Pretending

~11~

Summary:

Prince and his gang ruin Rachel’s dress which her mother had gifted her. She gets upset and slaps both Prince and Ace. She comes home sad but cheers up after some time thinking that she cannot let people control her life and she will definitely do something about it. She decides to call Zahara.

Rachel’s POV:

As I dial Zahara’s number on my cell a doubt appears in my mind. What if she ditches me like Vanessa? What if she breaks my trust? What if she is secretly scheming with Prince? But it didn’t look like she was scheming. I am not a great judge of character but she seemed like a decent girl. I have seen her eyes whenever she speaks to me. She always looks in my eyes and speaks. And just because one person did this to me doesn’t mean everyone will. Just one girl cannot decide my life. Not everyone is like her. I can’t judge other people on basis of her just like mom said. Pushing the ridiculous accusations out of my head I press the call button and wait for her to pick up. After the third ring someone answers the phone. “Hello. How are you?” Zahara speaks on the other side sounding annoyed and sad.

“What's wrong? You sound upset.” I ask, worry evident in my tone. She always sounds happy and confident but today she sounded so defeated. 

“Nah it's nothing. I am just pissed at Prince. He is acting like a dick. Why can’t he just stop this? Today, what he did was unbelievable. This is not the same cousin I love so dearly. He ruined a dress so special to you.”

“It’s okay Zahara. You don’t have to feel so sad. I am sure we will find another favorite dress. As it is the dress was going to get torn. I was managing it somehow. I have worn it like hundred times.” I say trying to cheer her up. I never liked the ones I cared about sounding so upset. Even though we met just a few days ago, I have somehow started to care about her.   

“But it’s awful how cruel he has become. He became so mean and arrogant. I don’t know what to do. I can see us falling apart. He is my cousin but more like a brother. He is always there for me and treats me like a princess. He makes sure I get what I want. He cares so much about me. But why is he doing this now? Why won’t he give me what I want now? Is that Ace so important for him? Is he more important than me? I don’t want us to fall apart. I want to keep our relationship. He is so important to me. My parents weren’t really good parents. They were always away and never cared for me. They did make sure I had everything, but they forgot to give me one thing- them.” She was sobbing now.

“Please don’t cry Zee. I am so sorry. You don’t have to do this because of me. I am being so selfish. Please don’t lose the bond with your cousin. I never wanted to come between you both. I know how you feel trust me, I have a sister too. I am so sorry.” I felt so terrible. Why can’t I stop hurting the people whom I don’t want to?

“It’s okay. You know it’s not like that. I want him to learn a lesson. He can’t keep on hurting other people just because his ego was hurt a little. He was always a person who would do anything for the people whom he loves but this is too much.” She says disappointment lacing her voice. “I will call you later Rachel, the devil’s here.” She says anger returning to her tone.

“Okay. Bye, meet you at school. Good Night.” I say understanding that we can’t discuss a plan in front of him.

“Bye. Good Night. Sleep well.” After that she hangs up.

Keeping my phone on the nightstand I lay down in my comfortable bed. I pull my fluffy teddy bear and hug it tight. I never slept without him. It’s funny how he gives me a sense of safety. I don’t feel alone with him. My mom bought him for me when I was 6. “So, what do you think will happen tomorrow, Teddy? Will I win?” I ask looking in it's glassy black eyes expecting it to answer. “Will you help me buddy, please? I have so many questions and really want you to answer them. Am I doing the right thing fighting back? Don’t you think I should give up? There are so many people hurting.” I keep ranting “I have to lie to mom every day. Zahara is getting hurt and her relationship with her cousin is a wreck. It’s just a 'sorry', maybe I should say it and chuck the topic. But I slapped them today. Will they really forgive me now? Or will they put up a fight? Are they going to hurt me? Do you think they are planning something right now?” I look at teddy again and as expected he lays in my arm unmoving staring at me with its beady black eyes. I wish he could talk to me too. I sigh audibly and close my eyes. As I keep thinking about the future, sleep overcomes me.