Blind to everything but my self-absorbed self, I completely missed the quick, inquisitive glance that my bestfriend threw over her shoulder – no, not at the freshman, but to someone else who had caught her eye. It was a blonde student that she had never noticed until that fateful day. They only made brief eye contact after she stood up from helping ostrich girl, but it seemed to have unsettled Sammy enough to make her look back at the girl again. Apparently, something in that stranger’s face had managed to pique Sam’s curiosity. There was a rebellious gleam in her eyes, she would confide to me after a few weeks, but at that moment, she kept it to herself despite her surprise. We never see those kinds of looks in this school. We were used to seeing admiration, reverence and fear in the eyes of people here. If they hated our guts, they were wise enough to hide their disdain for fear of getting bullied and persecuted. But apparently, the blonde student didn’t receive this particular memo. Sam might’ve kept mum about the gutsy girl, but I would run into that rebellious someone soon enough. Not a moment too soon, in fact.

——————-

It was humiliating. Infuriating. Annoying.

Ice cold coffee was dribbling down my head, streaking through my cheeks and soaking my once spotless couture clothes. My blouse had turned from white to brown, my cheeks from light pink to deep red. I just had coffee dumped over my head – not once, but twice. My hands were shaking with anger, my skin shivering at the icy cold sensation of the freezing liquid seeping inside the thin fabric of my clothes.

I looked like I had just been pooped on by a giant bird whose diet mainly consisted of Starbucks frapuccinos, and hell, I certainly smelled the part too.

Christina Kennard.

That’s what she said her name was. She told me to remember it, and my God, even though I loathed to follow anything she said, I don’t think I’ll ever forget. After all, I had the tendency of holding grudges far longer than any rational human should. And to be honest, I don’t think my hatred for her will be disappearing any time soon. For the first time in my life, I’ve been made a fool of and humiliated in front of my peers. My ego was wounded in ways that I could not even fathom. It was unforgivable. And for that, she should pay.