A/N : This chapter includes subjects that might trigger a handful of you guys out there.
Chapter 2
"So, you joined St. Theressa's last year only?" Seth states casually but, there is an evident curiosity in his voice that I chose to ignore currently.
"Yes." I walk faster towards the class hoping he won't demand an explanation and magically, he doesn't. Instead of heading to our classroom, I lead Seth to the computer lab planning to ditch VKP sir's class.
"Do you mind skipping this class?" I make the best puppy face I can and look at him through my lashes, praying that it works.
"Certainly but, how are you planning to do that?"
"Leave that to me." I wink at him and pull him into the computer lab. There is a lecture taking place in the lab; I walk up to the teacher with Seth following closely, the teacher gives me a knowing smile which I return.
"Excuse me, ma'am, I don't mean to disturb your lecture but, I'm here to work on the 'Vigilance Awareness Week' programme. So, if you don't mind could I use one of the computers along with my companion here sent by the principal?" I lie effortlessly with a smile on my face, the teacher falls for it (as usual) and assigns a computer each for the both of us. We settle down and spend the rest of the morning challenging each other on various games available on the net.
Soon, it's lunch break; we turn off the computers and leave the lab. "You got your ass kicked, big time." I giggle as we walk down the crowded hallway.
"That's because I let you." He defends himself poorly but, fails to keep the smile off his face. We enter together, laughing at each other's lame jokes and the reaction from the class is at a catastrophic level; if looks could kill, my body would be worse than Caesar's!
Maya runs towards us and hisses "Where have you been? Have you been bunking? Wait till I report to Stella ma'am." I roll my eyes, "Maya, chill out. The principal had asked me to give Seth instructions regarding the 'Vigilance Awareness Week' programme, after that, we got caught up brainstorming ideas for the same." She hesitates for a moment but eventually gives in.
"Seth, would you like to join my friends and me for lunch today?" Maya invites him with her sweetest voice, pushing her chest towards him, playing with her hair and doing everything to get what she wants.
"Julie, are you coming too?" Seth looks at me hopefully. "No, I'm good, you carry on." I encourage him half-heartedly.I leave them and head to the canteen, losing my appetite on the way I take a turn and head to the music room, luckily it was open. Playing for the school band gives me unlimited access to the music room so, I plug the keyboard into a nearby socket and let the music flow from within, playing a simple melody.
I walk around the school ground for some time until the bell goes off indicating the end of lunch break, with a brooding face I head towards the class. I bump into Sameer on the way, "Hey Sameer!" I continue to brood as we walk together. "Hi Julie, where were you all day?" his voice is balanced between curiosity and concern, "Was bunking in the lab," I confess.
"With the new admission?" he raises his voice slightly, I frown at him and ignore his question.
"You did, didn't you?" he presses again.
"Yes, Sameer." I don't give him the benefit of details; he opens his mouth to throw another question but, we reach class just in time. "Bye Sameer, see you at band practice." I wave at him and get to my seat; Seth isn't in his place since he seems to be busy flirting with Maya. I gaze at Maya, studying her features; she has beautiful braided black hair complemented by her fair complexion and perfect features. She's perfect in every way except for her ugly personality, I guess.
I slouch in my chair and wait for the teacher in hopes of a distraction from this chaos around me. I push through the rest of the day thinking of band practice the entire time. The long bell brings my motivation back to me, I gather all my books and stuff it into my bag. Sameer is waiting at the door so, I advance towards the door.
"In a hurry?" Seth's voice startles me making me jump out of my skin.
"I have band practice so, yeah. Catch you later." I end the conversation almost as quickly as it began continuing to walk towards the door.
"Let's go," I take a quick glance at Seth before leaving with Sameer and instantly regret doing it because I see Maya all over him. I was supposed to conduct auditions today, for the band, along with Sameer and the music teacher. "Can we have the auditions tomorrow, I forgot about it?" I whisper to Sameer looking at the new and nervous faces lined up to give their audition.
"Okay, I'll ask them to come back tomorrow then." he agrees and walks to Murthy sir, I flash a smile at the newbies and clear my voice calling for their attention, "Good evening to all. We appreciate and encourage your presence and will to participate but, we have a small delay in the process. The audition will take place tomorrow at the same time and venue; we're sorry for the inconvenience." There is a mixed reaction from the little ones, relief, annoyance, and a hurry to leave.
The music fills the room. I lose myself (as usual) for a good 45 minutes and saturate myself with the blissful feeling extracted from the rhythm of each instrument in the room. "..And it's a wrap!" Murthy sir's voice echoes off the walls as the music comes to an abrupt stop.
Sameer walks by my side silently while I contemplate my sudden mood swings since morning. Am I feeling jealous? Of Maya? Because of Seth? Well, that's ridiculous! Why am I jealous when all I want is friendship, with Seth! Am I mad at Seth for widening his friend circle? A small voice from within questions me repeatedly making me go insane.
"Sameer, I didn't notice, where's your cycle? Why are you walking with me here? Isn't your home the other way?" I halt on the footpath, waiting for his answer. "I wanted to talk to you but, you seemed distracted so, I thought I'd wait for you to come back to planet Earth," he laughs nervously, my eyes narrow in suspicion as I smell something fishy. I already know what's coming next, the last time he gave me that smile it was disastrous.
"Julie, I like you, a lot and I mean it.." He trails off...again, "oh, no, no, no, no and no. We are not doing this again." I cut him off. Why? Just when I start to think Sameer is a friend I could rely on, he ruins it. "Thank you, Sameer. You ruined everything, again." I tell him rudely, walking away from him. I reach home and walk into the house while my aunt is getting beaten black and blue by my uncle. I drop my bag at the doorstep and run to her immediately, "Get off her!" I scream in rage as I put myself between them taking the next blow to the stomach. The sting is minor compared to what was coming next; he lifts me off the ground and spanks me hard making me yell louder than before. He mutters incoherently in the native language and drags me to the room he always does when I try to stop him; he shoves me in and locks the door behind him with a disgusting, wicked grin plastered to his face. I gather myself and try to push him away as he forces himself upon me, unzipping his pant, ripping my clothes apart and like ever, my kicks and pushes are useless against his massive body. My muffled screams and attempts to push away die down eventually as I give in to his harassment and tears of pain escape my eyes hoping this would all vanish when I open my eyes again.