Chapter 7 : To Endure (1)

After arriving in front of the school, I unfasten my seat belt as I stared at the S High School building. S High School is one of the best high schools in S City, and I was very fortunate to be accepted to this school through the scholarship program.

I didn't have the best school life, but I am grateful since this school is fair enough to accept me. Due to my background, it was hard for me to found a high school that will accept me. I applied to many schools to no avail. Then, Grandpa advised me to try taking an entrance exam for S High School, and miraculously they are willing to take me.

"Big sister, will I see you again?"

I turned my head and smiled at Charlie's gloomy expression. In such a short time, I seriously grew fond of this little girl. "You can come anytime to see me again. Next time, I will bake some cookies for you."

"Really? No taking back! I will often visit you, then!" said Charlie with a beaming smile.

"Fufu, of course."

"Miss Williams, should you ever need help, don't hesitate to contact me. You already know my number," said Alex while turning his head back to face me.

"Thank you, Mr. Alex. Then, I will take my leave. See you later, Charlie."

"Bye-bye big sister!"

Charlie waved her hand to me from the window as the car went off. It'll be nice if I can spend some time again with Charlie. Thankfully, I rode a car to school or I will be late for the first lesson. With haste, I ran into the school building.

***

I arrived at my classroom just in time before Mr. Hudson, our history teacher came in. I walked straight to my desk, which is the small, old desk in the back of the classroom. I don't know how it started, but repeated abuse on my desk had even made my homeroom teacher exasperated.

At first, he tried to upheld justice for me, but since the culprit was never found and the abuse rapidly increased, he decided to change my desk to an old one, to at least decrease the loss from the vandalism. As for me, he gave up on me pretty quickly.

I was late this morning, so I didn't have time to clean the mess on my desk. As I approached it, I could see few words like "Go die", "Bitch, "Pest", scribbled with red paint. There is also brown liquid dripping from my desk, along with trash on top of it.

It was not the first time, yet I can't help but took a glance around the classroom. Few of them giggled or looked at me provocatively, daring me to say something, but most of them just ignored me completely. There was nothing new here.

Mr. Hudson also noticed the state my desk was in, but he dismissed it with a stern gaze at me. "Sit down, Miss Williams. The class is about to start."

Sit down, he said, where exactly? Even a teacher ganging up with students to bully me. I knew that Mr. Hudson is a snobby person with high pride. He won't tolerate someone like me who was detested by everyone disrupting his class.

Well, I didn't expect anything from him anyway.

Unfazed by suppressed laughter directed at me, I pulled out a plastic bag from my school bag and threw every trash on my desk into it. Next, I pulled out a pack of tissue and wiped my desk dry. I'd need more time to clean the horrible writing on it, so I decided to leave it be for now as Mr. Hudson kept urging me to sit down. That evil old man.

After making sure my desk was clean enough, I took a seat and opened my books as if nothing happened. The class continued like always.

***

I don't usually eat in the cafeteria, as I always bring my own lunch. I prefer to eat quietly, and I was bound to bring commotion just by walking by. Of course, I mean it negatively.

Since I didn't have much time to pack a lunch this morning, I reluctantly dragged my feet to the cafeteria, where most of the people around this time will be. I halted in front of the cafeteria, inwardly praying I can snag some bread and leaving before anyone noticing. I didn't want to get into unnecessary trouble by staying too long.

I took a step inside and walked quickly to a bread stan in the corner. There are fewer people there than I expected.

"Excuse me, I'd like to take these, please," I said to the bread seller auntie as I dug out my wallet from my skirt pocket.

However, upon seeing my face, the auntie's expression darkened. With an utterly disgusted face, she pushed my hand away, making the money in my hand fell in the process.

I was shocked to be pushed away like that. While I was still in a daze, the auntie took her chance to berate me in a loud voice, "I don't have anything to sell to you. Get lost!"

Despite being crowded, almost everyone heard that and turned their head my way. Immediately, they gave me a contemptuous and indignant look.

"What is she doing here? Does she not have any shame?"

"Yuck! My appetite is gone just by breathing the same air as her!"

"That's it, I am leaving. I don't want to be in the same space as her."

"Well now, don't say that. I bet there will be an interesting show happening, hahaha."

I could hear the malicious comments from all over the place. They laughed at me for being treated like a beggar by a bread seller.

I can't help but wonder why they couldn't just leave me be? It's not like I disturb them, or asking them to pay for my meal. Why do I need to be humiliated like this?

I kept convincing myself that I was used to this. I just need to be patient until graduation and I won't have to face these people again in my life. But I am still human, after all. I can feel hurt, sad, and angry.