CHAPTER SIX

I was there, in the deep end of the water, my body limp, my hands barely showing on the surface before disappearing underwater. My eyes were closed, I fainted but somehow I could hear their voices. Am I dead??? Why can I still hear their voices? But I can’t move or even open my eyelids. No matter how I tried . It seemed I was faraway watching this.

Noo!!! He screamed again in a tone filled with panic.

Without thinking, he dove in, the shock of the cold water forgotten. His arms sliced through the water with desperate speed until he reached me. My eyes were shut, my hair fanned around my face like dark silk. For a terrifying moment, I felt too still, too weightless in his arms.

“ please—please don’t do this,” he muttered, dragging me towards the edge with every ounce of strength in him.

Pulling me out, he collapsed to his knees beside me, his hands trembling as he tilted my head back. People shouted around him, but their voices were static.

“Breathe,” he choked, pressing on my chest. “Come on, don’t you dare die like this.”

I lay there, lifeless, my eyelids shut, my body almost cold. He stared at my lifeless body, his heart beating fast.

“Leo!” He called out in a voice that was almost a scream.

Some students had gathered.

“What’s wrong with the guy, oh that’s the new guy”

“Leo” another boy called drawing nearer to him on the floor. More students had gathered. He brought his face closer to mine and with one more stare at my face he smashed his lips on my mouth blowing air into my mouth. First, I remained numb then slightly I coughed then— A sputter. Water spilled from my lips as my body jolted. Relief flooded his veins so fast it made his own knees buckle. I still couldn’t open my eyes.

“You are alive” he muttered, brushing the wet hair from my forehead. My head was still on his lap which was bent to the floor. His voice broke again, but softer this time.

“ Let’s rush him to the hospital”

At the hospital. I was thrilled by the heavy scent of antiseptic. My eyes were shut. Every part of me ached like hell. I couldn’t even lift a finger. I could hear the sound of the ventilator machine and voices whispering in low tones.

“How’s Leo?”

“What happened to the new student?”

“I don’t know he passed out in the pool last night”

“Oh no, that’s bad”

“How is he doing now ?”

“He’s getting better, it would be better to give him a little space to rest”

I slowly opened her eyes and there met instantly with a student’s eyes. He was not Miguel. He had a muscular build, sun kissed skin, wavy light brown hair and light blue eyes that stood out against his complexion. Was I imagining all of Miguel’s stuff? Yeah I was definitely imagining things. Miguel is the most popular and handsome guy in school. I heard he is snubbish and somewhat rude. It was never him. I don’t even know why I am always thinking of that guy often. He is just a handsome jerk yeah. I just can’t fall for him, my life is such a mess already, I just want to get my revenge.

“ It’s a relief you are awake,” the boy said.

“Some of the students were here a while ago” Something in me badly wanted to ask him if Miguel was among the students. I would never be that stupid. But could it possibly be that I have fallen for this guy. I am so unbelievable.

“How are you doing now, do I call the doctor?” The boy spoke in a very calm tone.

“what really happened?” I tried to remember. why am I lying here like a wood, could it be that I had an accident or something. Suddenly my mind flashed to the bracelet and I jerked up forcefully from the bed and noticed the new red pajamas I wore.

My heart was pounding heavily.

“Hey Leo, are you okay?”

“Wait let me call the doctor” The boy rushed out with a brief run.

I was breathing hard.

“No! No! Shit oh damn it!” I didn’t want to believe this. Oh I hope no one has found out about my real identity. I must carry out my revenge on the Alpha before revealing myself. And to think of it, I was drenched in the pool last night right? And this is not the cloth I wore. Who pulled off the cloth? could it be the medical personnels. Did they find out about my secret? And.. yeah the bracelet Where is it? All these questions clustered in my head.

“Oh no damn it, this got to be a horror movie” I exclaimed and crashed on the bed. Instantly Miguel walked in accompanied by the green-eyed lady in a lab coat, her long blonde hair packed in a ponytail. She is probably the doctor. For a second I thought of asking the lady how I got into these new pajamas but damn it that’s an awkward and suspicious thing to say. I tried hard to be calm, assuring myself that all is fine.

The doctor resumed the medication. She checked the machine which made beeping sounds, she jotted something down on her book.

*****

Rowan is a school for the wealthy, only the freaky rich families could afford to send their kids here. It’s among the most prestigious colleges in the world. Just like all these prestigious schools there are so many social hierarchies here.

