Chapter 7

Darcie 

I started panting heavily, catching my breath as I was dragged away by security. All the girls had suddenly run to Sloane, holding and comforting her. Of course, they'd look at me like a bad person without wanting to know what happened. I'm just a scholarship student which means I'm nothing in the school. 

Sloane's eyes were full of tears as she pointed her index finger at me, accusatorily. “She started it. You all saw that.”

A teacher that witnessed the scene snapped. “Darcie, principal's office. Now!”

I clenched my hands into a fist, standing up to my feet. Everyone just gasped, whispered and gave me a grimacing stare like I'm the bad person. I just quietly followed him. By the time we got to the cold intimidating office, I just avoided the principal's gaze, clamping my hands in my laps. 

“You?!” Principal Eunice tilted her head. “Aren't you the scholarship girl? What has she done this time?” She asked the teacher, Mr Liam. 

“She appears to be a fighter. Aggressively involved in domestic violence with the senate's daughter, Sloane.”

I shut my eyes, fully aware of the consequences. My lips trembled. “Ma'am, I didn't start it first…”

“Shut up!” She snapped. “You are violating the school's rules and regulations. How could you fight? Do you want to spoil your name here? And do you know who Sloane's father is?”

I locked eyes with her, audacious. “I don't know and I don't think it's my business.”

“You filthy object!” She leaned closer and slapped me hard across my face. I didn't flinch. “Disrespectful idiot!” She hissed furiously.  “Quick, take her to the school's field. For the rest of the week, she's got to do hard labor. Scrub the entire school too!”

I was hauled off to my feet immediately and dragged out of the principal's office. First was the hallway. Bucket, stiff-bristle brush, industrial cleaner and gloves. I sighed and started to work. If Sloane wants to keep on bullying me, I'll have to avoid her. Principal Eunice had lost it earlier at her office, she could tell the entire school I'm a menace. 

As I bent and scrubbed the quiet hallway floors, I heard the sound of shoes closer and when I looked up, it's Sloane sauntering by. My grip tightened around the brush. 

She placed her arms at the back, swinging and smiling like a naughty five year old. 

“Too bad, who's working now?” She laughed. “Oh, you pathetic ass.” She dropped her hands from the back revealing a chocolate drink. “You see, you think you can win in this school? Never. You'll always lose because you're classless here. In the midst of elites.”

She emptied the chocolate content to the floor. “Oops!”

Then stepped forward, without breaking eye contact, kicked the bucket of water which poured to the floor. “Oh, did I do that?” She pouts innocently. “Go, get the bucket. Come on boy.” She clapped her hands as if talking to a dog. 

I rolled my eyes, stepping on the wet floor. Not because I wanted to do what she was asking but because at the end of the day, I had no choice. 

“Sloane–”

A voice comes from behind and when I turn, it's Charles, leaning on the wall. 

“I was just passing by.” She shrugged and left immediately. 

I didn't look at Charles, I just continued to work. He pushed himself off and stopped close by. 

“I heard what you did?”

“What I did?” I paused cleaning. “Oh, good. Everyone saw it.”

“Why would you fight with Sloane?”

“Are you being real right now? Charles, everyone also saw how she pushed me and I hit my head.” I touched the swelling on my forehead. “Why isn't anyone talking about that? All I did was fight back and here I am. You all are a bunch of losers here and please go away. I don't need your sympathy here.” I continued mopping. 

He chuckled. “Me, sympathize with you? I'd rather kiss Sloane.”

My breath hitched and I froze, looking into his eyes if he meant that disgusting statement. He didn't flinch or have any flash of regret. Instead, his hands are delved into his pockets. 

“I came here to tell you that you're actually nothing but a dummy. I failed every single thing on the homework. Did you really come here by scholarship?”

His words pierced deep like a knife stab. My voice is barely a whisper. “I don't understand what you're talking about.”

“You will re-work on it. Right here. Right now. After all, you're my sitter and it's your fucking job.”

“What the hell are you saying? Can't you see I'm busy here?” My posture became stiffened as I stared at him incredulously. 

“Multitask.” He shrugged and turned to leave. Came back again with the book and dropped them on the floor. “Don't keep me waiting. You know how I hate when things are late.”

He left. I bent to pick the Notebook. Everything was circled out with a red pen. I scoffed, wondering how and read it again. That's when I realized, I made a huge mistake and mess. I solved math equations on the geography work. Yesterday while I was sleepy, I did rubbish. 

I groaned and sighed, increased my working pace and while I was done, I squatted to attempt the questions again. 

Work wasn't done yet. While others were having lunch, I was at the field picking up trash, raking leaves and that wicked Mr Liam made me mowe the grass. God, I will fucking kill this man. No breaks, no water or food. Charles didn't come. I worked for 6 hours straight, next was the school's auditorium. Yesterday, a particular class had a program so I swept confetti, put away chairs and scrubbed the sticky floors. My back ached painfully. 

While it was closing time, Mr Liam didn't let me go. He ensured I finished everything before leaving. That's when Charles came in. 

“Hurry up, Darcie. We have to go home. The school's literally empty.” He sat on the chairs, repeatedly singing and watching me clean. 

By the time I was finally done, Mr Liam inspected all the areas and dismissed me. “Tommorow, you continue. For a week.”

I left, following Charles behind. I had wasted our time cleaning and his driver had been waiting. Maybe I shouldn't mess with any elite student again. I slid into the car, stomach growling. 

By the time we had gotten home, as our car glided into the mansion, we saw Mr and Mrs Sterling outside, bags and luggages too. Were they traveling? We stepped down and Mr Sterling attacked without thinking. 

“Charles!” He snapped. “Why are you coming back this late?”

We were both silent before Charles spoke up, voice cold. “Darcie was on punishment. So I had to wait for her.”

Mr Sterling's angry gaze lingered on me. “Punishment? What happened?”

“Dad, that's not necessary. We just came back from school and we need to rest. Let's go Darcie.” Charles tried to walk out but his father pushed and shoved him from the way by holding his collar tight. 

I gasped, covering my mouth. Mrs Sterling did nothing but watch. 

This was scary.