Allison
I quickly turned off my phone screen and took a few steps back, trying to create some distance between us. Yvonne smirked and walked closer, her eyes narrowing.
“Why didn’t you tell the coach what really happened the other day?” she asked, giggling.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing. “Weren’t you the one who asked that girl to threaten me?” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Memories of the previous day came flooding back. I remembered the girl Mr. Ian had sent to fetch me, and how she had threatened me on our way to his office. She had warned me not to say a word about what had really happened, or else they would make life miserable for me and my sister.
They would spread rumors, get my sister suspended from the cheerleading squad, and even expelled from school. Yvonne had made it clear that she had the power to ruin my life, and I had believed her. Besides, her father was powerful and there was nothing he couldn’t do.
That’s why I had lied to the coach, too afraid to tell the truth. Even though I hated Sally, I never wished horrible things for her. I… I still love her. She is my sister. Yes! I admit it. I really cherish her.
Yvonne suddenly grasped my shoulder, her grip tightening. “You did well, protecting your sister. That was the best decision you could’ve made. I mean Sally is stubborn and she doesn’t care what happens to her.”
I simply nodded, trying hard to avoid her hardened gaze.
But then, she looked down, rummaging through the convenience store bag she was holding and pulled out a carton of milk. With a sly smile, she opened it and poured the contents all over me. Milk dripped from my hair down to my face, soaking my clothes and pooling at my feet.
She burst into laughter. “Oh my goodness, I’m really sorry. My bad! I thought you were trash.”
I was quiet.
“Well, you’re trash, actually,” she sneered, slamming the empty carton onto my head, where it teetered briefly before clattering to the floor.
She bumped shoulders with me, nearly knocking me off balance, and walked away. I stood there, frozen in shock and humiliation. I couldn’t even muster the strength to move.
As I finally made my way back to my room, I ignored the stares and questions from others. I just wanted to escape.
I stumbled into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let the warm water wash over me. As the liquid soaked into my skin, I broke down in tears, the humiliation and pain finally overwhelming me.
After crying, I took off my soaked clothes, showered, and changed into fresh ones. When I came out of the bathroom, Nina looked at me with concern.
“What happened?” she asked.
I sighed, and explained to her my encounter with Yvonne amidst tears and sobs.
Nina frowned. “You need to stand up to her. If you don’t, she might do something harmful to you and even your sister.”
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. “You know who her father is. If anyone messes with her, who knows what could happen?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, her brows furrowing. “That girl is a monster. It’s no excuse!”
I leaned in, lowering my voice. “Look, my sister is almost done with school. I don’t want anything to get her expelled. That’s why I’m trying to hold it in.”
Nina shook her head, knocking gently on my forehead. “You’re too soft, Allison.”
“Well, my sister isn’t,” I said with a sigh. “But I hope she learns from her friend’s experience. I don’t want her to go through the same thing.”
Nina sighed deeply, her gaze drifting away, and I could tell she finally understood my concern.
The story still remained fresh like an open wound to me. Sally’s only friend, Francisca, had been a victim of Yvonne’s relentless bullying. One day, Francisca stood up for herself, refusing to back down. She even called her parents, hoping they could put an end to the harassment.
But Yvonne’s father, with his wealth and influence, turned the tables on Francisca. She was falsely accused of bullying and theft after someone planted incriminating evidence in her locker.
The school authorities expelled Francisca, and her father lost his job. The aftermath was devastating. Francisca’s family faced a barrage of challenges, and eventually, they were forced to move away, leaving behind their home and their lives.
The memory of Francisca’s tragic fate still haunted me, and I couldn’t help but worry that the same thing might happen to my sister if she crossed Yvonne.
Just then, my phone beeped, breaking the silence. I picked it up from the bed and checked the screen. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the message was from my sister.
“Talk of the devil…” I whispered to myself.
I checked the message, and my eyes widened as I read the words: “Come home right now, Mom wants to see you.”
I quickly typed out a reply with trembling fingers: “Why? Did you tell her anything?”
My sister’s response came swiftly: “Just come home, Allison.”
I felt a knot in my stomach as I wondered if my sister had told Mom about me and Jayden. Fuck! I’d even forgotten she still had that stupid video on her phone.
I looked up to see Nina watching me with curious eyes. “What’s up?” she asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
But I just shook my head, trying to compose myself. “I need to leave. My mom wants to see me right now.”
“Okay,” she nodded.
I grabbed my bag, tossed in the essentials, and rushed out the door.
“See you later!” I called out to Nina as I sprinted outside.
After ordering an Uber, it came to pick me up. The driver stepped on the gas, and we sped off to my mom’s place.
After a 40-minute drive, we finally arrived home. I paid the driver, and stepped out of the taxi. My hands trembled as I walked towards the door. I took a deep breath, pushed it open, and entered.
Inside, I saw my sister Sally sitting on the sofa, watching TV. She turned to me, and I quickly approached her.
“What’s going on? Why does Mom want to see me?” I asked.
Sally sighed, her hand gestures quick and fierce that if I blinked, I could miss the slightest detail. “Because I reported you to Mom.”
My heart skipped a beat. “You did what? You reported me to Mom?”
Sally nodded, as she responded. “Yes, you should go see Mom in her bedroom.”
“Why would you do that?” I yelled, tears filling my eyes as I grabbed Sally by her collar. “Why would you fucking do that to me?”