Rhea's first lecture for the day starts by 7:40am. Luckily for her, her house is not too far from the school and it's only 20 minutes ride. Due to the drama at home, she had only 15 minutes to drive to school.
She stepped on the gas and drove crazily to school. Everyone in the college knows that Mr Price was a no nonsense strict lecturer who would not accept lateness or any act of unseriousness.
His face would always deep into a scowl whenever he gets to class before any of his students. Rhea never want to fall victim.
Thankfully, she arrived at school in ten, she grabbed her bag and practically skipped out of the car closing the door with a loud bang. Seeing that she still had extra five minutes, a happy smile spread across her face.
"Bam!"
Rhea's face turned into a frown as a lingerie wearing female bumped into her causing her to forcefully take a step back almost tripping.
"Hey!" Rhea called obviously irritated. The female turned back eyeing Rhea with her lips curled in a sneer.
"What's with you and rudeness bitch!" the female said in a high pitched voice. She stood before Rhea in arm akimbo.
'Bitch?' Rhea was taken aback as she have never been insulted as such so she was extremely angered.
"Funny you are the one looking all vixen, dressed in a lingerie like a whore and most likely acting like a bitch!" Rhea retorted sharply. She was obviously angry and this was the most she insulted anyone.
"What!" She yelled obviously anger to death as her face turned red.
"Hey watch it!" Bitch number two sneered. She could not watch her friend being ridiculed.
Rhea rolled her eyes internally. 'So much for being late' she thought to herself.
"Look who speaks, a wannabe bitch or better still a minion" Rhea insulted.
Bitch number two glared dagger at Rhea before turning to her friend who was at the verge of crying. 'Ridiculous!' Rhea thought.
"C'mon Amelia, she is just a pathetic pauper, I really can't stand her let's go" Bitch number two said.
'Pathetic? Pauper?' Rhea rolled her eyes. 'Only if you know' she snorted.
"Pity you've got no better insult ... it hurts a little though" Rhea held her hand to her chest.
"Happy now vixen and minion!" Rhea called after the departing two. They tensed and it wouldn't take a genius to guess they were planning Rhea's funeral in there head.
"Fuck!"
Rhea glanced at the watch she wore. 7:45am she was doomed.
"Today, we are going to have a discussion on the introduction to psychology and its relation to advocacy in our legal...."
Mr Price, strict and cautious, his voice ran across the hallway. He is well known in the law department as he lectured in one of its major course. He had a great love for first lecture hour every Monday morning and promptness is his key word.
For the first time in her years in college, Rhea got to class late. She hoped in her heart that Mr Price would over look it since it was her first time but who knew Mr Price would never compromise his standard, not even for the department top scorer.
Rhea pushed the door open as quiet as possible and immediately, all eyes were on her.
'This is so embarrassing... just kill me now, I'm so ashamed' she groaned internally.
"Hello... huh, Mr Price" Rhea greeted flashing a oh so fake bright smile.
The whole class suddenly lost their voice as everyone watched waiting for the verdict to be delivered. Mr Price gave Rhea a look over from head to toe. His frown was surprisingly deeper than usual.
'This is not good... not good' she thought.
"Miss Rutherford, as much as this is college and you yourself are a matured lady, you should be well aware of how lame and uncultured lateness is, I would like to know on what account you came badging into my class after seven minutes..."
"Five minutes rather.." she blurted out and quickly covered her mouth but it was too late. Mr Price heard and gave her a hard look shaking his head in disapproval.
"Sorry..." Rhea said and Mr Price raised a brow obviously expecting an explanation not apology.
"Huh... I was err... I was kinda stuck.. ehm ... I mean... it was a sudden occurrence...errr"
'Argh ... really Rhea, this is all you've got!' she thought.
"Rhea..!" Mr Price called not satisfied with her cooked up story.
'Great now, you are in for it' she sighed mentally.
"Yes sir ...Mr Price" she answered.
"Take your seat. I see you have done a poor job in cultivating your defence ability. What sort of attorney would you make if you cannot even defend yourself not to talk of troubled clients. Your main priority as a legal practitioner is your defense... that is what you will be needed for, paid for, nothing more or less....."
