Once Upon A Dream

Chapter 6

Maya's POV:

We were back in school and it seemed like no one even noticed we were gone well at least no one noticed I was gone it seemed like most people only cared about Jamal , the only person who seemed genuinely worried about me was Emily she jumped at me as soon as she spotted me in the hallway and started bulldozing me with hundreds of questions.
"Are you okay Maya?"
"What happened to you?"
"We're you sick?"
"Hurt?* She paused then continued
"I went by your house the other day I didn't find anyone, even your front door wasn't locked"

Before I could answer even One of her questions Jamal walked up to us with his loads of friends all talking at the same time. I glared at them for a fee minutes then said quietly
"Can you all just shut up?"

His friends stopped talking then suddenly burst out laughing, then one of them sneered and said in a mocking voice
"What are you going to do about it weirdo"

Jamal's eyes flashed with anger, and he stepped forward, his tall frame towering over his friends. "That's enough," he growled, his voice low and even. "She's my sister, and you'll respect her."

The group fell silent, their faces pale as they realized they had crossed a line. Emily's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at me with newfound curiosity.

"Your sister?" one of Jamal's friends repeated, his voice laced with skepticism. "Since when?"

Jamal's expression turned cold. "Since always. We're twins, actually. And I don't appreciate you guys being rude to her."

The group shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between Jamal and me. I could see the wheels turning in their minds as they tried to process this new information.

"Sorry, Maya," one of them muttered, looking at me with a hint of apology.

I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed from the sudden turn of events. Jamal put a protective arm around my shoulders, and I felt a surge of gratitude towards him.

"Let's get out of here," he said, steering me away from the group. "We have more important things to talk about."

As we walked down the hallway, Emily trotting alongside us, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Jamal had defended me, claimed me as his sister, and I realized that for the first time in my life someone was standing up for me and I gotta admit it felt wonderful to know that someone would always be there to protect me.

.......................................................................
During lunch Emily and I were walking through the cafeteria looking for a place to sit.

As we walked past Jude, a guy in my class who was known for his toxic and bad attitude suddenly laughed and pointed at me and Emily " hey look guys, the hippo made a friend"
His friends laughed and started making jokes about Emily's weight

I shook my head and slowly turned to Jude "You're such a jerk you know, making fun of people anyhow you want "

He looked at me with a sneer and said
" You're One to talk, you used to bully just anyone you see" he paused then smirked
"I guess cruelly finally repented huh?"

His friends burst out laughing like hyenas

I gave my bag to Emily and said in a low voice "Apologize"

Jude leaned in blowing my hair out of my face then said defiantly " or what, huh?. What are you going to do"

"Apologize" I repeated in a controlled voice

Jude smiled and said" now just why would I apologize to that hippo "

I shook my head then pounced on Jude, my fists flying as I tackled him to the ground. He tried to defend himself, but I was relentless, my anger boiling over. "Take it back, Jude! Apologize to Emily!" I shouted, my blows landing with precision.