LOVE IN DISGUISE

“Love is pain..... Love is a war... Love is...a battle... Always making you feel hurt and not wanted. Love is a growing up.... Love is a waking up. Waking up from the tales that love can erase the past.. and waking up to the reality that love only brings joy, happiness, and peace. But...... Also brings hatred, war, anger, and hurt. Love is a journey... Not a destination. Arrgh, by the way who wanna fall in love?" Maddie sigh as she hit her head in frustration. She hated the fact that she was thinking about love. Getting up from her bed, she stared around her room in disgust. It was messed up with clothes and papers on the floor. Her room was just plain with no design. Just her bed, study table, laptop and closet. She was literally living a care-free life... Not bothered about the people around her. She was a tomboy with a rugged charm, her short black hair stopping just below her neck in a messy, choppy style that framed her heart-shaped face. Her bright, expressive brown eyes sparkled, and her smooth, golden-brown skin glowed with a subtle sheen. Although she was undeniably beautiful, she rejected all things feminine, and preferred dressing like a boy. Her one true passion, her constant companion, was music and the only thing that truly made her feel alive. Music was her escape, her sanctuary, and her best friend – the only one she needed. “Where do I start from...“ She muttered picking up her favorite blue snicker and admiring it. “Sis, we're getting late?“ Someone screamed from outside her room and she scoffed. “I'm coming Amiee!“ And then she walked into her bathroom. 23 minutes later.. “Bye mom” Amanda said as she kissed her mom beside her cheeks and Maddie scoffed in irritation. “Come on.. give me a hug” Her mom said spreading her arms even when she knew Maddie wouldn't hug her. “It's not like I'm getting lost... Bye Alice” Maddie muttered before walking out of the house and Amanda followed behind. Maddie was used to calling her mom by her name. She didn't like the feeling of saying the word “Mom”. Taking a deep breath, Alice walked back inside. She needed to get ready for work. ....... “Let's take the bus..“ Amanda said running behind Maddie who had her headphone on and wasn't hearing a word her sister had just said. “Hey, I was talking to you..“ Amanda muttered taking the headphone off Maddie's ear. And Maddie glared at her. “Aren't you waiting f....“ “I'm not. Amiee mind your business... If you wanna take the bus.. then do so” Maddie hissed interrupting Amanda's words. “And besides I can't be on that bus with those scummers“ she added and continued walking.. leaving her sister behind. “Why.. are you this arrogant?“ Amanda asked no one with a frown on her face. ...... 💫 CLIFFORD HIGH 💫 "Who's he?" Cecelia asked, interrupting her friend's discussion. With her captivating blue eyes, flawless features, and stunning figure, Cecelia was a beauty who inspired envy among many girls at Clifford High. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, adding to her beauty. "We don't know, but I heard his name is Cameroon" Avery, a brown-skinned girl, replied. "He might be here on scholarship." Cecelia nodded thoughtfully. “Yh. The principal said so...“ Cecilia muttered. Just then, screams erupted, and she scoffed. She knew who had arrived and it was no other person than Jasmine Langlin. The billionaire's daughter. Her father was the owner of Clifford high and five other populated Schools in US. Cecelia then made her way to the front row just to catch glimpse of what Jasmine may be wearing today. Because she never puts on the same clothes twice. Always changing different types of design's and wasting her dad's money. 👤 “Arhhh! We love you jasmine!“ Someone screamed as jasmine personal bodyguard came out opening the door for her. As she emerged, her legs appeared first, eliciting screams from the crowd. After what felt like an eternity, she finally stepped out in full view. She wore a fitted leather dress that fell just above her knees, paired with sleek black shoes. Her blonde hair was styled in a flawless ponytail, adorned with delicate flowers. With her leather bag slung over her shoulder, she strode into the school, her confident stride commanding attention. The crowd parted, eager to make way for her. 👤 “Wow, she's looking hot” A guy from the crowd muttered with a smirk as his eyes roamed around her body. 👤 “Wish I had that bag” 👤 “ Can I be your adopted sister!' 👤 “ she's so beautiful “ “Feels Good..“ Jasmine muttered still walking inside the school. She was loving the attention she got from all the students. Just then her eyes darted towards Maddie who had her headphone on and was walking sluggishly inside the school from the main gate. And she stopped waiting patiently for Maddie to approach her. “Here she comes” she muttered taking a deep breath. Then suddenly everywhere went calm with everyone's eyes on Maddie. Maddie on the other hand who didn't notice the tension and sudden awkwardness in the school, continued walking not even minding the eyes on her. She then walked past Jasmine without even noticing... And everyone gasp. 