Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1

AVARA

Drink it! Drink it!!" I could hear six or seven girls chanting and laughing loudly from behind, while I was facing a terrible punishment from someone I wished I never crossed paths with.

"Please Stella, don't do this!" I cried heavily, as I pressed my hands firmly against the wall on both sides, struggling to avoid being dunked into the toilet.

The toilet hasn't been washed yet, and it smelt awfully.

But Stella doesn't mind the stench nor does she give a damn about my plea.

She enjoys every sorrowful cry and scream I make, like an addict to a drug.

"I'll only let you go when you drink from the toilet, Avara," She whispered into my ear like the devil, as her strength weighed on me from the back, revealing her desperation to dunk my face into the disgusting bowl.

"Grab her hands," She ordered the girls, clearly losing her patience with me.

"STELLA, PLEASE!!" I screamed my lungs out, battling to break free from this unjust treatment.

And just when I thought I was done for... "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" The janitor's roar came in, scaring the girls at once.

Stella flinched, releasing me out from her grip, as she and the others fled the bathroom, cackling.

I was free.

The janitor just saved my life.

I sat on the floor with my heart racing, while gasping out for air.

The janitor walked over to me and gave me a not-too-surprised look when he saw my face.

"You again?" He groaned out, swaying his head.

"What's it with you and those girls? Why do you keep getting caught up in their tricks?" He questioned, like one who was fed up of seeing my face over and over again.

But I won't blame him for feeling that way.

Besides, this is what I get for being the school's loser.

This is this harsh reality.

"Oh, that smells!" The janitor almost puked out when the odor from the same toilet I was almost baptized in, hit his nostrils hard.

He immediately covered up his nose with his mask and told me to leave.

"And try to stay away from those nasty girls. If you can't get rid of them, then just report them to the principal," He advised, sending me out of the bathroom.

In a weak voice, I thanked the janitor before stepping outside. But as soon as the door was shut from behind, sorrow overshadowed me again.

"Report to the principal? That's even worse," I sighed helplessly, walking away while carefully scanning my surroundings for Stella.

That girl is a menace.

I did my best to stay out of her sight, but she still found me. She sniffed me out like the predator she is.

Stella isn't just Diamond Dale Academy's hottest and popular girl. She's also the principal's niece, and the daughter to our school's wealthiest sponsor.

Her family's influence on the school has given her the power to do as she pleases. Even if it means bullying the weakest human being around.

And that weakling is me.

The first day I joined the academy, I thought my problems would come to an end when I met new faces, make new friends, and make a name for myself.

But that's when my path crossed with Stella.

She was the first student I met on my first day, and... and she gave me the harshest welcoming ceremony ever.

My last confidence, my last hope... Stella destroyed it in seconds when she had me covered in animal faeces in front of everyone, causing them to laugh and nickname me Dung girl.

Since then, I lost the last string of courage and always hid in fear whenever I saw her coming.

Her name, her presence, even her shadow scares me to the core.

"Today would have been worse if the janitor hadn't stepped in to save me," I sighed, wrapping my arms across my chest while slowly making my way to class.

"But that won't stop Stella from finding me. I bet she's waiting around the corner, ready to..." Just as I was about to turn right, I froze in terror.

"Crap!" I shivered, retreating at once!

Standing right next to my class was Stella!

And she was holding what appeared to be a bag, hiding it behind like one who's up to no good.

"I knew it," I groaned helplessly, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"She won't rest until she gets me. She won't," My voice cracked with fear as I drew away, refusing to face another harsh treatment from Stella.

In fact, I did what any other person in my place would have done. And that was to leave the school and head home.

The securities at the gate saw me leaving and didn't even bother to ask why nor did they care to stop me.

It's not the first time I'll be leaving for home this early.

They know what goes on in this school but act unaware.

"No mess today?" One of them mocked secretly, whispering to his second.

I could hear them chuckling from behind, betting on my fate tomorrow

It ached me deeply.

I've become a tool of fun to these people.

.

"Are you out of your mind?!" My mother yelled, grabbing me roughly from the arm.

"How many times have we told you to stop coming home before school ends?! Do you think the money we spent on your studies grows from a tree?!" She roared, pushing me against the wall.

I swiftly used both hands to save myself from getting hurt, before turning over to face my hot-headed mother.

She looked so mad, unlike her past reactions whenever I came home by this time.

"You're going to match back to that school and sit in your class like every other student. Is that clear?"

"No," I refused, provoking her further.

"I don't want to go back there. In fact..." I dumped my bag on the floor in protest, swaying my head. "I don't want to go to school anymore. You and Dad don't have to spend on my education anymore, because I quit."

"Don't start this drama with me, Avara," Mother groaned, pointing her finger at me.

"You're the one who troubled us into sending you to school, and now you want to back out? No, Avara. It doesn't work like that."

She drew closer and grabbed me once again from the arm, tighter than before.

"I won't allow my and your father's money to go to waste just because you're too weak to face your own bullies."

"Mom," I winced in pain, trying to stop her nails from digging deeper into my flesh.

But she didn't care. She just wanted me out of the house and no one, not even my problems, would stop her.

"Go back to school," She said finally, dragging me to the door.

"Mom, please. I don't want to," I begged, trying to convince her to spare me.

But I was immediately tossed outside and ordered to return once school was over.

"And I'll make sure to call the principal to know if you were in class," She promised, shutting the door in my face.

I stood outside with bitterness, asking the heavens why my life was so messed up.

Why this pain? Why me?

I took Mom's threat to heart and decided to head back to school, planning how I'll hide from Stella all day without getting hurt.

But as soon as I took ten steps away from my house... "Shoot, my bag!" I realized I forgot my backpack and decided to turn back and get it.

On getting to the door, afraid Mom would yell at me the second time without hearing me out, I was immediately baffled to find the door unlocked!

"Huh? I thought she..." I paused, hearing giggles coming from inside.

It sounded like Mom, but... "Who owns that deep laughter?" I questioned, picking up another voice.

The tone was obvious.

That's clearly a man's voice.

"But father won't be back till night. Who's inside with Mom?" I wondered curiously, tempted to find out.

Without making any sound, I carefully snuck into the house and saw clothes scattered about on the floor.

Mom's clothes... and a man's clothes!

I gasped, feeling my skin crawling with fear and disgust.

"God, please be Dad. Please!" I prayed within, hearing Mom's giggles switch into that of pleasure.

"Oh yes, right there... Harder," She moaned, followed by the sound of this fellow's groans.

It was coming from the dining room.

I could feel my heart pounding, as I told myself that this was a misunderstanding.

"Dad must have planned this with Mom. It has to be," I believed this, tiptoeing to the dining room and hoping to see Father there.

But when I peeked into the room, my whole world collapsed.

On the floor knelt my mother with a stranger making love to her from behind!

"Oh Antonio... ANTONIO!" She moaned loudly, swaying her waist to the rhythm.

When I saw this, I was completely horrified.

"Mom?" I called inaudibly, feeling my stomach twist in disgust.

Unable to stand this, I turned away but accidentally knocked a lamp down, making my presence known to the lovebirds.

"Who's there?!" Mom panicked, followed by the sounds of terrified movements from the dining.

Afraid to be seen, I ran out of the house with speed, wishing I hadn't witnessed such a repulsive scene from my mother.

How could she?