It's been a week since my savings account passed the $21,000 mark, and I couldn't feel any happier. As I walked down the halls, carrying a box from my classroom to the faculty office, I finally felt like smiling. I smiled brighter than the sun, filling the corridor with contagious glee.
I'm going to college, I'm going to college!
After working 11 hours everyday for three years, deducting rent and bills, I've managed to save $21,000 for my future. No one can take that from me. Not my mother, not my father, absolutely no one. It's mine, and only mine.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a loud thud hit the wall. Curious, I glanced out of the second-floor window to see a bunch of guys throwing punches. My eyes tensed when I recognised the man in the middle of the fight. Of course, it was only a matter of time before I saw his fists in action.
With one almost graceful right hook, he sent a guy who sat in front of me in my geography class to the floor, blood staining the sandy pathway to the teacher's garden.
Laith Knox, our resident bad boy. His father happens to be one of richest entrepreneurs in the country, and I guess when Daddy owns a yacht, you can get away with things. I watched intently as his fist connected to his opponent's jaw one last time. I watched them all groan and squirm on the floor, holding their stomachs or touching their bloodied mouths.
He knelt down, picking up something from the ground, and my breath hitched in fear when his empty gaze was laid upon me. Just like the autumn breeze, a wave of warmth overcame me suddenly and it was as if time froze, even if it was just momentary.
"Juliette!" Someone called out my name, and in a panicked frenzy, I turned to meet eye to eye with them. I recognised her from class, but I had no idea what her name was.
"You're going to the faculty office, right?" Before I could put a word in, she stacked another box on top of mine. "Great, you're a lifesaver! Be careful now!" She ran away, and I struggled to turn around without toppling one of the novels on top of her crate onto the floor.
I can't physically carry this any further! I took one small step forward, then another, and another, until I finally made it to the office ten minutes later than expected. The office lady immediately gasped when she saw me slowly walk up the stairs, rushing to help me before I had a nasty fall.
After a long lecture about knowing my limits, I was allowed to return back to my classroom. As I crossed the threshold of the science lab, the bell rang and yet again, I was deprived of any lunch.
I found succeeding at school easy. They gave you all of the material to learn beforehand, all you needed to do was memorise it all and you got the top marks. However, other people seem to struggle with that concept and can't seem to recognise what material they are required to learn and memorise. That's where I come in.
For a premium price, I offer tutoring sessions to students which not only lets me study but at the same time helps me earn enough money for rent, food, utility bills and what happens to what's left? It goes into my savings account, gaining 5% interest every month, which I can access once I turn 18.
Tomorrow is my 18th birthday, and just like every year, I splurge on a cake from my favourite bakery around the corner of my apartment complex. I blow out my pretend candles and eat away at the delicious chocolate goodness-
"Hey."
A loud masculine voice suddenly stopped everyone in their tracks, me included. Everyone suddenly grabbed their stuff and ran, all while I remained as still as stone. Even my nerves seemed to be too afraid to shake.
I heard the loud footsteps approach me from behind, and I knew that whatever he was going to do to me wasn't going to be pretty.
Eventually, the corridor had been emptied and only I was left. I bit my bottom lip, my hand squeezing my bag's trap while slowly praying that I don't get hurt. The footsteps suddenly ceased, and I was much too scared to move.
"Turn around." His authoritative voice was enough to make a bead of sweat run down the side of my face, making me clench my fists until my knuckles turned white. Don't be afraid, Juliette. The animal can smell fear.
I slowly turned around, and my eyes immediately ventured towards the cuts and bruises that marred his face. Perhaps if he wasn't covered in bandages all the time and if he didn't wear that aggressive scowl all of the time, some girls might consider him handsome.
"I've never seen you around here before." he declared. "Tell anyone what you saw? You'll be next."
Yes, Sir. Gotcha. 'Mi comprendo'.
I didn't say anything, keeping myself from reaching up and wiping the blood seeping from a cut on his cheek. He reminded me of my little neighbour, always coming home with cuts and bruises. When his mother wasn't in, he'd always ring on my doorbell to get bandaged up. Sometimes, I felt like he came home with cuts on purpose just to see me.
Walking past me, leaving the school from the front door, I fell to my knees and gave out the loudest sigh I could muster. I'm okay, thank God...
That guy is another level of scary, what's with me comparing him to a kid?