Deterrence

"One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered."

-Michael J. Fox.

"What if the kid you bullied at school grew up and turned out to be the only surgeon who could save your life?"

-Lynette Mather.

"Never let what you don't know to stop you from doing what you do know."

-Orrin Woodward.

Hello beautiful people, trust you are doing good.

I will be dedicating this chapter to these amazing people Wattpad phaylen AndrewEmankhu Hannastashia MiracleAguiyi RuthieBalo You can equally check out their books, they are a bunch of amazing writers.

I hope you enjoy reading this chapter because I certainly enjoyed writing it.

♥Anna's pov♥

The strong rich aroma of food wafted the air and the loud chatters became even more deafening. A chilly wind blew outside the cafeteria as goosebumps arose in my exposed arm and virtually everyone sitting around me on our table.

The popular drama queen, Natalie Bryan walked in with her minions to the centre table where the celebrity kids sit and clung to Ralph like a second skin as she whispered sweet nonsense to him. His gave no expression. His angular jaw was pointed dangerously close to her face like it wanted to slice through.

Whether directly or indirectly, the popular kids' table is always the centre of attention. Although students chatted away and ate it didn't stop everyone from spying on their table as they planned the next rumours and gossips to spread around.

The popular kids have always and will always attract people's attention like lava and bee. Everyone gets curious about celebrities life and it isn't exempted in royal academy as well. The students spared stylish curious glances at the celebrities table trying to figure out who is hosting the next party or who is dating who. Such juicy details interest them more than their education, food and even the friends that surround their table.

I stared at Ralph with hatred burning in my eyes and heart when I remembered our yesterday's encounter.

How can someone be so bossy, arrogant, rude, egoistic, and still command so much respect from everyone like he was a role model? Perhaps a role model to all aspiring bad boys among the juniors.

Our eyes connected. While I gave him a stare down he pointed his two fingers to his eyes and shot me with it before finally slipping into his dark sunshade.

Everyone eyes followed his actions and for some seconds, I became a celebrity as the whole school stared at me with curious and calculated gazes.

The drama queen narrowed her eyes and stared at me in disgust. Probably wondering who the hell I was and what I must have done to upset her boyfriend or do I say, potential boyfriend.

"Whoa! What going on people? Mind your damn business," Jess banged our table fiercely and instantly, the kids averted their gazes and pretended to do something when we knew pretty well that their ears have been expanded to pick up any conversation that can provide a meaningful explanation to the puzzle.

"What was that about. Don't tell me you met Ralph," Ian folded his arms to his chest and cocked a brow up. An act he does when he is curious or paying all attention to someone.

"Yeah yeah, I want to know what transpired too." Eric chipped incuriously.

"You had better start spilling, Anna banana," Jess reiterated with a stern pout on her lips.

"That asshole called Ralph had the guts to insult me and even ask me to apologize for his wrong deeds."

"You have got to be kidding me? why didn't you tell us so he could get thoroughly dealt with." Mike flexed his muscles to emphasize his point.

"Show off!" Eric chided jealously as he stared at his bony arms.

Everyone chuckled at his comment. Ian nudged my arms and showed me Amelia sitting all alone in a corner with a crowded tray of food keeping her company.

"Why don't you go sit with her, make friends with her and tell her exactly how you feel. I believe something good will come out of it." I encouraged with a smile as he nodded his head eagerly.

He tapped his chin repeatedly like he was thinking it through, "I sure will."

"Good boy!" I punched his shoulders.

"Ow! What was that for?" He grimaced and rubbed his shoulders repeatedly.

"For being a good boy!" I winked at him while he frowned in response.

"Wish me luck guys." He wiggled two fingers in our faces.

"Best of luck buddy!" Eric and Mike chorused.

"Best of luck, even though I don't like her." Jess rolled her eyes and sipped her drink.

"Too bad I don't need your permission to date whoever I like." He hissed at Jess, ruffled my hair and excused himself but not before earning a glare from me.

"Whatever!" Jess mumbled incoherently.

"Jess!" I scolded.

"What?" She glared at me and played with her hair.

"Play nice, you should be happy he genuinely found love and not critizing his actions or whoever he intends to be with." My baritone came out softer.

