Chapter 9 Welcome, your highness

Evangeline

It's been four days. Four freaking days since Chase has been ignoring me. Even though he's my seatmate, we rarely make eye contact, and even if we do, he breaks it almost immediately.

And each time his actions sent a pang of hurt through me.

Today is Friday and I woke up with a pounding head. My whole form ached from head to toe. I figured the stress of the week finally took a toll on me.

Even though I was weak, I forced myself up and off the bed knowing fully well that I didn't have the luxury of staying in bed all day.

I knew that even if I was about to die, they were too heartless to even care. All they cared about was the chores getting done and breakfast served on a silver platter.

With much difficulty, I cleaned the whole house before preparing breakfast. I ate my portion, went upstairs to freshen up, and then got dressed.

I braced myself for the exceptionally long walk due to my condition once I walked out the front door.

I got to school twenty minutes late and cussed whatever power working against me.

As soon as I opened the door, all eyes fell on me and I just wished that the floor would open and swallow me whole. They weren't exactly kind glares.

I lowered my gaze and took my seat.

Inwardly, I thanked God it was Mr. Smith who was teaching. He didn't give two shits about his students. He just teaches then bounces.

I winced a little when I sat down as I felt pain shoot up from my ass to the other parts of my body.

I quickly took my book out brushing it off as I'd done since morning.

As I made my way to the cafeteria, I was suddenly blocked by Anna and her minions.

"I got two goddamn wrongs in the math assignment I told you to do perfectly. What don't you understand from perfect bitch" she seethed glaring at me as if I'd just robbed her of her most precious jewel.

Then and there, I knew I was screwed big time.

"I'm sorry I- ...." She cut me off by putting both hands up, a mischievous glint in her eyes I knew all too well.

"I don't wanna hear it you useless piece of shit" she lashed out venomously.

With that, she turned and catwalked out of the place with her minions in tow.

When she was out of sight I let out the breath I didn't even know I was holding in the first place.

That was close.

I was perplexed though but decided to shrug it off. Maybe, just maybe she's simply in a good mood today.

I ordered a cheeseburger with orange juice and sat down at my usual spot.

Before I could even dig in, Anna had already emptied my orange juice on me. A collected gasp echoed throughout the place and soon enough everyone roared with laughter.

Everywhere I looked all I saw were mocking glares. No sense of pity or sympathy.

"Serves her right! The stupid bitch."

"Our queen rocks"

"You go girl"

Unable to take it any longer, I scurried out of there suddenly feeling suffocated.

With angry tears blurring my vision, I crashed into a wall and stumbled slightly. That was until someone reached out and studied me.

"Ow, what the hell is a wall doing here" I questioned myself angrily.

Is this day not bad enough?

I looked up to see those grey eyes that have haunted me since I laid eyes on them, those eyes that have the ability to keep me rooted at a particular spot.

Realization dawned on me, it was Chase I bumped into. Well, that makes more sense.

He was looking at me with his usual expressionless face and again I felt my chest tighten uncomfortably.

With the way his eyes flickered from me to Anna I knew he could join the pieces together and find out what took place before he came.

For a minute I saw a sliver of anger flash in his eyes but it was gone before I could even register it making me believe I just imagined it.

He passed right by me and the ache in my chest intensified.

What was I thinking? That he'd defend me? That he'd stand up for me? That he'd somehow stop everyone from laughing at me? That he'd wipe my tears and tell me it's gonna be alright?

I'm so fucking stupid!!

I still managed to get to the washroom though with a hurting heart and not just because of Anna...

There I pressed myself against the door gliding down slowly.

I cleaned my tears but they just kept coming. I pressed my head into my hands miserably and sobbed.

Why did all this have to happen to me? All my life I made sure to do everything good; to be a good person, I've not wronged anybody. Yet all these bad things keep happening to me, yet they always read my good intentions as bad and so repay me with bad.

Is there even a point in being good when all they see is bad in you? Is there?

I waited in there till the bell went off for closing. Even with that, I stayed for twenty more minutes only coming out when I was certain that everyone has gone home.

I made my way home lifelessly not in the least bit bothered as the rain continued to pour down.

As bad as today has been I can't say it's been the worst day of my life since I've had far worse.

When I got home, I was a quivering mess.

"Welcome, your highness," someone said mockingly with a deep scowl. It was none other than my stepmom, Hilda.

"I see you took your sweet time getting here"

"I'm so sorry madam, it won't happen again," I said slowly feeling drained.

"It better not or else you can't blame me for what I'd do," she said maliciously.

Nodding my head, I drugged my limp body upstairs and took a warm shower then changed into some fresh clothes.

Then I dried the carpet which was wet from all the water that was previously on me.

I quickly made dinner and retired to bed immediately not having the slightest appetite for food or anything else.

I sent a quick prayer to anyone listening that I'd get out of this hell hole soon.

I was thankful that tomorrow is Saturday hence no school.

Thinking back to the whole week, I couldn't help but let out a small sob.

It's been horrible if you'd ask me. With this final thought in mind, I drifted off to sleep.