Bruised, Not Broken

Chapter 2 - Fresh start same battle?

Alexandra got off the vehicle, her eyes immediately went to the school gate. It looked so big and crowded, filled with students wearing the same uniform as her. But deep inside she knew she was not really the same as them. She took one last glance at the signboard, feeling her heart beat fast, before she slowly walked towards the entrance.

As she walked inside the school, Maria who was waiting for her to arrive happily greets her at the entrance. "Heyyy bestieee you look prettyyyy!!" Maria's eyes lit up at the sight of her gorgeous friend.

Maria has been Alexandra's only bestfriend way back in elementary, she was the only one who did not judged Alexandra based on her family issues. Maria's family is quite stable when it comes to money, so she always help Alexandra whenever she has financial problems.

A sigh of relief escaped Alexandra's lips as she saw Maria. Her face brightened immediately, and she rushed forward and hugged her friend, a happy smile gracing her lips. Just seeing her friend made everything a little less daunting.

Maria immediately hugs her back, patting her back for comfort, she knows her friend is overwhelmed by the new environment.

"Come on let's go find our classroom, I think it's on that building over there." Maria gestures at a nearby building.

They walk towards the building, and walked through the steps on to the 3rd floor.

"Hmmmm which room was it?" Maria asked. Alexandra looks at something on her phone and then responded, "it says here, our class is in the 3rd floor 2nd room."

"Great, come!" Maria is clearly excited to meet her new classmates, but Alexandra was still questioning in her mind, would this new phase of her life be a good one, or was she destined for more hardship.

As they walked through the hall, few students sneak glances at them, especially at Alexandra. The students started whispering to each other. Their eyes followed her every move. They were all saying the same thing—that the new girl was incredibly beautiful, with gorgeous features that stood out from everyone else.

Maria who noticed the stares shoots everyone a glare, she's trying her best to make her friend comfortable. As soon as they entered the room, students turned their heads to look. Maria quickly took Alexandra's hand and dragged her to an empty chair at the back of the room.

The teacher walked in with a calm and confident pace. All the students immediately stopped talking and stood up to greet her. The noise turned into complete silence as she walked towards her table.

"Good morning Ma'am" in one loud, clear voice, all the students greeted her together.

"Good morning class I am Ms. Jane, your class adviser, you may now take your seat" the teacher replied warmly.

Right away, every student pulled their chairs and sat down in unison. Alexandra carefully lowered herself onto her seat too, keeping her head slightly bowed, feeling a little relieved that the attention was finally gone from her.

The teacher proceeds to her discussion, explaining the rules and regulation of the school. The students sat quietly and listened respectfully, their focus entirely on their teacher as she started the lesson.

One specific girl named Kiara watched Alexandra from head to toe. She bit her lip and narrowed her eyes, filled with envy. She hated how perfect and beautiful Alexandra looked even in the same uniform. A dark feeling of jealousy rose inside her, wishing that all the attention was on her instead.

The teacher smiled and said "okay let's get to know each other." One by one, students stood up from their seats. "Hi I'm Mia, i love dancing!" Said one. "I'm Jake, and I play basketball," said another. They spoke with confidence, loud and clear, smiling proudly as everyone listened. Alexandra watched them quietly, her hands clasped tightly together, her heart beating faster and faster as the line got shorter and it got closer to her turn. She hoped she would not stutter or look foolish in front of everyone.

"Hey guys I am Kiara and i love going to other countries because we are rich" her words was spoken with pure arrogance. She sounded proud and boastful. She looked at Alexandra from head to toe with a smirk, making it clear she thought she was far above her.

Maria roles her eyes at Kiara's arrogance and proceeds to introduce herself. "Good morning everyone I am Maria" she then gives Alexandra a 'go for it look' since it is now Alexandra's turn to introduce herself.

All eyes turned to Alexandra. She felt her face turn hot. She stood up slowly, clutching the edge of her uniform tightly. With her head slightly bowed. "Hello everyone I am Alexandra." Her voice was sweet and gentle, but filled with nervousness. She quickly sat back down.

The bell rang, and it was now lunch time. Alexandra and Maria stood up and reached for their lunch boxes. Suddenly Kiara and few of her friends surrounded the two of them.

"Oh look who this is hmmm Alexandra right?" Kiara said, a mocking tone dripping from her words.

"What do you want Kiara?" Maria chimed in, stepping closer, ready to defend her.

