She slammed the door of her locker shut and arranged the books in her arms properly before lowering her head, as she always does.
"Yes that's her, she is so shameless," She heard one of the female students tell another.
"What did she do this time? Seems like I'm always lost when drama is happening in this school," The male student replied and she adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose, they were always talking bad about her.
"Thats true, did you know that she still had the guts to flirt with Zara, of the NASTIES' crush!"
"Eish! That's so shameless!", exclaimed the male student.
She cringed and walked briskly from were they stood. She lived like a "known ghost" in the school, people talked about her but avoids her like some plague.
Just as she was about to take the flight of stairs that led to the library, the bell rang signifying the start of class. She sighed and took long and quick strides to her class, Grade 12 Prestige. It was named after the school because that's the last class in the school.
She stepped into the classroom, still lowering her head.
"Oh look, the bitch finally shows up," Zara walked up to her, her three minions glaring at her from where they stood behind her.
Each of the NASTIES high ranked members had at least two minions as "maid or slave" to their master. The NASTIES had 3 high ranked members and others were all their minions.
Elena Gilbert, is the head of the gang who parades herself as the Queen of the school, she has about 5 minions under her.
Zara Backer, the second in command, blabber mouth and Elena's best friend, she has 3 minions under her.
And then, there is Bella Jones, the quiet one she had 2 minions under her. Their rankings are in the order of their wickedness.
"You fool can't you talk!," Thundered Zara.
"Please let me be today,"
Zara scoffed, "Did you also dream of that, Dream!,"
That was the height of it, she has already had enough from her parents fight at home now it's their turn to pick on her because of her useless name.
"Leave my name out of this!," She whispered in a stern voice.
Her name was Dream Brooks, she hated herself, her body, her name infact she despised everything about her.
"Awww she is trying to act tough!," One of her minions mocked.
"Emma!" Zara ordered and Emma knew exactly what to do.
Emma raised Dream's chin up and slapped her twice on both sides of her face and made to grab her hair but the teacher's voice stopped her,
"Emma!," The teacher called out and the both of them bowed, greeting her.
Meanwhile, Zara had already sighted the teacher and had scurried to seat with her minions before the teacher could enter, leaving Emma to her fate.
"The both of you should keep your greetings to yourself!," Mrs Meyer shushed them and turned to Emma, "what do y'all enjoy in picking on Dream!?"
Emma kept quiet, lowering her head. She didn't know what to do, she couldn't lie because she was caught red-handed and on the other hand she still could not tell the truth, she didn't want to expose her master.
"I'm sorry Mrs Meyers," apologised Emma. Apologising was the only that came to her mind.
"You should say sorry to the disciplinary squad," Said Mrs Meyers and Emma immediately went on her kneels pleading.
Visiting the disciplinary squad meant suspension or expulsion and her parents were not going to take it easy on her.
She turned to face Zara with pleading eyes but Zara only glared at her and continued whatever she was doing on her tablet.
Mrs Meyers was a no nonsense woman and so it was fruitless to plead with her and so Emma walked back to her seat feeling dejected.
Mrs Meyers walked to the front of the class and greeted the class, Dream was still standing were she was standing earlier she dare not leave until Mrs Meyers tell her to.
"Good morning Mrs Meyers," The class greeted in unison.
"Dream!," She called out and Dream strode to were she stood, feeling very embarrassed.
"Before I'll go straight to the point I'm going tell you all a story, a story my African grandma told me," She told the class and the class became rowdy,
"What does the story has to do with us?,"
"If you want to stand up for her then just do so," The students grumbled.
"Hushhh just shut up y'all and listen, no noise," cautioned Mrs Meyers.
"Once lived a very ugly cat, the cat was so ugly that everyone despised her nd used her as their slave," Mrs Meyers paused to drink water from the bottle she was holding before continuing,
"Eventually, the cat went depressed and stayed home for a long time without coming out, most animals thought she had died or committed suicide but at the middle of year, the cat came out looking beautiful and bolder," She said and someone burst into laughter,
"Sorry but does this means, that dimwit standing beside you could change one day and become beautiful or bold?" The person who turned out to be Dream's supposed best friend, Eva, said laying emphasis on "beautiful" and "bold"
"Yes and so?, Situations can change any time" Mrs Meyers pointed out and turned to Dream,
"Do not let anyone bully you, learn to speak for yoursel—,"
The whole class' laughter interrupted her, Elena stood up and wanted to say something,
"Enough of that miss Gilbert sit down!" Mrs Meyers yelled.
"But I haven't said anything ye--,"
"Yes, that's the more reason why you should shut up and sit," Mrs Meyers thundered and Elena sat feeling very embarrassed.
Mrs Meyers asked Dream to see her later and she nodded before going back to her seat deep in thoughts.
Mrs Meyers had really wanted to help her little did she know that she had just out her in a more tighter corner.
Dream paid little to know attention in all the classes till it was lunch time. She stood up sluggishly packing her books in her arms before taking the back door of the Geography class out, if she took the front door she was going to run into those foolish girls.
She stacked her books properly in her locker and took her purse which was filled with dollar bills before taking long but slow strides to the cafeteria.
Her parents were rich, her father owned two petroleum companies in Africa and some gas stations scattered all over America while her mother who is a fashion designer owned a clothing line. Her parents were indeed rich but her family was a mess, her mother and father were always getting into a fight almost everyday.
Dream sighed as she stood in front the Cafeteria before pushing she door open.
She walked to the counter and ordered enough food before taking her tray to the garden, the only place in school that has never given her troubles. She always ate her food there everyday, it was her place of refuge.
