Chapter Seven

Amaryllis Lexington

*****

"If you don't get in here in five minutes, I promise you I'll leave without you." Maya yelled as she walked out the door, leaving me at the kitchen sink. I had declined Lorraine's, the kitchen maid, help when she wanted to help me to wash my cereal bowl.

"Relax, woman." I yelled back but I had the door closing, so she probably didn't hear me. I wiped my hands and turned to leave when I met with a sight that made me mentally roll my eyes. Great, just when I wanted today to start on a good note.

"We don't yell around here, slum girl. This isn't where you grew up in, you know. Here, we are dignified and refined. We speak with class and not that rickety language of yours." Allison snarled and I sighed. God, I know I told you I would be nice and I will keep my tongue in check, but I can't only do that if Allison magically turns to smoke and disappears.

"And I bet you would be living in that slum or maybe somewhere even worse if my parents didn't have mercy on you and take you in. Get this straight, Allison or whatever it is you call yourself, I am not someone who is going to cower at the sight of you and run into hiding just because you are around. In all honesty, you don't scare me. Actually,  I feel really bad for you." Her eyes widened and I smirked then continued.

"Yeah, I do. You have worked your whole life to be accepted by my parents and I'm very happy for you. I should be the one pushing you around and trying to drag that spot with you, but you don't see me doing that, and you know why? I have something you lack. It's called dignity. If I'm going to win the hearts of mum and dad, I won't do it by making another person feel lesser than a trash bag, rather I'll work on improving myself." I tapped her shoulder and sidestepped her.

"You should take lessons from the boss, Allison. And in case you missed it, that boss, is me." I ended with that and walked away, hoping Maya hadn't left me. I felt quite satisfied with the response I gave Allison but I know better. She wouldn't listen. They never listen until they finally hit something that will make them regret every decision they've made since they decided to take up the lifestyle of a bully. I hated the lots of them!

"You better thank your stars I like you, else I would have left without you." Maya said immediately I got into her car. I laughed and rolled my eyes. She allowed me to wear my seatbelt before she zoomed out of the driveway.

"Why didn't you let mum take you to the car shop? You do realize they are more than capable of getting you any car you want, right?" I laughed at Maya's question. Everyone at the dining table had been shocked when I told the folks I didn't want to go to the car shop because I didn't want a car.

"I don't know how to drive, Maya. I said it like a million times during dinner yesterday. You don't believe me?" She looked away from the road and stared me for a while, then slowly shook her head.

"It's not that I don't believe you. It's just...I don't know...it's kinda strange. Everyone our age learns how to drive faster than they can even construct a good sentence in English because they want to be able to cruise around in the best of the best and oppress everyone." She chuckled slightly.

"Yeah. Everyone with that kind of privilege. There was no point learning how to drive because I knew we wouldn't be able to afford another car. Mum and Dad already spent so much on their cars and it would be unfair to bug them with another kind of expense. So, even when there was an opportunity to learn, I didn't take it." She had that sad look I really hated in her eyes, but I wasn't mad at her. I knew she meant well.

"It's alright, love. I understand. I'll teach you now, so you can have your own car and oppress Allison. She hates it when someone has stuff better than she does. If you get a car better than hers, she would bug our parents to get her something better or perhaps the same, but a better colour. She's just that vain." I scrunched up my face in disgust. I wonder how our parents don't see what others see. They are too blinded by their love and adoration for her, that they don't see that she's actually a very vile person.

"Eww. Has she always been like that?" Maya nodded and I felt bad for her. She has had to cope with Allison's nasty attitude ever since she was younger. It's such a wonder she has remained untainted by the stench of bitterness and envy.

"And here we are. Welcome to Newark Academy. A place that looks like home but feels exactly like hell. I had mum and dad pull a few strings, so luckily for you, we have the exact same schedule." I wanted to hug her right there and then. At least, it would be endurable. God knows I was bugged about how I would cope without Rose and Jade.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I chanted, pulling her into a hug until she pushed me away. I laughed and let out a breath as I took in the sight of the school. It was glass all through. There was not a single brick in sight and the delicacy of the school made me wonder how it hadn't broken down with all the students in it. The school looked like pure heaven, but thanks to Maya, I know I felt like the exact opposite. She showed me an update of the gossip blog they had, and what they said about me made my stomach turn. At least, the anonymous writer thought I was prettier than Allison.

"Scared of taking your first step? Don't worry. They are all bark and..........unfortunately, a lot of bites too."  She grimaced and I smiled. I knew from her body language that she had experienced some bad memories in this school, and the fact that Allison didn't like her would make it worse.

"Actually, not to be proud or anything, but I think I can take on a few rich brats. No offence." I winked at her and she shook her head, laughing and looking more at ease than she was before. I opened the door and stepped out into the cold air.....and cold stares. I didn't realize how much people were outside until I was out of the warm embrace of the car, and into the harsh cold and reality.