Rhea zoned out. She was totally absent minded as she continuously scribbled jargon in her note unknowingly. Today was not just a good day for her.
It was a day she was robbed of a complete family. She thought of her Mother and knew she might be gloomy once again. Standing again had been hard on her mother. No matter how hard she tried, whenever the day come again, the forgotten pain is renewed and it hurts more.
The first few months was not good at all. Her mother was physically and psychologically stressed. She stayed awake all night sitting on the couch by the door waiting for her husband to return home which never happened.
By the time she accepted reality, she realized her husband took away every penny leaving behind only a hundred dollars for alimony. Rhea aiming at being a lawyer is to find her father and bring him to face the law for the unjust treatment to his wife and kids. Although it was seven years ago, but the struggles during the period cannot be forgiven. Her mother, brother and herself were forced to crawl down from their social circle and lived as commoners.
Thankfully, the class ended albeit Rhea learnt nothing and wrote gribberish, she stood up and followed the rest of students out of the class. Unknown to her, someone was watching her from afar.
"Stop right there bitch!"
A voice yelled so loud that everyone turned to see who was so shamelessly lousy. Rhea recognized the voice and groaned refusing to turn back like the rest. Only one person could successfully call her like that and it was her best friend.
Claire jogged happily to her best friend's side and threw her hand around Rhea's next. Getting no reaction from Rhea she frowned.
"What's with your mood today?" Claire asked.
"Me, .. nothing" Rhea answered.
"Well, it won't take a genius to know you are lying" Claire glared at her friend while Rhea rolled her eyes.
"So what?" Claire pestered.
Silence.
"Your time of the month?" she continued although she was being ignored.
"Absolutely not" Rhea responded.
"Tell me ...." Claire whined annoying Rhea even more.
"It's just that time of the year" Rhea said in a small voice with a sigh.
"15th of August!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah..."
"Fucking 15th.... I get it babe" Claire said.
"so what?" she asked.
"What?" Rhea looked at her raising a questioning brow.
"Let's do something to wipe this shitty face of yours and give you a smile" Claire said. Her lips tilting up turning into a mischievous smirk.
'Whatever my cunning friend is planning, it's a no' Rhea told herself.
"What is it you are planning?" Rhea asked but got no response from her still smiling friend.
'Definately, she's got something on her sleeves' Rhea thought.
"Tell me Claire, whatever you plan, I should know" I pestered.
"Eventually you will, worry not my dear friend"
'Horrible .. horrible friend choice' Rhea cried inwardly.
"Are you going to hurt me, kill me and dump my body in the sea.... wait, are you planning to sell me off for money!" Rhea gasped.
"Ha ha ha.. drama queen" Claire scoffed.
"You know selling you will make me loss big time...." Claire started.
"Aww...." Rhea blushed red roses.
"because your lack of skin won't generate the right amount I need" Claire concluded.
"What!" Rhea became red with anger, she puffed her chest and pouted as if to show how hurt she felt.
"Okay ..okay stop the act Rhea dearest, get your shit together, we are going party!" Claire said.
"A party!"
"Yup" Claire confirmed popping the 'p'.
Rhea shook her head, she knew her friend would definitely come up with something outrageous. For a college nerd like her, party is a no on working days.
"No, party is no for me" Rhea said.
"Did you say something?" Claire said feigning ignorance.
"Claire!"
"C'mon, it's just a party, I promise I'll be of my best behavior" Claire said crossing her heart and pouting knowing fully well Rhea would fall for her cuteness.
"Okay then... but no drinking!" Rhea said as a matter of fact. Yes! Claire rejoiced.
Did Rhea mention anything about not drinking? Presently at the party, Claire is having a hard time persuading the already drunk Rhea to let go of another bottle of vodka.
With the help of people around, the bottle was successfully taken away from her and Claire dragged her wasted friend to the car.
"Don't blame me for a terrible hangover you will get tomorrow" Claire said to the snoring Rhea as she drove off to her apartment.