Prologue : The perfect Scandal

Seven years Earlier.

Brentwood High

Today is going to be a great day. 

I'm so excited.

My boyfriend is finally going to ask me to prom.

I ran my hair brush through my brown luscious curls, his favourite feature of mine and they bounced back down to my shoulders. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror and my surreal Arabic eyes stared back at me. He also loved my eyes, said they looked out of this world. He loved my smile, he loved me, oh there was just so many reasons why he was obsessed with me.

My seventeen year old self was lovesick with my gorgeous boyfriend.

Everyone said I was a jaw-dropping beautiful girl, the prettiest girl in class.

All I knew was that I was a straight A's student with perfect character and a clean record. Overly obsessed with my boyfriend.

Him, my boyfriend was the most popular guy at school. The most handsome guy at class.

He was the school's golden kid. Not European, like the rest of us. He was American, and was rumored to be he son of a famous billionaire abroad, though he had never confirmed it. Although my school was one for the affluent kids, everyone treated Michael like he was the prince of the school. The teachers and students literally kissed the floor he walked on, while he kissed the floor I walked on.

He asked me out in freshman year, and ever since then, we've been dating for two years now, and in a few months, after our finals, I'll be his date to prom, that is when he asks me today.

He will. He is going to. I heard what he told his friends the other day but I'll just pretend I don't know.

So now, as I sat among one of the bleachers, out here on the field, watching him score back to back against our neighboring school's football team, I couldn't help but fall for him harder.

His eye caught mine and his ethereal honey eyes glistened as a dimple formed on his cheek when he smiled at me. Eventually he threw a casual wink that did funny stuff to my stomach.

God, he is so handsome. How again did I get so lucky?

And dear, I never knew stitch braids were hot till I met him.

When the game came to an end, he jogged over to me and I handed him a fresh towel and chilled water.

He casually drew me into his body, with my back glued to his front and our cheeks pressed together.

He pecked my cheek, “I missed you.”

Butterflies gathered in my belly and heat gathered in my body as I felt the undeniable spark between us.

“I missed you more.” 

“I want a redo of Friday night.” He whispered, in my ear, as he held me really close to his body.

I blushed at the vivid memory. Friday night was our perfect night, our cute little secret.

He finally popped my cherry.

Lost in the fun and kissing, touching of the Friday night hangout, things got intense and I finally gave in and I had my first time ever with my boyfriend.

It's safe to say I've fallen harder for him since then, and uggh, I knew he would get too touchy now, but I loved it anyways. 

“You know you can have me any time you want.” I whispered back and he playfully bit on my earlobe as he murmured a very sexy “naughty girl” in my ear.

With his hand casually slung over my shoulder, we walked down the hallway to his locker. I tried to ignore the hisses and snarky comments, I got from the other girls seeing his attention was solely on me.

It was a cross I had to bear, for being the girl he chose to be with. Everyone hated me.

Then he stopped to pick up stuff at his locker, as I leaned on the locker next to him, watching him and biting my lip, considering how hot he looked. His friends joined us. They distracted him, with their talk and all that.

I observed their loud chitchat. Then suddenly, a message notification popped up on my phone and as I read the text, a dreary feeling settled in my stomach.

It was from the unknown number, that had been bugging me all weekend.

The one who was blackmailing me.

I don't know how it happened, but all I remember was attending last Saturday's night party without my boyfriend, since he was out of town and now, my stalker had images of me and him being intimate. Images taken from the party, in a secluded bedroom. I don't know how it happened, honestly.

All I remember was a guy who introduced himself as Shawn, offering me a drink at the party, then he forced a kiss on me, when I was feeling a bit wobbly. I fell unconscious after that, after weakly trying to push him away. I can't remember much but I do know an unknown number has sent me pictures of myself getting intimate with Shawn, with my clothes from the Saturday party discarded somewhere on the bed, also with a picture of Shawn kissing me.

Now, as I stared at my phone screen, more pictures popped up. I looked really indecent. The sender was threatening to release it to the public and also send it to Michael.

I tensed up at that. If Michael saw it, then he may think I betrayed him.

 I didn't. 

I don't want to get him angry. I would never let any other guy touch me, let alone kiss me, but I don't know if he'll believe me over the pictures. I can't even muster the courage to tell him, because I'm scared of what he might do. I haven't even told anyone yet.

So damn terrified.

“Meet me at your school's games room if you want this to come to an end.” 

It was a text from the stalker and I made up my mind to go after all and end all of this.

I wiped my clammy hands on my shirt and made a throat sound, calling Michael's attention to me again.

“Everything alright babe?”

