In-between Fire and Ice

The screaming alarm stirred up Ivory from sleep, she rubbed her eyes tiredly and yawned, turning off the alarm, she fell back on the bed and began slipping away again.

Feets shuffled into her room and pulled up the shutter, Ivory groaned and turned over.

"Get up, you stupid girl!" A voice thundered and Ivory's eyes flickered open. She sat up in a start and found her Mom glaring at her hatefully.

"Mo....mom....."

Julianne, Ivory's mother, landed a heavy slap on Ivory's cheeks earning a wince from Ivory.

"I told you to wake up before 3 a.m., clean up the house, prepare breakfast, and take the dirty clothes to the laundry!" Julianne yelled at her and Ivory widened her eyes remembering the instructions that were given to her last night, her eyes widened the more when she found out that this was her first day of College.

"Do need another slap to reset your brain?!" Julianne snapped and Ivory quickly scampered out of the room, she rushed into the kitchen and leaned on the kitchen counter, letting the tears fall from her eyes.

"Why is my life like this, Lord?" she muttered, looking up.

Ever since her father died, her mom hated her for no just reason, the only person who gets the love is her twin sister, Irene. Her Mom refused to even send her to college but she was determined to go to college so she enrolled for a scholarship to the highest, richest college in New York City.

She got the scholarship and was pretty nervous about how the rich kids would treat a scholarship student but she was prepared for the worst, she won't take that shit thrown at her in high school. The only fear she had was her twin sister.

After preparing breakfast hurriedly, she set off to clean up the house, she ran up the stairs and barged into Irene's room and found her sleeping quietly on the bed, she pulled up the shutter, and sun rays escaped into the room, shining directly on Irene's face. Irene turned over to the other side of the bed, groaning lightly.

Ivory leaned on the window, smiling wryly as she remembered when she used to sleep at that hour.

'Perhaps if Dad hadn't died my life wouldn't have turned upside down,' She thought and sighed sadly.

She glanced at the clock resting on Irene's wall and gasped.

"I'll never make it to school on time," She muttered and shuffled her way to sleeping Irene, tapping her slowly, Irene groaned angrily and yawned.

"What is it?" Irene muttered sleepily.

"Get up Irene, a new dawn has come," Ivory whispered

Irene opened one of her eyes and scoffed upon seeing the person standing in front of her,

"What the hell are you doing in my room!"Irene yelled and Ivory swallowed at her sister's rudeness.

"I came to wake you up," Ivory said quietly.

"I don't wanna wake up yet besides I don't have a lecture until 12," Irene queered and closed her eyes, covering herself with the heavy duvet.

Ivory knew she was in trouble this morning, she couldn't leave the house without cleaning all the occupied rooms and she was running late for school. She glanced at the clock again and sighed frustrated, if she dared leave for school without cleaning up Irene's room, she would receive a life-threatening beating when she got back.

Glaring at Irene secretly, she walked out of the room and headed to her mom's room for cleaning.

Shivering slightly at the door, she knocked timidly on the door and a frightening voice ushered her in. Walking into the room, she stared at the beautiful artifacts made by her father while he was still alive, she grinned widely as she looked at a particular one made by her and her father.

"Are you here to tour my room or to clean it up?"Julianne's husky voice jolted Ivory out of her illusion.

"I'm..... I'm sorry, "Ivory stuttered and moved to clean the bed.

"Have you cleaned Irene's room?"Julianne asked and sweat broke out of her back mysteriously.

"She.... she's still asleep," Ivory said and Julianne faced Ivory with an angry face.

"I told you to clean her room first!"Julianne said

"I'll clean it after yours, "Ivory replied and a resounding slap met her right cheek, she gulped as tears welled up in her eyes making her vision blurry.

She never thought it would be a problem if she cleaned any room first, what mattered was the fact that she cleaned the rooms but Julianne being a troublesome woman always uses even unimportant things to exercise her authority over Ivory.

"Go and clean up my daughter's room!"Julianne bellowed in a mocking tone that made Ivory feel illegitimate. She glanced at the clock again and began to walk out of the room, Julianne saw her action and smirked.

