CHAPTER ONE

🍀Learn how to be strong alone🍀

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CRYSRAL'S POV

"How dare you!!!" My step dad yelled and dragged me out of the police station.

He hit me countless times with his fists before throwing me at the back of the car. He drove with much speed like he was trying to get me into an accident.

I cried silently and checked out the new bruises on my body.

They are normal....

I've gotten used to bruises, wounds,  and much dislocations for the past three years.

My stomach burned as he pulled up in the front of the house. I sobbed awaiting my punishment.

"Deborah!! Get me a chain and three whips!" He called out to one of his daughters as he dragged me out of the car and rolling me up the stairs to the old cellar upstairs.

"Daddy, I don't think you should do this" his second daughter (Dora) said running  to him, pleading persistently.

He pushed her away

"I don't care what you think okay......she tried to sue me. This stupid girl tried to file a case against me...this....this..." He stuttered and slapped me hard on my face again

"Out of my way sis" Deborah said and pushed Dora away from the door.

"Debbie you don't have to do this. This is sick" Dora kept on pleading

Debbie helped her dad tie my hand to the chair after which he flogged me mercilessly.

Three strokes, four, seven, twelve, it went on till I lost count.

My blood dropping on the floor....

Dora cried for me as well, but it was of no use, I was already used to this kind of pain.

I closed my eyes for a while, before everything turned black.

-------*****---------

I'm already used to being flogged and fainting, then waking up the next day with pains all over to clean up the mess.

"Crystal, I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help you out yesterday" Dora said handing me a wet towel to clean my body.

"It's fine" I said collecting the towel, even though it's obvious I'm not fine.

"Your old wounds are infected, let me help you out" she said and I ignored her

Dora has always been the nicest to me.

Bringing me food, bandage my wounds sometimes, helping me out and doing some other things for me.

But in this case, there is nothing she can do because if her dad finds out she sneaked me to the hospital, it will be a death day for both of us.

"Crystal, dad said we are moving today" she said

"Why?" I managed to ask

"Well, that is because I don't want any further suspicions from the police and doctors with the uncountable wounds and bruises you have all over your body" my step dad said entering the cellar like he was hearing our conversation.

"Dad she needs to get treated"  Dora said and he didn't waste any time in slapping her

"Don't talk when I talk. Crystal, you know the normal thing, I don't want you talking to anyone so you'll still have to continue acting like you are dumb....." He gazed at me

"It suits you anyways." He said smiling heartily to himself like he won a lottery

Yeahh, my step dad made me not to talk for the past three years, only Dora makes me talk.

I'm used to being called the dumb girl....at school and wherever I find myself

"The flight is in one hour time and you should be packing not sitting here talking to this moron!"

He pulled Dora by the ear and dragged her out of the cellar.

*****************************

I was ashamed to put on the uniform because of the scars all over my body. 

The shirt is a long sleeve, but the skirt is very short. I had to drag my socks up to my knee

"Why are all these marks on her body? Does she get into fights?" The lady in the office (ms Lilian as indicated on the carved wood on her desk) asked my step dad

"Oh yeahh, her mom was a drunk and her father did drugs...he was an addict. So nothing much is expected of the child" he said and the lady shook her head in disgust.

'That's a lie!' I wanted to say but I remembered I couldn't. 

I tried to fight back the tears rolling down my cheeks.

He had no right to disrespect my dad in that way and I thought he loved my mom.

"There are strict rules and regulations here with severe punishment to those who do not adhere to them. So you have to try your best to stay out of trouble anyhow you can. Am I being understood?" She asked and I nodded

"She actually doesn't speak, she is dumb" my step dad said

I cringed at that and swallowed real hard

"Well Mr Peter, they will be taken to their classes now. Thank you very much once again" Ms Lilian says and ushers one of the teachers to take us to our classroom.

Debbie gets to her class ss3(grade 12) first before Dora and I went to ours ss2 (grade 11).

The classroom was wide with approximately 30 to 35 students, all doing nothing.

Making a hell lot of noise. 

The walls were painted yellow and different frames hung there respectfully.

The grey chairs had a small table by the right joined together, where we should place our books to write.

We took our seats together and most of our classmates were giving us curious looks....

Some asked for our names and Dora told them, regarding the fact that I was dumb.

