The Outcast

Zoe's POV

"Whore!" The students behind me yelled. I knew who they were talking to, but I ignored them. They could all go to hell. I picked up my notebook, and I felt something hit my head.

"You can't be disgusting and deaf at the same time," came Nessa's nauseating voice. "You better answer me."

She got no reply from me as I continued reading my notebook and even momentarily looked out the window, just to get on her nerves.

"Answer my sister when she is speaking to you!" An unexpected but familiar voice called out to me.

Again, I refused to turn around and let out an exasperated sigh as I heard approaching footsteps. I turned around to face him. It was Louis Rodriguez, Nessa's older brother.

The guy that girls would kill for. From his olive skin to his eyes that held the ocean to the unruly raven curls that adorned his head. With the build of a Greek god, yet he was just like the others. A rich, overbearing dick. Who loved to see me suffer.

I watched in disgust as he came close enough to touch me, which only caused more embarrassment than before. Louis' hand touched my cheek as he said, "Look at me when I'm talking to you." He whispered, his breath fanning across my face.

He suddenly pulled away and laughed coldly at me. The class joined in, and cackles of different frequencies and wavelengths filled the classroom. "You are nothing but a slut's daughter and a charity case," he stated like it wasn't the first time I was hearing him spew nonsense. "If you had any sense, you would listen to my sister and do as told."

He came closer and whispered, "You think you are something because of your little scholarship, but don't forget with one check, you could be out of here."

I sat there frozen with shock and anger. This was not good at all. This was going to ruin my life. How could he? He had no right to treat someone so wayward and broken down like this. I wish I could have said his words did nothing to affect me, but I would be deceiving myself.

Nessa grabbed my shoulder, causing me to flinch. I could feel tears stinging my eyes, but I blinked them away, willing myself not to show weakness. "What did I say about standing up for yourself?" She asked through gritted teeth, while gripping my arm.

As Louis started to approach again, I pushed myself forward and stood up. I couldn't stand being here anymore. If anything, this is the worst possible thing that could happen.

I walked past Louis and towards the door, but he caught my arm. I tried pulling my arm free, but he wouldn't let me. "Let go of me!" I screamed. My face burning from both the pain and humiliation.

He chuckled. "I know where you live. You should listen to me."

The tears I had been trying so hard to keep at bay started streaming down my cheeks. I knew that there was no point fighting back, that he'd win every fight. But it didn't mean that I had to stay quiet about the abuse. "Leave me alone!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

All eyes were on us now. I was pretty sure that everyone in this room was judging me. His grip tightened, and he dragged me into the hallway. We stopped walking when we reached the end of the hall, and he finally loosened his hold.

He looked like he was going to say something to me. "Tell your mum to stay away from my father, or else I will ruin you." He then left without another word.

I leaned against the wall and covered my mouth trying to stop my crying. I was shaking violently. I felt as if I was going to be sick.

*****

After school, I made my way to the restaurant where I worked. My mind still occasionally wandered to the events that played out at school with Louis. It was not the first time he had threatened me, but this one felt different.

Of course, with the fact that the whole town now knew that his father, a wealthy and respected businessman, was having an affair with the town's most well-known prostitute, my mother, the tension would be higher.

I entered the restaurant, and as soon as my eyes met my manager's, she ran to me. She had never done that before.

"Oh, Zoe, you're here," she said with glee. I was confused; she was smiling at me.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied. "Any problem?"

"No, no, everything is wonderful, even."

"Ok..." I tried to walk past her as things felt very awkward, but she suddenly said, "You're getting a promotion!"

I was speechless. How and when? I had so many questions that I kept to myself.

"You will man the register from now on." It was the job I had applied for but was instead given dish duties.

"Wow, gee thanks."

"Don't mention it," she said. "You've earned it."

"I won't disappoint you."

"You definitely won't, I assure you."

That was a weird thing for her to say, but I brushed it aside and made my way to the counter.

I got there, and I was shoved by someone. I turned around to see Chloe, the cashier. She was still here?!

She turned a glare at me. "It's all your fault," she scowled.

"What?!"

She walked up to me and whispered coldly, "The only reason you'll be here and I'll be by the sink is because you're a homewrecker's daughter."

Then it all sank in. The reason the manager was being nice was that she needed a reason to attract customers. What better candidate could there be except for me? I thought hopelessly.

She went to her new station in the kitchen, and I started my work. It seemed to me that people were here only to see me. They wouldn't stop staring like idiots.

"Hey!" a customer said; it was his turn.

"Yes, what would you like to order?"

"You," he replied salaciously.

I looked up from the cashier, glared openly at him. "The audacity!"

I held my anger on a tight leash and asked, "Sir, what would you like to order?"

"You," he repeated.

I could have sworn I heard someone whistle from the queue. "I am not on the menu," I said, pointing up at the posted menu. "Sir."

"Am I not good enough? or do you only do it for married rich men?" He snarled.

"That doesn't concern you since they don't pay me enough for your nonsense!" I spat derisively at him, earning a gasp from the crowd.

"Oh, so you need to be paid first before service." He pulled out his wallet and started counting notes. He looked me up and down. "The boobs aren't impressive, so I believe fifty dollars will suffice?" He threw the cash in my face. Afterward, he came closer and slipped a card into my school uniform. He turned to leave, but I pulled him back and landed a swift fist into his face. I pulled out the card as the manager and some kitchen staff came out to assess the commotion.

"How dare you hit me, bitch!" the man on the floor screamed, holding his cheek.

"Apologize right this instant, Zoe!" It was the manager.

"I will do no such thing," I declared, taking off my apron. "I quit!" I yelled as I stormed out.