Behind the Light

Chapter 1

Zhea's POV

Maybe it's fate, bad luck, or just my life. I don't know who or what to blame. My life's empty, I'm broken, you see. Abused, bullied and used.

Yes, sometimes I think about ending my life but I'm a scaredy bitch, at least that's what they say, but I'm scared to end my life because I still want to do many things. I want to see my mother, I want to go to amusement parks and ride rollercoasters. I want to love and to be loved. I still want to live.

My aunt is an abusive woman maybe because she's alcoholic and is a drug user which is common here in my neighborhood. We live in informal settlements which is difficult.

Me and my aunt, we don't have a good relationship. I was ditched by my mother since I was 10 years old and for years my aunt tried selling me, but no one wants to buy a kid full of bruises and marks. That fuels my aunt to abuse me more. I even tried not eating for about 4 days and almost collapsed.

And today I'm on my way to school. A hell of a school.

"YO!!! The hoe of a bitch's here" Catherine smiled while looking at me.

I just gripped my bag and ignored her. There's no good in fighting back, trust me my experience can be handy.

"Oh so you're just gonna walk past me." I felt her grab my hair. Please remind me to cut my hair or at least tie it to a bun. My scalp's burning.

"Catherine W...we're gonna be late." She splashed her drink on me.

"Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to. I was just suprised because you talked back, I thought you're mute at least now I know." Catherine and the audience who witnessed the stunt laughed.

"Oh, and buy me a coffee. I wasted it on a stupid idiot." She throw the cup into my face and walk away with her minions.

Catherine was a sweet girl and friend but it all changed when

Flashback:

"Zhea, Tom's really handsome" she sighed and waved at him when he looked at our side.

"Hhmm IDK not my type" I continued writing my report.

"Really like girl, you don't have taste" she laughed.

Catherine's my precious bestfriend and she has a huge crush on Tom, like really huge.

"Cath i'll be in my club. I'll be finishing this annoying report. Geez why would they let me write for sports. I'm not good at it." I'm struggling with my write-up for the soccer team.

"Yeah yeah" she shooed me like wow

I think i spent 2 hours in the club room and didn't even noticed that Tom the great as Cath nicknamed him entered the room.

I was busy finishing my report when Tom mumbled which is inaudible so....... I just nod at him.

"So is it a yes?" Wait what????

"Ummmm ok"
When someone's asking just say yes whether you don't understand it.

"Really? Ok see you on Saturday"
Huh?? What on saturday?

I didn't get to ask him because he hurriedly went outside.

For 3 days, I didn't got to see Cath, don't know why.

Then one day while i was walking down the hall everyone was whispering, throwing me suspicious glances and some was not even ashamed and just stared at me.

"She's the slut right"
"I didn't know that nerd can be sexy, wonder how she taste in bed"
"You should never judge a book by its cover huh?"

What are they talking about?
I went to the information board and witnessed something horrible, there displayed pictures of me in a club wearing a slutty outfit and sitting on a lap of an unknown man.

That was one of my horrible moments of my life. My aunt forced me to be a waitress in a club but she really applied me for prostitution. I quickly resigned the job but I guess someone did take pictures of mine.

I turned around to see the culprit while crumpling the photo in my hand.

Catherine forced her way into the crowd. All I want is to hug and cry in her arms. I need my bestfriend.

But...Catherine smirked.

"Look at the slut coming all the way to school. Are you not satisfied there on the club and you're here seducing boys left and right? You even steal Tom away from me." She wiped her fake tears. What is she talking about?

"Oh and this dear bestfriend of mine uses drugs. I...I tried to stop her because she can be violent sometimes. You all know she lives in those drug areas what you call that.....yes INFORMAL SETTLERS, POOR, DIRTY AND WHERE BEING BORN IS A MISTAKE"

I just stood there dumbfounded, still processing it all. Then it all came to me. My bestfriend.......Catherine is also like them, like my aunt, like all those people who thinks nothing about me......like the people i despise the most.

I shake off this thoughts. No I'm stronger than this.

Catherine went near me and slapped me straight on my face.
"That's for being a slut and a liar" she smirked and whispered to me

"Did you like my little act bestie? It's a present to welcome you to hell" I looked at her finding for signs that it is all a joke. That she's still the Cath i know but her eyes were full of resentment, of hate.

END OF FLASHBACK

After that i just learned that Tom asked me out and i said yes. My stupid self said yes. He distanced himself away from me like everyone else. But the thing's bugging me is why Catherine did it. It was a shallow excuse to do something horrible to a person even worse, her own friend.

Well I'm Zhea Ortiza and welcome to my shitty life, feat. My abusive aunt and bullies. Let's just say its not a story about fairies and unicorns flying because ain't that also real. It's not a love story

or at least..............that's what I think.