girl?" Chess asked the nerd. I could still picture myself being in the same position just that in my case, no one ever helped.

"Annaline but my friends call me Anna. I'm in my first year. Um... Thanks… No one has ever helped me. Not even my brother." She said sadly and I could see myself in her.

"Anna, don't let anyone step on you. Life is a food chain. Feed or be fed upon." I said to her and she nodded.

"Thanks again"

"It was all my pleasure."

Our fun time was over when it was time for class and we were late.

"Ms. Stone and Ms. Britten's, why are you late?" The teacher asked.

"Mr.….?" I asked indicating that I didn't know his surname.

"Robinson"

"Well, Mr. Robinson, why are you so concerned?" I asked suddenly feeling cranky. I spotted Jeffrey giving me a disapproving look meanwhile he used to be like that and I'm sure he's still the same. Such a hypocrite!

I took a seat beside Cole. Suddenly, a card was placed on my desk. A detention card. Argh! Not on my first day. Mr. Robinson was standing in front of my desk.

"What's that?"

"It's called a detention card if you didn't know."

" I know that. Why is it on my desk? " I asked with irritation.

"You disrespected a teacher. That is me."

"Thanks but no thanks." I said as I pushed the card towards him.

"This isn't over. I just don't want to waste my period on you." He said as he walked away.

"I see that a certain someone has taken a liking to me." I coughed out and the whole class burst into laughter. I was going a bit overboard but I was too angry to rethink my actions and words.

The class was normal. Boring as usual.

After class, Andrew and Jeff cornered me.

"Audrey, how come you've changed? Is this how dad raised you?" Andrew asked.

"Dad? Dad is gone. He's dead!" I said with my eyes turning cold.

"D-dead? How is that possible?" Jeff asked with tears streaming down his face? Andrew just stood there dumbfounded.

"Yeah. He had a brain tumor. Didn't your mom tell you?! She found out long ago!" I yelled with disgust at the thought of how someone could be so wicked.

"She's your mom too!" Andrew yelled.

"Oh yeah? That's why she kicked me out of the house!" I said with my sarcasm thick. "You may be mummy's boys but I'm certainly a daddy's girl. A dead daddy's girl!" I yelled. By this time, we had gained the attention of the whole school.

"Drey, you've gained too much attention. You should go somewhere else and continue." Cole whispered but my brothers heard it anyway.

"There's no need to continue. I have nothing more to say." I linked my arm with Cole's. "I have to go" I said to my brothers.

"Wait!" Jeff called.

"What?!" I all but snapped.

"We're sorry." They said in unison. My facial expression softened and they took that as an opportunity to hug me. I gave in and hugged them back.

"Try to be a good girl and don't ruin your grades." Andrew ruffled my hair.

"Stop it. My hair is very precious. I'll try to be a good girl. The keyword is try. Besides, my grades won't get ruined. I was like this in Belleville but my grades were great." I defended.

"You attended Belleville high? The Belleville high in London?" Jessica chipped in.

"Yes. We all did." I said motioning to Chess, Cole and me.

"That school costs a fortune. I used to attend the school before we moved here."

"Didn't think I was poor. Did ya?" I asked with feigned shock.

"Nope. By the way, who's your friend?" She asked holding my hand as if we were friends.

"Jessica, I don't remember us being friends." I said in a 'duh' tone.

"I was just being friendly." She replied in the same tone.

"Jessica, you are never friendly." I said with the tone still intact. She just huffed and walked away.

"Now that was strange." I said.

"Speaking of strange, where are you currently staying?" Andrew's question caught me by surprise.

" you know, somewhere…. " I trailed off.

Sensing that I was avoiding the question, he let it be but he'll still try to find out one way or the other.

"Make sure you guys settle things with your mother." I advised.

"Mother didn't treat you well but I hope you can find a place in your heart to forgive her." He patted my back.

"I hope so too." I said. It was barely a whisper though. I doubt he even heard me. Growing up, I longed so much for my mom's affection. Even now, I won't admit it to anyone but I still do