The New Girl

The new girl chapter 16

I stretched my arms over my head sleepily. For once, I was up before my alarm rang. I stifled a yawn and looked at the time on my phone. 7.32am. Not bad. I had more than enough time to get ready today. Guess it was the right choice going to bed early last night. Though that meant I hadn't touched the new assignment Miss Robertsons had given us yesterday. I let out a small sigh. Well, positivity Seline. Positivity. I took a deep breath and got out of bed. At least I get to take my time to prepare for school today. I took my clothes and strolled to the bathroom for my morning shower.

"Why, you're up early today." Aunt Elda was making breakfast in the kitchen. Fried eggs and bacon. Mmmm.

"Yeah, had a good rest last night!" I replied chirpily as I walked past her to head to the bathroom.

"That's good! I'm making bacon and eggs today, your favourite."

"I know, smelt it from the bedroom. You make the best bacon and eggs." I shouted from the bathroom. Well, not shout, since we weren't exactly that far away.

Aunt Elda just chuckled in response. "And aren't you the best flatterer."

"I'm only saying the truth!" I replied indignantly.

I heard Aunt Elda chuckle again. "Then you'd better come out soon, or I'll eat your portion too."

"You wouldn't do that to me!"

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It was amazing how much difference an additional hour of sleep can make to my mood. My footsteps felt lighter as I walked through the school gates.

Wait, why was that girl looking at me like that? I looked down at my outfit. Nope, nothing was stuck on me. No gum, no bacon, nothing. I looked up, confused. The guy beside her was looking at me weirdly too. Wait. I looked around me. Everyone was looking or pointing at me, whispering something to their friends. I furrowed my eyebrows and increased my pace, feeling more and more uncomfortable with each step. Why was everyone looking at me like that? Something was wrong. I tried to ignore the pointed looks and made my way quickly to my locker.

Then I realised why. Oh. My. God. I raised my hand up to my mouth in shock. My blue locker was strewn across with what looked like an entire toilet roll, with a big 'SLUT' written in the middle with red paint. Whatever space left behind that was not splattered with paint was filled with disgusting, chewed gum. I approached the viciously vandalised locker cautiously, scanning my eyes over the students all probably anticipating my next move. I hugged my bag to my chest, scared and confused at the same. Who did this? Why did they do this?

I opened my locker with eyes glued to my every move.

"Eeep!" I was hit with a stream of water from a spray nozzle that was apparently secretly attached to the side of my locker. Laughter could be heard from around me. I bit back the urge to cry and started to look for the books I needed for my first class.

Only to realise that they were in a torn, disheveled mess, thrown haphazardly at the bottom of my locker. Pages of the books were torn out, and vandalised with derogatory words in black marker. There was no way I could use them anymore. A photo and post-it were stuck onto the inside of the door.

That's what you get for being a hypocrite. Trying to suck up to Skye after telling him off? Slut. That was what the post-it read below a photo someone had apparently taken of Skye and I at the stairwell that day.

I slammed the locker door and took off running, not bothering to slow down nor control the tears now streaming down my face.

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I didn't know how much I ran, but I ended up at an isolated corner of the school. It looked like a dump here, with opened cans, garbage bags and balls of paper covering the ground. I slowed down and walked towards an abandoned bench situated against the wall. Wiping off my tears, I sat down slowly, trying to control my breathing.

I couldn't stop replaying the scene in my head. I couldn't forget the humiliation, the fear and the helplessness I just felt. It stung, it really did. I never would have fathomed myself in that kind of situation. I had always been quiet in school. I never joined parties, never joined extracurricular activities, never talked to many people in my classes. I had always been the girl to head straight home after lessons. Even in my report book, the only comments I had ever received were that I was "reserved", or that I was "hardworking", and that I "needed to speak up more".

I used the sleeve of my shirt to dry off my wet hair. Why did they do this to me? I thought about the photo and note. Sucking up to Skye? We were just talking at the stairwell. And Skye was the one who pulled me there. Nothing happened. Nothing. Bloody. Happened. What on earth did I do wrong? I hugged my legs to myself and rested my chin on my knees.

"No, no Gab, don't go-"

I looked up at the voice coming from some distance away.

A familiar guy with light brown hair was sauntering towards me, a haughty smirk on his face. Standing a few feet behind him was Skye, looking on with a conflicted expression.

"Do I know-" I started to ask.

"Giraffe girl, dreaming of getting closer to Skye?"

"What-" Giraffe girl? Now that was something I haven't heard in awhile.

"Take a good look at yourself first, bitch." He did an exaggerated once-over and rolled his eyes. "Shrieking at him then wanting to suck up to him now? Know your place."

I was glowering at him by now. Who does he think he is? "I never did that."

"Then what were you doing in a dark stairwell with him? Trying to get some alone time with him? If that's not sucking up, pigs can fly." The guy feigned a laugh and crossed his arms arrogantly.

"You don't know anything." I replied in a low voice.

"You're the ignorant one." He moved closer to my ear. "Fun fact, Skye doesn't go for sluts like you." I jerked up at his words.

"I. Am. Not. A. Slut." I clenched my teeth, trying to control my anger. My eyes travelled to where Skye was standing. Why was he letting his friend say all this to me? He looked away when he saw me looking at him. So he was just gonna stand there and let his friend humiliate me?

"Sure you are. Sluts never admit they are one."

I snatched my bag from the bench and walked away quickly.

"Guess I was wrong to think we were friends." Those were the last words I said to Skye as I walked past him.

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