Aching Heart

Chapter Five

That Sunday evening Andrea was lying in her bed. She went to bed really early as she had to wake up earlier than usual the next morning. Her mind was filled Damon. She really enjoyed talking to him and it saddened her, knowing she was most probably never going to see him again. He was so handsome, he looked like one of those guys that belonged on the front cover of a magazine. Andrea’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard her father calling for her.

“Yes dad?” She shouted back. “Phone call for you.” Andrea frowned, wondering who could be calling for her. She got out of bed and went inside the living room where her father was seated. She took his phone, the only phone they had in the house. They could not afford adding phone bills to their list of debts and they agreed that her father should be the only one to have a phone because someone needed a phone in their house. Andrea walked to her room and then only answered the phone.

“Hello.” She said carefully. “Is this Andrea?” A fairly familiar and rude male voice asked. Andrea frowned at the rude tone in his voice. “Yes, this is she. Who am I speaking to?” Andrea asked in a polite tone.

“Austin Williams.” Andrea gasped. She had completely forgotten about him. She wanted to ask him where he got this number but then she remembered Gail saying she had given her number to him. “I am calling you about the little debt you owe me.” He continued when Andrea did not reply.

“I would not exactly call that little.” Andrea heard herself say. “Did I not tell you that your entire salary would not even be able to pay for my shirt?” Andrea rolled her eyes, she really hated his tone of voice. It was not only rude but had a hint of arrogance as well.

“Look, I am sorry. I really did not purposefully bump into you and spilled the wine on your expensive shirt. Believe it or not, I don’t usually go around bumping into people when I am at the club, I usually just go there to work.” Andrea bit her lip when her sarcastic comment slipped. She knew he was the boss’ son but she could not help it. Gail would flip out if she heard her speaking this way to him.

“Trying to act smart with me too, I see. I guess you would not mind if add an extra R200 to that debt, huh.” Andrea hissed. What the heck was wrong with this guy?

“Honestly what is your problem with me? It is evident you have money and you obviously know my salary, so why would you want more money from someone like me?”

“Did you or did you not spill wine all over my shirt?” Austin snarled at the other end of the line. Andrea felt like throwing this phone. This guy was seriously rude.

“I did not spill it. We accidently bumped into each other in an extremely packed space.” Andrea could not afford another bill of debts to their lists. This was something she could try and get out of.

“Not only are you are you acting all smart with your boss but you are also not taking accountability for your mistakes. I want the money end month or I add another R300.”

Didn’t he just say R200? Andrea took the phone away from her and did a little breathing exercise in attempt to calm down. It was clear her sarcastic comments was only making things worse.

“Sweetheart, still there?”

“I am not your sweetheart and don’t worry you will get your money.” Andrea ended the phone call before he could say anything further. Just exchanging a few words with this guy spoiled her entire day.

Andrea just went to bed, her mood completely ruined.

****************

"Time to wake up, honey. You do not want to be late for your first day right." The sound of Jacob's voice at 6:30 am was not what Andrea wanted to hear. At her previous school she could wake up an hour later, but because she was now attending Kingston High that was a distance from her house and she did not have her car. She had agreed do drive her father’s bicycle to the taxi rank and from there she would take a taxi to Kingston High.

Andrea groaned in her pillow when her father started shaking. "Andy, you have to get up now. I made you a special breakfast and I have ironed your very fancy clothes."

"Go away, Dad." She mumbled, still half a sleep. Jacob chuckled. "Andrea, you know you hate going to school on an empty stomach, well that is exactly what's going to happen if you do not get up now. You'll be too late to eat breakfast.

"Just five more minutes, please."

"Jason! Do you want to bring that bucket of cold water? Maybe it will help your sister get up.”

"Yes, Dad! I'll bring it in a few seconds." Jason shouted back. That got Andrea sitting up in her bed, instantly.  "I'm up, I'm up. No need for any cold water."

"That's my girl. Now get ready quickly so you can enjoy your breakfast." He exited her room. Andrea yawned loudly as she stretched herself out. It suddenly sunk in that today was going to be her first day at Kingston High school. The nerves started kicking in as she realized that she was most probably going to be the only girl from the lower economic class at that school. What if they treat her badly because of this?

