Bella: Congratulations Victoria! (She says while hugging Victoria tightly and ignoring my presence) You are my role model, I wish I was an all-rounder like you. (She says with a slight hint of jealousy)
Victoria: Well, don’t worry, I will help you out with your studies. (She pats Bella’s shoulder, Victoria seemed to be in a good mood today).
It's interesting how people swell with pride when praised by others. I never saw Victoria smiling like this before. It’s like she received a life achievement just because she has a sidekick now. I never realized that sidekicks could be this useful, all of a sudden I am missing Maria. I stared at their faces for a while before standing up and approaching them.
Me: Hey Victoria. (I smiled looking at Bella who continued treating me like an air) Why don’t you ask her to join the team?
Victoria: (she stares at me with an annoyed expression as she raised her brow) What do you mean? Ask whom? Bella? (She looks back at Bella then laughs slightly) Come on Anne, seriously? Do you think this is a joke? (She glares at me) Bella doesn’t even like sports, how can I ask her to join the football team? What if she injures herself?
Me: We can train her, I am sure the coach will assist her and she actually has the potential to be a good player. (I was confused by Victoria’s attitude, instead of concern, it felt more like she was scared, but I didn’t understand why she felt threatened by my words)
Victoria: Enough Anne, do you even have the slightest idea regarding football before suggesting something so ridiculous? Bella doesn’t know how to play football and bringing her in the team would be bad for ….(she hesitates) for her wellbeing, yeah…(she glances at Bella while biting her lower lip) Don’t mind her, she is speaking nonsense. Bella, I hope you didn’t get hurt by her words.
Bella: (she looks flustered) N-No! Why would I mind the words of an idiot. (She says while regaining her composure). Anyways, I should get going now. (She says while motioning towards the main door)
Me: Victoria…why do I feel that you are being a bit selfish? (I raised my eyebrow before following Bella)
Victoria: What did you….(she bites her lower lip while standing there trying to digest my words)
Me: Bella! Wait! (I said while following her)
Bella: (she finally stops and looks at me, we were standing under the same tree where I first approached her) Please stop this. I am not meant for sports.
Me: How can you say that even without trying? (I questioned her self-doubts) You just need confidence and practice.
Bella: Sports isn’t for a book-worm like me. I am good at studies, not being a sweaty pig. (She said in a sarcastic tone)
Me: Are you happy? (I asked out of the blue)
Bella: (her lips trembled hearing those words) W-What do you mean?....
Me: Are you happy with your current life? Being a book-worm isn’t bad, don’t get me wrong. But are you truly happy?....for others it may look like, you prefer staying by yourself, reading your books, enjoying nature. But I have noticed those lonely eyes craving for a social life, friends to chat with, someone who understands you, being unique, and yourself, instead of just idolizing others. You deserve better, Bella. And this is your only chance to prove everyone wrong. (I said while placing my hand on her shoulder) I know you are strong and talented so don’t doubt yourself.
Bella: You know nothing!! (She shouts while slapping away my hand) I am a nobody! I am bad at studying, I don’t have any special talents, I don’t know how to communicate, I….I am useless….(her eyes sparkle with tears) it’s easier for you to say….at least you have beauty and talent in fighting….look at me….I don’t have good looks, and on top of that, a weak body....even if I disappear, who would care?....(she takes off her glasses and wipes her eyes)
Me: I would, and even Victoria will. Bella, you are not useless, you just need to discover your hidden potential. (I smiled warmly)
Bella: (she looks in my eyes getting lost in her own thoughts) I….
Me: Look, you can still be a book worm and be good at sports at the same time. Rather you can even recommend some books to us for reading. (I said while grinning)
Victoria: Stop it Anne! Can’t you see that you are making Bella feel uncomfortable? (I turned back and noticed a furious Victoria standing behind me)
Bella: It’s fine…Victoria. (She smiled faintly) I can deal with this. (She then glared at me) You want me to join the team right? (I nodded slightly) Fine, I will join.
Victoria: Bella…are you sure? (She asked concerned)
Bella: Yeah. I am. (She said confidently) So Anne, I am ready to join….
Me: I am glad that you decided- (she raised her hand to shut me up)
Bella: But I have a condition. You always say that I can manage both academic and sports together right? (She tilts her head) Then how about you prove it to me?
Me: How? (I raised my brow)
Bella: Secure a higher score than Victoria and me in the next mathematics examination, and I will consider joining. You can always back out though. (She says in a mocking tone while smirking)
Victoria: What are you saying Bella? You already know that Anne failed in this exam, it is nearly impossible for her. This will only ruin her reputation. I cannot allow this. Anne rejects this bet and lets Bella live her life. (She says getting frustrated regarding the whole situation)
Me: I accept. (I said while extending my hand towards Bella) If I fail, I won’t ever bother you again.
Bella: (she looks at me surprised and disbelief) Are you crazy?
Victoria: Anne, stop this madness right now! (She bites her lower lip)
Me: Why? Are you feeling threatened? (I stared at Victoria coldly)
Bella: I should get going. (She walks away feeling uncomfortable)
Me: Stop getting in my way, Victoria. (I said while facing her, my expressions were unreadable)
Victoria: You are being selfish….I never knew that you were so ambitious. (She bites her lower lip while staring in my eyes filled with disgust)
Me: (I smirked) Aren’t we both? Except our motives and ideologies are different. I am being selfish for the team and Bella’s wellbeing. But what about you? (I stressed on the last word)
Victoria: For others wellbeing? Nice joke. You can try manipulating your ambition to everyone except me. You cannot put dust in my eyes. You are a wicked woman, you wouldn’t have bothered yourself with all this, if not for the punishment. You don’t even like Julie, you consider herself pathetic and weakling. (She pants trying to control her anger)
Me: That’s your thoughts, not mine. Victoria, do you know why I like you? Because we both are the same. (I said while bending towards her ear) But unfortunately our ideologies differ. (I smiled) You are right, I am selfish, but I don’t care what others think about me. That’s what makes us different. Stop caring so much, and you will find yourself free from those shackles.
Victoria: (she looks at me with confused expressions) I don’t understand what you are saying.
Me: Hm….there is time…. Still a long way to go. (I patted her shoulder) Don’t stand in my way. We have the same motive, so why not walk together?
Victoria: (she slapped my hand away) I am not like you. I cannot force someone to join us against their will.
Me: Are you sure that Bella doesn’t actually want to join? (I tilt my head)
Victoria: She expressed with clear words, still you have your doubts? (She sighed getting frustrated)
Me: Maybe….maybe not…who knows? (I shook my shoulder) only time will tell.
Victoria: Heh~ very well, I will crush your confidence in the upcoming exam. (She says before walking past me).
To be continued....
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I Thought I Was A Devil
Teen FictionShe was a devil in everyone's eyes , no one cared about her feelings or saw her sufferings, a lonely genius who suffered great losses in her life yet stood up as a phoenix flying in the sky, being an anti hero isn't everyone's cup of tea, being a st...
