Butterflies and Ashes

Chapter 5 - A Rude Show

I fumbled with the scripts in my hand as I stood in front of the class, unsure whether to return them to June or plead with Heather to help me out.

“What are you waiting for?” June demanded coldly, his cold glare cutting into me.

This was such a contrast to the kind soul I thought he was earlier when he had ushered me to sit next to him. Was this his true nature, or was he simply putting on an act? Beside him sat his dragon, Tina, her eyes narrowed, lips curved in a thin smile as if savoring my discomfort.

I followed her gaze toward the board behind me, and that was when I saw it. My backpack.

The scripts slipped from my hands and dropped to the floor immediately as my eyes filled with the tears I had been holding back all this while.

“Isn’t that your backpack?” Tina’s voice boomed through the air, icy and cruel, as the class erupted into giggles. “Don’t show up here tomorrow with that trash item you call a backpack. It’s embarrassing to the school and to us. And where on earth did you get that rotten sandwich from? Don’t ever bring spoiled food here again. Our cafeteria serves the best meals, and they are free, since your tuition covers it.”

A huge lump swelled in my throat. This was too much. My mum had made me take the sandwich because I was running late and couldn’t eat at home. And now Tina dared to call it rotten?

I dashed to the board where my bag was hung and snatched it down, but to my horror, it was empty. Tears blurred my vision, but I fought them back. I won't let them see me cry. My lips trembled when I spotted my lip gloss lying twisted and wasted on the floor. I had only bought it with my last savings over the weekend. How dare she destroy it? A rumble of snickers followed when I made a quick dash for it.

“Why bother picking it up? Can’t you see it’s useless?”

I ignored Tina’s remark and picked it up anyway, clutching it tightly in my fist.

“In case you are searching for your phone, it’s in the trash bin.” Tina’s voice carried a sickening glee. “Shouldn’t you get a new one? The screen is cracked and dirty.”

My lips pressed together in frustration as I rushed to the trash bin. There it was, my phone, my mangled sandwich, my broken pencils, my books now smeared with fresh ketchup stains.

“You don’t even have the usual things a lady ought to keep in her purse. Even middle schoolers know better.” Tina wasn’t finished with me. “Well, before you dig those filthy hands into the trash bin, pick up our scripts first and hand them out.”

This time, anger rose hot and fast in me. What exactly did they take me for? It’s not like I had offended anyone. What was the worst that could happen if I stood my ground?

I abandoned the trash bin, scooped up the scattered scripts, and stomped toward Tina. Without thinking twice, I flung them into her face. The pages scattered like money, fluttering down over her and June.

The entire class stared at me in total shock, their mouths hanging open.

“There. Have your scripts. Happy now?” I thundered, my voice shaking with fury as I stomped back to the trash bin to recover my things.

Heather, however, rushed toward me, her eyes wide with urgency.

“Hey, newbie! What is wrong with you?” Her voice was a hushed whisper. “Turn around now and apologize, else…”

I looked at her, bewildered. “Else what?”

She shook her head at me with something close to pity. “Else you might be charged with assault, and your parents could be forced to bail you out with their life savings. The Turners won’t let you off that easily.”

I was flummoxed, stunned into silence. “What do you mean? I’m the one being assaulted here, can’t everyone see that? There must be cameras here to prove it, right?” My eyes searched the ceiling desperately.

“Forget about that,” Heather whispered harshly. “Just apologize. A simple apology will solve everything.”

I stared at her, torn and confused. I was the victim, yet I was supposed to apologize? Whose side was Heather really on?

“Tina, so sorry about that,” Heather said quickly, cutting me off before I could speak. “Carrie wants to apologize. She didn’t mean it.” She nudged me.

I was tongue tied.

“I’m all ears,” Tina said stiffly after a moment, her eyes glinting with smug satisfaction.

I swallowed hard. I couldn’t believe what was happening. “I’m sorry for flinging the scripts at you,” I heard my voice say, shaky and small.

Tina crooked her dainty polished finger at me. “Over here. I can’t hear you.”

For a fleeting moment, I felt tempted to ask Heather how much my parents would really need to pay if I chose to stand my ground. On the other hand, I reasoned that since Tina’s parents owned the school, their net worth dwarfed ours by light years. The bail could probably cover our family’s feeding for a year or two. So instead, I forced myself forward, trying to hold my head high though my cheeks burned with shame. “I’m sorry for flinging the scripts at you,” I repeated, my tongue burning with each word.

“Very good. Now pick them up,” she ordered.

I obeyed, bending down to gather the pages once again. For the next five minutes, I rattled off names and handed out the scripts like some obedient servant.

The bell rang for PE, and everyone filed out in groups, laughing and chatting.

Finally, the room emptied, and I rushed to salvage what remained of my belongings.

I thought I was alone until I heard a chorus of titters behind me. Three girls still lingered by the doorway.

“Whatever Heather told you, I can’t believe you fell for it,” one of them sneered before breaking into laughter.

The knots in my stomach twisted tighter. Had I been fooled?

“Well, it wasn’t a total lie,” another girl added. “It was good you apologized. If you hadn’t, Tina would have cooked up something far worse for you.” They tossed their hair and stalked out.

I exhaled deeply, feeling worn and exasperated. Would I ever have a friend in this school? Or should I first be asking if I would even survive the semester?

By the time I was done packing, I had already made up my mind to go home. There was no point waiting till the end of the day.