Love of a Thousand Colors

Chapter 2

"Say goodbye to your problems and Live your Dreams with Free Sessions at Jacob's Robe Counseling Circle. Your extraordinary life-changing moment! More than self-discovery, no pill-popping prescription, 100% real."

I blinked my eyes once. Then, another time... I snorted, I heard Lucky tossing in her bed and some chewing sounds. This is one BS marketing strat. Whoever came up with this is indeed one desperate fellow. There's no magic bullet out there to make all your problems go away. Do these people think they can dupe anyone with such false promises?

I crumpled the coupon and threw it to the bin. I have to review a bit to prepare for the exams next week. I also have to check if I have some homework to do and if I have finished all the errands my teachers and classmates asked me to do to earn extra bucks. I wish I have my own desktop or laptop. I would've taken in more tasks and earn more.

The next morning, I prepared our breakfast and prepared Lucky to go to the center. I still gave Franny and Tootch the silent treatment. Heck, I'll be treating them coldly for the rest of my life. They detest me for sure but wouldn't think twice to gobbling down every food I handed to them.

I bet you'll tell me to just fend for myself and Lucky, but if I want to stick to my schedule and not eat squabbles for breakfast, I have to include them into my daily budget.

'Why not put a laxative to their food?', you might suggest. As impossible as it may sound, those two have an uncanny way to tell if something is off. That's also the reason why both of them survived this long without being picked up by social services or the police. Their radars are incredible sharp if trouble is heading their way.

After dropping Lucky off at the center, I headed to school and again, I'm about to get super duper late. Too bad I forgot to take my earplugs with me. I just have to endure it. Anyway, teachers only wanted to scold you for formality's sake but beyond that, they aren't interested to hear reasons behind tardiness.

And no surprise, I found myself in the last row, sitting on the chair situated at the corner of the room. No, I'm not sitting beside the window like most Japanese anime heroines. I'm in the darkest and moldiest part of the room where the sun's rays don't shine. I can actually grow mushrooms here and the whole class wouldn't care.

The teacher didn't barrage my ears with a stream of warnings today. Instead, she decided to put me where I'll be ignored for the rest of the period. It's like on-the-spot detention.

I slyly passed pieces of paper to two of my classmates in front of me. These are activity cards that we're supposed to finish tomorrow. But since we don't like our teacher to recognize my handwriting on their homework, I decided to give them early.

Two small white envelopes were given to me in return. I pretended to read my book and saw new crispy bills inside with a tip. It isn't money though. But a free ice cream sandwich coupon from 'Dairy Bean'. Ewe, but anything edible that fills my stomach is welcome.

I heard a snap of fingers and the teacher appeared in front of me too suddenly, I almost fell from my seat. "Busy with something?" She took the envelope and eyed me suspiciously. Two of my classmates/clients' eyes widened like saucers, but the rest of the class giggled innocently. "You're late and still have the audacity to be preoccupied with something else aside from the subject at hand."

"Sorry ma'am. I just did a few tasks before I got here. They are urgent." Showing two white bags inside my bag.

"No excuses. I'll take your bag and return after class. You may keep your book and paper for the rest of the period. It appears you need help concentrating."

I gave a pout and pretended to be sad. Underneath my book is the same envelope. This time, there's additional cash in it. The teacher paid me for breakfast and the "laundry" I picked up for her from a bar near our house. Before I agreed to be her errand girl, I told her that I won't allow myself to be a drug mule no matter how high the payment would be. She reassured me that it's not and showed me the contents. I tell you they're not illegal in any way, however, those items are so horrifying they should be banned as well. I'm too scared to tell you what they are but since the pay is good and it's not something that can get me in trouble with the police (for now). We finally have a deal for a higher fee compared to making activity cards for my classmates.

