BEAUTIFUL RIVALS

New Beginning

—UNITED STATES— NEW YORK

👁‍🗨

CONGRATULATIONS!

The word sat there in the midst of other words, but that was the only thing she needed to see.

ROYALES HIGH SCHOOL

She read the paper again for the hundredth time, the words didn’t change, she has truly been admitted into the most prestigious school in the city.

Her dream was finally becoming a reality.

This was big for her. She had only dared to wish for this in quiet moments alone, she never knew it would become a reality.

She kept walking, her eyes caught sight of her Sneakers, and she exhaled sharply, this was a big opportunity, she didn’t even know how to react. Scream? Cry? Laugh? She didn’t know which to go with.

The loud hunks from passing cars in the bustling streets assured her that this wasn’t one of her usual dreams, it was real.

She crossed to another part of the road which was quite muddy unlike the first one, it had rained the previous night so there was water in some parts. She folded the paper which was already slightly crumpled, into her shoulder bag, as she was doing that, a car sped past her and splashed water on her.

“The hell? Are you blind?” She yelled.

The car slowed down and eventually stopped.

“Ohh, at least the person is sensible enough to wait,” she muttered and rushed towards the car.

The car had all windows tinted, she waited for a while but none were rolled down, she hissed and knocked on the window to the driver’s seat. The window was rolled down slowly revealing a young boy, around her age, who had dark shades on, making him look stupidly handsome.

Maya shook her head, she wasn’t here to admire his damn face.

“You splashed water on me Mr,” she said, as calmly as she could.

“So?” He asked raising a brow.

Maya scuffed, she was stupid to think any rich person was sensible or responsible.

“So you should apologize,” she said not as calmly as before.

“For?” The guy asked.

“Are you just dumb or stupid? You splashed water on me and you are asking why you should apologize, are you kidding me?” She yelled.

“Quit yelling, why are you acting like it’s your first time to have water splashed on you? You should be glad I even stopped,” He said, irritation evident in his voice.

“What…?’ Maya was speechless for a second, just a second. She stepped back a little, bent down, scooped some mud in her hands and stood up in the same manner, slowly.

Before he could process a thing, she splashed the mud at him, his face, clothes and even the interior of the car. Before he could utter a word, she uncapped her bottled water and rinsed her hand inside the car, splashing the rest on him.

“Bastard!” She spat and walked away.

“Hey! How dare you?” He alighted from the car and followed her.

He grabbed her arm from behind and shoved her into the wall roughly, their faces were inches apart, and Maya could perceive his minty scent.

“Do you know who I am?” He growled lowly.

“Yes, I know you are a rich spoilt brat who has never worked a day in his life, sits around spending money he never labored for,” she spat and pushed him away, actually, he let her go.

She walked away without looking back, fuming angrily, “I should have broken his car window,” she said,

“But I remember that window would be more expensive than our house,” she added.

The boy stood there his dark eyes staring at her as she walked away, his eyes were almost boring holes in her skin, he stared at her intensely, staring into her soul till she was out of sight, he let out a dry laugh that went as if it never came. He stayed for a while before returning to his car and driving off.

—FEW MINUTES LATER— REEDS APARTMENT —

Maya walked into a tiny road that looked unkept and shabby, small houses ran a line across the street, and some studio apartments could also be seen.

Maya walked into the gate of one of the houses on the street. Home.

She opened the front door and entered the house, closing the door behind her. She noticed her mother sat in front of the small table in the sitting room, papers scattered around her,she was absent-minded, she didn’t even notice Maya walk in.

“Evening mum,” Maya greeted. But there was no response.

“Mum!” Maya called.

“Huh? Maya, you’re back,” Mrs Reed jolted , she wiped her face and tried hiding the papers, but Maya had seen it all, the tears, the bills, she saw everything.

“Yes I’m back,” she replied trying to act oblivious.

“Maya, did you get the candies I asked for,” A cute weak-looking boy asked.

That was Daniel, Maya’s little brother and only sibling. He was discovered to have heart issues, he had a weak heart.

“No Dan, someone splashed water on me with their car, and I definitely can’t go into a candy store looking like dirt,” she replied, squatting in front of him, stroking his cheeks.

“Tell me you kicked their butt,” He squealed excitedly.

“Shut it, I’ve told you Maya has to stop fighting and beating people up,” The mother scolded.

“Mum, you talk like I really go around beating people, I’m just a delivery girl,” Maya said.

“What ? Delivery? Did you get a job at a*****e to be a delivery person?” Mrs Reed asked, confused.

“Yes, when people piss me off, they order for something and I deliver it with bonuses,” Maya replied sassily.

“Yes! That’s my Maya,” Daniel squealed happily, but he couldn’t jump around like he had wished to.

Maya smiled painfully, if only their dad weren’t in prison, maybe things could have been slightly better, just maybe.

“Daniel go do your assignment, i and mum needs to talk in private,” Maya said.

“Okay, I’ll be in my room,” he replied, and went upstairs.

The house contained three rooms, Maya owned one, their parents had one, and six-year-old Daniel owned the last one.

“Mum, what’s wrong?” Maya asked as soon as Daniel left.

“Huh? Nothing,” Mrs Reed replied, looking away.

“The bills? The loans?” Maya asked.

“I also lost my job today. It’s just too much, every burden of this family is on you at such a young age, and I don’t want that,” Mrs Reed burst out crying.

“Come on, Mum, I never complained, and everything is going to be fine, I’ll just get extra jobs,” She said smiling.

“Oh, Maya! “ Mrs Reed cried, pulling Maya into a hug.

“I’ll be upstairs in my room, I’m so tired,” Maya said pulling away, faking a yawn.

“Alright,” Mrs Reed replied, giving her a little smile.

Maya walked upstairs and pushed the door to her room open, it was a small room, nothing special.

She closed the door and rested her back on it, her eyes watered, and the tears she had been holding came rushing out.

She covered her hands on her mouth to muffle the sound of her cries and slid down the door slowly. She was tired, completely weak of caring a burden she can’t let out, she has always had to be strong or at least pretend to for her family.

She slowly removed her hands from her mouth, dipped her hand into her bag and brought out the admission letter, she stared at it for a while, running her hands through it,

Maybe this was a sign, a way, their escape, or their doom; only one thing could provide an answer: tomorrow.

She was ready for whatever.

She wiped her tears, peeled off her clothes and entered the bathroom.