Chapter 3

I tried to avoid everyone after the class but Zara wouldn’t budge. Damian reminds me so much of him. The boy who stole my virginity.

“Sarah, you should come!” Zara grinned mischievously.

“Come to where?” I stared at her for the first time since we entered the school cafeteria. I was having fries and soda. It was so unlike me. I simply lost my appetite for food.

“You didn’t hear a thing i said?” Zara frowned briefly

“Huh? Sorry, my mind was somewhere else,” i murmured

“Are you okay? You seem to have spaced out?” Zara said worriedly, bringing her hand to feel my forehead.

“I am fine,” I said, removing her palms. What is wrong with me? My heart has been thumping heavily since my eyes met with his. It isn’t him, and I am not crushing on him. “What were you saying?”

“I was telling you about the private Damian’s Welcome home party, only invited persons will be allowed to the party— oh, I wish my parents were in their clique, I wouldn’t miss it it!” Zara said sadly, munching on her hamburger.

“Hold on, someone who just got into school is already hosting a party. This shows how unserious he is. How did he even get that award?”

“Where is this apathy coming from?” Zara rolled her eyes “Don’t be quick to judge,  he is not the one hosting the party. It’s his mom. She loves him alot,”

“All these dotting, he is her only child?” I asked, putting the soda in my mouth.

 Zara looked around before whispering “Yeah, and the heir to the Delance Conglomerate. Though news has it that his step-siblings are interested in the position,”

I became sympathetic. “I didn’t think he came from a polygamous home. How did it happen?” 

“I heard that his mother slept with her best friend’s husband; Mr Delance, and got pregnant for him. Her best friend, the first wife, hadn't gotten a child for Mr Delance when that happened. So, by default Damian is the first son and so would take over his father’s wealth,” Zara said

“Wait, are we in the 2000’s that Monarchy still happens?” I furrowed my eyebrows. Four girls had turned and looked at us. We realized that we were too loud.

They scoffed, snapping their fingers at us. Zara and I stared back fiercely. They looked away.

Yeah, whatever.

“That’s what rumor says. But nonetheless, Diamian’s stepmother gave birth to two girls. So there is no way that they will become the CEO’s.” Zara said

“You simply like Damian too much that’s why you are saying this trash, because girl- you are an advocate for gender equality or so I thought,” I said

Zara got quiet for a second, “I apologize for my behavior, humans have rights to be whatever they want irrespective of their gender. I am sorry, who knows even, Damian doesn’t know that I exist,” her lips part as though she wants to cry

I pulled her into my arms. Zara has been single almost all her life. She deserves the best. Yet, I can’t hope that she ends up with Damian, because my sister is interested in him.

“Thank you,” Zara beamed, and once again she’s back to her vibrant self.

Just then, the Flowery girls walked in as all eyes diverted to their direction. They walked stylishly, reeking of power and wealth.

They are the most troublesome bullies in school. My sister’s group; the refined, ranks second. And because of that nobody messes with Steph’s sister.

The flowery girls are best of friends, and their name ‘flowery girls’ was coined from their individual names; Rose, Daisy and Iris.

They walked in with Daisy in their middle, confronting two girls in the cafeteria. The girls were talking about Damian and scrolling through his social media accounts. 

Daisy snatched the phone from them, and the girls gasped “Daisy, what are you doing?" One of them asked in surprise.

She tried collecting the phone from Daisy, but she scoffed and didn't let her. "Can you believe that they were looking at Damian’s pictures?" She said teasingly as she showed the phone to Rose and Iris.

"These paupers are wasting their time day-dreaming about something that can never be theirs" Iris snorted as they chuckled.

"Well, that's none of your business. Give me back my phone!" The girl cried as the other stayed staring at her feet nervously.

"You know what, if I were you, I wouldn't bother going to his party- just in case you might be fantasizing about it, because he might just end up throwing up when he sees your face," Rose said as they all burst into laughter. The girl starts to cry. 

