Althea's POV
"I am thrilled to have you in our school, Althea. When your mother shows me your achievements, I know you will be this school's great honor. I'm glad you chose us over other schools," Ms. Fowler praised me.
"My mother went to this school, so she wanted me to experience the same memories she had here."
She smiled, "You are top of your class. First place in quizbee, science fair, and math. Those achievements are needed in this school, and I want you to be our representative for specific curriculum."
"It is my honor, Miss."
She touched my hand and sighed softly, "Your mother won't regret choosing our school and if you need someone to talk to, Althea. I'm always here."
I removed my hand from her and replied, "Look, Miss Fowler. I know you and my mother were best friends before you became the Dean of this school, but it doesn't mean she can use you to spy on me."
"We both know how much you love your father, Althea. I know transferring here isn't much of your choice, but I will help you have a great college life," she said, concerned. "Your mother and I are worried about how you witnessed your dad pass away. He raised you differently, so I understand if you found my concern as spying."
"Things are meant to be forgotten, Miss Fowler. I've been with my father since I was ten years old and all he wanted was to see her before he departed. However, my mother's obsession with work didn't let him."
"You must understand the situation that time, Althea. Your mom did her best—" I cut her off.
"If my mom wanted to be a mother and wife, she wouldn't have left me and my dad!" I raised my voice.
Silence prevailed between us, causing me to clear my throat. "I apologize for raising my voice, Miss."
She smiled softly, "That's okay. I just wanted to know you're okay, Althea."
I stood up, took my bag and books. "I'm fine, Miss. I gotta go to class. I don't want to be late."
I went to the door and was about to leave when she spoke again. "Before I forgot, your mom called. She said she'll pick you up after school."
"Okay," that's all I said before heading out and starting marching to the crowded hallway.
I hugged my books tightly, concluding the sorrow and pain within me as my memories with my father sink in. My eyes are getting blurry because of my tears and I was about to wipe it when I bump into something hard, and fall on the floor because of the impact.
I wiped my eyes and pushed my glasses before lifting my head where a group of handsome men was standing before me.
I stood up and said, "I'm sorry."
"Sorry? Look at my shirt, you idiot! You stained my white shirt with coffee! Do you think your sorry will fix it?" He yelled, catching the attention of students around us.
"I didn't mean to do that. I was wiping my glasses when I stumbled upon you," I answered.
He scoffed, "Do you think that's a valid excuse? Then your glasses are useless."
He grabbed my glasses and I tried to take it back, but he pulled it away to prevent me from taking it. "You have four eyes yet you didn't see me, so this is useless."
The young man dropped my glasses and without hesitation he stepped on it, causing it to break. I clench my fist before pushing him and take it, seeing the damage he causes to my glasses.
"How dare you? This was a gift from my dad!" I said.
He chuckled sarcastically, "Ask your dad to buy you a new one."
"Do you think that will be easy, huh? If you're looking your way, maybe you didn't bump into me. I was not looking, so it's impossible for you not to see me!"
His face darkened in annoyance. "It was your fault, so don't throw the blame on me."
My heart was filled with disappointment. I picked my book and bag up before turning around to walk away, but he grabbed my arm and pinned me to the wall.
"Do you think you'll get away from this, woman?" He asked.
"Let me go," I murmured.
"Let you go? That will be impossible," he stated.
He moved an inch away from me, removing his shirt that made the girls around giggles. After that, he hung it on my shoulder. "I'm expecting you to clean my shirt by tomorrow because if you don't, you're going to pay for it. Which we both know you can't afford."
"I'm not cleaning your shirt. I am not your maid," I responded.
He raised his eyebrow, flashing a smirk of annoyance before looking at me from head to toe. "Everyone was craving for my attention and you're lucky because you had it without lining up."
"I never ask for it."
"Unfortunately, you had all my attention now, granny. Look at what you were wearing," he moved away, scanning me in an uncomfortable way. "Did you borrow your grandmother's skirt? It looks like you are."
The students laughed with his joke, making me feel more uncomfortable. He lifted my skirt, making me hit his hand away and walk backwards. The young man marched slowly towards me, and I went backwards until I tripped and fell. My clumsiness made everyone laugh, filling me with embarrassment.
"You mess with the king, Miss. That's your mistake," he murmured.
"Randall, stop it. You're making it worse. You are safe from suspension but if Miss Fowler discovers that you're bullying a student, it will be your end. You don't want to lose the position of being the captain of the team, right?" A young man stops him.
I witnessed how he stopped, especially since he seemed to get in trouble. He swirls around to pick up his shirt and throw it on my face. "Fix it or you'll regret meeting me."
After saying that, he turned around to leave followed by his friends. I rose and wore my broken glasses before walking away. I thought my life would never be like this, but it turns out misfortune is following me wherever I go.