Adventures of Adira: School of Secrets

Chapter 13, Heather's Betrayal

   I must admit, Zenny is a woman of her word, even though she isn't a woman yet. When Heather woke up on December 26, she instantly went over to Hailey's room. And she has started to get impatient with us, mainly Hugo. But Zenny was starting to really lose her cool.

Zenny's P.O.V

   During breakfast, I was sitting with Hugo and Lewis having a peaceful conversation on how to spell the letters V and W. Heather came and sat with us at the table, one minute with us was enough for her to start complaining.

   "Hugo, English isn't that hard, just spell the word right." She complained as she rolled her eyes.

   "Learning a new language takes time Heather," I spoke, trying to calm myself.

   "How would you know that?" Heather asked as she put a giant spoon full of cereal in her mouth.

   "I grew up bilingual and I did learn English and Arabic together, but when it was time to learn french my mind went blank. It's really not easy to learn a new language, especially when you are no longer a child." I answered.

   "I personally think you might need to review that whole English thing. Your accent is off." Heather judged.

   I felt a little betrayed hearing her words, especially because it wasn't the first time hearing them. Luckily Lewis replied to Heather, saying: "That was mean Heather. Zenny has a perfect American accent, and even if she did have an 'off accent' you have to understand that this school has a lot of students from all around the world, not everyone grew up learning English like you."

   I felt a smile appearing on my face, but it quickly went away when Hailey came to the table. She had the same smugness on her face, and I wished that what was going to happen next would not be held against me.

   "Heather is right Lewis, this school is mainly an English school. If you can't speak the language, it's better you leave. Hugo probably took the place of some other kid who speaks perfect English." She spoke.

   Hugo's smiling face turned into a frown upon hearing Hailey's words. Adira was approaching the table when she noticed Hugo's expression change, she put her tray down and tried to cheer him up.

   "And what do you know about learning a new language?" I felt myself ask.

   Hailey looked at me, the same way she always did, with that nasty smirk on her face: "Zenny, do you have a liking to putting your nose in other people's business? And for your information, I don't need to learn a new language, when all the other countries can put the effort into learning English better."

   At that moment I was hoping that Heather would step in and join our side, but she didn't, she nodded to Hailey's words. That's when I felt this intense fire burning in me. Hailey was obviously a spoiled girl, it's like she thinks that the world revolves around her and only her, that's a bad way to think.

   "For your information Hailey, if you make my friends feel bad, then it's only right for me to step in and make sure you don't do it again. And do you know how annoying you are? Do you know how beautiful the other languages are? I wish I could speak both German and French as Hugo can, but I can't. English is a lovely language, and a great way to communicate with foreigners, but not everyone can speak it like someone who learnt it as a first language. I don't judge your first language, so please don't judge other countries'. You are not the center of the universe Hailey, so get off your mountain of power and join the rest of us in the normal world." I snapped.

   I wasn't yelling or anything, but I was furious. Like really, Hailey has been given too much power all those years bullying people who aren't any different from her, and the worst part is that no one did anything about it.

   But then I heard her voice say: "Zenny I believe that you think the world runs around you. You just joined this school and it's like you just became this soldier that is ready to fight whoever says the hard truth. Is it a Lebanese thing? To always feel the urge to fight people?"

   I couldn't even explain how I felt at that moment. It's one thing to insult me, but she had no right to say that my country is a violent country.

   "And what do you know?" I heard myself say, "You just say things you think are true. My people are actually peaceful Hailey, don't judge before you try. You never even stepped foot in my country or even learnt the truth about anything. What you say isn't the truth, it's a stupid belief you made. You think you are the queen of the world, but here is a news flash, you are as much as a peasant as the rest of us."

   "Zenny, the moment you stepped foot into this school, you caused more drama than anyone else. You keep pretending to be this loyal puppy dog, but here is a news flash to you, you are fake. You won't even tell us your real name. You are biased only to your country, you think you are setting an example that you are peaceful, but sweetie you are doing the opposite." Hailey laughed.

   "She has a point you know." Heather agreed. Lewis, Hugo, and Adira looked shocked that Heather agreed with Hailey, while I felt betrayed.

   "You know what, you believe what you want, I came to this school for a new start, but it's actually you who needs a new start. Once you leave this school Hailey, you'll see how powerless you are. Because as you are enjoying your privileged life of being spoiled, the rest of us are busy planning our futures, because money doesn't buy respect or friendship or happiness." I spoke before I went to my room.

   I felt Hailey's face light up as I walked away, but my face did the opposite. I walked fast because my eyes were filling up with tears, and I didn't want Hailey to see that I was affected by her words.

   All I ever wanted was to have friends, to feel like I belonged somewhere, but every time I try I feel like I am losing a part of me. It's hard to feel like the whole world is against you, but it's even harder when you don't even know how you feel about yourself.