“I need to go somewhere….” I almost stammered.

He frowned. “Its fine babe, I'll come with you.”

“No…I…uh..” I glanced down at my phone.

When I looked at him, he was watching me skeptically.

I avoided looking at his friends too.

“I won't be long….I can manage alone, go on to PE without me. I'll be there soon.” I walked closer to him.

He cannot know about the blackmail. I hope he wasn't sensiing my nervousness. I'll sort things out soon and we'll be just fine.

“Are you sure? Is there something you're not telling me?” It seemed he knew something but I doubt he really knew anything about the blackmail.

“No…I…Do you trust me?”  I cupped his cheek in my palms.

“I do.”

“Then there's nothing….” I spoke calmly.

He let out a sigh. 

He drew me in for a kiss,a kiss I didn't know would be our last one.

“I'll be waiting for you..”  He breathed over my lips.

I nodded, biting my lips. “Sure.”

I turned to leave.

Layde…”he called when I was almost at the door.

“Hmm?”

“I completely trust you. If there's ever something I need to know you can tell me…...”

I felt a pang of guilt as I remembered another guy had a picture of me kissing him, in his phone yet I smiled and nodded.

“There’s nothing and I love you too.”

I walked out of there, hoping to get back to him as soon as possible.

I made my way to the games room to meet my stalker, blackmailer and finally end things.

He was there, the stalker, waiting for me with his back to the door. I spotted him immediately I stepped in.

He wasn't a student at this school, so I couldn't help but wonder how he got in. I put that aside, that was not important now.

I took a brave step forward, “what do you want? And why are you blackmailing me with fake photos?”

“They are not fake sweetheart, you kissed me at the party…” 

I knew that voice, then he turned, confirming my suspicion.

“Shawn…” I gasped.

“You are the blackmailer?”

“Yes I am. “ He replied with a malicious smirk. “And with the photos I have of us, I'm sure when everyone sees it, especially Michael, things might turn out very badly for you.” He tsked in disappointment. “Not to talk of what the school would think of their perfect student.”

I couldn't help but think of how right he was, so I was forced to comply.

“Tell me what you want, so you can leave me alone.” 

“It's simple.. “ he took predatory steps near me. “You have Michael all to yourself and it annoys the shit out of your class girls, so they want you out of his life. That is the easy way out or I might have to make it the hard way.” He smirked.

Oh so this was what all this was about?

“So you're working with the girls from my class to take those photos? That explains it all then.” I'm sure he could feel the venom dripping from my voice.

“But just so you know, and tell them too. I am not breaking up with my boyfriend.”

He chuckled darkly, “Then you asked for it anyways.”

I didn't have time to dwell on my confusion because in the next second, he pulled me against him harshly and smashed his lips on mine forcefully.

I desperately tried to fight him off but he pinned my hands behind my back, completely rendering me helpless as his lips attacked my lips and neck.

He pushed me to the floor, and just then as he worked on his belt, I wanted to crawl away. Then he grabbed me back by my ankle and straddled me, caging me with his legs.

I screamed and cried, hitting him off but it was like no one would hear me. Everyone was out on the field for PE and it made me regret why I chose to come here alone.

He tore my shirt harshly, making my buttons fly west, exposing my undergarment. I struggled against him as he placed unwelcome kisses on my cleavage.

“You're such a good slut.”

Tears pooled at my eyes as I realized I was completely powerless against his firm grip and I became weak, thus giving up the fight.

He harshly tugged down my skirt too, leaving me in tights with an unbuttoned shirt giving a view of my black bra. He licked his lips maniacally and slapped open my thighs. He settled himself between them, pinning my hands to the floor above my head, completely rendering me powerless.

I sobbed, was I about to be raped? I was so scared!

I should have just left with Michael, or maybe avoided that Saturday party.                          Curse the CCTV of this room for breaking down a week ago.

I sobbed more, now this rapist was going to assault me.

He used his other hand to wipe my tears, "don't cry baby" he replied mockingly. "You're so pretty" he nuzzled his face into my neck and sucked on it I turned my head the other way and sobbed, shutting my eyes, since, I was now powerless.

He bent his head more and kissed my cleavage as his other hand pressed my right boob against my will. I squirmed, it wasn't pleasure, it was torture. He carelessly dry humped me as he kissed my entire upper body. 

I desperately shook my body underneath him, still struggling to push him off.

In that moment, the door of the games room was flung open.

I had my head turned the other way, so when I heard the door open, my head snapped to the entrance with hopes that someone has come to save me.

Shawn, the maniac flew himself off me in that moment, but it was too late....

There, at the doorstep, stood a group of my classmates, shock imprinted on their faces, gasps came from all directions.

