It had been three weeks.
School life was amazing. Davida had made friends with everyone. They were chill people. She had noticed people in her class weren't exactly poor. In fact, they were rich. Like very rich. But very weirdly humble despite the fame. They were supportive too.
Everyone was nice.
Teachers were nothing but pure vibes, even the strict ones.
Juniors respected them.
Davida loved everything about the school, except one.
Amelia
★
Girls' Hostel – Saturday, 6:32 pm
Davida just came back from Victoria's room. She opened the door and her smile immediately vanished as she looked over to Amelia.
Headphones on like she was trying so hard to block the world out, sleeping mask strapped to her face but she still nodded her head to whatever was blasting into her ears., laying peacefully on the bed like there hadn't been a heated argument between the two before Davida stepped out.
What happened?
No one even knows.
It had become a routine; they argued, almost getting physical only for one of them to storm out.
Davida walked back to her bed and lay down with a satisfied sigh. She connected her phone to her BT speaker and started watching a movie.
"The whole block doesn't want to know you're watching a movie. Turn it down." Amelia said calmly, still maintaining her relaxed position. Davida didn't even flinch or bother to reduce the volume. Amelia raised her mask and lowered her headphones before looking at her
"I suppose you aren't actually deaf right?"
"Do you hear anyone else complaining?" Davida shot back in an equally calm voice.
"I'll actually break the speaker."
"You aren't exactly poor, so I guess you can buy it back if you break it."
Amelia got off her bed and walked over to Davida.
"Turn it down." She said in a very commanding voice. Davida paid her no attention and increased the volume instead.
Amelia picked up the speaker and threw it outside the window before walking back to her bed, fastening her headphone and mask back in place and lying down.
Before the music could even resume playing in her ears, Amelia's headphones were pulled off and tossed out of the window by Davida.
"Are you actually insane? Do you realise that headphones was a gift?" Amelia raged, standing up to face Davida.
"Great. At least you lost something other than your senses." Davida countered.
"Absolutely not." Amelia laughed before angrily pulling on a casual shirt. "I can't possibly live with you. We are changing rooms before I get myself expelled." She said and wore the shirt before leaving.
★
Principal's Office – Monday, 7:30 am
The principal, a woman in her early thirties, Jenifer, sat behind the desk, rubbing her temples. Seated before her was Davida and Amelia.
"So, you haven't been sleeping in your room." She calmly asked Amelia who nodded once. "Why?"
"Because I can't live with Dada." She simply responded. The principal sighed and turned to Davida.
"She reported that she wanted to switch rooms because you said so." The principal added.
"Yes, I said so." Amelia admitted.
"Now Miemie, I recommended her stay with you because one, your room was the only vacant one and two, you are literally the most accommodating person ever."
"Yet even I couldn't stand her." Amelia said through gritted teeth.
"I called both your parents." The principal said frankly. "In front of your parents, we will talk about your differences and if you still wish to switch rooms, then I will process that." She added.
Davida smiled but Amelia's face remained neutral.
†
Davida's parents arrived first; her father and two mums. One was her birth mother, the other was her step mom, but both loved her a lot. Her birth mum looked exactly like her; same masculine energy yet affectionate eyes, even with the slightly deep voice while her step mom was all bubbly and jovial.
Davida talked to them while they waited for Amelia's parents. Davida's mums were already telling her to try to behave well and telling her where she might have been at fault while they waited for Amelia's parents. The principal was talking casually to Amelia like they were old friends in the meantime.
A convoy of cars suddenly pulled to a halt.
A classic over dramatic entrance.
From the first car, a man, sharp, poised and commanded respect with silence, alighted.
From the second, a beautiful lady who's beauty looked like venom yet had a bashful smile, alighted.
From the third car, a young lady who looked like everything Amelia wasn't; elegant, dignified, trained to the breaking point of perfection, alighted
The Crestfords.
They needed no introductions, the name was enough.
They had a business empire that ruled half the city. Their achievements alone could silence a room. Their name was spoken in hushed tone like a secret no one else must dare to speak out.
Mr. Crestford straightened his suit as he entered the principal's office. Jenifer immediately smiled and stood as she shook his hand and smiled at Mrs. Crestford.
Amelia, she rolled her eyes with a scoff and didn't even bother a greeting.
Jenifer guestured to the sofa for the two parents to sit. She explained the situation.
"While I understand that my daughter can be rather very demanding, a correction would do, not throwing banters." Davida's step mother said after Jenifer finished speaking.
"That is very true. She is used to commanding people, but this shouldn't lead to something as rash as threatening to spill her books in the water or throwing out her speakers." Her birth mum added.
