Purify Me

10

EPISODE 10.

After the wide conversation with Michael, Mom had to run to work after a peck on my cheeks. It's still surprising how he knew Mom yet behind the facade he was ruined, I couldn't find Sia around so I decided to walk to class alone.

As I walked, I suddenly felt unsettled. Many intense gazes were fixed on me, and some students passing by gave me genuinely disgusted looks.

"Who do we have here? A desperate w***e," a voice sneered. I recognized it as Vanessa's Her loud laughter made my heart pound with fear.

"She isn't even ashamed of herself, showing her face in school after her true colors are revealed," Lori added.

"Why won't she show her face when both she and her mom are public figures?" Andy said, which made everyone gasp.

Confused and sick to my stomach, I walked toward Vanessa. "What garbage are you saying, Vanessa? Haven't you and your boyfriend done enough damage for you to come to school and create another scene?"

Vanessa just chuckled and pulled something out of her handbag. I stared as she worked her phone and then shoved the screen in my face. There was a video of Michael and me in the garden yesterday.

I remembered the confrontation, but what I heard and saw in the video left me in a state of utter shock.

The video played, showing Michael talking, but then the voice that was supposed to be mine said things that were completely wrong and sickening.

"Michael, why are you doing this to me? You very well know how much I want you. Am I not pretty enough to be touched by you, just for once?"

I remembered not saying any of that. The video continued with my fake character saying things I never uttered:

"What do you want? Is it money? Tell me, Diana."

Then the fake me replied: "Yes, I want money too, but I want to have you in me too. Is it so bad to want?"

I stumbled back, shaking my head. I couldn't believe I was hearing my own voice saying those disgusting, fake words. The video was a lie, a fabricated piece of garbage.

The video kept playing, and I felt a heavy stone hit my chest. I knew I never said anything like this to Michael. The story, the video, the lies it was all wrong. Where was all this coming from? I would never allow my dignity to be destroyed like this.

"So, Diana, what do you have to say about this? Don't try to play dumb. We all know your true colors now, w***e," Lori taunted, watching my tears threaten to spill.

"That wasn't me! I never said any of this to Michael. The video is fake! Something is missing... Vanessa, tell them... it's not me!" I pleaded, my voice broken.

Then someone threw dirt on me, covering me in filth. Everyone burst out laughing. "OMG, who is she trying to deceive again?" "Someone like her doesn't deserve to be in this school." The hateful murmurs spread quickly.

I tried to run, but they blocked my path. I was trapped, shamed, and called names while Vanessa and her friends enjoyed the show.

Suddenly, a booming, loud voice cut through the noise. "What's going on here?"

Everyone froze, recognizing the authority in the voice. They scattered instantly, running off without looking back. Vanessa and her crew quickly escaped.

The man who shouted glanced at me a broken teenage girl on the floor, crying.

A girl rushed to my side, helping me get up. "I'm sorry for being late," Sia muttered, hugging me tightly.

"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry..." I sobbed into her shoulder.

"It's... okay, you're here, that's all that matters," I replied, squeezing her back. I had felt completely hopeless, thinking I was alone. Seeing Sia was everything; she was the one person I needed right then.

"I'm glad you came," I whispered, sobbing.

Sia held me tightly, trying to comfort me. "I'm here for you, Diana. Don't worry, we'll get through this together," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

Sia's POV

I was absolutely boiling inside. I sat next to Diana in Ms. Evana's office. Diana was slumped over, staring at her feet, broken by the public attack.

Standing before the principal's desk were Vanessa and her friends, looking miserable. Ms. Evana was glaring at them, radiating fury. Mr. Shan, the Vice Principal, stood beside her, ready to deliver judgment.

"Ms. Evana, we're sorry for what happened and for treating Diana wrongly," Vanessa pleaded, trying to sound innocent. Her friends nodded along.

"Another word from you, and your father will be the one answering for how he raised a daughter like you," Evana shot back, her voice sharp with anger. That shut them up immediately.

Diana remained silent, clearly consumed by pain and disgust. Evana noticed her quietness, pointing out that Diana had been like that for the four hours we'd been there.

"What you and your friends did to Diana Clerk can get you expelled from school because fighting and harassment go against the rules. You will be expelled. Do you know that?" Evana demanded.

They stayed silent, which made Evana even angrier.

"Answer me, you spoiled brats," she yelled. The four girls quickly nodded their heads.

My anger was still burning like a wildfire. They deserved this and more.

(I remembered how this all started earlier in the day.)

A few hours ago, I came to school and went to the library to wait for Diana. I saw the terrible notification on my phone and clicked it. I was shocked. It was a video of Diana and Michael in the garden, but the dialogue was completely faked. It twisted Diana's words into something disgusting and false.

I was enraged. I left immediately to report the video to the principal, but Ms. Evana wasn't available.

So, I went straight to the vice principal, Mr. Shan. He was on a call when I knocked, but he let me in.

"What brings you here, student?" he asked.

"Sir, what happens when a student publicly harasses a fellow student?" I asked, straight to the point.

"They get punished or expelled, depending on the crime," Shan replied.

I pulled out my phone and played the fake video for him. I explained the real story and how the video was being used to ruin Diana. He was clearly disgusted by the behavior.

"Sir, students like that shouldn't be allowed in this school. They're giving this academy a bad name. They should be expelled," I insisted.

"I'll see what I can do. By the way, what's your name?" Shan asked.

"My name is Sia," I replied.

"I mean your full name," he insisted, smiling slightly.

"Sia Dickson, sir," I replied. He looked completely shocked.

Mr. Shan looked amazed after I told him my full name. "I never knew another Dickson was here," he replied. "I thought it was just Michael Dickson."

I looked him straight in the eye. "This is my father's school, Mr. Shan. I won't allow anyone to harm or destroy this empire." I was serious. This wasn't just about Diana; it was about the kind of terrible behavior that ruined the school's reputation.

"Right," Shan said, nodding quickly. "By the way, how is your brother?"

"Michael is doing good for now, but he's having it rough after school," I said, feeling my fist tighten. "He and his friends started this whole mess."

Shan noticed how tight my knuckles were. "Take it easy on him. He's your elder brother."

I scoffed slightly. "He may have seniority over me by just forty-two seconds, but that doesn't change the fact that he began this," I told him pointedly. Michael might be older, but he was just as responsible for the chaos surrounding Diana.

I stood up from the seat and bowed slightly. "Please, sir, do something about these students soon."

I left his office afterward, knowing that my surname Dickson would make sure action was taken immediately.

*(Back in the office.)*

I knew that name was the only reason those spoiled girls were standing there scared stiff. I was going to use my power to make sure Diana got justice.