"Shut up, I am talking to her!" Kiara snapped, pointing a sharp finger straight at Alexandra.

Alexandra froze in place. Her hands gripped her lunch box until her knuckles turned white. She lowered her head even more, her heart pounding fast against her ribs. She already knew this feeling—the cold stares, the cruel words, the way everyone's eyes seemed to burn into her skin. It was just like before.

Kiara leaned down, her face just inches away from Alexandra, a nasty smirk spreading across her lips. "You think you belong here just because you're pretty? Don't fool yourself. You look poor, helpless and lonely without your little friend over here."

The girls beside her snickered, whispering loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "Look her uniform looks old" one whispered. "Bet she can't even afford a proper meal," another sneered.

Maria stepped in front of Alexandra, shielding her from their glares. "Leave her alone! She didn't do anything to you!"

Kiara just laughed, a cold harsh sound. "Stay out of this, Maria. Or do you want to be treated like trash too, just like her?" She turned back to Alexandra, her eyes filled with pure disgust. "You'd better watch your back, new girl. This is just the beginning. High school is going to be pure hell for someone like you."

With one last hateful look, Kiara and her group turned and walked away, still laughing loudly.

As soon as they left, Alexandra let out a shaky breath she didn't know she was holding. Her whole body trembled, and her eyes began to sting with unshed tears. It happened so fast—just as she feared.

"Are you okay?" Maria asked softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Alexandra slowly lifted her head, forcing a small, broken smile. "I...I'm fine," she whispered, though her voice shook. But deep inside, her worst fear had come true. The nightmare had already started.

Maria knew she is not okay, so Maria decided to cheer her up. "Come on let's buy some food at the cafeteria" Maria's voice was soft and gentle, comforting her friend.

"I'm sorry Maria but my money is just enough for transportation.." Alexandra responded, there is a hint of disappointment in her voice. "My auntie hasn't given me allowance yet" she added.

"Shhh, don't worry this one is on me" Maria said as she puts her arm around her friend's shoulder a smile tugging at her lips.

Alexandra's widened in surprise, she looked up at Maria, her heart feeling a little lighter for the first time all day. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden to you Maria.." She said shyly.

Maria squeezed her shoulder gently and shook her head. "You are never a burden to me. Now come on! Before all the good food runs out!"

She led Alexandra through the hallway, past the groups of staring and whispering students. Alexandra clings to Maria's side, grateful for the only person who did not care that she was poor. For a moment, she hoped that maybe...just maybe... Not everything here would be as terrible as she feared, especially with Kiara around.

There was a group of boys in the cafeteria, one of them is a boy named Marc. The group was talking about their current experiences in the school, until their friend Jack mentioned Alexandra. "Have you seen the pretty girl on the 3rd floor?" Jack asked his friends. "The one with the long hair?" Asked one of his friends, "oh the girl who passed by us this morning?" Asked another. Jack replied with a "yes!" Meanwhile Marc was just listening at the conversation, but he looks intrigued about this new girl.

After lunch, all students starts to return to their designated rooms. Maria hurriedly grabbed Alexandra to return to their room,they were running because they do not want to be late.

Kiara saw this in a distance and a small smirk appears on her lips. She suddenly stuck her foot out on purpose. Alexandra's foot caught against it, and she stumbled forward, crashing down onto the hard ground. Pain shot through her knees and palms.

"Alexandra!" Maria shouted, rushing to kneel beside her. She quickly helped her sit up, brushing the dirt off her uniform. "Are you okay? That was done on purpose! I saw it!"

That's exactly what you get for walking too close to us," Kiara whispered loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "Remember your place, trash." She added before walking towards their room like nothing had happened.

Maria offered her shoulder to Alexandra, supporting her as they slowly made their way back to the room. "Don't let her get to you Alex. She's just jealous of you, that's all" Maria said softly, trying her best to reassure her friend.

Alexandra's knees throbbed painfully, and her uniform was stained with dirt, but none of that hurt half as much as the cruel words that kept echoing in her mind.

Just as she feared, her nightmare had followed her all the way to high school. It didn't matter that she hoped things would be different. She was still the same Alexandra—poor, unwanted, and easy to step on.

A cold, sinking feeling settled deep in her chest. She walked beside Maria in silence, her small frame trembling slightly, already knowing the painful truth.

High school would not be her escape. It was only the beginning of a much longer, much crueler battle.