There are the high class students. Whose parents were politicians or owned high companies, either way they belonged to freaky wealthy homes. They wore school uniforms in the most stylish ways. Most of the girls make the skirt shorter, replace the bow tie into a neck tie and loosen the polo shirt. While the boys added chains to their trousers, they wore expensive belts and jewelry. They have great looks and a very high fashion sense. They are the sorts of students everyone dreams to be. They have it all: good looks, fame, wealth.

Then there are the middle class students whose parents are doctors or merely ordinary professions who managed to find their way into Rowan high school.

Then there are the lowest grade of students, those on scholarship, who don't belong to either of the classes but figured they made their way into Rowan high school through special academic prowess or any talent. This is where I belonged. I belong to this class of the lowlifes , who are constantly bullied, and no one, not even the teachers cares. I tried in every way to stay unknown and hidden. I made sure no one knew I was on scholarship.

The class was a bit longer. Finally, the blue eyed lady in a suit concluded her lecture for the day and left with her books.

I sighed and gathered all my papers and stuffed them carelessly into my binder. It was Friday, the last day of school till Monday. And honestly there was not a more joyous occasion. School was a horror-ridden nightmare. Mostly when I had to live everyday with fear of hidden identity. I was damn tired and hungry. I had no friends.

I had no friends. I remained in my seat and waited for the other kids to leave before I left for the cafeteria.

Sunlight poured in through big glass windows, making the shiny marble floor in the cafeteria to sparkle. The walls were painted soft cream with touches of gold, giving the place a rich, warm feeling. There were soft, cushioned seats and shiny wooden tables where students sat in small groups, chatting or eating quietly.

At the far end, a buffet table was filled with colorful food—fresh fruit, sushi rolls, hot pasta, and grilled chicken. The sweet smell of pastries and coffee floated through the air, while soft piano music played in the background.

Waiters in neat uniforms moved around, bringing drinks or clearing plates. A group of aesthetic female students laughed over smoothies in one corner, while some quiet students sat in the middle, reading or working on their tablets. I sat at an empty table with my chocolates and drink.

A girl walked in, her hair packed in a ponytail, She had only just stepped inside, clutching her lunch tray like a shield, when it started. A single whisper floated from a corner table—sharp and mocking. Then another. And another. Soon, the whispers grew into a tide of cruel insults.

“Look at her,” someone sneered.

“She thinks she belongs here,” another spat, their voice dripping with resentment.

“ can’t you just take your trash and disappear from this school . Have you ever seen yourself in the mirror, you are a twin to ape. Ugly shit” A student growled at her. The girl hung her head ashamed. Tears sagging in her eyes while she fights it back. Perhaps she doesn’t want to appear weak.

I turned to have a clear view of what was happening. The girl tried to walk away, she walked faster, eyes fixed on the floor, but a foot shot out from nowhere, hooking her ankle. The tray flew from her hands, crashing to the shiny marble floor. The sound echoed through the room, louder than the piano music that instantly faded to background noise. Pasta, fruit, and a cup of juice scattered everywhere, a pitiful mess at her feet.

The laughter roared. Students were enjoying the scene, the tears the girl fought back came gently strolling down her cheeks, she sucks her teeth.

One boy bent to pick up her sandwich, holding it between two fingers like it was dirt. “What is this? Cheap cafeteria food? Guess the scholarship kids don’t eat like us.” He tossed it into the trash with a smirk, and the group erupted in cheers.

Someone shoved her shoulder, hard enough to make her stumble. Another girl yanked at her backpack, spilling her books onto the floor. “Oops,” she cooed with false sweetness. “Did I do that?” She stepped on one of the notebooks, grinding her heel into it.

Tears burned on the girl’s eyes, but she blinked fast, biting her lip until she tasted blood. Don’t cry. Don’t give them what they want. She possibly thought But it was useless—her throat tightened, and the world blurred.

Around her, students just watched. Some laughed. Some lowered their eyes, pretending not to see. But no one moved. No one helped. Not even when someone pushed her so hard she fell to her knees, her palms scraping the cold, polished floor.

“Stay there,” a boy jeered, towering over her. “That’s where you belong—on the ground.”

Her chest ached, her body trembling, but what hurt the most wasn’t the bruises or the sting of humiliation, it was the rejection.

“Everyone! She is a black student !” A girl in short skirt screamed out aloud, more students gathered. The girl clutched herself on the floor, her long black hair covering her face as she cried, her chest heaving. A boy got a bucket of black paint and poured it all on the girl, her uniform turned to a complete mess. Her face and whole body turned black. I watched the scene with shock . I felt bad for the girl. What amazed me the most was the silence—- the way that no one cared.

