ℝ𝔼-𝕊𝕋𝔸ℝ𝕋 ||𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲'𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

7. The stigmatisation hurts😔

Before you start reading, I want you to grab the snacks above and enjoy life because you deserve it.

Hailey's POV.
Evelyn dropped me off at school, as usual all eyes were on me but not the usual admirable look but instead it was one I couldn't decifer. Some were murmuring, while the others spoke out loud enough to my hearing.

"Isn't she the bandit's daughter?"

"She's the one" others added.

"So sad" some added while others just laughed.

I just ignored him them and walked quietly to the class. Nobody wanted to talk to me nor greet me like they used to. Well I don't need them. Now I've finally realized that I have no friends.

Finally I made it through the walkway which seemed longer than ever today. I quietly walked to my locker, I noticed that all the lockers close to mine were shifted. I was all alone. I looked up at Rose whom I thought was my bestie. She noticed my gaze and rolled her eyes at me. I felt my eyes about to water, I pushed the tears in , I couldn't let them see my tears, never! I can't give them that honour, they don't deserve it. I picked up my diary and began my normal routine with my gisting partner.

Just then someone tapped my shoulder, I turned to see Nelson. He signalled with his hand to see if he could keep his locker next to mine but I just rolled my eyes at him. He's the same guy I slapped the other day. He ignored me dropping his locker next to mine, he sat down beside me but I refused to look at him.

What the hell does he want?

"I'm sorry" he said staring at me, thank God I wasn't facing him cause I could feel his eyes.

"For what exactly?" I turned to face him with my hair which was loosely tied up fell on my face. I just let it rest on my shoulder. When I noticed him staring again I snapped at him.

"What the hell do you want from me? You wanna come see me cry huh? You wanna mock me like others right?" I asked bitterly.

" No no, I'm just here to say I'm sorry about the other day . It was a dare, I swear I would never make fun of you. I just want us to be friends " he said with sincere eyes, her brought out his hand for a handshake but I ignored him writing something in my diary.

" That's your diary? I never knew you kept records too" he commented with a dry chuckle. Well he did seem nervous. I don't mean to be rude but his presence is seriously not wanted.
I wanna go into my shell, no much talking, just alone.

" Hailey, I'm sorry " he apologized once again. Hmm! Guess he won't get tired of saying sorry till I reply him.

"I forgave you a long time ago. I just wanna be left alone. I've got a lot of things on my mind."

"Thanks, I understand "
Thank God you do. Normal me would have put up a small smile but my face was neutral. After my father's painful death, all my sense of humor died.

Not so long after Nelson decided to mind his business Lucille into the class with her minions. They were all heading towards my direction. Funny enough I don't know their names, I just call them white hair, blue hair and red hair. I wonder what they see in bright colours. Lucille walked majestically and sat down on a locker opposite me with her legs crossed revealing her fair thighs. I just stared at her face, if not that we are best of enemies I would have said she's the most beautiful brunette ever. I decided to ignore her. I continued my abstract art, I drew abstract images whenever I'm in pain or angry.

Nelson passed me a glance, I don't know what that means but I guess I'll just have to ignore them all.

Lucille started her silly and annoying laugh but I didn't let it get to me.

"I saw a video about the killings in Nigeria yesterday" she said to her minions while they all laughed like Edo witches.

"Can anything good ever come out of that useless country?" Red hair asked while they all gave negative answers.

I knew they were trying my patience, I took a loan from my patience bank acting like I couldn't hear them.

" I wonder why they've not been deported. All of them should be swept out of Britain" Blue hair add.

I looked at them angrily, Nelson held my hand under the locker rubbing his thumb over it to calm me down. Lucille stood from the locker she was seated and came closer to me.

"You know your father's one of them. They are all the same. You all are the same! You father looted the country's money, dealt in drugs, worse still he..."

"Enough!" Nelson shouted at her but they only laughed louder. I motioned on him to remain calm. I didn't just have their time.

"No wonder your mother left. I mean, what did an Australian find in a Nigerian criminal"

Those words made me feel like a wounded lion, I sprang to my feet.

"Don't you dare Lucille! Don't!" I shouted.

"The truth is bitter dear, right? Of course" she chuckled. I clenched my fist in anger.

"You wanna kill us too? Like father like daughter" that was Rose's voice. I maintained eye contact with her for sometime before taking my eyes back to Lucille.

"It's obvious your penniless now, no more ranting dear. Your just an outdated fool. " White hair said with a grin.

" You know her father's property were confiscated including their mansions. I believe they are living on the streets now, she and her step mom. " Lucille mockingly told Rose who pretended to be amazed.

I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up from my locker picked up my things and ran to the only place in school that gave me solace, the botanical garden. I once made a picture of it in my sketchpad.

I broke into tears, I couldn't take it anymore. The humiliation is just too much. As I cried, I felt someone pull me into a hug.

"Nelson?" I called and hugged him back with tears running down my cheeks.

"Why do they have to be so mean?"

"Everything will be fine" he consoled. I pulled myself away packing my books in my bag. I didn't bother packing them up before because I was tired of that hell of a class.

"I need to go home Nelson"I told him with my voice cracking due to my long cries.

"You'll be back right?" He asked.

"I doubt. I can't survive it in this environment"

Take care Hailey "he said with a smile I noticed was forced. What's wrong with him.

" Thanks for being there for me when no one else was "

" It's alright "he said and stared at me in silence.

" Are you okay? " that sounds silly. He should be the one asking me that. He stood as if thinking of something he moved closer to me.

"I've always wanted to tell you that I'm your greatest fan"he said and pulled me into a hug.

I picked up my bag from the floor about to leave, I turned to look at him one more time. I saw a tear in his eyes.

" I like you a lot Hailey " he whispered before leaving. I guess it wasn't meant to be heard.

I watched as he walked briskly to the class, I pray he gets over his crush soon. I've got no time to think about a guy, I've got a lot of things on my mind. Besides this is the last time he's gonna see me, I'm definitely not going back to that school whether Evelyn likes it or not.

I took a cab home. Thank God many people didn't know I was his child, I never posted our pictures together so there'll probably be a chance elsewhere. Maybe in a new school where I won't be known as Hailey Thompson but Hailey Bloom, my name on social media.

Author's POV

I seriously don't like what's going on with Hailey. Who pities her too? Who feels Lucille is being too mean?

Yours wattpadly,
Divylove.