"Enough!” The other girl tries to be bold “hand it back," 

“Whatever! I am bored already. She’s no fun,” Daisy drops the phone on the floor “whoops, it slipped,” she mocked before walking away with her minions.

They came to where Zara and I were seated, they stopped at our table."Shoo Zara, you are on our seat" Daisy said to Zara, flaunting her blonde hair.

“But this isn’t where you guys seat,” Zara frowned, crossing her arms

“Whatever, we can choose to sit wherever we want in this cafeteria,” Daisy retorts angrily

Their presence annoys me, so I try to avoid them at all costs. I tugged at Zara, insinuating that we leave. The flowery girls want to have fun, and they know Zara will give them that.

“Your royal highnesses, come do with the seats as you want,” Zara said sarcastically, picking her food tray to leave.

“Oh, I didn’t see daddy's girl before,” Daisy turns to me, as though looking at me for the first time “Why can’t you be a mummy’s girl- because you have no mummy?” she mocks with a wicked laughter. 

Tears clogged my throat. That was the last straw “What did you say?” I walked menacingly to her. I was going to rip Daisy’s hair.

“Please, Sarah” Zara pulled me back “You have kept up a good reputation thus far. This is our last year, don’t let these b*tches ruin them for you,”

“That was evil of them to say,” my voice shook as Zara took me to class.

“Sorry, I could tell your sister- the refined squad and have them sort it out.” Zara suggested

“No,” I shook my head “I can’t have Stephanie fight all my battles for me,”

***

Not quite long after we entered the class. Lunch break ended, and the Literary studies teacher walked in.

"Welcome, Mrs Harrison" we greeted uniformly as she stood in front of the class.

"Good days, students. I hope we had a good lunch?” Mrs Harrison asked, adjusting her medicated glasses. Some students replied in affirmative. Damian was nowhere in sight after that first class. I shouldn’t even be thinking about him. He could be having his other classes now.

“Good," Mrs Harrison hummed. “Now is the time for literature,” she smiled briefly as she commenced teaching.

After receiving two more classes, the beg rang for departure time. My heart swelled with joy because I was going to see my boyfriend, Coleman.

We had agreed to meet after school. Coleman is a college student in a different school.

“Bye,” I told Zara at the car park. 

“Bye, Sarah!” Zara waved at me. Idris stood with the car opened for me.

“Thank you,” I said, entering the car,” Please take me to Angel Mason’s street. You know the route,” 

“Sorry, ma’am but your Father has instructed me to bring you home immediately,” he said through the rear mirror.

I frowned at him “Why?” Idris shrugged his shoulders and started the car. I sighed deeply and called Coleman.

“Hello babe,” he said into the call

“Hi,” I said shyly, smiling from ear to ear. His voice gave me butterflies in my belly “I’m sorry but I won’t be coming over today, My dad instructed the driver to bring me home from school.”

“Oh, that’s sad. Can we meet tomorrow?” He suggested 

“Sure. Love you baby,” I told Coleman before ending the call.

In no time, Idris drove us into my home. A white gigantic mansion surrounded by flowers. I saw my Dad in a navy blue suit standing outside the house to receive me.

My frown deepened. What is going on? Why is Daddy standing outside?

"Oh! Sarah; you're just in time. I want you to get ready in time cause we'll be going to Mr Delance’s home for his son’s welcoming party,”

I almost coughed. I know Daddy is friends with the Delance’s, but I didn’t have to go.

"Why? Do I have to go?" I asked abacked.

"What do you mean why? Everyone's wishing to be there, you should feel privileged to be one of the few invited guests,”

“Well, no. I don’t want to go,” I protested

"Nope, As a family; we will be attending the party. The Delance’s are family friends, and we are not going to turn them down- neither are you going to be absent. Go join your sister, she is getting dressed already,” Dad said firmly

"But Dad,”

His look silenced me.