And as the laughter faded into cruel whispers again, the girl stayed on the floor, frozen, praying for the bell to ring, praying to disappear, wishing more than anything that she could just stop existing.

I felt so scared where I sat. The thought that I am also a scholarship student, a black student like they called it, made me suddenly nervous. I could feel my feet getting cold where I sat. I quietly walked away. The bully had stopped, the girl ran into the restroom crying.

The thought of what happened earlier filled my mind. As I walked back to the classroom. Someone pumped on me causing the books I held to fall spilling on the floor. He is a boy, his hair is tousled from basketball practice. his eyes sharp and agile, he held a ball. He looks familiar. He is the boy beside me at the hospital. He is the boy that saved me from the pool.

“I’m sorry” he said in an agile tone and began picking up the books.

“Never mind, I can do that” I stopped him and took the book from him , balancing it on my hands. I was about to walk off when he stopped me pulling my arms a little, I turned and stared up at him with furrowed brows and the guy laughed.

“Don’t chew me raw with that glare”

“Can we be friends?” he said.

“ I mean, would you like to practice sports with me, and pardon my manners, I’m Jason, but my friends call me JJ” he stretched his hands for a handshake, his other hand gripped the ball.

“I am Leo” I replied. He looks friendly and sporty.

“So which sports club do you belong to?” he asked as we strolled down the small hallway.

“I’m a new student,” I replied.

“Oh I see, what’s your favorite sports then”

“Maybe basketball,” I said.

“Would you mind joining my sports team?” He said and I stared at him with a raised brow. I wanted to say no but instantly he added.

“ I will introduce you to our sports master, he will definitely accept you. Our sports team performs the best. We won the championship medal last year. We have the best players, it’s an exciting team to be in” he said

“Okay,” I said.

Chapter six

Sports was a highly rated and cherished activity in the school. I sat among the other students and waited anxiously for the sports. The sports ground looked really luxurious. It had this bright blue mat spread wide like a royal cushion and silver poles standing tall on each side. The ground around it was smooth and neat. Rows of students filled the sidelines, their faces glowing with excitement, clapping and shouting as though they were a crowd in an Olympic stadium.

The students screamed and yelled in a very deafening tone, making me shut my ears with my hands. I turned to see what was happening. It was a group of athletes. Miguel was among the guys. I have always known he belonged to the popular and wealthy class of students and added that he is very charming, but I never knew he was a school superstar. The girls screamed for his attention, no doubts competing with their friends for his attention. Sone stretching their hands so the guys could touch it.

The first guy walked up the hallway holding a ball in his hand. His muscles were big and taunt and every now and then he would smile flirtatiously at a girl, as they pleaded for his mere presence, this made him laugh raucously, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement. His name was Daniel and yet his friend knew him as Danny.

A black haired guy walked up, the students screamed in excitement. His name was Justin. He was tall and had a masculine build, sun kissed skin,wavy light brown hair, bright blue eyes.

“I can’t wait to see Miguel,” a girl beside me said.

Almost then Miguel walked into the hall, everywhere breaking into a loud scream, some yelling his name others waving for his attention. He gave off a definite fuckboy vibe with his adidas joggers, white t-shirt and sneakers which belonged to a popular cool brand. I stood mute I have always known he was among those school hotties every girl drools on. He waved at the crowd who cheered and screamed while staring at his phone screen.

A lot of guys wanted to be friends with them, mostly every girl wanted to date him. They were the popular bad boys and the hotties of the school.

The sports ground looked like a ground arena. The high jump arena shone in the sunlight, with its bright blue mat spread wide like a royal cushion and silver poles standing tall on each side. The ground around it was smooth and neat, as if prepared for champions. Rows of students filled the sidelines, their faces glowing with excitement.

At the center, Miguel stood in a focused position, his eyes fixed on the bar that seemed to touch the sky. He took a deep breath, his shoes pressing against the red running track. And then he ran—- fast, graceful, powerful. The students voices rose like thunder as he leaped, his body floating through the air like he had wings. For a moment the whole field held their breath. Then he soared over the bar landing softly on the mat. The whole school erupted in cheers. I watched him, my heart beating differently. I have never had a crush on a guy before, but watching Miguel made me forget how to breathe. I just wished that my heart could be sensible please. I am a boy now, I have a strong reason for being here—Revenge. He can never have a thing with someone like me. I tried to convince myself again and again.