"So, this is the reason why you are behaving stupidly today," she said and Ivory halted. Julianne walked up to her and held her chin. "Don't forget that I could terminate your scholarship with just a snap of my fingers," Julianne muttered, grinning evilly, Ivory widened her eyes and fell to the ground, clasping her hands together.

"Mom please, don't do it, this is the only means of furthering my education," Ivory pleaded as tears ran down her cheeks, Julianne scoffed and sat on her divan.

"Get up and stop trying to make me look like a bad mother," Julianne said and Ivory scampered up to her feet.

"You know I have the connection, right?"Julianne said and Ivory nodded severally. "Be a good girl and do whatever I tell you to do if you wanna go to college," Julianne said and Ivory nodded.

"Get out and go finish up your work," Julianne said and Ivory dashed out of the room.

>>>>>>>>

Evelyn walked down the stairs slowly, she met her siblings having breakfast noisily, she cleared her throat and they kept quiet.

"Good morning sis," Derek said jovially and Evelyn nodded.

"Good morning sis," Deborah muttered and Evelyn scoffed.

"When you are ready to become respectful then I will respond to your greetings," Evelyn said and Deborah rolled her eyes.

Evelyn sat down and the maids served her.

"Seems like someone has repented," Deborah said sarcastically, Evelyn ignored her and picked up her fork.

"It's such a shame that the repentance was too late, all the money will go down the drain now," Deborah mocked.

"Debbie!"Derek cautioned and Deborah rolled her eyes.

Evelyn dropped her fork angrily and faced her.

"If the past hurts you so much, you can go hang yourself," Evelyn said and got up.

"I'm out of here, you can have your breakfast in peace," Evelyn said and stormed out of the house.

"This is what you want, right?"Derek asked glaring at her.

"Of course," Deborah said, smiling in satisfaction

>>>>>>>>>>>

Ivory dropped the clothes at the laundry home and dashed out of the place, she bumped into Deborah who was walking to her car from the opposite direction.

"Hi Debbie, "Ivory said, panting.

Deborah smiled as she saw her, Deborah glanced at her dress and smiled. She looked sexy in the dress despite it being old.

"Heading to where?"Deborah asked.

"SLC college," Ivory said impatiently.

"Get into the car, I'm also heading to college," Deborah said and Ivory grinned.

"Thanks," Ivory muttered as she sat beside Deborah in the car.

"I'm so happy you got the scholarship," Deborah said.

"It was all your doing," Ivory said and Deborah chuckled.

Deborah Connor was the one who helped Ivory get the scholarship form through her sister's influence. From the first time she met Ivory, she loved her at first sight which was strange for Deborah's personality.

"I don't have lectures today but I'll come pick you up later," Deborah said and Ivory hugged her unexpectedly. Deborah doesn't like people hugging her but she never moved or pushed her away.

"Thank you so much, Debbie, "Ivory muttered and broke the hug.

"There are a lot of bitches in there but don't give in to them, show them that you're a badass," Deborah whispered and winked, Ivory giggled and came out of the car.

"Call me when you're done," Deborah yelled and zoomed off.

Ivory breathed in and the memories of how she was bullied in high school swung into her head but she pushed it back and stepped into the vast surroundings with confidence.

Students stared at her as she walked with her head held high.

"It seems like she's one of the scholarship students."

Some students muttered.

"She's beautiful."

"She's so poor."

"I think I hate her already."

"Scholarship students suck."

Comments flew from all angles but Ivory never cared, she's used to the insults anyway.

Their attention was diverted to another direction as a roll of Royce drove into the garage.

"Whoa!!"

"It's Daniel!"

"I love you, baby!"

"One night stand please!"

Ivory stopped walking and turned around to find out what the screaming was all about.

Daniel Williams stepped out of the car and walked gracefully, enjoying the attention he was getting.

He spanked a girl's ass and the girl grinned widely, making other girls jealous.

His friends, Desmond and Dennis joined him as they walked into the hallway earning screams from girls, they were so handsome that even the senior students crushed on them.

Ivory scoffed and continued her journey, she pulled out the school map and gazed at it, not understanding a single thing on the map.

Daniel approached her and spanked her ass, Ivory turned immediately and slapped Daniel hard on the cheek.

Daniel staggered back as gasps erupted from all angles.....

