Bracelet of Beauty

Chapter 3: Iced Coffee

When Elizabeth Feliz was done eating her snacks, she went to the restroom. Unconsciously, Denise and her friends saw her.

"There is Elizabeth. She is probably going to the restroom." Stacy said.

"Oh, the timing is great. I have a plan, girls." Denise smirked.

"What is your plan, Denise? I hope we will not get in trouble because of this. I am allergic to the Principal's office." Patricia stated.

"What are you frightened of? This is Elizabeth Feliz. Nothing to worry about. She might be confident in class but she does not like trouble so she will not tell the Principal or the teachers about this. Trust me on this one." Denise explained.

"Okay, Denise so what is your plan?" Stacy replied.

"See this large iced coffee that I bought?" Denise showed the drink to her friends.

"What do you plan to do with it? Do not tell me, you are planning to pour it to Elizabeth." Patricia asked.

"Exactly! We are really friends because we are thinking of the same thing." Denise laughed.

"Now, this is what I need the both of you to do. One will stay outside the restroom as a lookout and the other one will lock the door from the inside. I will do the rest." Denise said.

Her two friends, Stacy and Patricia, nod implying that they will help Denise with her plan. Because they all came from wealthy families, they are not afraid of bullying Elizabeth. They immediately followed Elizabeth to the restroom and started the plan. It was empty when Elizabeth came so no witness will be able to testify of the event.

"Stacy, go watch outside now," Denise whispered.

"Patricia, lock the restroom door immediately," Denise added.

Elizabeth chose the empty cubicle in the middle because there were five cubicles available. She locked the door of the cubicle and sat on the toilet. She was not aware that an evil plan will be made by the bullies.

Denise slowly went inside the cubicle beside Elizabeth and stepped on the toilet. She removed the lid of the iced coffee and started pouring the drink to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was surprised because she suddenly felt cold because of the drink. She looked above her to see where it was coming from and saw her classmate, Denise, laughing.

"You look funny, Elizabeth! I could watch your expression a thousand times." Denise mocked Elizabeth and used a sentence of hyperbole, which is similar to what Elizabeth said in the recitation.

"Why are you doing this to me, Denise? What did I ever do to you?" Elizabeth said while crying.

"This is what you deserve because you are a show-off. Do you think you are better than anyone else, Elizabeth? You are nothing compared to me. You are an ugly loser!" Denise laughed and went down from stepping on the toilet.

"Let us go, girls. Mission accomplished." Denise smirked while telling Stacy and Patricia that their task was done.

While the three bullies are celebrating, Elizabeth was left in the restroom crying. She is shaking not just because of the iced coffee but also because of the fear she is feeling right now. She does not have any friends and oftentimes, she is being bullied but she remained silent because she does not want to make her parents, Mr. Antonio Feliza and Mrs. Lucia Feliz, worried.

After a few minutes of crying, Elizabeth pulled herself together because she still has remaining classes in the afternoon. She went to her locker and took out her spare P.E. uniform. She does not have P.E. classes today but she needs to wear it so that she would not feel cold due to the spilled drink on her. The bell suddenly rings signifying the end of recess time. She quickly went back to the restroom but this time, she looks around first to see if no one will come and bully her again. When the surroundings is clear, she immediately changed her clothes. She folded her wet uniform and placed it in a small eco-bag. She went back to her classroom and saw that the teacher was already there.

"Why are you late, Elizabeth? Why are you also wearing your P.E. uniform in my class?" The Math teacher asked.

"Apologies," Elizabeth paused and suddenly looked at Denise.

Denise stared at Elizabeth with a dagger look to threaten Elizabeth that if she told the Math teacher that Denise was the reason behind this, Denise will bully her again.

"Apologies because I accidentally spilled my iced coffee on my uniform so I have to change my clothes. This P.E. uniform is the only spare clothes I have in my locker today." Elizabeth lied due to her fear and intimidation from Denise.

"Okay, come inside and take your seat. Be careful next time, Elizabeth, and do not be late again during my class. I do not like tardiness. Understood?" The Math teacher understands the situation but reminded Elizabeth to be punctual next time.

"Yes. I will not be late next time. Thank you," Elizabeth replied and walked towards her seat feeling ashamed.

While on the other side of the room, Denise smiled at her friends, Stacy and Patricia.

The Math teacher started the discussion and the class took out their books as well. After her Math subject, next will be History class. The same question was raised by the History teacher to Elizabeth. She can be easily noticed because she is the only one wearing a different uniform in class. Elizabeth explained again the situation to the History teacher and she apologized. The teacher let it slide this time due to the incident and proceeded to discuss also. The last subject for the day was Values Education, which is about morals.

The Values Education teacher went inside and told Elizabeth to come near the teacher's table.

"Elizabeth, why are you wearing your P.E. uniform? If I am not mistaken, I saw you earlier this day wearing your regular uniform." The teacher whispered to avoid attention from the class and to not embarrass Elizabeth.

The teacher is unaware that the classmates of Elizabeth already heard this conversation twice already with the Math and History teacher.

"Apologies because I accidentally spilled my iced coffee on my uniform so I have to change my clothes. This P.E. uniform is the only spare clothes I have in my locker today." Elizabeth explained once again.

The teacher was very observant and saw the glance of Elizabeth towards one of her classmates, Denise.

"Let us go outside the classroom for a while." The Values teacher and Elizabeth walked together outside the room so no one could hear them now.

"Are you sure you spilled the iced coffee? If someone bullied you or intentionally did this to you, Elizabeth you can tell me." The Values teacher seems to notice something unusual.

Elizabeth cannot contain her tears and started crying. She felt safe when her Values Education comforted her and showed sincere concern.

"Oh, Elizabeth. What is wrong? Please tell me so I will be able to help you." The teacher asked and gently patted the shoulder of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was moved by the concern of her teacher but will she tell the truth now? Will she conquer her fears and stand against the bullies? Will Denise, Stacy, and Patricia be reprimanded for the horrible thing they did to Elizabeth or will they get away with this incident?