I desperately got up, wiping my tears. My eyes scanned the group of classmates that had entered the room.

In the sea of people, only a pair of honey brown eyes sank into me.

No, please don't buy this.

His eyes laced with shock.....and hurt, mixed with betrayal and anger.

No no no. I wanted to explain it to him. It wasn't what it looked like. I would never betray him.

I glanced at Shawn, he was rubbing his neck shyly, and it was then I knew that he had planned all this. I glanced at Jade and Tiffany, my trivial enemies. The mean girls wore mischievous grins.

This was all planned?

Betrayal nagged at my chest, yet I mustered courage to look in his eyes again. His glare knocked off my breathing for a moment.

Everyone scanned my immodest appearance, in their eyes I had been caught in the act of almost having sex at school.

I crossed the room to the only one I owed an explanation, hoping he wouldn't buy the scene.

“Michael..." A solemn whisper as I approached him, teary eyed.

I reached out to hold his hand but he withdrew from me like my touch burned, glaring at me like he didn't know me anymore.

I wiped my tears furiously, determined to clarify him, "What you saw....it he...he was forcing...." 

Michael's harsh tone cut through my words, "Is this why you stayed behind?" Venom and disgust prominent in his tone. 

I gasped and shook my head as more tears poured down freely.

I felt utter shame and humiliation.

I reached out to him again, but he shook me off like dirt.

Nevertheless, I was determined to prove my innocence, "no...it's not what it looks like..please you have to believe me…I…"

Where do I even start? 

He raised an eyebrow, "I should believe you? You want me to buy your words over what I just saw?" He scoffed unbelievably, "and why would I do that?"

“I love you…this was all planned….it was plotted…Shawn…he….” I turned to glare at him.

“Tell everyone you framed me up…” I cried.

“Layde you called me over..” he shrugged.

“You fucker….” In a second, Michael was over Shawn throwing punches to his jaw, his ribs and Shawn let out deep groans.

Everyone gasped in shock as I shook my head furiously.

“No no, he is lying …I would never, please stop…..” I tried getting in between them as Michael's friends pulled them apart.

“You're saving him? You're fucking saving him?” He snapped at me. “So the pictures are true then?” 

I stilled as I registered his words dripping with disgust.

"What?" I gasped.

“Tiffany..” he called with his eyes on me.

Tiffany stepped forward with a smirk and threw a bunch of photos in my face. I stood there, watching him fix his hateful stare on me as the pictures fell down my face.

I finally picked one up and shock embalmed my entire being as I realized it was the same pictures I was being blackmailed with.

I was still staring at the pictures with shock, when he spoke again, “So tell me, are they staged or not?”

I just started at the floor, he really won't believe whatever I tell him now.

I sniffed, avoiding his gaze. 

“Do you trust me?” 

“Trust is useless with evidence”

I cracked out a sob again, “How long have you had the photos?”

“Not long, until I found my own girlfriend cheating on me..” 

“I showed him the photos this morning, hoping to finally show him what his so-called girlfriend does behind him, and he was finding it hard to believe until this…..now he finally knows just how you are.” Tiffany chimed in a spiteful voice.

I ignored her, and “If you saw it, why didn't you ask me?”

“Because I was waiting for you to tell me yourself…” his voice almost broke at the end. “I trusted you, didn't wanna judge you, I hoped that if this was really unintentional, that you would have told me about it…”

There was no way he would believe me now.   All odds were against me.

“I'm innocent….” I just said.

He scoffed, “yeah right. You are, but just give me honest replies…”

I frowned. What did he mean?

“Just three questions.”

He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and snapped again.

“Are the images real?”

“I uh…Michael….”

“Are they?” 

“Yes…but he…”

I saw the hint of betrayal flash in his eyes.

“And you've met him before? You two kissed and spent a night together?”

“No you've got it all..”

“Tell me if you ever lay down on the same bed with him and don't lie to me, Layde. Have you two met before today?”

“Michael…”

I was unconscious, I didn't even know how it happened, but it happened. The pictures were proof, and I wasn't about to lie to him now, it might make him more furious.

So I settled on honesty, hoping to clarify him on it better.

“Yes….but..”

I heard the shocked gasps and name-calling from everyone around. By now, even the Juniors had evaded the scene from the open door and everyone was witnessing my shame.

I blinked to hold back my tears. I know what it looked like. All odds were against me but I still wanted to prove my innocence to him.

“Were you ever going to tell me about him?” He asked, his voice softer this time, it was like he was begging me to say what he wanted to hear.

That I would have told him.