Daniel stared shockingly at Ivory, no one had ever slapped him before, not even the female senior students had ever dared to raise their hands on him.

"How dare she raise her hands on him!"

"A scholarship student for that matter."

"I'm gonna kill that bitch!"

"Does she know the implication of what she just did?"

"Who gave her the audacity to slap my baby."

Comments flew from all corners as students gathered around them.

"You're a scholarship student?"Daniel said, scoffing.

"That doesn't make me a toy for scums," Ivory replied

"What the fuck!" Dennis said, laughing, Daniel shot him a glare and he quieted.

"How dare you, bitch!" Anita yelled, making her way toward Ivory.

Everyone gave way for the youngest Bella Donna of SLC, Anita Baker.

Anita got to Ivory and pushed her roughly, she made to slap her but Daniel stopped her.

"I'll handle her myself," Daniel said

"Seems like you are one of the bitchy bullies in school," Ivory said

"AHHHHHHH!" Anita yelled and ran towards her. Daniel blocked her and kissed her deeply, she relaxed in Daniel's arm and Ivory scoffed.

"Stupidity," Ivory said and Daniel broke the kiss and faced Ivory.

"I'll make this college uncomfortable for you," Daniel threatened, mischief dancing in his eyes. Daniel brushed past Ivory and she staggered back.

Anita glared hatefully at her and walked away, her short skirt swaying behind her.

"I like your aura," Desmond said to Ivory and walked off with Dennis.

Ivory smiled and faced the angry eyes glaring at her. "You all can go back to your departments, the show is over," Ivory said, smiling.

"Bitch!" A girl sneered and Ivory turned.

"Say that again and I'll pull your hair from your scalp," Ivory said and the girl widened her eyes, scampering off.

Ivory sighed and studied her map again.

"Need help with that?" A feminine voice said behind Ivory, she turned and found a blonde-haired girl smiling at her.

"Hi," Ivory waved nervously.

"I'm surprised, no one has ever done that before," She said and Ivory nodded slightly, the blonde shifted her gaze from Ivory's babyish face to the map she was holding.

"It took me a stressed couple of hours to understand the map," the girl said and Ivory smiled.

"I'm still trying to understand it myself," Ivory responded.

"You'll need a guide but first you need to see the professor," she said.

"That's where I'm struggling to find."

"Come, I'll take you there," the girl said and led the way.

Ivory gave her constant side glances as they walked in silence.

"Wanna say something?" The girl asked and Ivory blushed in embarrassment.

"Are you a scholarship student?" Ivory asked and the girl shook her head negatively.

"Why do you think so?" She asked

"Because I wasn't expecting a rich kid to help me out," Ivory said and she laughed, her laughter was calm but lively.

"I'm Sasha McDonalds," The girl said extending her hand, Ivory looked at her smooth pale hand and nervously clasped her hand in it.

They got to the professor's office and Sasha stepped away.

"Answer her questions with confidence, don't look into her eyes too much, it's intimidating," Sasha whispered and Ivory nodded and walked into the office.

Professor Sally Hansen sat on the chair, swirling it around as Ivory walked into the office, she looked up and beheld the beauty marching towards her, there was no nervousness and fright on her face as freshers always have around them.

Ivory got to her and smiled broadly.

"That smile reminds me of someone," Professor Sally thought inwardly but waved away the doubtful thought.

"Ivory Jones," Professor Sally said, looking at the paper enlisted with the scholarship student's name.

"Do you think you are worth our standard?"Professor Sally asked and Ivory smiled ruefully.

"Of course ma'am, I'm a priceless jewel," Ivory said and Professor Sally raised her brows in surprise, she wasn't expecting that response.

"I hope you're able to prove it," Professor Sally said and glanced at her wristwatch.

"Do you have a company that you look forward to running after college?" Professor Sally asked

"No but a company can be established, these companies were established by someone somewhere," Ivory said and Sally marveled.

"You think so?" Sally asked

"No, I don't think so, I know so," Ivory said and Sally smiled lightly, she never smiled at her students but right now she just couldn't help it

"Seems like we've got another competitor," Sally said and Ivory raised her brows confused.

"Daniel Williams and Romeo Styles are the male stars in business major while Sasha McDonalds and Joyce Martins are the female stars in business major," Sally said and Ivory grinned.

