Echoes of envy: The dramatic life nd change

The school bell rang, with students bustling out of all classes. I walked pass the walkway, mindful of the states pple had as I walked. My life has always been a quiet life as a tenth grader and av been bullied several times. Maybe bcoz my silence was seen as a flaw but it wasn't. I was not a shy type neither am I sociable. This session, I made a promise to myself that my life would change and I would be a better version of myself. I walked straight on with edges on point, lip gloss okay and a confidence that made people stare at me with awe. Maybe they thought of how Deena Floyo had wonderfully changed. But starting this new session the vibe, had started to glow. I looked soo much beautiful attracting lots of stares. Feyi beckoned to me as I walked on. "Deena, ur looks are guy, what's with the change". I looked her up and said sacartiscally "Oh! Just wanna give those ugly dummies a piece of their mind". We both laughed at my statement and walked on happily. " Oh Geez! isn't this Deena and her weird friend, Feyi" said Charlie. Charlie had always been my sworn enemy always making life miserable for me. Her squad of friends, Gina and Mayowa made people fear them. I smirked as soon as I saw them. Remember Deena Floyo is up with good vibes this term. We just ignored them and passed them which was unlike my behavior. I was known for being shy and acting cowardly with always agreeing to everyone but this term am gonna change. ....................................................... Feyi and I walked together to class and we hoped to sit at a good spot where we would enjoy the class free from drama...... As we approached the door, the chatter from inside grew louder. "Ready for this" Feyi whispered, flashing a playful grin. I nodded though my stomach flipped nervously. The moment we stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned. Even Mr. Benson, our usual grumpy English teacher, raised a brow. I held my head high, pretending not to notice the states or the whispers that followed. I wasn't the same quiet Deena from last term— and they could tell. We took our seats, but just as I sat down, I caught David's eyes from across the room. His gaze lingered— half curious, half suprised. Something about it made my heart skip. Then, a voice behind me whispered " Guess she's not invisible anymore ". I smiled to myself. Maybe this wouldn't be soo bad after all. Just when I thought, I was blending in, David's voice cut through the murmurs. " Wow, Deena's glowing now? Must be for attention," he said, loud enough for half the class to hear. Charlie chuckled beside him." Maybe she thinks she's the main character now". Gina flipped her braids dramatically. "New term, same desperation," she said, rolling her eyes as she adjusted her lip gloss. Mayowa, always the echo of the group, smirked. "Let's see how long this phase lasts". Feyi squeezed my hand under the desk. " Ignore them," she whispered. But my chest tightened. It felt like every move I made was watched, judged. The whispers, the side glances—it was like walking through a storm of invisible daggers. I wasn't about to shrink again. Not this time 😒🌹 I sat up straighter, took out my pen, and said just loud enough, " if I'm glowing, them maybe y'all should wear shades." There was a brief silence. Even David looked thrown. Charlie scoffed and leaned back into her seat. "shades? please, as u wish" she muttered, but there was a twitch at the corner of her mouth— like she wasn't that comeback. Feyi grinned beside me. "okay main character I see u". The lesson began, but I still felt Charlie's eyes on me. She wasn't laughing anymore. Instead, she was watching—like she was trying to figure something out. After the lesson was over, the teacher left the class, then I prepared leaving too, when David said loudly for everyone to hear, "she got bold over the break, huh? My heart pounded, but I forced a calm smile. “Bold? No. I just realized I was wasting my time and voice on background noise." Someone in the back muttered, "Omo", Feyi looked at me and smiled. David's jaw twitched. “You think u're better than us now?" No, I said. " I know I am" Silence again. But this time, it was heavier—like I had cracked something open. David stood, eyes narrowing like he was ready for war. "You have made the worst mistake of ur life." "Oh please", I said, folding my arms. " The worst mistake of my life was thinking you were ever worth looking up to." David lunged, but Gina held him back. "She's not worth suspension", Gina hissed. "She just wants to feel tough". "Tough?" I laughed coldly. "No am just tired. Tired of being silent. Tired of shrinking. Tired of people acting like u guys own this school". Heads were turning. Whispers rising. Feyi stood beside me, scared and panicking. " Let's go", she said. As we walked away, my heart was beating fast but i was proud. This term wasn't going to break me. 😎 ...........................................