Things are going smoothly for me today aside from the typical indifferent treatment of the whole school to nobodies like me. Though I made enough money for me and my family today, I still have that lingering loneliness and envy residing deeply in the recesses of my heart. I still can't move on how unfair life is, seeing people with too many and others with too little. I always wonder what's the criteria to having a happy, splendid life so I could escape and fly somewhere where I and my sisters, correction, sister will be warm, fed and safe.

"Say goodbye to your problems..." How funny! I remembered that absurd coupon again.

"What's so funny Trina? Finally losing it?" A classmate of mine made a snide remark, where she and the rest of her girlfriends laugh offensively.

I rolled my eyes. "Can't make a funny joke unless it's about me? Pathetic."

"Duh. You referring to yourself? No one's more comical and pathetic than you are. In those titles, you are queen." Her best friend said. The group of hyenas did their thing again in unison.

Another eye-roll, this time I think I saw my brain. "Wow! And I'm sitting on the thrones in your heads because clearly, you can't stop talking about me. Are you some sort of my groupie now?"

The boys laughed and taunted the girls. I smirked, I can deal with these amateurs all day.

The leader slammed her fists on the table and pointed her claws at me. "You're only a hot topic because you're ugly and poor! Has the free food gone over to your head?" She looked at me from head to foot while spitting her words one by one.

"Aw, jeez. You just admitted I'm a hot topic. If you love me or hate me, make up your mind, will you? Do you need some psychiatric counseling? I just got one for you." I slipped my hand inside my bag and just realized I already threw away the coupon I wanted to show. So instead I put my hand over my forehead and formed the "L" letter for loser. Very casually, as if it's all planned.

"That's so original. I didn't see that coming." One of the minions said. "Suits you perfectly. Why don't you do that all day?" Then she copied my pose and make silly faces. Her friends laughed more hysterically this time.

I clapped my hands slowly and said "Bravo. That's how you get to mental asylum folks." The rest of the class clapped with me but the noise died down when the next teacher came in. I won this round, girls.

The leader walked her way towards me and leaned closer to my ear. "No matter what you say, at the end of the day, you are still a peasant. No amount of comebacks can bury that fact." She sniffed me like a hound and wrinkled her nose in disgust. "You can't even afford a cologne."

"Like I said, you need some serious counseling. Let me suggest Jacob's Robe. And wait till I suggest someplace where you can also buy manners and class." I stepped closer to her and shook my blouse in front of her so she can smell me better.

The teacher noticed our bantering and ordered us to sit down. The hyenas are fuming mad and a few of my classmates gave me a thumbs up. Such a rare thing to witness. I know I emerged victorious today but she is right. I am still an orphan who's undoubtedly poor, ugly and smelly.

I have to prepare for PE and go change. The PE teacher would probably get mad again because I'm late. The changing room is about to get empty, but I have to wait a little bit. Other kids often make fun of my old clothes and much more my granny undies. My mind is freshly out of a verbal and mental battle today and I hate to admit, I'd like to save my energy for more strenuous and important activities today.

I placed my tshirt and pants on the bench. I pulled my blouse up to change when someone grabbed me by my hands and pushed me towards the lockers. I couldn't see clearly who it is as my face is covered by my blouse. I try to wiggle free but it's difficult to breathe and the person is pinning to the lockers with an iron grip.

I could tell that this person is taller and physically stronger than I am. Oh my gosh! Will he kill me?! I panicked and tried to kick him.

"Stop it. I'll pull your shirt down so you can breathe. But don't you dare make a sound." It's a male voice. It's familiar but I can't pinpoint whose voice it is.

I nodded vigorously and my face is free from the blouse that nearly suffocated me. I stared at the person in front of me. But before I can say his name, he immediately covered my mouth with his hand.

"How did you know about Jacob's Robe? Don't even think of lying and stalling." This voice has sent hundreds of girls to their knees since the beginning of the school year. But he's not exactly wooing me, more like scaring my wits off. The close proximity between our faces is building the anxiety and fear inside of me.

Who would have thought that Mr. Most Popular is going to threaten a little invisible girl like me over a shady business that promotes itself like a magical pill?