MORE THAN A DARE

CHAPTER ONE ‘Walking into the school, everyone’s eyes are on me—and I guess I know why’. My name is Gianna. I’m 16 and just got into this prestigious school on a scholarship. My family doesn’t own flashy cars, hotels, or anything extravagant. My mom runs a mini supermarket, and my dad is a firefighter. I have two older twin brothers, Gerald and George. They’ve just finished school and are working in good companies with decent pay. So, back to why they’re all staring at me, right? I already explained it. This is my first day, and I walked in with no makeup, no designer shoes, bags, or expensive hair. Mom had helped me tie my hair back neatly. I’d say I look pretty—just not up to their standards. I walked past several students, trying to find my locker using the map given to my parents during registration and uniform collection. My locker was at the far end of the hallway. I found it and quickly pulled out the books I’d need for class, which was starting in five minutes. Just as I was about to close my locker, someone slammed it shut. I turned and saw about five girls—clearly some sort of gang. The one in the center looked like their leader. “What did I do? What have I gotten myself into?Did I get in some sort of trouble?” I shouted in my head, confused and startled. The leader spoke rudely, “Hey, new girl. Even tho you are new,Don’t you know the rules?” Honestly, I was baffled. What rules? No one had told me anything about rules. And why was she talking to me like that? I mean, I’m a million times prettier than her—sorry, not sorry. “I’m sorry, no one told me about any rules,” I replied calmly. “You are lucky I’m in a great mood this morning” she replied. She turned to one of her crew. “Jane, give her the book.” The dark-skinned girl on the right handed me a small booklet. “Those are the rules,” the leader said coldly. I opened it—and burst out laughing. ‘What the heck is this?’ I thought. Was this some kind of joke? The “rules” were ridiculous and sorry to say stupid: wash their uniforms and iron them for a week, wipe down their chairs every morning before school, do their assignments neatly for a month,make sure their lunch are served early on on there favourite cafeteria seats... and more nonsense that goes on and on. Funny how the rules were more than 15.I couldn’t stop laughing. Jane asked, “Mira, is she laughing at us?” ‘Oh, so Mira’s her name’ ,I thought. Without saying another word, I dropped the booklet on the floor, picked up my books, and walked away, leaving them shocked to their bones I’m sure no one has done that to them before, I’m happy to be the first. ‘Oh gosh, I’m late!’ I rushed into my first class, breathless and flustered. The teacher barely acknowledged me as I found an empty seat in the fourth row of the well furnished and spacious classroom. As I settled in, I could feel eyes on me again — some curious, others amused. Then I heard whispers behind me. “She laughed at Mira?” “Wow, she’s bold.” Another voice came “ I think I like her already but let’s just know where her stubbornness would get her”. A blonde girl sitting next to me leaned over slightly. “Just avoid them if you can. They run things around here and act like queens even when they know they aren’t and are ugly as hell” she chuckled as she said the last part. I nodded but couldn’t help but still asked “are they really that mean?do bullies still exist especially in rich men schools?. My heart was still racing. The girls replied quietly. ‘ a lot of things go on here but you just need to avoid them they are of no good just obey their request to avoid being frustrated’ My heart raced the more as I tried to focus because the teacher will soon start . As the teacher began the lesson, I tried to focus. But my mind wandered. What kind of place is this? Is this how I’m going to start living now? Being troubled by bullies.i had hoped for a fresh start, a place to grow and learn.i never wanted to move here but dad was transferred to this place now I have no other option. I thought this place was going to be better but Instead, I’d walked right into a high school drama series. Still, a strange calm settled in me. I wasn’t going to be anyone’s puppet. I might not have rich parents or a car waiting for me after school, but I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t a girl who would stoop or be a play thing for bullies . I just came here I’m I’m going to try my best to keep this scholarship no matter what. I came here to succeed, and that’s exactly what I intended to do. Little did I know, that was just the beginning.