Alyssa got into the lecture room quite early and found a place to seat. She watched as other students tripped into the class till it got filled up.
" Do you mind if I seat beside you'' A girl with a blonde hair and green eyes approached Alyssa with a smile.
" Sure" She moved her bag from the chair.
" OMG....you managed to buy this bag! " Bianca exclaimed but quickly covered her mouth.
Alyssa stared at her bag but saw nothing wrong with it. Everything was arranged by Quinn so she didn't have the faintest idea why Bianca looked surprised.
" You know what, this bag is the only one of it's kind in the whole world. It was designed by T.Y, the legendary designer. This was his first time to design a bag. My dad attended the auction. It worth more than a million "
She said in hush tone.
Alyssa's mouth dropped in surprise as she quickly placed the bag on the table in attempt to protect it.
" Your parents must dote on you a lot " She added with a smile.
Alyssa said nothing and focused on the teacher teaching.
" I haven't seen you in this class before. Did you just switch to this department? "
" Not....really "
" Ah....I see. Wait! Could it be that you're the student that resumed late? Everyone has been talking about it. Now that I see your bag and dress, I'm greatly convinced you're the one. Take a look at this " Bainca brought out her phone and showed her some pictures that already circulated round the school.
Alyssa squirmed and looked around. It seemed no one noticed she was the same person in the picture.
The photos were taken from afar so it was blur. But it was enough to show that the new student was someone from an influential family.
" Oh...really? I don't know what you're talking about. I'm– definitely not the one in those pictures"
" Oh...I must have mistaken you for the person. " Bianca said and looked around.
Alyssa stole a glance at her and thought, * Why does she look displeased*
*
Alyssa saw Bianca at the door with some girls wearing skimpy clothes laughing about something. Bianca looked in her direction and smiled at her. Alyssa returned the smile feeling happy she had made a friend unlike her high school days where no one wanted to be friends with her.
She held on to her bag and walked towards them. Just as she was about to get close to them, someone pushed her and she tripped.
" Oh my goodness.... Did you just fall down. You're so clumsy" Bianca said in a loud voice and everyone turned to Alyssa.
A loud laughter erupted among everyone and they moved to take pictures. Alyssa bit her lower lip as her cheeks turned red and tears filled her eyes. Everything around her turned blur and she couldn't locate her glasses.
[ A grown up like her falling on the floor....Trying to get our attention huh?]
[ This is really unbelievable. Isn't this Alyssa?]
At that moment, the voice she dreaded most sounded and her face paled. She could never forget about Natalie who made her life in highschool hell.
Natalie squatted in front of Alyssa and held up her chin. " You're finally back my little pumpkin." Her eyes blazed with fury and unquenchable anger.
Alyssa swatted her hand and scrambled up with her knees shaking and her hands trembling. She opened her mouth but was unable to speak. She quickly ran out of the class with tears flowing freely down her eyes.
She found a quiet spot to sit and stared at hands.
NATALIE!!!
That was the name of the girl she longed to kill. She wanted to wipe her from the surface of the earth.
"Please don't.....don't " Alyssa sobbed crossing her hands against her chest. In the chilly night, Natalie and her goons had stripped Alyssa and took fun pictures of her then left her without her uniform to the hands of the gang that frequented the area.
" You okay?" Bianca asked as she approached Alyssa and sat beside her. She handed her her glasses and stared at her pitifully.
" It'd be better if you actually go to another college. Since Natalie has set her eyes on you, there will be no way out. I'm very sorry you had to go through this because of me. If...if I hadn't called you to join us, she might have not noticed you....at least not today. "
Alyssa wiped her tears and tried to adjusted the broken glass on her face. " It's not your fault. You don't have to be sorry"
She stood and tried to walk away from her. She just wanted to be alone.
" Don't you need to go to the infirmary? You are bleeding seriously ''
" It's nothing " Compared to the pain she felt while young and the pain she was feeling in her heart, the injury was nothing.
As she passed by, people were pointing fingers at her, laughing whispering to one another.
Alyssa was long used to the stares of the people, whispering, hurling abusive words at her. She wasn't prepared to face it even while in college. She lowered her head and quickly ran away from the prying eyes of everyone.
Mr. Davidson wiped the invisible sweat on his forehead watching the video posted on the school forum. He quickly sent for his secretary and ordered he to take down the video.
" I'm afraid taking it down won't solve the issue on ground. Almost everyone has watched the video. It has over a thousand download already. On her first day in school, she already caused ruckus....No college will be willing to admit Alyssa Algernon "
" That's because you don't know she is part of the Winters family " Mr. Davidson murmured, his fingers tapping on the desk.
*
" You mean she seduced your boyfriend?" Bianca asked with her eyes almost popping out.
" You should know I would never lie to you guys. She drove wedge between the both of us. What I can't understand is how a freckled four eyed bitch like her is able to charm the hearts of all the guys. She is just a vixen and nothing more"
Natalie stated looking around the cafeteria. The three girls eating with her kept quite for a while thinking deeply.
Natalie had always told them about her highschool lover that got snatched away from her. Although she refused to mention the bitch that seduced her boyfriend, it all made sense to them.
" She is actually a scheming bitch. I can't believe I fell for her trick thinking she is very innocent. Who does she think she is snatching the boyfriend of Natalie Walker. You need to report her to your brother in law. Wipe her away from earth to teach other bitches like her a lesson"
" I don't think she is that simple. Her backpack was designed by TY. She must have a strong backer."
The girls looked at Bianca strangely and then burst out laughing. Bianca was baffled at first but then realised she was a fool for making such statement.
" Bibi....You are so hilarious. Who on heart could be the strongest backer in the world other than the Winters'. Our Natalie here has two backers. The Winters' and the Walkers. " Stacy rolled her eyes and continued eating.
Natalie scanned the wide hall yet again and there was still no sight of Alyssa. She clicked her tongue.
'' This place is no fun. Let's party tonight. I heard George will be there " She raised her brow and whispered something. The girls cheered but Bianca lowered her gaze saying nothing.
*
" You sent for me sir?" Alyssa asked in a low voice when the secretary left her with Mr. Davidson.
" Well....yes I did. Have a seat"
Alyssa smiled politely and sat down in front if him. She was quite nervous sitting inside his office without Quinn beside her.
" I'm really sorry about what happened today. I promise this will never repeat itself again. Can you please spare us this time around....Mrs. Winters "
Alyssa quickly looked around to ensure no one heard their discussion. " Can you please not call me that. Walls have ears. Also, you don't have to worry. I will keep it away from Mr. Winters"
Alyssa sat down uncomfortably on the chair with her gloomy eyes tracing the patterns on her dress.
" If there's nothing else, I will take my leave" She announced quietly and made to leave.
" Your hand...is it okay?"
Alyssa held the door knob and casted him a side glance.
" Ah! Thanks for your concern. It's just a minor injury"
She breathed a sigh of relief as the cool breeze blew on her face. She wiped the dried tears of her face and clutched her bag tightly as she headed to the lecture room.