Rhea ran into the school premises with Celia; they had just narrowly escaped being late on their first day at Waggoner High School.
"Phew!" Celia breathed a sigh of relief. "We almost got punished on our first day at school. Rhea, what do you think our punishment would be if we were late?"
Celia waited for Rhea's response but none came. She turned to stare at Rhea who was staring at the buildings in front of her. The school was painted white, with a red roofing supply. There were flowers planted along the side, giving it a flora and fauna look.
"Rhea?" Celia called, tapping her slightly.
Rhea blinked rapidly. "Did you call me?"
"I did but you gave no response. Are you okay? You seem lost in thought."
Rhea smiled. "I am fine."
But she knew she wasn't. She was feeling so nervous as usual, the feeling she always had on her first day at a new school.
Celia knew she could be nervous. "Are you nervous?" She asked. "You don't have to be." She held Rhea's hand, squeezing it slightly. "Remember, I always got your back, right?"
"I know you do but I can't help but feel nervous." Rhea was truthful this time.
Celia smiled. She knew it was normal for her to feel that way, considering how she had changed to four different schools within the pace of six months; Waggoner included.
Work kept taking their father to different places. Since their mother was no more, there was no one to take care of them. They had to move with him.
"Celia, can you go with me to my class, please?" Rhea pleaded.
She wasn't ready to search for her class alone and had hoped Celia would say yes to her plea.
"Rhea..."The ringing of the bell brought an end to their conversations. Celia held her sister's hands. "I wish I could go with you but right now, I can't. I know you can do it."
Rhea shook her head in a negative response.
"I don't think I can. I..."
Releasing her hand from Rhea's, Celia answered, "Of course, you can do it. Let's meet here at closing, okay? Or maybe at the cafeteria during lunchtime."
Rhea nodded even when she knew she didn't want her sister to leave. Watching her sister leave, she sighed. With the school map, she found her way through the passage in search of her class. Her bag was clutched firmly to her back as she held tightly to it, afraid it might fall off. She saw a class a few meters away.
That should be the class. She thought as she walked closer to it.
Finding out the class wasn't her class, she groaned frustratingly. Her head down and her face glued to the map, she made her way through the passage, only to bump into someone and she landed on the floor tremendously with her butt!!.
She groaned in pain, clutching her bag to her back. The map and the few books she held, were scattered across the highway. Her eyes were closed, trying to absorb the pain she felt.
Whosoever had bumped into her must be very strong. She thought.
"Hey!" Someone yelled and Rhea opened her eyes.
In front of her stood one of the most beautiful beings she had ever had the time to admire.
His nose was pointed, and his blue eyes shone brightly despite staring dangerously at her as he clutched his fist.
He pointed at her in anger. "You should watch where you're going!!".
Rhea decided to check him out. Her eyes moved from his face to his wear; he was dressed in a blue designer shirt and black pants paired with black thick-soled leather boots. His hair was styled in a man bun, so classically; he looked like a typical rich boy. Her eyes wandered to his succulent lips; she bit her lower lip.
"Hey! My eyes are up here!" He yelled.
Rhea blinked rapidly as she steadied her gaze on his pink succulent lips, wondering why a cute guy like him could be that rude.
He groaned, "Hey, I'm talking to you!!. My eyes are up here!!" he gestured with his hands.
She rolled her eyes drastically.
Is he for real? Why is he yelling at her?
"I'm not blind okay?" She said and he scoffed.
"You are not blind?! Are you sure you are not?!"
She frowned. Does he always yell?
"Do you always yell? You don't have to yell before you pass your message correctly and I get that."
He sneered, "I should be calm after you bumped into me and touched me with those filthy hands of yours? Huh?"
She stared at him in shock. "You... you... you bumped into me, first," she stuttered vigorously.
He scoffed, "Did you just say I bumped into you first? Are you trying to accuse me here?".
Rhea stood up from the ground slowly and adjusted her eyeglasses. She wasn't going to batter words with him; she needed to find her class as soon as possible. She bent down to pick up her books from the ground, hoping he would help her out.
"You won't help me?" She asked, but he ignored her, chewing his gums so loudly that it made her hiss. "You're such a rude boy!!"
He clutched his fist in anger. "What did you say?"
She ignored him and tried to walk past him but he held her back.
"Get lost!!" She yelled at him. "Get your filthy hands off me!"
She pulled her hand backward, releasing his grip on her. She wasn't going to let him intimidate her. She was so done with people trying to make her fear them. Students were already gathered around them; he tried to keep his cool.
"My eyes are on you!!" He whispered to her ears and left her standing.
She sighed and made her way to class. The class was crowded with students. Some were seated while others were standing and doing nothing in particular. They began to whisper as they saw her.
"Who is she?" someone asked. "Why is she here?"
Different people asked different questions, with some glaring at her and some ignoring her like she didn't exist. Although she was used to this kind of ill-treatment, she couldn't help but feel vulnerable. She dragged her feet, sluggishly, confused about where to sit. She decided to ask a girl who seemed a bit calm
"Can I sit..."
"Get lost!" the girl yelled.
Rhea was surprised at the girl's reaction. She shifted backward immediately and decided to ask someone else. By the time she was done asking over five students, their looks were either discouraging or their answers were rude.
She decided to stand and wait for the teacher to come in and introduce her. She was standing by the window, enjoying the view when a girl walked in and pulled her by her shirt.
"You're the new girl, right?" She asked and Rhea blinked.
"Who are you?"