9

Flashing Light

When Daisy reached the cafeteria, she felt amazement wash over her face looking at the large room. The stalls for food were on one side of the hall, people neatly lined up with trays as they waited for their food. The rest of the hall was littered with tables already filled with students and large windows provided the view of the field outside. Daisy made her way to the line looking at the food that was being served. She took a tray and started stepping forward with the queue. Her eyes trailing the large variety of food provided her brows rose that how good the quality of the whole place was. She could tell that Sapir Valley was not a normal public school she was used to, instead it was an expensive private institution that only a few could afford.

“What would you like dear?” the cafeteria woman asked Daisy.

“The Italian platter, please.”

“Sure,” the woman said before placing spaghetti salad and two pieces of garlic bread on Daisy's tray.

After grabbing a carton of apple juice. Daisy proceeded to find a table. Her eyes landed on Ella who was sitting alone by the window. She looked at Daisy and perked up, her hands raised to call her over, but then she stopped pausing her lips and looking away with embarrassment.

“Shit, was I too harsh on her?” Daisy thought.

Unable to find another empty spot, Daisy went to Ella.

“Hey,” Ella said smiling automatically as she saw Daisy who only gave a closed mouth smile in response. They ate in silence. Ella shooting a few glances towards Daisy but not saying anything. She was almost done with her lunch when a group of girls came and stood in front of their table on Daisy looked up to see who it was. She found the girl from the morning who had tried to pick a fight with her in the bathroom.

“Oh look. Selman Ella got a new weird friend,” She exclaimed in her high-pitched voice making the other two girls behind her laugh.

Daisy glimpsed Ella who sat still with her head down. She felt annoyance take over her. She looked at the bully again.

“Oh, look at the girl trying to scare me,” the girl said laughing sarcastically, “What are you going to do with that broken leg anyway?” the girl continued to press Daisy.

Having had enough, Daisy got up to her feet. Her face seemingly calm but her eyes reflected her anger.

“You think a broken leg will stop me from kicking your ass?” she asked.

Ella got up as she saw more people paying attention to the fight that was about to break out.

“Stop Daisy. Just ignore her,” she said distressed.

She gestured to Daisy towards the cafeteria that was becoming quieter and quieter with anticipation. She looked at all the students and started to sit down when the girl's voice stopped her.

“Do you think you can scare me without that?” the girl baited catching Daisy’s attention once again.

She chuckled at the girls attempt to seem brave and stepped closer to the girl, “Well, the way you hurried away this morning I believe I don't need to threaten you in order to scare you,” Daisy informed her eyes not leaving the girl.

They stared down at each other. The students around them intently watching how they would react next. Suddenly one of the other girls broke the silence.

“Now let's go the Dean's looking at us,” she warned her friend.

The bully now looked away from Daisy towards the garden where Mr. John stood looking in. Her eyes widened in panic and she quickly turned away rushing out of the cafeteria at once.

Daisy frowned and looked towards Mr. John herself. He stood still, his arms crossed behind his back and a disapproving expression twisted on his face.

“You shouldn't have said anything to Mel,” Ella cried.

Daisy scoffed at her and sat back on her chair.

“And do what? Let her bully me like she obviously does to you?”

“It's not that simple, okay?” Ella tried to argue.

“What do you mean it's not simple? How can you just let someone treat you like shit?” the question caught E