Rylin

As Joy walked in the school, many people started calling her names and showed disgusted face because of the rumour Jackson and his friend spread a few days ago about her dating a teacher. Their voices weren't loud but it were loud enough for her to hear.

"Look! It's the slut who is dating a teacher in our school!"

"I heard from Jackson that she slept with that teacher!"

"Ewww, don't go near her, you might get infected if you go too near her!"

"She still dared to go to school like this? She is really shameless!"

Joy's heart clenched as if someone squeezed it with all their might. Every word they said was like a stab in the heart. It was just a few weeks after school started there were already many people who disliked her.

Joy used to have a lot of friends because she was always smiling and friendly to others. But when Jackson started to bully her, she lost many of her friends. Her friends started to keep their distance with her so that they wouldn't be bullied by Jackson too.

Then, things started to get worse for Joy. Jackson spread gossips and fake rumours about her and cause everyone to turn their backs on her. Moreover, he also called her names and tripping her too.

After a while, everyone started to follow him and make fun of her. They also started to gossip about her because of the rumours.

"Hey don't listen to what they are saying, okay?" said Rylin after seeing Joy's frown when she heard those hurtful words.

"I know, i know. I won't take it to heart and will always be happy." Joy frown dissapeared and wore a light smile when she saw Rylin.

Rylin was her bestfriend since primary school. They were in the same class every year, including this year. She was the only person Joy could trust.

Rylin was also the reason why Joy was still smiling. Joy didn't want Rylin to be worried so she told Rylin she was okay and fine.

Every time Joy was not smiling or unhappy, Rylin would ask tons of questions and make a big fuss about it. Rylin would also spend alot of money buying her favourite stuff despite being poor just to cheer her up.

Rylin came from a poor family and was very careful when she spent her money. But when it came to Joy, she would turn a blind eye and buy everything for Joy. Even Joy couldn't stop her.

Even though Joy acted like she was unaffected, deep down in her heart she wasn't. She was hurt and sad. But she still faked a smile acting like everything was going well.

She did it to show them that she was still strong and happy so that they won't make fun of her.

Since Rylin had been on her side for many years, it was easy for her to see through Joy thoughts.

But she didn't say anything because she was afraid that she might make things worse for Joy if she stood up for her.

Of course Joy knew that Rylin knew everything but she was thankful that she didn't say anything because she didn't want to drag Rylin into her situation.

Joy was afraid that Jackson would target Rylin too but luckily he didn't because she would choke him (if she got the courage to do so) if he did touch Rylin.

"Hurry up, you don't to meet him early this morning again right?" Rylin said while speeding up her footsteps to their classroom.

"You should head to class first. I need to go somewhere." Joy patted her shoulder and gestured her to go first.

Rylin furrowed her brow and siad softly, "You're not meeting him again, right?"

Without letting Joy answer she raised her voice slightly louder and continued," How many times must I tell you to not do what he ask you to do! Are you his slave? Even if he threatened you, you should atleast tell your father about him!"

"Don't worry, I'm not meeting him! I'm just going to the canteen to buy food 'cause I didn't eat breakfast today, okay?" Joy's voice trembled a little but her smile was enough to convinced Rylin.

"Fine! But be fast!" Rylin pinched her softly on Joy's stomach and left.

A part of Joy felt relief when Rylin left but the other part of her wanted to beg her not to go because just the thought of the person she was going to meet scared the shit out of her.

With heavy yet fast steps to the school rooftop, fear overtakes her....