Chapter 5: High School

"Are you excited, sweetheart?" My dad asked as we pulled into the school parking lot.

"A bit nervous," I said honestly.

"That's normal. Nothing to worry about, sweetheart. You'll probably meet new friends and besides, your sister Leanna will tour you around, right Leanna?" Dad then looked at Leanna. Leanna is sitting at the back seat of the car while I am in front beside my father. 

"Yeah, of course! I'll accompany you so you won't get lost on the campus." Leanna stated cheekily that made my eyes roll in disgust. 

I hate how well she acts.  How can she manage to act sweet in front of  Dad then rude and hostile when we're alone? Well, I shouldn't be surprise, she was like her Mom. Such good actreses. Well, I'm not playing their game and I'm not afraid to show how I feel right now. Dad saw my disgust when I didn't answer Leanna; his face got dark, like a warning. I felt bad, so I got out of the car. He said good luck, but I ignored him. I was mad, and I wanted to show it. Why can't he see Chelsea and Leanna for who they really are? Why does he believe them so easily? I'm his daughter, but he doesn't seem to believe or support me. Leanna tried to walk with me, but I walked faster, leaving her behind. I don't need her help to tour me around the campus.  I'd rather be alone.

It was the first day of my high school life and being a freshman was something to be nervous and excited about. New school and probably new friends that will come around. I was enrolled in the same school where Leanna is studying. She was two years older than me.  I used to go to Holy Angel Academy, an all-girls catholic school run by nuns.  But Chelsea convinced my dad to enroll me in Leanna's school, claiming it offered superior academics, competitive students, and excellent teachers.  He believed her, as always.  If I were to choose, I would have preferred to stay at Holy Angel—my mom's alma mater, and her choice for me—but my dad's decision is final. I tried to oppose it one time but we ended up arguing about it. 

At school, despite initial shyness around male classmates, I knew I will soon get used to it and adjust.  Thankfully, some classmates were friendly, welcoming me as a new student. I tried to be polite and friendly in return, and I think, my first day wasn't so bad. 

Noticing a group of girls huddled together, whispering excitedly, I asked the girl beside me, "Where are they going?"

"They're planning to join La Luna Omega," she replied.

"What's that?" I curiously asked. 

"It's a sorority.  All the popular girls are in it.  I heard tomorrow's the initiation."

"They want to be popular?" I asked, stifling a laugh.

"I guess so.  You're pretty and seem rich.  Aren't you joining?"  She looked at me, clearly impressed. I'm not boastful, but I know I'm attractive—thanks to my Brazilian mom's genes and my dad's gray eyes.

"Not interested," I replied.

"I'm Kaycee," she said, extending her hand.  She had pretty long blonde hair, chinky eyes, thick glasses, and silver braces—a typical nerdy look, but she was pretty nonetheless.

"I'm Gavriella, Gav for short," I said, smiling genuinely.

"Nice name, I like it " she said.

"Thanks. Nice meeting you, Kaycee," I said before leaving.

My first day was surprisingly good. I didn't expect to like it so much, or to make friends so quickly.

"Hey Gav, wait!"

I stopped and turned.  It was Phyllis and Trishia, coming near me. Both girls are my classmates who according to Kaycee had joined that sorority she was talking about.  I wondered what they wanted.

"Gavriella, right?" Trishia, a tall brunette with Caucasian features, asked. She has round pretty face, hazel eyes, and natural long thick lashes. She looked like a Barbie doll.

"Yes?"

"I'm Trishia," she said.

"And I'm Phyllis," the other girl added.  Phyllis was tall and thin, with short blonde hair. She was pretty too, but not as striking as Trishia.

"Hi!" I greeted them.  They looked chic and classy; no wonder they wanted to be popular, I thought.

"I'm actually having a pool party this Friday, and I wanted to invite you," Trishia said.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm not allowed to go to parties," I politely declined.

"What? Don't be a killjoy, Gav. Everyone's coming," Trishia said, disappointed.

"I'm not sure my dad will let me.  I get picked up after school and I'm not allowed to come home late," I explained.

"Why are you such a good girl? We're fourteen; we should be breaking rules," Phyllis said, with a dismissive look.

"Sorry I can't." 

"Awww, you're no fun! Come with my party and you will surely enjoy it." Trishia persisted.

"I'm really sorry," I repeated.

Truth is I was not fond with parties.  Besides, I just met them; it felt too soon to hang out with them. 

"You know, Gav," Trishia said, "to make friends, you need to mingle and go with the flow."  Her words left me frowning.

