CHAPTER 3: Being Bullied
One month later**
Tessie is going through the discharge procedures.
Avoid water for the time being, apply the ointment, and make sure you come by the hospital once a week for your wound to be checked and the bandage changed, Her attending doctor said to her.
Yes, sir, I won't neglect my health, thanks, Tessie said while waving goodbye to them.
She's such a sweet child, but calamity fell on her early in life; it shouldn't have happened to her, her doctor said while sighing.
Should you have preferred for it to happen to you? Someone asked.
Shut up, the doctor said while walking away.
Tessie stepped into the world again, her scars concealed beneath her sleeves but not from her heart. "Fresh air, new life," she mumbled, her voice dripping with renewed hope.
I need to meet the landlord I contacted while in the hospital, At least she gave me his address, she said, while boarding a taxi.
After a brief negotiation with the landlord, she settled for a two-bedroom flat.
She took in the sight of her rented two-bedroom flat. A mansion, this was not, but hey, who needs space when your life’s already a mess?
"This is what progress looks like," she muttered, rolling her eyes while eating the dinner she bought.
I need to be quick in my actions; I need to buy some basic appliances and then get my life back on track.
SCHOOL, I need to go to finish school for me to be able to hold my head high.
This is the time that I need to socialize more.
---
The Schoolgate Stare-attraction
As soon as Tessie approached the school gates, the world stopped. Seriously, was she in a movie? Everyone seemed to have received the memo: Stare at Tessie like she's a zoo exhibit.
“What’s with the looks? Did I grow another head?” She muttered under her breath.
Marie, her once-friendly seatmate, broke the silence. “Hey, Tess, haven’t you seen the class forum?”
“Forum?” Tessie’s eyebrows shot up. “What happened there? Did someone win the lottery?”
Marie handed her the phone. Tessie scrolled, and there it was: pictures of her and her family, paired with captions dripping with venom. ‘Tessie the jinx. Tessie the bad luck magnet. Avoid at all costs!’
And the cherry on top? The poster’s name. Gloria.
“Wait… Gloria?” Her voice trembled. “But she’s my best friend!” she wouldn't do this to me.
Marie smirked the kind that screamed I told you so. “Well, best friends don’t stab you in the front, right? Good luck with that.”
No, there must be an explanation; I must get an explanation for this, she said as she walked away, fuming.
Tessie found Gloria in her usual spot, laughing with her entourage. For a split second, Tessie considered walking away. Then she remembered—she wasn’t a doormat.
“Gloria! Care to explain what this is?” she demanded, phone in hand, staring straight at her.
Gloria turned around, her face the picture of innocence. “Oh, Tessie. That? I was just being honest, You know, public service and all that.”
“Honest? About mocking my family’s death?!” Tessie’s voice cracked, filled with anger and hatred, tears threatening to spill.
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” Gloria replied, her tone sharper than broken glass; you know you are bad luck, so why feign ignorance?
The crowd gathered, their expressions ranging from amused to indifferent. Tessie’s voice rose, her anger spilling out like a dam bursting.
“I’ve helped so many of you here! And now because I’m not rich anymore, you’re all out to bully me?”
A voice from the crowd piped up. “Respect was for your family, not you. Enjoy the taste of poverty, princess."
What? Gloria, we've always been best friends turned sisters; why?
Gloria’s smirk widened. “Tessie, darling, we were never sisters. You’re just a shiny toy that’s lost its sparkle.”
The venom in Gloria’s words hit harder than Tessie expected. Then came the final blow:
“Honestly, that scar? The fire should’ve just finished the job.”
Tessie froze, her hands trembling. Then, without thinking, she slapped Gloria. Hard.
The crowd gasped. Gloria, the queen of manipulation, fell to the ground, clutching her cheek dramatically.
“Tessie, please don’t hurt me! I’ll leave Smith alone!” Gloria cried, her voice theatrical enough for an Oscar nomination.
Tessie blinked, Smith? What does he have to do with this?
Before she could process it, a familiar voice boomed. “Tessie! How dare you hit My Fiancée?”
And there he was—Smith, her boyfriend of two years, storming toward her.
“Your… fiancée?” Tessie echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Yes, my fiancee, I've always loved Gloria,
“I’ve never loved you,” Smith announced, loud enough for the entire school to hear. “I just wanted to know what it felt like to date the campus belle. But now, I’m with Gloria.”
Gloria, still on the ground, smirked triumphantly.
Tessie felt like the universe had yanked the rug from under her. She couldn’t even cry; she was too numb.
Tears threatening to spill from her eyes, she held her head high and stubbornly looked at him, your loss.
What the heck is going on? A loud voice filled with anger boomed.
Don't you have classes to attend? The exam is coming up next week and you all are idling around.
The crowd dispersed
Then, a familiar face came into his sight.
“Tessie, to my office. Now," he said then walked away, while Tessie followed behind him.
In his office, Mr. Gail’s expression softened. “Tessie, I’m sorry about your family.
Thanks, sir, and am sorry about the disruption I caused today.
It's not your fault Tessie, you have to be brave and face everything.
Are you prepared for the exams, or will you take them next year?
“I’ll take them with everyone else this year, am prepared.
“Good. Take the week off if you need to. And here—give me your new number. I’ll add you back to the forum.”
Thank you, sir, I will do my best, she affirmed before walking away.
At least I wasn't slacking off before the accident; I can confidently pass.
The Week of Exams
She spent the next week drowning in books, taking notes, and getting ready for the exam
Wow, this is the week of the exams; I need to do my best she said, still feeling nervous.
The exams were tough, but she tackled them with the determination of someone with nothing left to lose.
When the final paper ended, Tessie walked out of the hall, her shoulders lighter. “Done,” she muttered. For the first time in months, she smiled.
“Watch out, world. Tessie’s not done yet.”