But I would have never mustered the courage to, because I didn't want to ruin what we had. I was avoiding this shame. I didn't want him to hate me.

“No…” a single word that held the heavy weight of betrayal, that completely broke us apart.

I avoided his eyes.

Maybe I should have told him.

I heard him inhale sharply.

“I hate you.” His voice was laced with venom as silence engulfed the entire room.

I looked him in the eye and he was staring at me with hurt and rage storming in his eyes. His eyes were also glistening with unshed tears.

“I hate you. You loose girl. I gave you my heart and you played your way with me. You must have really had fun playing me right?”

I shook my head frantically, trying to make him see the truth through my tears but he was completely blinded by the scandal.

“ You never really loved me, did you? I was the other one? That's why you were so hesitant to give yourself to me?”

“Michael stop…what are you saying? “ I couldn't stop the tears as my voice cracked.

He staggered back until his back touched the wall.

He rested his head on the wall as he shut his eyes, I saw tears sliding down his cheek, and I took a hesitant step towards him.

He opened his eyes again and fixed his broken look on me.

“I loved you. I gave you my all. Was I never enough?”

“Michael don't say that…. You have always been the only one.” my voice was laced with so much pain.

Then he snapped.

“Liar….fucking Liar!!!! If you think I'll buy another lie you'll tell then you're wrong.  Your truth is out anyway, you are not really the person I thought you were……..oh and by the way guys,” he fixed his glare on me and raised his voice loud enough so everyone in the room could hear his next words.

“I fucked her, and she was just like every other hole I'd fucked. I finally fucked the self proclaimed virgin of the class and it was nothing special.“

Everyone let out a sound of shock.

I gasped. It felt like his words had broken my heart and at the same time jabbed a knife into my bleeding heart.

Was this his way of trying to hurt me back too? Because it really hit the spot.

“You're not special Layde. You cheated on me and I'll never forgive you for this. Safe to say you were a mistake. You're a two timer and lying cheating whore, who never deserved my love. It's over, between us.” 

“ Atleast I got a taste of your pussy.” He added the last part with so much spite.

Everyone erupted in mock laughter around me and I bowed my head in shame.

I felt like the floor should open up and swallow me.

Then the chant began.                                 "whore…whore…whore…whore…”

It got louder every second and almost everyone already had their phones out capturing the moment.

Tennis balls were thrown at me from all angles, and my entire body ached and hurt badly.

Soon,the mean girls, led by Tiffany and Jade joined in with throwing dirty mud at me, and everyone just laughed and giggled wickedly.

They tore my shirt further and I just cried relentlessly.

With a little bit of dignity, I raised my head a bit to glance at my boyfriend, staring at me from the corner. He was with his friends, and he just watched everyone harass me, and throw stuff at me without intervening.

He wasn't hurting me, but he wasn't stopping them.

His stare held hurt, anger and I don't if I was imagining the look of pity, was he even feeling for me? He broke the stare by looking away, discomfort clear in his action.

By the time, our  form teacher barged into the room, I was an utter mess, half naked and covered in mud and bruises.

He broke the uproar in the room with his stern voice demanding what was happening.

Tiffany stepped forward and explained everything to him. How everyone barged in and almost caught me having sex at school.

By now, Shawn was nowhere to be seen.

He went angry at the news, yet he turned to Michael, for one last confirmation.

“Class President, is this information true? Or are they just making this up?”

There was silence and in that moment, I managed to give him a subtle yet pleading shake of my head, begging for him to please save me, save my reputation. Everything was on him now, my fate was in his hands, depending on what he said, because the teachers always buy his words without further questioning and no one else in class would challenge him.

If he would just testify in my favour then….

“Yes.” A single word that turned my entire world upside down.

“Everything Tiffany said is true.” He voiced in a cold voice, glaring at me in the eyes.

I cracked out a sob and shut my eyes to hold back the wave of tears as betrayal overwhelmed me.

Without further time, the form master maneuvered the situation.

“What insolence? Have you no shame girl?” He eyed me with disgust.

Soon, he was dragging me by the arm as I made my walk of shame down to the principal's office where the final verdict would be made on my cause.

Almost everyone present testified against me, even Michael.

They presented proof, and also presented the photos I was being blackmailed with to the authority.

By now, I was trending on almost all socials as the girl with loose morals, caught in the act of indecency at school and off school. 

The rest of the day passed with me, hiding under the stairs at school, away from everyone, away from the world as I waited for the disciplinary committee to decide my fate.

I was avoiding him too. Michael, I really thought he would stand for me. I felt my heart breaking all over again as I recalled his harsh words and the way he looked at me. 

I cried there, right then and there till there were no more tears left.

