The next day, Ariana woke up with a renewed strength. She vowed that nothing was going to spoil her day. Not Brandon, not Richie or his friends. As Ariana prepared for school that day, she made a promise to stand her ground no matter what happens.
Her phone gave a sharp beep, indicating she had a call. The caller ID showed that it was her mother calling.
"Hey mum", she beamed.
She had missed her mum a lot and couldn't wait for the day she gets back home from her trip. Ever since she left, she had been all alone in the house, lasting about without any one to talk to.
"Hey darling, how have you been?",her mum said from the other end.
"I'm just here mum. I miss you, when are you coming home", Ariana said.
"I'll be home sooner than you expect don't you worry. I'm sorry, this is taking so long to finish but don't worry, I'll be home soon", she said.
"Okay mum, I'll hold you by your words", she laughed.
"How is school? Any problems, do you need anything?".
Ariana couldn't think of anything she needed except to get rid of all her bullies. She was very close to spilling everything to her mum but she held her tongue. It wasn't time, soon it would be.
"No... I'm fine mum, I don't need anything", Ariana said.
There was a slight pause. Ariana could tell that her mom had a feeling that all was not well with her.
"Ari, what's the matter? Talk to me" her mum said, quietly.
"Seriously mum, nothing is wrong. I'm fine, I promise", she said.
"Okay, I'll hold you by your words", her mum laughed.
"Sure. I love you Mom", Ariana said.
"I love you too girl, be good okay".
"I will. See ya" she said before cutting the phone.
She couldn't have her mum worrying about her. Now was not the time to report the bullying, soon it would be and when she does, she'd make sure that Brandon and every other bully goes down.
******************
"I really do not understand why Mr Edmund would give us that homework when exams are almost here", Emily whined.
"Or should we go protest", Ariana said, jokingly.
"And have us expelled. No thank you, I want to finish high school in peace", Leslie said, sipping her soda.
"I don't know girls but I have a feeling that the exams might he postponed", Emily said.
"Well, I don't know about that. I just want to finish without any problems, I'm tired of school", Ariana said.
"And i can't wait for prom night. I really want to see what we're all going to wear, I mean we should look our best. It's the last day of school after all", Emily said.
"I'm not so certain if I'll be attending", Leslie said.
"Don't you dare, even I would be attending" Ariana said.
"When it's time, I'm going to drag you away from your house and there's no stopping me", Emily said.
"Oh now I'm screwed", Leslie laughed.
"Make that two", Ariana laughed.
"How are your parents", Emily said, completely out of the blues.
Ariana remained quiet for a while. Her friends knew that her parents were most of the time absent but they didn't know that most times, they went on very long trips sometimes a month or two.
"They're fine. They were around last week but they had to go back due to one thing or the other, I'm expecting them this week though", Ariana said, quietly.
Leslie gave her hands a gentle squeeze and Ariana could tell that she knew what she was going through.
"It's alright Ari. Remember we're here all you need to do is call us and we'll come running down. We can even sleep over whenever we want, we just don't want you to feel lonely", Leslie said.
"I'll be fine guys, seriously. You've done so much for me and sometimes I wonder how I deserve you guys. Thank you", Ariana smiled.
"Cut it out, it's fine. You're stuck with us", Emily said.
After their lunch break, the girls headed back to class for their second lecture for the day. As they settled in, more students joined them but there seemed to be one person that was missing- Brandon.
"It seems as if Brandon is missing. I mean, I don't care but that's kind of strange", Emily said.
"Yeah, I noticed too. Maybe he caught the flu or something", Ariana said.
"That would be great. At least, one day free of trouble", Leslie said.
"You've forgotten Richie is still very much around and might I say is heading over here this very minute", Emily said.
Leslie and Ariana whipped their heads towards the door and true to Emily's words, Richie and his friends were heading their way.
"Hello Richie", Emily smiled sweetly.
Ariana was not fooled by that smile. She knew that deep within her friend's smile, was a venom waiting to be unleashed on the hapless victim which in this case was Richie.
"Hey gorgeous", he cackled, totally fooled by her smile.
"You need anything?", Emily asked.
"Nothing pretty. You know, you're the only one I fancy from the rest of your Idiots friends. You're smart, pretty you know what's going on", he said.
His friends gave him slapping high fives, grinning like maniacs. Ariana and Leslie seemed to shrink in their seats at the verbal abuse Richie rained down on them.
"You know what Richie, I think you're the most stupid and idiotic person I've ever seen. It's no wonder you're at the very bottom of the class simply because you know nothing", Emily fired.
She was in her element and there was no stopping her now. Richie was taken aback by her change of mood and for some minutes, he was speechless as he didn't know what to do or say.
"Now, take your measly self and your foolish friends and get lost", she said.
"I'll get you for this. You wait, I'll surely get you for this", he said, backing away.
When they left, Ariana and Leslie burst out laughing. They held their sides as tears streamed down their eyes.
"Oh you got him real good Em. Did you see this face?", Ariana laughed.
"He's just an egotistical fool. I had to put him in his place", Emily laughed.
"Serves him right. Next time, he'll never come close to you", Leslie said.
"You know, he asked me on a date once but I refused and ever since then, he's been disturbing me. I totally forgot to tell you guys", Emily said.
"Talk about disgusting, even Macy wouldn't even date him and that's saying something", Ariana said.
"He's just so stupid and weird most of the time no wonder he's at the bottom of the class", Leslie said.
"And to think that he's parents are really well to do, he's a sorry case", Emily said.
Just then, Brandon walked into the class. As soon as he stepped in, the whole class drew silent. For one, Brandon's face was bloody and his left eye seemed to close. His lip was cut and his school shirt was rumpled.
"What the hell happened to him?", Leslie whispered.
"I have no idea but it's really bad. He need to go to the sick bay, there's blood dripping on his shirt", Emily said.
Ariana stared at him and he heart broke. For someone who had shown her a lot of hatred, she didn't think he deserved this. She wasn't sure if she was the only one who noticed but Brandon had a look of pain in his eyes.
As if sensing someone's gaze on him, Brandon locked eyes with her and the two seemed to be holding a secret conversation. At that moment, Ariana felt like it was just her and him in the whole class. His eyes softened a bit but it disappeared as quickly as it came.
The moment was broken by the teacher's arrival. Ariana cleared her throat, turning back to face the board. She had a tingling sensation in her feet, she couldn't explain it but it was certainly there.
"Good gracious. Brandon, what happened to you?",the teacher asked.
Brandon rose to his feet, feeling list for some minutes. The whole stared, seemingly transfixed by his looks.
"I got into an... accident", he said, finally said.
Ariana knew instantly that it was a lie. There was more to what he was saying and the only way to find out what really happened was if the teacher interrogated him.
"Please go to school clinic, you need to tend to those wounds. I'm sorry about your plight", the teacher said.
Slinging his bag, Brandon walked out but not before glancing at Ariana who seemed to shrink in her seat as she tried to stay invisible.
When he left, she got up fully, taking out her notes. She was certain now that her and Brandon held a special connection. He felt something for her but she knew that there was still something holding him back.
For the first time ever, Arianna's mind was totally away from the class. Her whole mind was fixed on him, wondering how he was doing.