Chapter 6: Loneliness
Soon, all of Rhonda's classmates saw the footage and the hatred toward her became widespread. However, Rhonda was not aware of this just
yet.
Back in her home, it was morning time. Rhonda had just woken up from bed and went to shower. She then had breakfast and was off to enjoy
her weekend. Rhonda enjoyed long walks at the park. At the park, she noticed Sid. At this point she became excited because Sid promised to take her
out to dinner. She slowly walked up to Sid and said: "Hi Sid." Sid looked at her with anger and said: "Oh, it's you." Then Rhonda continued: "So, are we
going out tonight?" Sid yelled: "ARE YOU CRAZY?" Rhonda jumped back and yelled: "AH!" Sid continued: "I would never go out with someone who took
part in hurting me!" "Sid what are you talking about?!" Rhonda cried. Sid walked away and said: "Just get away from me!" Rhonda became speechless.
She was confused not knowing what had happened.
After her horrible weekend, Rhonda thought school would make things better. She reminded herself of her popularity, her good grades, and her
best friend Nadine who was always there for her. When she entered the school, nobody paid any attention to her. Then she saw Arnold. This brought
her relief as Arnold was always there to help. She remembered how he helped her the time when her family went broke and she thought maybe he
could figure out Sid's strange behavior. "Arnold, Hey Arnold!" she shouted. Arnold looked at her and said: "What." Rhonda asked: "Do you know what
is going on with Sid? First he promised to go out with me and then he yelled at me and walked away. Did I do something wrong?" Arnold rolled up his
sleeve and showed some of his scars. He then said:"I think you know." Then Arnold walked away. Rhonda stood there even more confused.
In class, Mr. Simmons passed back tests. "Congratulations class". Mr. Simmons said and then continued: "All of you did well on your tests. I am
extremely proud of all of you. Well, almost all of you." He then looked at Rhonda with an angry face. This confused her even more. She actually did
pretty well on her test. Why the angry face directed at her? After class, Rhonda approached Mr. Simmons' desk and then asked in a soft voice: "M-mr.
Simmons? Why did you not like my test? Are you accusing me of cheating?" Mr. Simmons looked at her with disgust and then said: "I wouldn't put it
past you when it comes to cheating as well." Rhonda's lips began to shake. And then Mr. Simmons continued: "Are you forgetting what you did at the
field trip?" Rhonda responded: "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about." Mr. Simmons' eye began to twitch from anger and then he said:
"You think we don't know about this?" He closed the blinds, got his projector and showed Rhonda the scene where she shook hands with the gunman.
"Pleasure doing business with you Rhonda." The film said. Rhonda's eyes were at disbelief. She was framed! And then Mr. Simmons continued: "Arnold
also told me that the man winked at you as he flew away to prison. You are not fooling anyone, you clearly took part in the torture against me and my
class! Rhonda then realized what that man meant when he said he would make her life miserable. She then said in a desperate voice: "Mr. Simmons,
you have to believe me, I was framed! That man shook my hand on purpose to have you go against me! " I do not want to hear your excuses." Mr.
Simmons replied.
Rhonda was now walking home from school quietly crying to herself. She then remembered Nadine, her best friend. With a bit of hope and
optimism left Rhonda quickly ran home. At home, she picked up the telephone and impatiently dialed Nadine's number. "Come on, Come on." Rhonda
said. Nadine finally picked up and said: "Hello?" "Oh, Nadine…" Rhonda said. Nadine quickly cut her off and said: "What do you want?" Rhonda said:
"There is a horrible rumor going on that I aided the gunmen that kidnapped us." Nadine then said: "Rhonda, what you did was unacceptable. I really
do not wish to speak to you." At this point Rhonda's heart completely sank and she said in a weak tone:" N-Nadine, you don't really believe that do
you? I was framed." Nadine responded by saying: "Rhonda, you and I are through." After that statement the phone call died and so did
Rhonda on the inside. She finally realized that all of her friends were gone, her popularity was gone, and she was now the most hated person at
school. She then fell on her pillow and cried from the emotional pain that she was in.