Towards the end of school, I was invited back to stand before the committee.

I was expelled on the spot.

“You have brought disgrace to our institution and you have been dismissed from our school with immediate effect, which also means you will not be allowed to take finals with your set.” The principal voiced disappointment prominent in her tone. 

“You are everywhere on the internet, the whole of Belgium is now aware of your immorality, and so your admission and scholarship into the university has been withdrawn. They have sent the notice. You lost the scholarship.” She continued.

She spoke with so much pity, but I knew she couldn't do anything for me.

It was over, everything was over.

The perfect grade and character I had worked for had been washed down the drain with this scandal.

“I'm truly disappointed in you, Layde. You used to be an outstanding student. I hope you learn a lesson.”

I felt like my life was over.

How did my perfect day go so wrong?

In one day, I had been framed for an offense I clearly didn't consent to, I was expelled, My first love broke my heart and l had lost my scholarship to the most prestigious University in Belgium.

My reputation had been publicly tarnished.

Maybe things would have turned out different if he'd denied the accusations…but he didn't.

He didn't save me, he didn't want to.

I walked to class lifelessly as my mind conjured all that had happened in the last two hours. I needed to pick up all my stuff. This would be my last day at school.

I'm sure no University would even accept me again.

I was officially ruined.

I got to class to find him, in a circle of his friends, not paying attention to whatever was being said.

He looked up almost immediately, to glance at me when I entered.

He looked almost anxious but then indifference and anger clouded his features once again.

Did he even know I was getting expelled now?

Even though he broke my heart, I still wanted to let him know.p

“Michael.” I cast my eyes down for a bit and looked him in the eye once more when I was a foot away from him.

I had packed my stuff into my bag, it slung casually over my shoulder, and now I wanted to bid him bye.

“I'm getting expelled.” I voiced solemnly.

I saw him visibly swallow hard, before he shifted his gaze from me.

“Good, so I never have to see your face ever again.”

His reply shocked me.

I hastily wiped the tear threatening to fall.

“So you are happy to see me leave? Does it really sit well with you?” My voice came out with such brittleness.

“You got what you deserved.” 

I could no longer hold back the tears and I could pretty much hear some girls snickering at me.

“I won't be able to take the finals. So you don't care that I'm going to be a dropout?”

“No I don't. We are over now, it's best you get the fuck out of my life.” 

“I’ll go, but I want you to know that I never betrayed you Michael.I don't have proof now, but just always remember I was innocent in all of this. I hope one day you realize how much I've really loved you and how big of mistake you are making by letting me go.”

“Yes, get lost. And never try to contact my me ever again. I hope I never see your miserable face ever again….” 

“Sure I'll fulfill your greatest desire to never see me ever again but I promise you no one will ever love you like I did. Goodbye.”

I turned to leave.

When I was almost at the door, I heard his final words.

“We'll see about that……Tiffany?” He called. I'm sure his heated gaze was on my back.

“Yeah?” Her excited voice replied.

“Be my date to prom?”

I shattered at his request to her. 

This was way more worse than expulsion.

Michael had struck the very last cord, that completely caused another wave of tears to kickstart in me.

He gave her my place. The one proposal I had been anticipating from him all week.

Without waiting for her reply, which I knew would definitely be positive, I scurried out of there.

Promising myself, to never forgive him for this heartache be brought upon me.

I got home to find out my parents had already received the news.

Following the humiliation, Father had a heart attack.He died a week later in the hospital.

The shame was alot. Friends and relatives cut off from us. No one wanted to be associated with the disgraced girl of Belgium.

All through this, it was only my mum who stood by me through all.

I was in so much pain, grieving the loss of father.

I was suffering for a crime I didn't even commit.

Suffering from heartbreak. Whenever I remember how he chose Tiffany…..

In the end, when I was all alone in the dark room, where I sit at a corner, and cry myself to sleep,I was left to my thoughts.

Maybe if I had never set my eyes on Michael, fallen for him even then maybe I wouldn't have been scandalized.

Maybe I would still be at my desk now, reading for finals, and still fantasizing over my scholarship….

Maybe if he had denied the accusations,things wouldn't have turned out this way……

Maybe just maybe.

Father would still be alive.

But now, I was expelled,heart broken and ruined.

I hate him very much for this. I'll never forgive him.

 I was sure of one thing.

I will go far away.

Very far away from my country, to a place where no one knows me.

I will change my name, change any recognizable feature of mine and make sure I never see any of this people ever again.

I don't know what is in store for me in the future now, but I'm certain of one thing.

One day, I'll grant him double the pain he has caused me…

Because I'll never forget!