"If she is dumb, then why come to a school full of normal people?" I heard the guy sitting behind us ask 

I felt really bad and some of them were inquisitive to know if I was really dumb.

Dora rolled her eyes and turned back to face the guy that just spoke

"I don't like it when any of my family members are insulted. One more word from you and I won't hesitate to terminate your future generations" she warned

I turned to see a wide grin on the guy's face

"Pretty daring...that's attractive" the guy said biting his nails and smiling

He doesn't look Nigerian at all, he had red hair like those Scotland or Irish people, smooth fair skin and brown eyes.

Dora scoffed and turned to the front, then rubbed my hands. "It's fine" she muttered

***********

Classes went on till break time, and I walked out of the class through the hallway to check for my locker.

Dora held my shoulders and dragged me to show me where my locker was.

It was up, thank goodness because I wouldn't have loved to bend down and do anything.

Dora helped me set the lock and put some of my text books there.

I turned and saw Debbie walk with two girls, one of them seemed so familiar.

I don't know why I panicked.

"OMG!!! Is that Sharon??" Dora yelped with wide eyes leaping for joy.

Now I remember where I knew her from, she used to be Debbie's best friend before their family moved last year.

And now they meet again......must be fate!

"Yesss...it's Sharon honey. How are you doing?" She asked and hugged Dora

"Crystal baby.....look how you've grown" she said touching my cheeks.

I almost scratched her face, all those smiles were fake.

She was always hiding behind a facade, being cheerful and nice to me in front of everyone, but whenever she is alone with Debbie, she releases the tigress in her.

Debbie coughed and patted Sharon, that was a sign to let her know I'm still acting dumb.

"Ohh...this is Trina my close friend." Sharon introduced the dark girl with Debbie.

"Hey girls..." She said with a warming smile

"Alright that's enough, let's go and get some ice-cream" Debbie urged and dragged both Trina and Sharon away.

"Hold up, I'm going with you guys!!!" Dora yelled 

"Aren't you coming with us?" She turned and asked me

I shook my head indicating she goes on without me

"Okay just stick around, I'll get you the icecream" she said and ran out to catch up with them.

I placed all my books and arranged my textbooks in the locker, knowing fully well that something will happen to them if I take them home.

"Hi" I heard someone say 

I turned to see the guy that sat down beside the guy that insulted me.

I smiled back and waved at him

"Can you please shift a bit, I want to take something from my locker" He said 

I nodded....

He bent down and opened around the locker below mine, I wasn't done with arranging mine, so I had to wait for a bit till he was done.

He held two pairs of Jordan sneakers and turned to me after he closed his locker.

"Don't mind the way Carlos spoke to you earlier, he is a spoilt brat from Ireland....yunno, mixed kids can be crazy"

I smiled again

"I'm Jordan by the way" he said and I looked at the sneakers in his hands

He laughed....

"Coincidence....I know right" he exclaimed and we were both laughing

"What's your name?" He asked

I took a piece of paper from my locker and wrote Crystal with the pen in my hand.

"So you really can't talk.....Urrrrrr.....Don't bother about Carlos, he can be annoying" he said

"Like you are any better" the so called Carlos said from behind Jordan

When did he get here?

"I was just telling her about how annoying you are" Jordan said and handing one of the sneakers to him

"Like you are not more annoying than I am" Carlos said and then looked at me

"Hey dumb girl....."

"Her name is Crystal" Jordan said

"Not bad" Carlos said and walked closer to me

I slowly went backwards till my back came in contact with the locker.

He was taller than me, so he bent to my neck....

I whimpered.......

The last person that kept me in that position was my step dad and that day, he scarred my neck and shoulder.

"Smell good for a dumb girl" he whispered

"Carlos don't bully her" Jordan ordered

"I'm not.....maybe. Not today, but soon" he pulled away from my neck and smiled wryly at me.

Bully....

I sighed, if only he knew what I passed through everyday

"Hey! Get your hands off her!!" Dora yelled coming to meet us

She put the icecream in my hand and held Carlos by the shirt. He looked down at her and smiled 

"Just who I was waiting for" he smirked

"Carlos apologize and don't make her create a scene" Jordan urged

"Why are you so annoying?" Dora yelled at Carlos

"Uh-uh, she is not happy" Jordan said and she glared at him.

