Ava woke up sulking at the thought of going to college. She wanted to ditch today but couldn't. She didn't get the expected results in the previous test. She was given a scholarship because of her excellent grades. She was afraid that they would stop giving scholarship, assuming she had lost interest in her studies. Not to mention, her creepy principal, who always had high expectations of her, even more than his own child.
According to the regulations, a scholarship would only be valid for five years for any student with financial instability. However, this year would be the last of her scholarship's five years. She skipped three classes specifically for the purpose of preserving her eligibility for the scholarship until the end of her senior year. By the next academic year, she would be 17 while all of her classmates would be 20 or even older.
Ava continued her routine and headed to the university, trying her hardest to avoid falling asleep in public. She entered and went to open her locker to get the books on chemistry, which is the next lecture. Two boys approached her. She recognized one of them. Six months earlier, Ava had rejected him. She remembered clearly how he had proposed, saying, "I'd like to give you the opportunity to be with a very charming boy like me." She still cringes when she recalls the awful moment.
The familiar voice asked, "Hey Ava, do you remember me?" She looked at them, bewildered.
"The guy I turned down a few months ago? I do." Ava asked, unknowingly being sarcastic. Ava abruptly knew that she was the center of attention shortly after hearing a few giggles.
"It was I who rejected you." The boy yelled, unable to accept the reality. Ava laughed humorlessly.
"I see. What do you need right now?" Ava asked, trying to end the conversation as soon as possible.
"I wanted to give you a chance to be my date because I feel sorry for you." Ava scoffed at the words of the childish one.
"No." Ava spoke a straightforward but significant word. She has never wanted to have any contact with men, nor is she interested in a relationship. She has observed the boy, David, hanging out with new girls every week.
"What?" In an effort to intimidate Ava, the boy asked.
"I said NO. I don't want to be your date." Ava spoke clearly, specifying each word.
"SUCH A PICK ME GIRL!" The boy continued shouting.
His friend, who seemed to be a better person, tried to stop him, saying, "Stop David. Let's go."
Ava was aware of the one thing she had to do. She ignored him and started to leave before David let out words he would later regret.
"What do you think of yourself? Hm? Playing hard to get? Just like your hooker mom!" David shouted, unable to accept the rejection for the second time.
She stopped dead in her tracks. There was a pin-drop silence in the corridors. A few gasps were heard from the people who knew the consequences. Her dead eyes became red with rage.
She swiftly went near him and grabbed him by the collar. "What did you just say?"
"Your mom is a hook-" Before he could repeat the word, Ava's fist collided with his jaw.
"How dare y-" Another punch came towards him before he could complete his sentence. His friend came to stop Ava, but in vain. His nose and mouth were now bleeding.
"Do you even know my mom?" Ava spoke, breathing heavily. As David raised his hand to slap her, another punch came towards him, landing him on the ground.
As she climbed up on him and began strangling him, Ava spoke through clenched teeth, "I asked you, do you know my mom?" David no longer had any confidence. To break free of her choking hold, he violently shook his head. A large crowd had formed by this point.
"Then who the f*ck are you to judge her?" Before she could throw another punch, a voice boomed.
"What is going on?" Chemistry professor, Mr. Neil, came into view as students paved the way for him.
"Both of you! Back down." The professor ordered.
Ava released her hold on his neck and got up, still glaring at him.
"Go to your classes. The principal is not there today. I'll talk to him tomorrow and make sure that the person at fault will be suspended." Mr. Neil sternly spoke.
"What a perfect start of the day!" Ava said while slamming her locker and coming into the class. A few moments later, the class started as the professor started teaching.
A girl came running to the class, breathing heavily. "May I come in, sir?" The girl asked timidly. Ava sighed in irritation as the whole class was disturbed.
"Come in. Don't be late next time." Mr. Neil warned.
The girl came in and searched through the class for a seat. The last seat beside Ava was empty. She sat down beside Ava while greeting her with a small "Hi", which Ava ignored.
The strange girl kept peeping in Ava's direction, which made her slightly uncomfortable. As soon as the class was over, it was break time. Ava was packing her bag when the girl came to her and started the conversation.
"Hey! You looked so cool when you were beating him." The girl spoke in an excited tone, which took Ava by surprise. She decided to remain silent as the girl continued to blabber, "He deserved that slap anyways. But why did you reject him? Isn't he the boy who every girl loves to be with?" She questioned.
Ava raised her brow and looked at the girl. The girl stopped whatever she was saying, intimidated by Ava's cold gaze. Her question didn't make any sense to Ava, yet she didn't have much patience to argue back. Ava sighed and took her bag before leaving the class.
--------
Meanwhile, Lorenzo was furious. Lorenzo wanted information about Ava, and he had been waiting for Francesco for the past 10 minutes.
"Why is he taking so long?" Lorenzo wondered, as he knew Francesco was never late.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Lorenzo ordered, knowing it was his right hand.
"What took you so long?" Lorenzo asked, irritated. Francesco came and quickly apologized; he seemed nervous.
"Did you get the info?" Lorenzo asked.
"Actually boss, there is a problem. I couldn't find any information about the girl."
"What? You couldn't find info about a school-going girl?" Lorenzo asked, still confused by the man's behaviour.
"I'm sorry, boss." But I searched for it the whole night. But I couldn't even find her surname. Other than her present status, I couldn't find anything about her past. It never happened like that, boss. It's almost as if she never existed three years before." Francesco explained.
"Three years ago?" Lorenzo questioned.
"Yes boss. That's when she joined the school, or when she started living at her present address on rent. Here's the file of the present life." Francesco explained.
"You're dismissed." Lorenzo spoke as Francesco went out.
Lorenzo pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't understand why she never existed three years ago. He knew from the very start that Ava was different. But to such an extent? He couldn't understand.