Submerged: The Earth's Remains

Chapter 5

Tattered Pride

Before Phoenix's encounter with the president.

Oasis's POV

"Teacher, I need to use the washroom." Oasis raises her hand and asks for permission. She feels the stares from everyone on her.
She feels uneasy. She knows that Jian is on cleaning duty with his team. She knows well that she's alone.

"Okay, go ahead."

Oasis opens the classroom door and stepped into the hallway. She notices people skipping class more frequently than usual.

It's against the rules to skip class. Somethings happening. No one is supposed to skip as they could get easily expelled.

She arrives at the washroom after walking for a while. She looks at the mirror and tries to calm down, splashing her face with cold water afterwards. Her trip to the washroom goes as easy as a breeze. She stayed quite a while inside the washroom, taking a breath from everyone's toxicity so she does not look like she skipped class. However, when she returns to the classroom, it's not as easy as she was in the washroom.

She notices the teacher isn't present.

"Where's the teacher?" She asks everyone around her. Her classmates merely reply with giggles and stares.

"She went to look for you. You took quite a while..." An unfamiliar girl grins, covering her mouth afterwards, trying to suppress a laugh.

Oasis returns to her desk but notices something very disturbing. She places her pale hand on her desk filled with black markings, made with permanent marker. Her face turns paler than ever.

'Die' 'Get torn apart and let the mutants eat your organs.' 'I hope you get raped.' 'You make me want to hang myself' 'Fucking slut' 'Stop seducing all the boys you whore'

The worst insults are the ones with a part of the truth implemented in them. Some insults written were dumb, but some really are hurting.

Without hesitating, Oasis searches for the teacher but she is nowhere to be seen. She remembers that her classmate informed her that she was searching for her.

This isn't normal. She wouldn't leave class just to look for me.

She brushes it off for the moment and focuses on the current problem. She searches for her second option, Jian. Her eyes start scanning the room, hoping to find help from him.

Jian... where are you?

Oasis remembers.
She remembers that Jian is on cleaning duty with his team and therefore can't attend class.

Out all the times I need you, why can't you be here when I need you the most?

Oasis realizes that he isn't here for her like he usually is. Her hands start shaking as she suppresses a scream. Instead of screaming, she smiles and looks at each and every student in the eyes.

"Thanks." She whispers as a tear drops from her cheeks.

Crying won't get me anywhere.

She touches the tear drop with her finger tip. Suddenly, more water is accumulated in her finger tips, growing bigger and bigger by the second. The students don't notice.

I can't be weak. I can't.

"What? Thanks? This girl is retarded. She annoys me." The same unfamiliar girl comments, crossing her arms and glaring at Oasis instead of paying attention to her actions. Other students start laughing at her comment. It only steps on Oasis's pride furthermore.

"She should've expected it when she was out there holding the boys' hands and letting them feel up her chest. Especially Lucian. How could she try and seduce our prince?" Another girl comments, chuckling on the side.

Her heart and mind fills with rage as she listens to the lies furthermore. She uses the water accumulated from one of her fingertips, creating a hand made out of water and strangles the girl who mocked her. The girl starts whimpering in fear.

"Die." Oasis mutters under her breath.

The girl who was strangled has disappeared into thin air.

Was that an illusion?

Something else is different.
She didn't realize it before but Serena is missing.

Suddenly, Oasis feels cold. She doesn't feel warm anymore like the time in the garden.
Her chest is exposed, showing her pink bra.
A student cut her clothes. Her favourite ones to be exact.

Oasis freezes, not knowing what to do or how to react.

How could I not notice her presence?

"That was pretty fun to watch. How did you like my illusion? Pretty realistic am I right?" Serena laughs hysterically, ambling towards Oasis.

"Sadly, it has to end. For now at least." Serena's red eyes contract as she taunts Oasis by whispering into her ears. She plays with her metal scissors, opening and closing them right beside her ear. Everyone's eyes are on the two.

Without warning, Serena grabs Oasis's brown hair and brings her even more closer to her face.
"It's time to go now isn't it? To see the president of course."