"ARE YOU READY, GUYS? We're going to be the next performer," our cheer captain said.
"Yes, captain!" we shouted.
It's the day of the cheering competition. I haven't had the opportunity to chat with Gianna again because I've been swamped over the last few days.
Even though I was so busy, she took care of me when our parents were not present. She prepares breakfast and handles all of the housework. And if I have some spare time, I'll just help her out a little bit at a time.
Gianna never complains. Instead of assisting her around the house, she will simply smile and encourage me to get more rest. Isn't she the sweetest person you've ever met? Unfortunately, Scarlett and the girls do not recognize the Gianna I know. Anyway, it's their loss. But it was also my loss in some ways. Because I am a coward living a double life.
I believe I am the monster if Scarlett and the girls are cruel. But what am I to do? I enjoy the attention and kindness shown to me by my fellow students. I am regarded as a beautiful, successful young woman by my high school peers, unlike my middle and elementary classmates. I'm constantly complimented on my appearance here in Justice High. There's no condemnation or negative comments. So, even though I'm sorry for denying Gianna's presence in my life, I couldn't help but continue with this status.
Back to the competition, the Justice High cheering squad formed a circle, and Willow led a brief prayer. Then we went to our assigned seats as our performances were about to begin.
I smiled as I looked at my mother, sitting on the bleachers. I recognized her because she was wearing my cheering team jersey. Aside from that, I recognized Gianna next to her in her favorite yellow shirt. Aria, standing next to Gianna, was the only negative sight.
I tried to remain calm for the time being. I had to concentrate on the competition. I'll talk to Gianna about Aria later. No, not right now. I need to focus.
I haven't seen Uncle Gary in a long time, but I'm sure he's still at work. I'm just relieved that my mother was present. She claimed to have taken the day off just to see me dance. Despite her hectic schedule, my mother is a fantastic person. She's always making sure to attend all of my life's significant events. And even when sometimes she didn't show up, I understood because I knew she had a good reason.
In any case, if Uncle Gary isn't too busy and Mom cannot attend, he is her substitute. Then there's Gianna, who is never absent and very supportive in everything that I do.
Our performance is about to begin in ten seconds. I grinned broadly as I saw Mom and Gianna, as well as the Justice High students and other parents who attended, cheering for us.
Now let's get started.
~*~
"WELL DONE, champ! You're amazing, baby!" Mom exclaimed as she hugged me tightly. "Wow! I am so proud of you. Please, don't grow up quickly," she said, her eyes welling up.
Other parents and students congratulated them, saying, "Yeah! We won! We are this year's national competition champions."
"I'm sorry, Mom. Don't cry. Thank you, by the way, for stopping by despite your busy schedule." Mom was overcome with emotion, and I adored her.
"How can I miss this? It's a national competition, and you, like your mother, are one of the squad's amazing dancers," she exclaimed proudly.
I was beaming brightly.
"Thank you, mom, for the good genes," I joked.
"No problem, kiddo; I'm glad you got your features from me," she said with a wink.
We both laughed. Yeah, I was relieved that I had almost all of Mom's features. At the very least, she won't see my biological father's face on me.
I was about to ask Mom where Gianna was when Scarlett and the girls appeared in front of us.
"Hello, Isa. Is she your sister?" Scarlett inquired, her gaze fixed on my mother. The other two girls are also staring at my mother.
My mother simply smiled and blushed. I'm sure she's overjoyed that they called her my sister. To think about it, this is their first meeting with my mother.
"You're such a sweetheart," my mother says, beaming from ear to ear. She is, however, relatively young, and she appears to be my sister rather than my mother. "But I'm not her sister; I'm her mother."
"Oh, really? Are you kidding? You look so young, ma'am!" Scarlett exclaimed dramatically.
I restrained myself from rolling my eyes.
"Oh, thank you; please call me Elizabeth," my mother said, but it didn't matter because Scarlett was telling the truth. I just don't like how she said it. In some ways, it's cringe-worthy.
