To Be Different

• 5 •

Just as soon as all this shit began, I've learnt that the name of the girl I literally saved was Jacie Gomez. She's 16 and she loves art. She said she has plans to go to NYU after highschool. I also got to know that she has been coping with this bullying shit right from middle school. To my surprise, I found out that she is Miss Amanda's sister. I still cannot believe it. I knew I've heard that name 'Gomez' somewhere recently, but it didn't hit me too quickly cause I usually refer to her as Miss Amanda.

I'm slightly confused, If her sister is a teacher in this school especially an intimidating one, why would students even care to harass her? Does she know about all this? Or does she not know? All this questions swirl through my mind, cause it just doesn't make sense. Even though I just met her today, I feel the urge to get to know her more, she's nice to start with.

As we take a seat in the nurses office,she wasn't there at first but after some time she came out of an oak door just like the one at the administration's office. I think it was a rest room, I couldn't tell. But my curiosity was short lived when she said;

"I'm sorry, I just quickly went to her the restroom. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long"

"No ma'am we just came now too long" Jacie said. Just before she ended that sentence the nurse jacked her face up. I think she knew the voice talking to well. I knew was right because when she looked to Jacie all the colour on her face was drained and her mouth slightly opened.

"Oh my God Jacie" she says using her newly washed hands to cover her mouth with a sigh she continued. "What happened again this time, why are they always doing this to you. That's it! I've had enough I'm going to tell all these to Amanda, she has been kept in the dark for too long" she says in a strict-sweet voice while bringing forward her hand to touch Jacie's left cheek. And she flinched slightly because of the contact.

I looked over to Jacie to search for any signs of emotions behind her eyes, now that I'm looking at her face well,under the slightly dim light I recognise that she has Hazel eyes. Okay, I may have an obsession with beautiful eyes. I can't help it they are just too good to look at. And that's why Jacie is giving me an awkward expression as to ask why I'm looking at her like as if I've seen the most magnificent thing ever!

She broke eye contact with me and looked at the nurse. I have no idea what her name is. She has fair skin, brown eyes, red hair and freckles on top of the bridge of her nose.

"No, no please you can't tell her. I don't want any drama. My life is already complicated enough. I don't want Amanda to know about it. You know Jason is very rich,if Amanda does something his parents might....might make her loose her job or something. I can't add to her burden please Ria" Jacie pleads at the verge of tears. Why is she so scared. Is it because she doesn't want miss Amanda to loose her job. I doubt that is possible.

"Oh no, please don't cry now. I won't tell her this time but he can't keep doing this to you. He can't keep bullying you and hitting you like you are some garbage. I promise the next time this happens I won't hesitate to tell Amanda" says Ria. I think that's her name right?

"Thank you so much, I owe you. I promise he won't hit me again after all she's here now" Jacie nudges me. Oh me, I'm the one she's talking about. What if I'm not there, won't she be able to defend herself?

"I can't be there everytime to save you Jacie. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself" I shrugged looking directly to her eyes.

"OK whatever, I'd try fight for my self as for now on" she rolls her eyes at me and I sniffle a giggle. "It's not easy tho. They are beasts"

"Do you mind introducing your new friend here to me Jacie" miss Ria says staring at Jacie pointedly.

"Well uhm... I... She.. Her name is... is... " she stammers looking at the tiled floor and I just sat there with a scowl on my face. Is she serious right now. She doesn't know my name!! But I know hers ! I don't think I should think selfishly here, she has been through a lot. The least she can worry about is my name right now. It's okay, it's just a name.

"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier miss Ria, I'm Anie Jones from Nigeria. I'm a new student here" I clarrify. "Well now you know my name Jacie" I say while staring at her in attempt to frown but I'm sure I look pretty stupid right now cause frowning doesn't fit me at all.

"I'm sorry Anie, I should have asked when you asked me about mine. I'm really sorry I pr-" she was caught off talking because I threw my arms around her in a tight hug. She returned the gesture and also tightened her arms around my shoulders.

"Okay, enough of all the emotional stuffs" Miss Ria says as she fakes to wipe imaginary tears from her freckled face making both of us laugh. "Now let's get you treated"

After Miss Ria gave Jacie an ointment to apply to her face, she gave us hall passes. We are clearly late to the classes. I've missed about two now. This is my first day of school and I'm missing classes. I'm freaking out right now. At least I missed classes for a reason right?

We both left the nurses office with 'thank yous' then started running off to class. I found out that both of us have the same classes which was history. I never had history in Nigeria, it wasn't part of our syllabus at least since when I was there,so I wonder how it would be like.

Jacie pointed to the to classroom from afar and we started running to the door, but before we could get there the bell rang. It just had to ring. Whyyyyyyyy!!! I really wanted to make sure I made an attempt to show to the class.

"It seems we are very late then,but we could use the hall passes next time" she says stressing the but and trying to catch her breath.

"I know right,so what is next on our schedule" I ask trying to look for Alex.

"Lunch, yayyyyyyy" she squeals in my ear. I had to cover it. Does she really like food that much, she doesn't even look chubby or anything. " Who or what are you looking for by the way" she asks.

"Uhm, Alex. Yeah alex" I reply and she just stands there with one perfectly shaped eye brow up,as if to tell me she doesn't have any idea of who I'm talking about.

"Oh, you see Alex is my annoying twin brother" I say trying to sound like an adult explaining to a five year old. Then she made her pouty lips look like an 'o'. I think she understands now. "I have no idea where he is, I'm not sure if we have the same class" I raised my toes up in an attempt to look for him in this crowdy hall way.

"I'm sure he is here somewhere,probably in the cafeteria" Jacie suggests.
I don't think Alex would leave alone to go to the cafeteria without me. I wouldn't make it in alive. We promised each other to never leave for somewhere without telling,but I'm clearly the one who left him without telling. Actually, I did tell him I was going to use the restroom. Its just that I didn't expect to see what to see what I saw. And I did not have time to go back to tell him.

Just as I was about planning the excuses I was going to give to him. I heard the crashing of books behind me. I turned around and found Jacie squatting to help someone up but I couldn't see the person.

"I'm sorry I didn't see you there, I hope you are okay" both of them said at the same time. Wait a minute, I know that voice all to well. Could it be... Oh yes it is. After both of them laughed at what they said in unison,they stood up and I abruptly turned back to where I was facing before. I haven't even found an excuse. Maybe I should just tell him the truth,he might understand right?

"Anie, is that you " he asks. Shit. I'm sure he recognized my red bandana. I adjusted my glasses and turned back with an awkward smile.

"Hey Alie" I say timidly.......

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