"I have every right to spill my mind but for his sake!" She wiggled two fingers at me. "I will pretend to be happy for him."

"You girls are something else." Eric rolled his eyes.

"Are you jealous of Amelia or something?" Mike shook his head at Jess.

A loud screech from the centre table caught our attention and interrupted our conversation. The popular school nerd, Esme Cullen accidentally stained Nate's cream coloured pant with few drops of Fanta.

The nerd had her hand clamped on her mouth in shock as she struggled for what to say when Nate stood up and gave her a resounding slap that reverberated around the cafe. The wave of the slap sent the nerd crashing on the tile as her black-rimmed glasses flew away.

The cafe became dead silent as everyone watched in rapt attention what will happen next. The girl struggled to find her glasses as her vision became blurry. She kept patting the floor searching for the glasses that were only a few inches from her.

"Next time watch where you are heading to loser." Nate scolded but not before kicking the nerd's stomach and storming off with her minions repeating the same action.

The nerd screamed in agony as each deadly kick from their heels landed on her stomach.

I instantly rushed to help her out. I picked her glasses while Jess came around to lift her. Her cheeks were stained with wet hot tears as they trailer her freckled face.

"Thank you." She struggled to say amidst hiccup at the embarrassment as different flashes from camera flashes blinded our faces. Laughter echoed from every corner of the cafe and the students started throwing food, rotten bananas, and drink at Esme.

Jess and I blocked her view as we took her to the ladies room where she adjusted her dressing.

She had on tight high water pants that limited her movement as she walked awkwardly like a geek and her huge weight didn't help matters either.

She accessorized her blue pants with clip-on suspenders and a baby pink bow tie. She wore a pair of long thick white mismatched argyle socks with bowling shoes and an outdated digital watch with a calculator.

She had her hair up in lopsided pigtails and tucked a pencil behind her ear. I wore her glasses for her with a smile and she readjusted it to sit comfortably on the edge of her nose.

In my opinion, she is cute even though she is in a total nerdy outfit. Besides being a nerd isn't a crime so being bullied because you are a geek is pure wickedness and callousness.

She tripped on the leg that a celebrity kid set for her and rained few droplets of Pepsi on Nate's pants but yet got slapped and punched is just so unjust. This is one of the numerous dramas that go on in the school where the hierarchy of the majorities ruled over the minorities happen.

The Cafe superintendent was present and did nothing about it. Instead, she continued her activities like a student right didn't just get violated.

The cafe attendants that sells food behind the glass that displayed varieties of food were also present but did nothing. It was just so pitiable and tragic.

"Thank you so much guys, you are the first set of people that didn't look down or even cause me more physical pains instead you helped me," she admitted in a high pitched voice.

"You are welcome, honey. Just stay out of trouble and you know Nate second name is trouble." Jess advised and patted her back.

"And you are very cute by the way and I'm sorry about the way you are being maltreated even an animal doesn't deserve such ill-treatment." I reiterated staring at her sad figure. She looked like she could burst into tears any minutes so I gave her my handkerchief.

"But why do they bully you even though I know how fucked up the school system is." Jess analyzed thoughtfully as she tapped her index finger on her jaw.

"Because of my freaking size. I'm fat and pathetic like Nate always remind me every time. I have gotten used to it that it has become the music in my ears. I suck at everything." She confessed and laughed hysterically.

"No dear, everyone is beautiful in their sizes and colour. Look at me, I'm brown-skinned yet I don't let anyone talk me down. Nate is the pathetic and mean bully." Jess retorted as she stared at Esme pitifully.

"When people start bullying me about my weight, I cut another piece of cake," Esme added and we all chuckled together.

"You are good people. I hope I'm able to pay you back someday. Thanks, I need to go now. I have some books to catch up with." She added and hugged us each before exiting the restroom.

"We can't continue this way. The school can't continue like this." I commented and began pacing the hallways as I headed to my class.

"I wish something within our powers can be done because this is certainly beyond us," Jess commented stating the mere fact.

______

~~~"hold up! Where do you think you are going without voting? Okay, just kidding but please vote."

~~~, By the way, Amelia's picture in the beginning of this chapter.

she is really cute.~~~