👤 “The guts... To ignore her” 👤 “Has she lost her mind?“ “Looks like the tomboy has arrived... And doesn't know her place here.....“ Jasmine began as she pulled Maddie back. “In Clifford high...“ She added this time standing in front of Maddie who had already removed her headphone placing it across her neck. “Yh... And is that your problem?“ Maddie asked glaring at Jasmine who had a frown on her face. “You know.... Maddie I could ripp you apart with just a snap of my finger” “You should just say... With your dad's money” Maddie interrupted with a smirk on her face. She was used to acting tough around people. "How dare you?" Jasmine spat, her face twisted in fury. No one had ever stood up to her the way Maddie did. "I'm sorry... My sister is sick..." Amanda stammered, rushing out of the crowd and pulling Maddie's hands. But Maddie glared at her. "I see... It's obvious she's sick..." Jasmine sneered, shoving Amanda to the floor. Amanda groaned in pain. Maddie turned to help Amanda, but before she could turn back, she saw Jasmine's hand raised, ready to slap her. Maddie closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the impact. But it never came. Instead, she heard a sharp crack. She then opened her eyes only to find everyone gasping in shock. She turned to face Jasmine, but a blonde-haired guy stood before her, his eyes fixed intently on her. It seemed he had taken the slap meant for her. The crowd remained silent, waiting for Jasmine's reaction. Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "And you're?" But the guy didn't answer. He kept staring at Maddie, who scoffed, uncomfortable with the intense gaze. "I'm talking to you!" Jasmine screamed, her frustration growing. But the guy remained silent. Just as Jasmine was about to explode, someone interrupted. "He's mute!" Jasmine turned to see Cecelia standing across from her. She had always hated Cecelia but can't do anything to her because Cecelia parents were also rich. "Mute? What kind of name is that?" Jasmine scoffed. 👤 “What! A mute guy in Clifford high.... Who even let him in” 👤 “Who's he anyways” Cecelia rolled her eyes. "Dummy, that's not his name. He's Cameroon, and he's mute. Which means he can't talk!" The crowd erupted into laughter, but quickly fell silent when Jasmine turned to them, her eyes blazing. “Doesn't he have any family... He can't just be Cameroon” “You heard me... I said he's mute. I don't know his family name... But that's .....“ “Let's just say he's another squammy” Jasmine said interrupting Cecelia. 👤 “She's right, another squammy!“ 👤 “Cecelia should stop talking to jasmine that way” 👤 “I bet his surname is Squammy. I'll call him Cameroon squammy” Just then, screams erupted again. 👤 "Austin is here!" someone shouted. Jasmine's face lit up with a sly smile as she walked away, leaving them behind. Cecelia turned to Maddie. "Avoid her!" she whispered urgently before rushing off. Maddie then turned to Cameroon, who still stood beside her, his eyes fixed on hers. “Thanks... “ She muttered pushing him slightly and turned to walk away. This was the first time she was saying the word “thanks” to a guy and she hated the feeling. But someone held her wrist. Maddie turned, her expression twisted in a frown. "Austin, what?" "Is that how you should be addressing me?" Austin asked, his grip on her wrist tightening. Maddie scoffed, trying to wriggle free. She despised Austin, but her mother's job at his hotel made her hesitant to antagonize him. "Austin, I need to get inside. Class starts at eight, and it's almost that now." 👤 “She's so lucky” 👤 “Can't believe Austin is begging for her attention”. Austin's grip tightened further. "Are you saying classes are more important than me?" His brow arched, and Maddie rolled her eyes. "Yes. Now, if you'd let me go, I'd be grateful." She tried to tug her wrist free. Austin's smile faltered, and he loosened his grip. "You're not going to get off that easily, Madison. This isn't over. You'll end up just like your mother – working under me, because you're too proud to accept my help." Maddie's anger boiled over, and she slapped Austin, her palm connecting with his cheek. Gasps erupted from the surrounding crowd. "She slapped him!" someone whispered. Austin's face twisted in rage, his eyes blazing with fury. Jasmine sauntered past, her gaze flicking disdainfully toward Maddie. "Well, that's what happens when you're dealing with someone as poor as her." She muttered before walking past them. Maddie's eyes widened as she realized she had crossed a line. She had no idea what Austin would do next.