He raised his hands and shook his head, trying to press the smile forming on his face

Dora looked back at Carlos

"I wouldn't mind beating you up even if it's my first day at school. Stop bugging her!" She warned

"I haven't even started yet" he shrugged

Dora pushed him to hit Jordan and both of them fell down.

"Stay away from her!!" She yelled

"Your arrogance is pretty amazing" he said standing up from the floor and giving a hand to help Jordan up.

Dora hissed and pulled me out of there, then we walked back to class....

The day went on, not without Carlos bugging me to get Dora's attention, and Jordan trying to play the cool guy.

___________

"Crystal!!!" My step dad yelled

I had already finished preparing dinner, waiting for my step dad to come back. 

I wasn't permitted to eat, not when they haven't finished eating.

And when he came back, he went straight to the dinning room, yelling my name. I went there and greeted him

"Welcome Sir" I said

"Call my daughters and serve us quickly" he ordered

I wondered why he didn't take a shower before eating.

I went to Dora's room first to calk her, she was typing furiously on her phone and didn't notice when I entered.

"What's making you so upset?" I asked and then she looked up to me

"Ohhh! Crystal, you are here. Is it not that stupid Carlos that added me to a group chat I'm not interested in" she says

"Then leave....." I suggested

"I can't, he keeps on adding me back. I think he is the group admin or something" she huffed in frustration

"Food is ready. Your dad is back from work and he said I should call you girls down to eat" I went straight to why I came here

"Okay. Just go down, I'll go call Debbie" she said

"Thanks" I replied and went down

Dora knew fully well that Debbie would have created an unnecessary scene if I went to call her, which would have warranted unnecessary beatings....

I prepared spaghetti, beef stew and fried turkey this time around.

I placed it in the middle of the table and began distributing in their various plates.

They were all seated by now and began eating.

I went back to the kitchen where I kept my own portion of food and sat down there to eat.

I was almost done when I felt a plate land on my head and shattered.

I looked up to see that beast glaring at me.

I mean who else was I expecting to do such a thing to me?

I stood up immediately and felt my forehead becoming warm, due to the blood that began to drop 

"Must I tell you everything??" He yelled

I looked at him, confusion was written all over my face.

"You were supposed to serve us properly with wine or something....." He yelled

Huh....?

"And you left before we were done eating,you were supposed to wait and be on standby. What kind of mannerless child are you?" He asked

What on earth was I supposed to say?

This man always look for a way to frustrate me and blame me for unnecessary things.

"Go clear the dishes from the dinning table, my daughters are done eating" he ordered

I left immediately, thanking God that he didn't start hitting me or pushing me around

I went down to the dinning room and cleared the dishes on the table. Not long after I went back to the cellar and dozed off.

********************

Thursday's cold morning......

We all knelt down on the hard floor in the big hall today. 

I was late, Dora and Debbie were already in school because I had to stay and clean the house after my step dad left for work.

I preferred last week, I was pardoned and treated like a new student....

Jordan and Carlos were also kneeling down,  I thought Carlos always comes early, he came in with Jordan today like he spent the night at his house

Senior Rose, senior Sharon and senior Trey were supposed to be here on duty, but senior Trey was nowhere to be found, he did the same thing last week Thursday...

I hated all seniors and avoided their unnecessary attention, but being late just blew my cover because rather than ignoring me like they do to all others, they are interested in knowing why the mute girl is late.....

"Crystal.....why are you late? I noticed that for two days now" Senior Sharon said

I didn't reply

Senior Rose wanted to say something, but was interrupted by the grand entry of Sarah, one of my classmate....

She was always late and she made it a routine to annoy seniors.

According to her, she was very stubborn and none of the seniors had the right to tell her what to do.

"Sarah! You are late again" Senior Sharon said she rolled her eyes

"Welcome, please kindly join them in kneeling down" senior Rose said

Sarah folded her arms and kept on standing by the wall, chewing the bubble gum in her mouth loudly.....

"Sarah, don't be stubborn and kneel down. You are not a special student" Senior Sharon said

"I can't kneel, my knee is badly injured" Sarah replied

"Let's see it" Rose said

"Ha! Senior Rose, with all due respect I cannot show my knee to anyone and I won't kneel down" Sarah replied

While senior Sharon was harsh on her, senior Rose was nice but Sarah was too stubborn, I don't know what point she wanted to prove.

