FACADE

Chapter four

Laila POV 

    The rest of the day went well. Florence showed me the different part of the school. She took me to the library - a whole building is use as the library and there are lots of books in them. There is also a project library where projects are kept. She took me to the ICT, canteen, gym room, swimming pools and some other rooms even the empty one.

   It was fun been with her. She makes me laugh a lot. I got to meet her boyfriend. He is a senior.

   On our way home after the end of the school day, we saw Jason and the four boys that hang around him today during lunch.

   I had totally avoid looking at him today in class. It was really hard to do. I'm not the kind of girl that get obsessed with handsome guys. I am too busy for that and i have a dream to achieve.

   But he is totally different. I just want to look at him. But the way he look at me when our eyes locked in the class. It was really scary.

   I don't want to hang out with a boy like that. And all the bad things Florence told me he does doesn't make me want to get any closer to him.

"He's hot isn't he?" Florence said.

   I look at her like she is crazy. She is the one who told me things about him and now she is saying he is hot.

   Even if it is true.

  She shouldn't talk like she is into him.

  I hit myself on the head. What do i know. It's not like i ever dated.

"What?"I asked.

  She smile at me. "Jason is bad but it doesn't hide the fact that he is hot and handsome. Honestly i had a crush on him when i first came. But he is a loner. And he never date. Which girl will want to date a guy as arrogant and scary as Jason?" She roll her eyes.

"Don't let his beauty get to you. He doesn't deserve any attention."

"I'm not giving him attention." I defend myself.

  She smile. "Of course i know. Just warning you."

"Thanks."

  When we get to the gate. She suddenly turn to face me startling me.

"What about your ride?" She asked.

  I am short of words. I don't know what to tell her. I could tell her i don't have any, that I'm going to take the public bus.

"I..I..I.."

"It's okay Laila. I know you don't have any." She said and my heart fell. She noticed because she quickly added. "I know but it okay. You are still my friend."

  I breathe out in relief. No one talks to me today except her. And she was very nice to me. I really don't want to lose her friendship.

"Will you like to ride with me? I can drop you off."

To say i am surprise is an understatement.

"Really? That's okay with you?" I asked.

   She grin. "Of course. I haven't have a friend like you in a long time Lai. Common let's go." She said and we move toward the Jeep parked outside the gate.

   I was happy to go to school the next day. I'm glad to start classes fully but I'm more happy to see Florence. The ride home with her yesterday was so much fun.

   She keep cracking funny jokes with her old driver. They get along well and she surprised me with how she respect her driver.

  I thought girls like her are rude to people like them. But i should have know better. She knows about me but she still wants to be friends with me.

  She is truly nice.

  She bought ice cream on the way and she also bought one for me.

"You're Laila right?" Someone said behind me as i walk to class. I turn around to see Christain, Jason best friend - like Florence told me.

"Yes. Good morning." I greated politely.

  He smile. "Good morning. I hope you have a wonderful night?

" Of course i did. Thanks. "

" Chris." Some boys shouted. They were standing beside the junior class three room. He wave at them and he turn his attention back to me.

" I've got to go. We'll see in class Laila." Christian said.

   I nod and i watch him walk up to the group.

   He seem nice and friendly. I wonder why he is friend with someone like Jason.

   I enter the class. The class is partially full. Some girls eye me as i walk to my seat but i didn't mind. I don't know why but it didn't affect me like it did yesterday.

  Florence is not yet in class and I place my books that i am going to use today on my desk.

   I am about to sit when I notice Jason is on his seat. He is quite early today.

  His headphone is on his head and he cross his legs on the desk and his eyes are close.

  I sat down on my seat and try not to look at him so he won't give me that scary look of his.

  I bought out a novel i borrowed to read to keep me busy until Florence arrive.

  After the assembly, we had three classes before going for break. Florence took me to the gym to meet her boyfriend and then we head to the cafeteria.

  I notice student gathering around the corridor that leads to the cafeteria. Florence become curious and she lead me to the front of the crowd.

   Jason is standing scowling at a junior student. The boy is small and his eyes are red from crying. His gangs stood around him laughing at the little boy misery.

  One said something to the boy's ear. He nod looking afraid. He bend down. He use his hand to clear the ice-cream on the floor into it container.

   He hand it to Jason. Jason said something to him that i can't hear and he nods again with the tears still falling down his cheeks.

  He open his mouth while Jason pour the dirty mixture into his mouth. When he couldn't swallow any more, he spit some out earning him a slap from Jason friends.

  Jason pour the rest of the ice-cream on his shirt and throw the container on him.

  He turn around to leave and our eyes lock. This time i didn't take my eyes away.

   I am boiling of anger because of what he just did to the boy. The boy is so small and he's a junior but he didn't care. He didn't even mind him crying.

  How could he be so cruel?

  I stare at him angrily. He look at me daring me not to look away.

   I am angry. I am even mad but i just get here and i don't want to do anything stupid. All the students watching whatever is happening are all wealthy children but no one dares to stop him.

  Not a single person moved.

  They just stare. So what could i possibly do?

  I'm not born rich and i don't have some connection. I don't want to disappoint my aunt or Mr and Mrs Anthony that brought me here. So i decide not to meddle.

  So i break the eye contact looking away. I just had to pretend i never see this.

  I push myself away from the crowd and i angrily walk back to my class with Florence calling on my name which i didn't answer

"How could nobody do anything?" I asked Florence angrily.

"Because it's nobody problem." Florence replied like I should know better.

"Nobody business. So that's why they had to watch that little boy suffer." I said getting more angry.

"That boy probably had done something to Jason."

"What could he have done? That was so mean." I said. I almost feels like crying as i remember the poor boys face.

"That's Jason. He had done worst Laila. You just have to over look it. No one want to get in any trouble with Jason." She said calmly.

"He's horrible." I said more to myself.

   This is just the second day of resumption and he did this to a junior student. What will he do in the weeks to come?

   I sigh and i sit on my seat.

"I'm not hungry anymore. You can go and eat." I said to Florence putting my hands on my head.

"Me too. I will stay with you." She said and she took her seat beside me.

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Author Note :I'm not very good at writing bullying story but i hope i tried.

And how do you feel about Jason behaviour? He is going to do worst but keep reading. Sorry for any grammatical errors.