"Don't mind their stares. They like to intimidate others." Maya said, stepping beside me. I shot her grateful smile and started to walk into the school, with Maya beside me. I ignored the murmurs and the fingerpointing until I got inside, and I realized it was much worse. I groaned internally.

"Let's just hurry to our locker and go sit in class before the bell rings. That way you'll avoid the stares of everyone." Maya whispered, grabbing my hand. I knew she wanted to protect me and stuff, but unfortunately, I don't exactly roll like that. Running away is a big sign of weakness, and if there's anything the Burtons taught me, it's that weakness is the easiest to lose everything life has in store for you. Sometimes you have to be strong and fight.

"No, Maya. I am not doing anything wrong, am I?" She shook her head, looking straight at me, as if she would die if her gaze dared to stray from me. For the very first time, I didn't catch a glimpse of the strong Maya, but all I saw was the same broken girl that didn't feel beautiful enough in my room the other night.

"Then why should we run? They are human beings too, Maya. Hell, they are bloody teenagers who are not even up to the age of twenty. Don't be afraid of them! The least they can do is say bad words to you, but I already told you. You do not need validation from anyone but God and yourself. Should there be any other person who believes in you, that's a plus, but that should never be your focus." This time, I tightened my hold on her hand which was intertwined with mine.

"You didn't beg anybody's parent here to pay your tuition, you don't sit outside anyone's door for the food you're going to eat every day, and if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that none of these people here are responsible for the oxygen you breathe, so why the hell do you care about them? We are not going to run and hide from their stares, do you get me?" I didn't know exactly what nerve I struck, but I could see the tears well up in her eyes, and the defiant look I liked so much was back in her eyes.

"So, if any body has a problem with me being here, or with us walking down this hallway, they can start talking now!" I yelled at everyone who was still standing around and staring at us, and like gas, they all disappeared into thin air.

"I guess they are all bark and no bite after all." I said and Maya laughed. I guess I spoke too soon, because before I could say Jack, a group of people had crowded around us. I could recognize three of the boys from the demonic five group, and there were three girls too, who looked like watered down versions of barbie.

"We are screwed." Maya muttered with shaky voice and all it did was fuel my rage. I was so grateful for my upbringing! I couldn't imagine growing up in this kind of environment. Heaven knows I would be totally spineless, because I was told I used to be so calm and fearful. Mum told me I was always pushed down on playgrounds because of my small stature and I had gotten bullied when I had to wear a cast to school for a month when I broke my arm during a nasty fall. They knew they couldn't be there to watch over me everytime, so they taught me to fight for myself. They actually gave me some pretty badass advice that normal parents wouldn't give their kids.

"I have a problem with you walking down this hallway, church rat. Actually, I have a problem with you being in this school. In case you missed it, this school is for the elites and Allison runs this place, so your presence is totally not appreciated." One of the watered down barbies said and I burst into laughter. Are you kidding me? Allison has puppets? That little wuss had people she could control? Oh, my eww.

"What's funny, bitch? One of the others said and I rolled my eyes. If she actually thought bitch was an insult, she should really think again. Back at Halloway, some refer to their best friends as bitches. The word has kinda lost it value already.

"Do you have other things to say or can we be excused now?  We actually have some learning to do, something that you are obviously really in need of." One of the boys chuckled, but covered it with a cough when the first WDB glared at him. Wuss number two.

"Who do you think you're talking to? How dare you?" She spat at me and pushed me. Fortunately, I only staggered and didn't lose my balance. If I had lost it, I swear I would have spanked the living daylights out of that girl and I would have been expelled.

"Look here, plastic barbie. There's something I really hate, and that is when people place their filthy hands on me. Thankfully, you know I was not brought up by a rich family and that means I do not have soft and butter-ish palms like y'all do." I pushed my palm very close to her face, and fear flickered in her eyes. What an idiot! If I should mistakenly hit her, I could swear all her beauty would fall to the floor and break into tiny pieces.

"You see these palms? They are quite rough and hard. If I slap this plastic pretty face of yours, I doubt any plastic surgeon would be able to fix the damage. So, if you know you don't want to walk around like you have a facial cleft, I advise you stay away from me." I growled and grabbed Maya's hand and together we walked away from the nasty sight.

"I kinda think I'm in love with you." Maya whispered in my ear as we stopped by her locker and I burst into laughter.

I actually had plans to lay low and keep a low profile, but ever since Maya decided to be friends with me and give our relationship as sisters a shot, it became my responsibility to fight for her and teach her how to fight for herself.

Everyone needed to learn how to fight for themselves, cause one day, the only person who would be there for you, is you. And it would be such a disappointment if you can't even fight for yourself.

Call me an anti-bullying activist or what-not, but this school is just about to know what hit them.