"I'm ready to join the competition then," Ivory said and Sally nodded.

I'm looking forward to the victory," Sally said and handed her locker passcode and other materials to her.

"Your guide has been assigned to you, he already knows about you," Sally said and Ivory nodded before walking out of the office.

She was surprised to find Sasha still waiting outside for her.

"You're still here?" Ivory asked.

"You don't know the way to your department, do you?" Sasha asked and Ivory shook her head negatively.

"c'mon," Sasha said, walking off.

Ivory smiled as she stared at her slender back view, Sasha turned around and caught her smiling at her.

"Are you gonna stand there smiling or you are gonna come with me?" Sasha teased, Ivory blushed pink and Sasha chuckled.

They got to the lecture hall and the person her eyes landed on was Daniel, he was fingering a girl who straddled him, she rolled her eyes in disgust and faced Sasha, Sasha was also staring at Daniel but there was pain in those emerald eyes.

"I never thought that jerk would be smart," Ivory said, not noticing the feeling in her eyes. Sasha turned slowly and faked a smile, she needed something to distract her from staring at him, waving a hand to an empty spot in the hall, she faced Ivory.

"This is where I and my friends sit but you can join us now," Sasha said and Ivory nodded, heading to the set of empty seats, she turned and found Daniel's eyes on her, he had stopped fingering the girl on his lap as he stared at Ivory with a smirk on his face.

Ivory rolled her eyes and looked away, Joyce Martins walked into the hall with her minions, a smile plastered on her face as she breezed proudly to her usual spot, one of her friends whispered something into her ear and she turned to Ivory's direction giving her an intimidating look. Ivory scoffed and gazed into her old phone, she had met Jerky Daniel, proud Joyce, and Nice Sasha, and she wondered what Romeo would be like.

Just immediately, the class went into an uproar as Romeo walked into the hall, Ivory looked up and spotted Romeo, his hands in his pocket and a cold look on his face, his wavy hair bounced at every slow stride he took, and girls screamed his name nonstop, Romeo Styles, the second hottest dude in SLC.

He swung his head in her direction and their eyes met.

'This is my type,' Ivory thought inwardly.

Romeo swung his head in Ivory's direction and their eyes met, Ivory stared into the ocean-blue eyes staring into hers, Romeo turned away and headed to his obscure spot in the hall. Ivory sighed and faced Sasha but caught her staring at Daniel, she tapped her slowly and Sasha turned, blushing in embarrassment.

"What was that?" Ivory asked, grinning

"Nothing," Sasha replied and shrugged it off.

"Do you know who my guide is?" Ivory asked, getting anxious.

"Don't worry, she'll get to you when she finds you," Sasha said, squeezing Ivory's hand reassuringly.

A girl walked into the hall noisily and sat down beside Ivory.

"Sasha!" She screamed, ruffling Sasha's hair.

"Can you stop it already?"Sasha said, angrily slapping off her hand.

"Who's the baby girl?" She asked, pointing at Ivory.

"She's Ivory Jones, a new student," Sasha said.

"Ivory, this is Jenny Grant," Sasha said, motioning at Jenny.

"Hi Jennifer," Ivory said and Jenny twitched her lips.

"Not Jennifer, it's Jenny," Jenny said and Ivory nodded.

"Wait a minute, is she the girl that slapped Daniel?!" Jenny said, loud enough for everyone to hear her.

Sasha nodded and Jenny screamed hugging Ivory.

"You're the real deal, baby," Jenny said.

Daniel tightened his fist angrily till his knuckles turned white.

"Hey bro, calm down," Dennis said and Desmond chuckled.

"I'm gonna kill that bitch, I swear," Daniel muttered hatefully.

"You mean she's gonna kill you?" Desmond mocked and Daniel shot him a deadly glare.

"What are you gonna do?" Dennis asked.

Daniel smirked evilly and glanced at Ivory.

"I'll......."

The professor walked in and he kept quiet.

"I'll tell you after the lecture," Daniel said and faced the podium...........

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Williams walked into his company as guards clustered around him, the staff stood still and threw greetings at him, everyone was scared because they knew the boss was angry, and offending him now meant losing a career.