"My name is Scarlett, Aunt Elizabeth, and I'm delighted to meet you; Isabella and I are best friends."
"Oh really?" Mom looked at me as if she was checking to see if Scarlett was telling the truth. Because, in reality, I've never mentioned them to my mother. It was always about me and Gianna's whereabouts and updates on my grades and school activities. I'm not sure how to react, but thankfully, mom was quick to say what you need to say in this kind of situation. "I've heard so much about you, uh, you three, and I want to thank you for looking after my Isabella here."
That's fantastic, Mom. Continue your excellent work. I mentally wipe the sweat from my brow.
"This is Paisley and Claire, mom. You know, the girls I always talk about. My best friends," I explained before Mom became perplexed again by the girl's name.
"Nice to meet you, Aunt Elizabeth," Paisley and Claire said together, smiling. However, it appears to be genuine.
"Nice meeting you, girls; they're gorgeous, as you've described, dear," Mom said as she rode on. Oh my God. She's going too far.
"Thank you, Aunt Elizabeth. You are stunning and beautiful despite being a mother. It's a shame we only met now. We want to know more about our dear Isabella's mother and family." Paisley, I am not sure if she was asking genuinely or just being nosy, but I am getting some sort of negative vibes from what she just said.
"Well, yeah. Let Isabella know if you wanted to come over, but I'm not always here because of work; as a flight attendant, I don't have much time these days." Damn. Stop it, Mother. What am I supposed to do? That is unquestionably a bad idea.
"Wow! You're a flight attendant? Do you fly domestically or internationally?" Claire inquired.
Mom replied, "Mostly for international flights."
"That explains why you aren't always around," Claire said.
"But, Aunt Elizabeth, we will pay you a visit sometime, is that okay?" Scarlett interjected.
Oh my gosh. This is not acceptable.
"That's fine; I'm sure you'll have fun with Isabella and Gia—-"
"Ah yes, mom," I interrupted. She's actually going to say Gianna's name! "Soon, guys. If we have enough time, but since the sophomore year is over, let's do it after the start of the junior year because we might be busy during the summer, you know. Right, mom?" Please help me.
"Uhm, y-yeah," Mom replied. I'm relieved to know she understood what I was trying to say to her.
"Oh, that's unfortunate that we won't be able to see you in the summer, Isa, but let's catch up after that." I was mentally relieved.
It's all starting to go downhill from here. I'm glad I was able to make a difference.
"But, hey, are you ready for tonight's party? You're coming, right?" Paisley inquired.
I turn to face Mom, who is now smiling at me. I was hoping she wouldn't let me come. Please, Mom. Please, just once, hear my thoughts.
But she must have misinterpreted my expression.
"You can go, sweetie, as long as you don't drink alcohol and return by 11 p.m." My mother is lovely, but I'm not sure I appreciate what she does now. I'm exhausted, and the last thing I want to do is go out to a party.
But, on the other hand, this is the path I've chosen. I have to do this socialization thing to maintain my status at school.
"Thank you, Aunt Elizabeth. You are so cool! I will take care of Isabella. You don't have to worry," Scarlett exclaimed, dragging me outside.
I didn't even get to say my final goodbyes to my mother. Instead, I simply waved at her, and she reciprocated. It's going to be an exhausting night.
~*~
THE PARTY TOOK place at Scarlett's house. I assumed it was only for the cheerleading squad, but it was actually for all Justice High students. The majority of the students that were there were the popular ones. The sports team, members of the student body organization, and I'm not sure if I see things correctly, but I also saw some alumni.
This party is out of this world. In fact, it was a pool party. There were drinks all over the place, and music was blasting. Scarlett's home was not your average one. It was a huge mansion. When I say Scarlett's family is wealthy, I don't just mean "the wealthy," but "the rich-rich-rich," if you know what I mean.
