MIRABEL"You must be stupid if you think I'd allow a loser like yourself to join my group," Tania insulted me, pushing me away from her side.I staggered from her point, feeling ashamed of myself."Just look at her. She thinks we'll take an ugly brat like her in the group. Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" One of Tania's friends mocked me. They all kept laughing, calling me a loser, while I drifted my steps away from them, feeling hurt. I just wanted to be among her group and be recognized among the cool students, but Tania showed me my place, leaving me hurt."Let's go before another... Oh my God!" Tania screamed out in excitement.Her shriek had got my heart pounding in fear, wondering what the problem was.The moment I traced where they were looking at, I felt an electric wave move through my entire body."Derek," I called softly, staring at the most handsome and popular guy at college. Being the only son and heir to a wealthy billionaire, Derek Hallman had won so many peop

MIRABEL"She's your sister? How's that possible? She's a loser!" Tania described, refusing to believe I was Derek's sister as he claimed. She pointed at me, trying to make herself look sweet before Derek."Look, there's no need to protect her. She's not worth it. I'm just like you, Derek. This loser here isn't in our class.""Where you deaf when I said she was my sister? " Derek questioned, pulling me behind while standing before Tania and her friends.They stepped back in fear, staring at Derek, who stood his ground, defending me."Don't make me repeat myself. If I ever see you girls touching or bullying her, I'll make you regret it. Remember this," He threatened them. I could see fear in Tania and her friend's eyes after hearing Derek's threat. They dropped their gaze on me, unable to speak.I stood behind Derek, noticing how eyes around the school premises fell on us. I didn't know if I should feel happy about Derek protecting me or feel the other way around. "Be warned. Let's

MIRABELMy face came flushing as Derek and his father came closer to my mother and I. Mr Hallman doesn't hesitate to get cozy with my mother, kissing her dearly, as he asked her how long her trip would last.I drifted away from them, almost standing close to Derek, who gave me a glare, causing me to look away.I felt my body vibrating while trying to compose myself. But my innocent heart was finding it hard to beat properly."It's a three weeks trip. Just take care of Mirabel for me. Please, she's fragile and hardly expresses herself," Mom said to Mr Hallman, making me look like a kid. I felt embarrassed, ashamed to look Derek's way."He must see me like a loser. Oh Gosh!" I panicked within, hoping this ends. Mr Hallman assured my Mom that he'd take good care of me."If I'm not around, Derek would watch over her, " Mr Hallman said to Mom.I just stood there as they talked about me, before Mom gave me a hug and left for her trip."Welcome, Mirabel," My future Stepfather welcomed me,

MIRABEL"Where do I start from? How do I approach Derek? " I pondered on in class, looking lost.I didn't know what or how to carry out this plan. All I've been feeling ever since Tania made that deadline, was nothing but intense fear.My heart has been racing since morning, unable to concentrate any more."Mirabel! MIRABEL!!""Yes?!" I answered loudly, turning to look forward.I saw all my classmates gawking at me with their mouths filled with laughter."I have been calling you for more than four minutes straight. Seems you are thinking outside studies, huh?""No, Ma'am. I'm sorry, " I apologized to my professor, feeling ashamed already.I lowered my head down in embarrassment, hearing my classmates cackling at me.When I lifted my head a little, my eyes met with Tania and her friends. They were also laughing at me.Only Tania's grin and gaze terrified me more. She signalled with her

MIRABELAntonio soon left me to meet Derek. He promised to get back to me once he has spoken to him.I had given him a smile to show my delight in his help in my situation. But as soon as he left, I became terrified, thinking about Derek's reaction."What if he gets mad and comes looking for me? Oh goodness! Why didn't I think of this?!" I panicked, pacing about in the class with so much fear in my heart.I found myself visualizing Antonio and Derek talking about Tania, and that she had sent me to speak to him about being her boyfriend.His face in my mind, came turning red, as he yelled my name out, looking for me."I'm going to make her regret the day she stepped into my life! Where is she?!""No!" I shrieked at my own imagination, getting scared the more."No, no, no. I can't allow him to meet me here. It's best I leave this place and head home. Yes, I'll head home and wait for his return. It's better than staying here in front of multitudes, " I decided, feeling that would be safe