Chapter 2
1236 Words
Rihanna was the first student to arrive at school that morning.
The large gates of Brixton High stood wide open, with only a few people moving about the compound. Some janitors were sweeping the walkways, security guards stood at their posts, and a few non-teaching staff members were already beginning their daily duties.
The school felt unusually peaceful.
No loud chatter.
No students running through the hallways.
No teachers rushing from one office to another.
Just silence.
And Rihanna loved it.
She adjusted the strap of her backpack and made her way toward the locker hallway. Upon reaching her locker, she carefully arranged her books, placing the ones she would need for the day in an orderly manner.
Unlike most students, Rihanna hated disorder.
Everything she owned had its place.
After organizing her things, she picked up a novel she had borrowed from the school library and headed toward her classroom.
The classroom was empty when she arrived.
She sighed contentedly.
This was her favorite part of the day.
She opened the windows to let in the fresh morning air and dusted off a few desks that had gathered particles overnight. The cold breeze drifted into the room, carrying the scent of wet grass from the football field outside.
Rihanna settled into her seat beside the window and opened her novel.
For a while, she became completely immersed in the story.
Reading had always been her escape.
Whenever life became overwhelming, books gave her a place to hide.
A place where dreams came true.
A place where good people eventually got rewarded.
A place completely different from her reality.
As she turned another page, her thoughts drifted toward her own dreams.
She was an Art student.
Not because she had no other choice.
Because she genuinely loved the arts.
Ever since she was little, she had dreamed of becoming an entertainer.
She wasn't exactly sure which path she would take.
Maybe acting.
Maybe singing.
Maybe modeling.
Maybe all three.
The stage had always fascinated her.
She loved music.
She loved performing.
She loved storytelling.
She loved creating.
And whenever she imagined her future, she always saw herself doing something extraordinary.
Before her mother's death, everything had seemed possible.
Her mother had enrolled her in an after-school arts academy where she learned singing, acting, public speaking, and basic modeling.
Back then, Rihanna had felt unstoppable.
Every lesson had brought her closer to her dream.
Every compliment from her instructors had strengthened her confidence.
For the first time in her life, she had believed that she could actually make it.
Then her mother died.
And everything changed.
The academy fees stopped being paid.
The lessons ended.
The opportunities disappeared.
The dream that had once seemed so close suddenly felt miles away.
Her fingers tightened around the novel.
She still remembered the promises people had made during her mother's funeral.
Promises they never kept.
Her Aunt Bethany had hugged her tightly and promised to always be there for her.
Yet after the funeral, she vanished completely.
No visits.
No calls.
Nothing.
Rihanna didn't even know where she lived anymore.
Then there was her father.
He had promised to protect her.
To take care of her.
To make sure she never felt alone.
But things changed after he married again.
Her stepmother's arrival had transformed her life into something she wouldn't wish on anyone.
Some days felt like a battle.
Other days felt like a prison sentence.
And lately, she had started wondering if things would ever get better.
A sudden movement near the classroom door pulled her out of her thoughts.
Linda walked in.
Rihanna immediately looked up from her novel.
Linda wasn't a bad person.
At least, not naturally.
But she happened to be Elsa's best friend.
And that made her dangerous.
Linda glanced at Rihanna before quickly looking away.
A few moments later, she looked again.
Then again.
Rihanna narrowed her eyes.
That was suspicious.
Very suspicious.
She pretended to continue reading, but she kept watching Linda from the corner of her eye.
What's she up to now?
Whenever Elsa planned something, Linda usually knew about it.
And whenever Linda started acting strangely, trouble wasn't far behind.
Still, Rihanna couldn't bring herself to hate her.
Linda was more of a follower than a leader.
She simply did whatever Elsa wanted.
Elsa had a way of controlling people.
And unfortunately, Linda was one of them.
Soon, more students began arriving.
The once-empty classroom slowly filled with conversations and laughter.
Friends reunited after the weekend.
Bags dropped onto desks.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
The peaceful atmosphere Rihanna loved disappeared.
Just like that.
A few minutes later, the school bell rang loudly through the building.
Students hurried into their seats.
First period had begun.
Rihanna closed her novel and slid it into her bag.
Her personal quiet time was officially over.
Their first subject for the day was Literature.
One of Rihanna's favorite subjects.
Not because of the books.
Well... not only because of the books.
The subject was taught by Mr. Oliver.
One of the youngest teachers in the school.
Unlike most teachers, Mr. Oliver actually knew how to connect with students.
His classes were always lively and engaging.
He made literature feel alive.
It also didn't help that he was ridiculously handsome.
Tall.
Well-dressed.
Charming.
And unfortunately for him, half the girls in school had a crush on him.
At the very top of that list was Elsa.
The principal's daughter.
The self-proclaimed queen of Brixton High.
Rumor had it that Elsa had confessed her feelings to Mr. Oliver shortly after he started teaching at the school.
Rumor also said that he rejected her immediately.
Nobody knew exactly what happened afterward.
But one thing was certain.
Elsa never forgot.
And she definitely never forgave.
Since then, every female student had learned an important rule.
Never get too friendly with Mr. Oliver.
Never make him laugh.
Never attract his attention.
Because if Elsa saw it...
Your life would become miserable.
The classroom door opened.
Mr. Oliver walked in carrying a stack of books.
The room immediately came alive.
Some students sat up straight and paid attention.
Others continued whispering to their friends.
A few girls practically melted in their seats.
Mr. Oliver simply smiled and began the lesson.
Everything seemed normal.
Until the classroom door burst open.
The loud sound caused everyone to turn.
Rihanna's heart instantly dropped.
Standing at the entrance was someone she knew all too well.
Her stepsister.
Sophia.
And judging from the cruel smile on her face, she wasn't there to say hello.
Sophia marched confidently into the classroom.
In one hand was a plastic bag.
In the other was pure malice.
Several students exchanged nervous glances.
Even Elsa looked curious.
Rihanna felt her stomach twist.
No.
Not again.
Please, not again.
Sophia walked straight toward Elsa's desk without saying a word.
The entire classroom fell silent.
Mr. Oliver paused mid-sentence.
Every eye followed her movements.
Rihanna slowly rose from her seat.
"What are you doing here?" she asked cautiously.
Sophia's smile widened.
The kind of smile that always meant trouble.
Before Rihanna could react—
Sophia swung the plastic bag over her head and emptied its contents directly onto her.
The classroom erupted in shocked gasps.
And Rihanna stood frozen as the disgusting substance dripped down her hair, uniform, and face.
For a moment, the entire room was silent.
Then the laughter began.
- Writer