"While I admit that yes, I was loud and messy and had a demanding tone, I don't take bullying at all. And I'm supposed to be older." Davida added herself and Jenifer nodded before turning to Amelia.
"Mr and Mrs Crestford?"
"Well, honestly I expect nothing less from a disappointment of a child." Mrs. Crestford said casually. "Bullying, destruction of property? I have no idea where I went wrong with her. I mean her sister Ashley is outside, poised and elegant, and feminine." She added, giving Amelia a firm look at the last word.
Amelia smiled. "Yup. That's me. A huge disappointment." She muttered to herself with a smile.
"We will make sure to pay for any damaged property." Mr Crestford said, already pulling out his card.
"Um, I suggest we just let them both talk. I always believe kids should solve problems themselves. It erases any form of further hatred. So let them scream at each other or argue, as long as they've settled their differences." Davida's dad suggested.
"That is an amazing idea." Mrs Crestford said with a smile. Everyone left the office except the two girls.
Silence.
A long, uncomfortable silence.
"So, I'll go first." Davida said. "I mean, I'm older." She added and adjusted her sitting position so she was looking at Amelia
"I agree that I can have a very demanding tone. I realised from your friends that you hated being commanded. I admit I do love commanding, but most times, I'm actually asking. So, I'm sorry if I came out as rude or bratty. But there's more to me than a bratty spoiled kid." Davida said with a sincere smile.
"I'm sorry too. I'm just going through a phase. I've had so much in me and I guess my tantrums was my way of venting. I shouldn't be venting on you-"
"Is it your family?" Davida suddenly asked, cutting Amelia short.
"Yeah. It isn't a first, certainly won't be the last. But trust me, I'm not some sad kid." Amelia joked with a smile. "I'm the best roommate you'll actually ever have. Mostly because no other person can ever stand you."
Davida scoffed and the two laughed.
"So, we cool?" Davida asked. Amelia smiled
"Yeah, we're cool."
★
The Staff Room – Wednesday, 12:03 pm
The staff room was almost empty. All the teachers were in the teacher's lounge area for lunch.
The door opened and Davida entered, holding a stack of notes as she entered. She dropped it on a table and stretched.
"That woman should hope the line isn't long." She mumbled and rubbed her empty stomach as she turned to leave. The door opened and a male teacher entered.
Davida stood rooted to the spot as she met the familiar face, linked arms with a junior student who immediately removed her hand.
He smirked and moved closer.
Davida slowly moved back.
She had pictured this moment in her head; they would meet again and she would call him out. But instead;
Silence.
Her mouth refused to open.
"Wow. You school here now?" The man asked and frowned when he saw how she was dressed. "You still dress like you don't remember what you are." He said and flicked her locks away from her face.
The door swung open again; Amelia.
She paused, taking in the sight. Her brows creased in confusion.
Davida bolted out, brushing past Amelia. Amelia ran after her and stopped her mid way down the flight of stairs. She spun her around. Davida was desperately gasping and clutching her chest, covered in cold sweat with tears streaming down her face.
A panic attack.
Amelia helped her up and immediately left her to the infirmary.
★
Infirmary – Wednesday, 1:15 pm
Davida woke up to the smell of antiseptic and a white ceiling. She sat up and images immediately flooded her head; screams, force, blood. Her chest tightened and her lungs closed up. She started gasping, tears forming and hands tightenin agaist the sheets.
"Hey." A soft voice and caramel skin held hers. Davida looked up.
Amelia.
She started crying and Amelia held her close. She did mind her shirt getting wet or anything. She held her close.
"He used to be my tutor." Davida muffled. "I was falling back on Spanish and my dad got him for me. He was nice. Always bringing gifts and my grades got better. He never tried anything stupid with me. But he always told me to dress like a girl and bought girly things." She choked, grabbing Amelia's shoulders so hard it might probably leave a bruise.
"Then he started getting really selective about my dressing gown his place. I hated it, but he always praised me each time I dressed like a girl. Then he came over to my place unannounced, he saw me in my usual fits and got really mad." She sobbed harder and hugged Amelia so tight, she felt like her lungs were trapped, but she didn't pull back.
"He r*ped me. He tore my clothes. He said he was going to make sure I remembered I was a girl." She choked out, sobbing even harder. "I didn't tell anyone. He threatened me. I hated him. I hated men. I didn't see my father the same way for almost two years. I went to therapy that got be back but I never told anyone why I was acting up in the first place. Miemie I'm so scared."
Amelia pressed her close to herself, soothing her and kissed her forehead.
But her eyes, ice.
"I'll ask Vic over, okay?" She said and slowly disengaged.
"Where are you going?" Davida asked but Amelia was already out the door.
Make her remember she was a girl? She would make him remember he was a guy too.