While other students went to their various classes, Senior Queen and senior Lisa came to us. Immediately, everyone kneeling became quiet, even Sarah stopped chewing the bubble gum and kept her hands down.

I mean senior Queen is our head girl and she had the right to do whatever, she is mean.....who wouldn't be scared of her?

"What's going on here?" Senior Queen asked

"Sarah is late and she doesn't want to join the punishment, claiming she has an injured knee" Senior Rose explained

Queen didn't even need to say a word, she just looked at Sarah and quietly, Sarah knelt down...

The power of power!!

"Don't you dare disrespect Rose or any of your seniors anymore" Queen warned

She said Rose specifically because Rose completes her circle of friendship.

Queen, Lisa and Rose.....The school's top notch, next to Sharon, Trina and of course Debbie.

It's barely two weeks in school and I know all these....

Well, who doesn't?

"Lily!" Queen called out and a little girl among us stood up. She looked a lot like Queen, just a prettier and more innocent version.

"Yes" she replied 

"Go to your class!" Queen said and she picked up her school bag and left there.

Jordan hissed and Carlos chuckled

"Why is she always good to Lily?" Jordan mumbled

"Because as Lily's elder brother, you're supposed to show good example to Lily the same way Queen is showing good example to you" Carlos said

Wait! Jordan is Queen's brother? He is too nice and cute to be her brother.

Queen said we should kneel till the first period is over since she ran out of punishment and she isn't feeling too well.

We went to our various classes afterwards and as usual a teacher was in class.

It was Biology and the man taking us was called Mr Hippo...

I still don't know if it's his real name or just a name given to him by the students.

I took my seat beside Dora earning unnecessary stares from everyone, like they haven't seen me before.

Jordan and Carlos rather entered cheerfully while Sarah was furious.

The whole class murmured as she stepped in and it made the teacher upset.

They weren't backing down in the noise because Mr Hippo wouldn't do anything.

In fact, what I've learnt so far in my stay here is that the highest a teacher can do is give a student detention or report any case directly to the principal.

They had no right whatsoever to flog(whip) a student.

After a lot of warming that fell on deaf ears, Mr Hippo got really pissed and left the class, so we had an extra period before break.

Almost everyone gathered around Sarah to hear her bitter tale of what transpired between her and Queen earlier.

She cursed repeatedly, saying she was just trying to be respectful to our beloved head girl. 

Which was a total lie, because everyone knew how terrified she was of Queen, even Jordan is scared of her.

Jordan and Carlos bursted out laughing and  everyone's attention diverted to their direction.

"What is wrong with you both?" Dora asked irritated

"Say yes" Jordan told her

"I'm not dumb" she yelled

"Chill out warrior princess, there's a party in my house tonight" Carlos said

Everyone started murmuring of how great Carlos' party use to be

Dora rolled her eyes "well, I'm not interested" she clearly stated

"Do you like ice-cream?" Jordan asked the same time Carlos said "be my girl"

"Yes!" Dora replied to Jordan as her eyes brightened up

If there's anything I know Dora can be kidnapped with, it's icecream.

She turned her face to Carlos

"NO!"

"The whole class heard you say yes" he grinned

And then the whole class started chanting

'CARLOS AND DORA!!' Apart from Sarah and her gang.

Dora looked like someone that wanted to explode

"Are all of you dumb?" She tried screaming 

But unfortunately, her little voice could not overcome their loud bass and thick voice altogether.

She looked at Jordan, he just gave a shrug and I couldn't help but laugh....

That was first time in years I actually laughed heartily at something.

Jordan gave me a little smile and I smiled back, a fake one though.....

"Are you coming to the party?" He whispered and I shook my head indicating a no. 

I collected the pen from his hand and wrote on his book.

'I have a lot of work to do today, I hate parties. Besides, who throws a party on Thursday evening?'

He read it and started laughing....

It was break time soon enough and Carlos took Dora out of the class immediately

'Are you really mute?' Jordan wrote on a paper and gave it to me

I got annoyed instantly and folded the paper, ignoring everyone throughout!