Williams walked into the elevator, ignoring all the greetings thrown at him from all angles, the elevator stopped at his office floor and he walked out, a cold look on his face as he headed to his office. His secretary, Leo walked into his office and bowed sarcastically.

"What?" Williams asked.

"You have a meeting by 3," Leo said and Williams sighed tiredly.

"Did he find anything?" Williams asked and Leo shook his head negatively.

"He thinks she's dead," Leo said.

"Think?" Williams said, scoffing loudly. "I want that detective fired," Williams said and Leo gave him a blank look.

"This is the third detective we're gonna fire," Leo said quietly.

"He can't do the job! Hire someone who can," Williams said and Leo sighed.

"But what if he's right, what if she's dead," Leo said and Williams sprang up.

"Seems like you no longer want your job," Williams said and Leo's eyes widened

"That's not what I meant!" Leo said and Williams plopped down into the chair.

"You have to face the truth, she's gone, you have to stop your fruitless search and focus on your son's happiness," Leo said gently.

"He won't be happy if you continue with that behavior," Leo said and Williams sighed.

"I've tried, I've tried," Williams said, covering his face with his palms.

"Try harder, support his decision so he won't feel his mother's absence," Leo said and Williams blinked back tears.

"Get another detective and try this last time, I have a feeling that she's somewhere out there," Williams said and Leo nodded nervously.

Leo fidgeted quietly, unsure of how to break the news at hand, Williams noticed his secretary's nervous behavior and raised his brows.

"Bring it on Leo," Williams said, leaning back on his chair.

"Your mother called," Leo said and Williams's eyes darkened at the mention of his mother's name.

"Tell her I'm not in," Williams said coldly.

"Sir, she's no longer buying that excuse," Leo said.

"Then tell her that I don't wanna see her!" Williams thundered and Leo shrank.

"Yes sir," Leo said and took his tablet.

"I'll be in my office, sir," Leo said and dashed out of Williams's office.

Williams stood and paced around the office, he slumped into his chair and held his head.

"Becca," Williams muttered quietly.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The lecture ended and everyone started leaving the hall, Ivory glanced at her wristwatch and sighed in relief, she would make it to her part-time jobs on time, she has two part-time jobs, one as a waiter in a restaurant, and the other as an attendant at a grocery store, this is where she gets the money for clothes and textbooks. Something cold grabbed her hand and she shrieked, turning around in fear.

"Are you Ivory Jones?" The cold voice asked.

"Yes I am and that isn't a way to approach a lady," Ivory said and Romeo rolled his eyes.

"I'm your guide, I'll take you round the college vicinity tomorrow," Romeo said.

"You'll also learn the rules and regulations," Romeo said and began to walk away.

"You didn't even tell me your name!" Ivory yelled after him and he stopped walking but didn't turn around.

"Romeo Styles," he said and walked away.

"His behavior isn't the only cold thing, his body is also included," Ivory muttered and looked at her shaking hand.

Daniel stood in a corner watching Ivory as she hurried out of the school.

"What do you plan on doing?" Dennis asked.

"She's pretending to be a saint," Daniel said, smirking.

"Of course she is, only saints reject people like you," Desmond chipped in, his eyes glued to his phone.

"I'm gonna fuck that saint," Daniel said, Dennis and Desmond exchanged glances.

"Don't forget she slapped you some hours ago," Desmond said, scoffing

"Yeah, she's too hard to tackle," Dennis said

"Daniel is a good boy, don't forget that," Daniel said and his friends raised Their brows in confusion.

"No matter what you do, she'll never fall into your trap," Desmond said.

"Let's make a deal," Dennis said and they agreed.

"If you succeed in fucking her tight hole, I'll give you three of my new cars and half of my monthly allowance for a year," Dennis said.

"I'm not doing that!" Desmond said and Dennis waved him aside.

"You and I, Desmond can be a spectator," Dennis said, extending his pinky finger.

"What if he doesn't?" Desmond asked.

"I'll do the same," Daniel replied, clicking their fingers together.

"You have a month," Dennis said

"C'mon, a month is too much," Desmond admonished

"Let's pity him," Dennis replied and Daniel smirked, ready to start the game of heart.......