I was about to ask what she meant by that but they immediately walked away.  Was I aloof?  I'm open to friendships, but I don't need a lot of friends.  I was left thinking staring at the two while walking away wondering if I was that aloof and snob? I  was open to havingnfriends but I didn't mind having a few friends though. It doesn't matter if someone's rich or not; I just want genuine friends.  I never wished to be popular in shool, I just want good grades to make my dad proud.  But Trishia's comment made me somehow think.  I'm a good girl, and I wanted to stay that way but is that bad?  Maybe I should try to socialize more, to change a little.  It's a new school after all; maybe change is good.  Maybe I should start to join  parties sometimes  and socializing more.

*  *  *

While carrying my tray of food, I was about to reach Kaycee's table in the school canteen when I accidentally bumped into someone.  My clumsiness caused the food to splatter onto the person I had bumped into.

"Fuck! Are you that stupid not to look where you're going? Look what you've done to my shirt! Oh, fuck, what is this stinking smell!"

The guy was a dark-skinned, muscular man and was clearly furious, cursing in disgust.  He looked at least six and a half feet tall and with his muscular build he seemed like a varsity athlete.  With his disgusted glare, he was obviously accusing me like  it's entirely my fault.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't see you. You just appeared out of nowhere! It's not my fault you weren't paying attention!" I couldn't help but explain, partly blaming him out of irritation.

"You fucking stupid bitch! Are you saying it's my fault now?" he screamed, his aggression making my blood boil. He looked aggressive and it seems like he can hurt a girl. 

"Oh yes, it was your fault, and I'm not a stupid bitch, you dumbass!" I shouted back. 

I refused to let him insult me.  It might have been partly my fault, but he'd been careless too, and he didn't have the right to humiliate me in front of a  lot of people. I cannot just allow this moron to shout and insult me. No one ever does that to me and I will never allow it. 

"You bitch!" 

I gasped, expecting a blow as he moved to hit me.  Like a scaredy cat, I closed my eyes, but a loud voice stopped him.  To my surprise, it was Trishia, bravely confronting the large man, who I now saw as a gorilla. Well he looked so ugly especially now he was very angry and aggressive. 

"Do that, Zeke, and you'll be sorry," Trishia warned.

"You're out of this, Trishia. Don't interfere," Zeke growled, his tone surprising me.  So they know each other uh? 

"I'm warning you! She's my friend, and if you touch her, you'll regret it," Trishia tone is cool but firm. Zeke glared at me, then at Trishia. 

"Agghhh! Bullshit!" Just when about I thought he will attempt to hit me again, he stomped his foot and shouted furiously before storming off.

"Are you okay?" Trishia asked worriedly.

"Thanks," I replied.

I was amazed by Trishia's bravery. I never thought that she was that brave to defend me from that big ugly looking gorilla guy. She hadn't been intimidated by the aggressive bully, despite his size and strength.

"If you hadn't come, he would have hurt me," I said.

"Zeke's a bully, and he can hurt a girl if he got pissed," Trishia explained.

"But he seemed scared of you," I pointed out the obvious. 

"Of course! His father works for Trishia's dad's company. He wouldn't dare hurt her; his father would lose his job," Phyllis boasted, her tone irritating.

So that's why.  These girls seemed to have came from rich  clans reason why they have the guts to fight over a bully because they knew they could mess up someone's life. They came from wealthy, influential families, giving them the confidence to stand up to a bully.  They were good friends to have, but dangerous enemies, I realized.

"He's a bully? Oh gosh, he might get back at me!" Fear struck me.

"Are you scared?" Trishia asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"You can't blame me. He was aggressive and scary!"

"Then stick with me. Be my friend, and in that way he can't hurt you," Trishia said with a sly smile.

"Everyone wants to be our friends, so it's a good opportunity for you," Phyllis added.

"Thanks for saving me. " I sincerely told Trishia. 

"Anyway, you seem okay now. We'll go ahead, Gav."  Trishia winked before leaving.

Well, it's not bad to be friends with them, I guess. Although I don't want to get involve with spoiled brat rich girls who only care about being popular in the campus, I was not the type of person as well, who chose friends for personal gain. I also wasn't an opportunist.  If they wanted to be my friends, I'd accept them.  That's the start of my  friendship with Trishia and Phyllis then.  They started joining me for lunch, borrowed my notes, even copied my homework, and I didn't mind at all.  They were fun to be with,  though a bit dramatic and sometimes arrogant, but I tolerated it. I accepted them to be my friends, so I had to accept their quirks as well.