"Zoey, please give me a second chance. Please, I will do it better this time." (murmur tone)
America was still examining the photos Zoey in her hands when she heard Michael murmur some words. At first, she can't understand what he is saying. She put down the frame then went closer to him. "What did you say?" She asked the talking guy.
"Zoey please give me a chance. I will do better. I love you, Zoey."
Fourteen words.
Fourteen hurtful words.
Michael is calling Zoey's name before reaching his peak and seeing a picture of her on his desk was already enough to drive her crazy but now he sleeps talking and asking for a chance drew the last thread of her patience and rationale.
She took out her phone on her bag and dialed an unfamiliar number to her.
When the call starts ringing, a hoarse voice spoke at the end of the line.
"What can I do to you princess?"
"Stop calling me princess, I need you to do something."
The man on the other line became impatient when he learned that the reason she called was because of a job to do.
"Do you think that I'm your henchman to do the dirty works for you?"
America draws a deep sigh and said.
"But daddy this will make me happy, definitely happy."
Hearing the girl's request, the man chuckled and said, "Okay continue what is it then?"
---
America and Zoey meet on their first day of kindergarten.
Zoey, the favorite kid in town, is like a living doll to the eyes of the elders. Zoey aura and smile can melt the hearts of everyone.
America on the other hand and her family moved to Zoey's village after her mom married a rich businessman. They attended the same nursery school and as the new kid in town, America didn't know or befriend anyone on her age. She was quiet, timid and a loner, back then. Until Zoey approached her and took, her hand land leads her to the playground where Alfie, Sweet, Shane and Lisa were playing.
"You should play with us. My mommy said that the more the merrier." Little Zoey said to the new kid.
America looked at her dumbfounded, anxious that a kid with her same age, took her hand and asked her to play with them.
Little America snap her hand and firmly said, "I don't know you! I don't play with a stranger!"
The rest of the kids sliding and seesawing saw how Little America hit Little Zoey's hand. Even Manang far from the playground saw them. When they were about to run towards them, Little Zoey offered her hand and said, "I'm Zoey, and they are my friends. Now, do you know my name?"
Just like a normal kid, America answered her instantly when she asked her what is her name.
"You said your name was Zoey."
Zoey broke a wide smile on her face, she then again hold her hand and lead her to her friends.
Tricked by our clever little girl, Little America scratched her head when she realized that Little Zoey fooled her.
From then on, the two became best of friends.
But the harmony between the two disappeared when America started to feel envious towards Zoey.
Her mom began comparing her to Zoey's achievements and aptitude.
"Why did Zoey can do this and you cannot? Are you that useless?" Hearing her mother's ruthless comparison of them resent her feelings to her mother and Zoey.
"Once again Zoey got the top spot and her you are the always second placer." For her mother, Zoey is the perfect daughter any parents wished for. She is a pretty, talented, bright, friendly, softhearted and kind child. She was so jealous of Fatima for upbringing a child like that, and she is rising an always second placer.
Moreover, America is also good-looking, her cold temperament, she was like an ice princess in an ice castle trapped without love. America is also a bright child, it just that she can't move Zoey from being the top student in their class.
Even at a young age, America was already oozing with sex appeal. Her aura exerts and intimidating feeling towards the opposite sex.
She wanted to let go of her resent to her best friend because she considered her as her sister and family. Her half-siblings don't treat her well because they have to share their father to her.
But her decision of letting her resentments go vanished when they entered high school level.
Before they entered high school, they have to undergo an examination to reclassify their sections and classes. There were normal and special classes in their school. Special classes are like the advanced course for high school students. Everyone in their class, the star section of 6th grade aim to enter the said class. It was like an élite class for everyone. Different course subjects, special cram class, beautiful uniform, and privileges.