Swimsuits and trunks were on display for both boys and girls. It was a lovely view. I was only wearing a one-piece swimsuit borrowed from Scarlett and shorts on top of my underwear. I have no intention of entering the water. I was just staring at everyone.
Paisley and Claire were flirting with the basketball players on the opposite side of the pool. Scarlett isn't to be found.
I didn't consume any alcoholic beverages. I'm just doing what my mother says, and I'm not going to drink because I don't like the taste of alcohol. So I'll just keep drinking my chocolate milk.
Someone approached me and said, "Hey."
Jack was the one who called. Even though he is only a junior, he is the men's basketball team captain. Jack is tall, attractive, and well-built. Girls are swooning over him, and he is well-liked. He's a great guy, but I'm not interested in him.
"Hey, can't get someone to flirt with you?" I asked bluntly.
He laughed.
"I don't need it; they just naturally engulf me."
That's one of the characteristics of men who believe they are prevalent and desirable to everyone. Jack, for example.
"All right," I said. I'm not interested.
I saw that Willow had arrived, and Aria was with her. Maybe Gianna was here as well. I will find her instead. Scarlett will make fun of her again if she sees her. Why on earth did she come here?
I was about to get up when I felt strong hands on my arms.
"You're not going anywhere, Isa," Jack said.
"Leave me alone, Jack; I don't owe you anything, and I'm not interested in you, so don't bother me."
"You are so arrogant, Isa. No one, not even you, can resist me. I will make sure I get everything I want from you tonight." He tightened his grip on my arms. It hurts me, but I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me in pain and fear.
"Did you just threaten me? Do you hear yourself how desperate you are? Such a shame," I said, my cold stare fixed on him.
He was also staring at me intently. He's scaring me, and by the looks on his face, he's saying I'll regret what I'm doing to him.
But I am more than what he perceives me to be. I may be smaller than him, but I'm not going to let him do this to me.
"Are you going to let go of me, or I'm going to shout here that you're hurting me?" I asked. "You don't want to stain your pure reputation, right?" I am still giving him a blank stare.
When he realized I wasn't moving and that what he was doing wasn't working on me, he let go of my arm and smirked. Then he walked away.
I took a deep breath and then drank my milk. I mentally applaud myself for a job well done.
"Damn, girl. That was incredible. Did you see his face? Poor, Jack. He can't unlock Isabella because he's lame," Paisley said.
"Did you see everything? That guy tried to threaten me. The nerve of that guy! He's so conceited!" I was enraged. I only just hid it, but I'm furious.
"But he's cute," Paisley said, but I didn't mind her. I was still trying to get my nerves under control after the encounter.
"What?"
"Nothing. Come on, the night is still young; let's have some fun!" Paisley exclaimed, dancing in front of me.
She appears to be inebriated now that I look at her face closely.
"You're drunk, Pais, and you stink of alcohol as well," I snorted.
"Oh, come on, don't be a buzzkill. Let's party!" Paisley exclaimed as she dragged me closer to the DJ.
At first, I was dancing slowly, but I became unaware that I was dancing aggressively as time passed. The chocolate milk I was drinking tasted strange, but Paisley kept asking me to drink it. It still tastes like chocolate milk, but it has given me more energy. Then I started feeling dizzy, but I kept drinking the milk and dancing like there was no tomorrow.
Then I felt someone take me away from the crowd, and it appeared that we were going upstairs to Scarlett's mansion. My vision was hazy, and I was numb. Am I drunk?
Then someone was holding me in my waist, and my other hand seemed to be holding on to their neck. We came to a halt when we noticed someone in the alley. Scarlett and Gianna's voices were heard, and they appeared to be fighting. But they came to a halt when they saw us.
I was becoming dizzy and felt as if my entire world was trembling. I'm afraid I'm going to faint. But, just as I was about to succumb to darkness, someone snatched me from the other person, and I heard Scarlett arguing with the person who had taken me earlier.