11. Arabella. New friend.

When I turned back Tatiana and her friends where no longer in sight so I presumed that they had followed the bad boys behind. Girls like them were like iron to magnet to boys like them. They could never stay away.

She shrugged. "That's how life Is."

"Predictable and cliché but it doesn't have to be." I said more to myself than to her.

I rushed to the boy who was pushed down and helped him get up. He was smaller than I was which wasn't much of a surprise to me since I was pretty tall for my age.

He was so small and thin compared to the boy that pushed him down. It dawned on me that he couldn't even fight his oppressor even if he wanted to. I immediately felt protective of him. There came this mad urge and desire to protect him it almost me weak.

I lifted his chin up so my eyes and his could meet but he looked away from me not wanting to meet my eyes. He had freckles on his nose and cheeks which highlighted the blush on his face.

He was so cute like a little teddy. The color of his clay skin was rich and his light brown eyes shined so bright I never wanted to look away from them.

"Are you OK?" I asked studying his face. He didn't move he just stood there trying to look away from me. He looked like he was scared that I was going to hurt him but I'll never do that.

He didn't know that though. Maybe he didn't know that I was not like the rest, that I was a commoner. I could never hurt him. I would never.

"I'm fine thank you." He finally said. He moved back from me, his eyes tracing the floor. I was about to say something else when he walked away almost hitting his head on the wall. He was so, so clumsy. He definitely was not looking at where he was going to.

I turned back to see that the girl I was talking to earlier was still standing there.

Was she actually waiting for me?

I almost smiled at the thought.

"That's Caleb he's Damien's personal play thing. The guy finds every opportunity to bully him." The girl said when I stepped in front of her. A little bit of too much information but it was exactly what I needed.

I exhaled thinking back at the boy I just saw. "He was so scared and so small. Is he a transfer student too? Is he poor or?"

"Poor!" She exclaimed laughing. It was like I just uttered the most stupid thing ever.

"I mean with the way they treat him. I thought everyone here would be treated with respect since you all are of the same social status but I guess I was wrong."

'You have no idea how wrong you were." She breathed out, shaking her head pitifully. "His father owns the biggest fragrance company in the city. He's by far richer than most of us."

"But not Damien." I impute, starting to feel sick.

"Not Damien. You see amongst the rich there are the oppressors and the bullies also. The richer and bigger people prey on the lesser ones. It's even worse among us. I don't think there is a way to ensure equality." She moved back to the wall and rested her head on it and I did same. "You like him didn't you?"

"Who?"

"Caleb of course I saw the way you looked at him like you just wanted to press him to your bosom and protect him. Like he was yours to love and guide."

"And you deduced all this in less than a minute that we spent together." I said releasing a throaty laughter.

"People have said that I'm quite the observer." She chuckled.

I giggled and pushed myself of the wall. "You are out of your mind. I don't know the people feeding you with these lies but they will be sorry should I see them."

We both laughed. She pushed herself of the wall too.

"I'm Elizabeth." She said, stretching out her hands. I looked at her, like really looked at her now.

I just saw how beautiful her nose was and how her skin glowed. The type of dark chocolate skin I loved, shiny and smooth. Her brows were neatly carved and she seemed to have rubbed foundation but lightly. Her makeup was so light and flawless.

"Ara." I smiled taking her hands. "I never thought I would make a friend on my first day of school." I said honestly.

"You are pretty awesome." She grinned. "So new student?"

"Unfortunately." I replied. She chuckled and I did too. I was filled now with hope. It felt good.

We both started walking to the canteen more like I was following her behind even though I knew I had no money on me. She seemed really interesting.

I didn't want to feel alone or lose sight of the one friend I had just managed to have.

"First person to say that. People think is a privilege to be enrolled here." She chuckled. "Well the school is bad enough for the rich."

"How much more for the poor." I finished for her.

I tilted my head sideways locking Eyes with Tatiana and her crew. My smile quickly faded and Elizabeth noticed.

"Don't worry. They won't bother you as long as you are with me." She said taking my hands. She led me to a seat at the far end of the canteen.

"I'm not scared of her." I said.

Elizabeth nodded. She found a seat in the middle of the cafeteria and dropped her books on the table. "Let's sit here."

I didn't like the sit. It was the centre of attraction for everyone and the last thing I wanted to be was to be the centre of attraction on the first day of school or on any day for that matter.

But then Elizabeth pulled a chair back and sat down. She glared at me, waiting for me to take a sit like she did. I felt like I was put in the spot and I gave in. I didn't have any other choice in the matter.

I dropped my biology book behind me on the chair. I didn't want it to get a single stain on it since my two younger brothers were going to use it and My dad had warned me sternly that the book should be without stain till all of us were done with highschool. He said that he was not going to buy a book twice. Never.

My sister was the first to use it and she gave it to me as good as new. I felt stupid for forgetting to put it in my locker before coming to the refectory. I was really hoping that my forgetfulness would not cost me my dream of passing on this book to my brothers clean and new just like my sister gave it to me.

" Common let's get food." Elizabeth whispered, pulling me away from my depressing thoughts.

I looked at her without saying a word. My heart was beating fast against my chest. How was I going to tell her that I had no money on me.

Never be ashamed of your truth Ara.