She sat on the bench ate her lunch and played her favorite games before the bell rang. She sighed, picking up the pack of juice she had consumed, she was going back to hell.
Dream returned back the tray, purchased some packs of strawberry shortcake and juice before going to class.
The last bell rang and the students ululated, hitting the table so that the math teacher could leave the class.
At the last seat at the back of the class, Dream heaved a sigh of relief and stuffed her books into her bag before proceeding to leave the class through the back door again but she was not so quick as someone dragged her back with her hair, spinning her around before stamping her hand on her face.
Dream groaned as the slap left a stinging effect on her skin, she looked up to know who it was. It was Zara, she had probably come because of Emma.
"I guess you already know the reason why you deserve this," She heard Emma's voice say behind her.
Students in the class had already brought out their phone to record the live drama in front of them.
"I heard you loved strawberry so we decided to decorate you, right Emma?"
"Right master," giggled Emma.
A girl dressed in a junior school uniform rolled in a little cart and left without saying a word.
Before Dream could close her eyes, Zara had already poured strawberry juice into them.
Dream yelped in pain and everyone in the class laughed.
"Now let the strawberry party begin!" Zara smirked and in a twinkle of an eye, Dream was a walking strawberry.
Her white shirt and violet skirt was soaked in a mixture of strawberry shortcake, juice and fruit.
"Awww what a Dreamy strawberry looking girl," purred Elena as she walked into the class.
"How come am I always late for important parties like this," She complained
"Don't worry Queen E there this always a next time," Eva stated and Elena nodded in affirmation.
Dream slowly crawled out of the class into the bathroom to clean herself up. She sighed having finding it difficult to clean the back of her skirt.
"Hey let me help you," She heard someone volunteered
"Dream do you like him?" he resounded, his pitch going higher. Why was he sounding like he was angry? Dream couldn't understand what the problem was. Why was he suddenly getting angry and asking such questions? "I really don't understand what you're talking about!" It was her turn to raise her voice. "What part of "do you like him" do you not understand!? stop acting dumb Dream!" He half yelled, genuflecting with his hands. Dream scoffed and looked away before standing up. "I really didn't expect you'll do something like this Romeo." she muttered and walked away. She walked slowly, expecting Romeo to call her back but he never did, making her anger intensify. "What the hell!" she groaned kicking the trashcan close to her. Everyone was just too annoying. Ashton angrily walked back to
Dream's cheeks burnt red as she glanced at the jacket she was wearing feeling really embarrassed. Why must she always disgrace herself? "I—" he stalked her frame making her to stop talking and take a step backwards. "You should keep it. It suits you well." He smirked, arranging the jacket properly. Dream's hand gripped her books tightly as she stared at him bewildered. Many thoughts were running through her mind. Why the hell was he doing this? What was he trying to do? Did he know that he was causing troubles for her? "Its really Ashton's jacket!" One of the students exclaimed, bringing out her phone. "Are you kidding me!? Do you know if he is just joking around?" Another student countered. "Oh please just shut it! Can't you see he wore it yesterday?" "Jeez! Zara needs to see this!"
He patted her hair as he silently made a promise to himself. He was going to protect her from today. * * * Samantha watched Dream and Ashton with a smile on her face and tears stinging her eyes. She had been watching them since Dream started crying. When she saw him hug her when she broke into tears, the way he held her made her feel at peace a little bit. He has finally decided to accept her offer. She wiped her face and made to walk to where they were sitting but she changed her mind. She wanted to leave them to have some time together. She turned to leave but she collided with what seemed like a wall, but it wasn't. It was a a muscled chest covered with a white T shirt. Who was that?
"Snap out of it bro." Romeo said, grumpily standing behind him and pointing at Dream who was looking through the glass wall. Ashton swivelled around to look at him, raising his eyebrows. What was he talking about? "She is mine." He seethed and Ashton glared at him. "What do you mean she is yours?" He asked. "You'll find —" he tried to say. "What are y'all doing there!? Let's order something, I'm hungry!" Dream whined, interrupting him. "Oh yeah go ahead we would join you soon," Ashton replied with a faux smile on his face. Dream nodded and skipped away. "Be very careful, don't try to fall for her. Stick to your babes." Romeo smirked, patting Ashton's shoulder. Ashton glared at him as anger surged through him. Why the hell was he trying to provoke him? He would
"Heyyy calm down lover boy, I'll tell you what I know." Ashton replied still smiling. Romeo let go of his collar and sat back impatiently waiting for him to spill whatever he knew. "She is at the hospital." Ashton stated, calmly. "What happened? What did you do to her!?" He yelled grabbing his collars again. Ashton pushed his hands away angrily. "Stop this nonsense bro. If you cared about her why didn't you check on her before you left school yesterday!?" Ashton yelled. At this point, students were already gathered around them. "If it weren't for me she would have almost died yesterday!" Romeo felt a pang of guilt inside of him, he knew Ashton was right and didn't want to argue with him any longer. He glared at him and picked up his bag before stomping out. Ashton sighed and smoothened
Dream cringed hearing her mother's voice. How the hell was she going to get rid of the both of them? * * * Samantha got to her daughter's bed and reached out to her, inspecting her body and asking her numerous questions. "Why are you at the hospital? What happened to you? Why are you holding your head? Why is there paint on your beautiful hair and sweet body?" She paused, remembering she had seen a guy's figure when she entered. She raised her head and glanced at him before asking a cringey last question. "Who is he?" Dream scoffed, her mother was overreacting but she didn't want to act rude in front of a stranger. Well not necessarily rude but she didn't want to disgra