Chapter 18 : Recurring Memories

Three days later.

I thought my body was pretty sturdy, but after laying down weakly on the bed for three days, I might have to correct that mindset. As I think back, I realized that I had pushed myself too hard.

As I slumped forward on my desk, I was deep in thought about how I should proceed from here. I was back to school, and currently worrying about my future.

In the past few days, I have provoked three people whom I shouldn't. I couldn't even imagine what kind of retaliation I'd get after making so much ruckus.

I guessed a healthy mind indeed resided in a healthy body. With how my body is in tatters these days, it seems my mind has ceased to function properly.

'Aahh I'm so stupid! Stupid! Why did I do that? What could I possibly achieve by going against them?'

I groaned as I lamented my reckless impulsiveness. I was doing so well in the past year, but I'm afraid things won't be the same anymore. My school life was never peaceful, but at least it never hindered my study.

However, due to my lack of self-restraint, I had offended Harry and Mrs. Gabrielle. Only God knows what will happen to me from now on.

My position in this school was delicate and fragile. It's like dancing on top of thin ice. That's why no matter how harshly they treated me or verbally abused me, I never uttered a single complaint.

Did you think I enjoyed that kind of life? I wasn't and never will be a masochist, okay? I simply wanted to graduate safely. Even if I had to sacrifice my mental and body health, my school record had to remain spotless, or there would be no meaning of me enduring all this.

Due to my origin, they hated me so much, they wished for me to disappear from their sight. And as an orphan, I had no one to back me up if parents started complaining about how I disturbed their children's study. I always had to keep my head as low as possible, and at the same time maintain my grades and behavior. Even if they wanted to kick me out, they'd need a valid reason for that, and I won't let them have that so easily.

You could say I knew my place very well in this game. I knew my chips, and how to bargain with them as I grew up.

S High School was famous for its long history and its great facilities, but even so, strangely only several graduates managed to earn a good name for this school. I assumed it's because this school accepted too much bribery while in actuality, they could not teach the students well. When people said S High School was famous, it was actually a sarcastic remark.

A lot of the students here were coming from wealthy families, and half of them were buying their way in. For me, that fact alone already explained a lot, seeing how the students of this school love to oppress those beneath them.

Of course, not every student was like that. Aside from those who came from strong families, some came from common families. However, faced with those overbearing, spoiled, and mean kids brimming with wealth and influence, how could they possibly have room for concern for others?

And then there's me. A gloomy girl without parents, friends, and only left with her exposed secret. The only thing I got at my disposal was my excellent and impeccable grades. So far, no one could beat me at that. This was the reason why this school agreed to enroll me in this school after all. They needed me to shield them from public criticism, about how S High School only cared for wealthy kids and how they failed to produce excellent graduates.

This whole scholarship program was a farce after all. On the first day of my school, the headmaster clearly warned me to not make any mistakes that'd bring down the school's reputation. If I fail, my scholarship will be taken back, or frankly speaking, I Will be expelled.

'Does this school even have a good reputation, to begin with?'

I endured it. I endured as much as I could. There was a time when I found my belongings drowning in the school pond. I entered the pond to retrieve it, only to be laughed at and recorded on video by those nasty kids.

Or when they hid my school uniform on the day we got a swimming class (Yes, this school has a swimming pool). I could never forget how mortifying it was to attend a class with a swimsuit on. The teachers scolded me for losing my uniform but didn't do anything to save my dignity that day.

What about my uniform? I found it in the trash bin later, torn into pieces.

Or when they 'accidentally' tripped me and hit me with a ball during gym class. The worst I had was when a classmate 'accidentally' slipped and dropped a shot-put ball on my feet. I couldn't walk properly for a few weeks since it fractured my toe bones.

As I recalled those bitter memories, a girl with long hair with a hairband came to my side. I recognized her as my class representative. What was her name again?

"Hey, the teacher wants to see you immediately." She said with a flat look on her face.

I knew this would happen, but I wasn't ready for this. I hadn't come up with a counter plan yet. "Which teacher?"

"Mr. Gilbert wants to see you."

Great. It's not strange if the incident yesterday reached my homeroom teacher, but if I could help it, I would never want to be associated with THAT ONE. Not every teacher was hostile to me, but this teacher particularly irked me the most.

I pressed the urge to course out loud, while my hand clenched on my skirt tightly.

'Calm down, Eirlys. You can do this. You just need to endure it like always.'

"I understand. Thanks." I said as I stood up.

However, suddenly a hand gripped my wrist, keeping me in my place. A little bit taken aback, I shifted my gaze to the owner of that hand.

With a quizzical look, I tilted my head. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

The class rep appeared uncomfortable as she averted her gaze from me. If I'm not mistaken, she was also one of those students who came from a commoner family.

She carefully gazed around as if afraid people would hear what she was going to talk about. After making sure no one paid attention, she leaned her head in my direction, while whispering to me. "Be careful. Get out immediately after he finished."

Honestly, I was surprised to catch a hint of concern in her voice. Is this a trick of my eyes, or did the class rep looked worried as well?

As soon as she finished her piece, she let go of my hand and walked past me as if she was brushing me aside. I glanced at her retreating back and somehow felt she knew something more about this.

I never actually talked to her before, but we occasionally exchanged words, since she is the class rep and responsible for maintaining the stability of the class. I recognized her as one of those students who actually took pity on me, but never wanted to have anything to do with me. However, I never saw her openly showing her concern like that.

Her warning echoed in my head. No matter what, I couldn't let my guard down. Especially with that teacher.

I braced myself for incoming disaster, as I tried to press down the bad premonition which made my stomach churned with discomfort.