Andrea jumped out of her bed, in hopes to jump her nerves away. It did not exactly help but she knew a nice warm shower was the remedy to calm her nerves.

After her shower she got dressed in the school uniform. It consisted out of a navy blue skirt, a white shirt with the school's badge on. She had to wear a navy tie and navy blazer with her black school shoes. Andrea made her hair in a normal pony tail and then went downstairs. She was ready to tackle this day at a new school, facing those, no doubt, privileged students. After she was completely done, she went inside to where her brother and father were eating breakfast.

“You’re just in time to eat breakfast.” Jacob said as Andrea joined him and Jason.

“Look at your fancy school clothes. Now I get to brag that my sister attends Kingston High.” Jason said with a goofy smile. Andrea chuckled and rolled her eyes. Her brother attend her old high school and it was his first year on high school. “Stop being a goof. You just focus on getting good grades and you might just attend that school next year.”

“Nah. I don’t think I want to. They don’t offer any arts-like subjects like music or dancing. You know that’s what I want to pursue.” Jason was so passionate about music and dancing and he was so talented. He had more talent in his little finger than what she had in her entire body. She was the brainy one and he was the artist. That was something he had inherited from their mother.

After Andrea was done eating she said her goodbyes and left with the bicycle. She arrived at Kingston at exactly 7:30am. The school building was massive. If she did not know this was a school she might have mistaken it for some kind of hotel.

Andrea nervously walked into the school gate. It was weird that she was the only one walking into the school. Everyone else were driving in the latest car model. That is when she already knew she was standing out. Just what she did not want.

"Who is she?" Whispers were heard as she walked past students that were already there.

"Did she walk to school?"

“Who even walks to school anymore?”

"It is clear that she doesn't belong here." Andrea tried her best to walk past these whispered students and tuning it out. She nervously rubbed her sweaty palms on her skirt.

Andrea, after which felt like an eternity, eventually reached the entrance of the school and she walked through the double doors of the school. There were more students she had to pass but luckily they did not stare as much as those that were outside. Those that did stare gave off a snobbish vibe to Andrea. It felt like they could smell she was poor.

Andrea, realizing she needed to find her locker, turned her backpack towards the front and she fumbled in it to find the form that had her locker number written on. Her locker was number 12. It was not too far from the entrance and she found it easily.

Standing in front of her locker, was a short cute girl, waiting for her. Her hair was cut in a bob and she was smiling friendly when she spotted Andrea coming towards her. Andrea could immediately felt some of the nervousness melt away at this girl’s friendly eyes.

"Andrea Quinn, right?" The girl asked her once she reached her locker. Andrea swallowed visibly and then nodded her head. "I'm Jamie Andrews. I've been assigned to help you. First things first. We’re gonna need to make a short visit to the principal's office. She wants to see you, before you go to your classes." Again, Andrea just nodded her head.

"Did you swallow your tongue?" Jamie asked, a friendly smile on her face. "No." Andrea said softly. Jamie chuckled before pulling her by her wrist. "Come on, follow me." Andrea wordlessly allowed herself to be pulled down the hallway by Jamie. They walked through the long passage for a few minutes and then suddenly made a left to eventually stop in front of a close door. “Okay why do I feel like I will totally get lost here?” Andrea said.

“Oh so you can speak.” Jamie said teasingly and soft laugh escaped Andrea’s lips. “Apparently so.” She hit back with a smile. She liked Jamie’s energy and vibe.

“Here were are,” Jamie pointed at the closed door “oh and btdubs, don’t freak out but the principal is kinda scary. But you’ll be fine. I’ll be right outside, waiting for you.”

“Telling me that, totally did not freak me out.” Andrea said sarcastically and Jamie laughed. “I had to warn you babes. You’ll be fine as long as you say more than one word.” Andrea gave a nervous smile and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” A female voice shouted. Andrea opened the door and she met a lady sitting at the front desk.

“Hi, I am Andrea Quinn.” Andrea said.

“Oh you’re the new scholarship student. Please leave the door open for me.” Andrea did what she was told. “If you walk down the passage, the principal’s office is the second door.”

“Thank you.” Andrea said and walked the second door. She knocked again.

“You may enter.” The voice said. Andrea opened the door softly. She could feel her palms getting sweaty again. The principal’s voice did not sound friendly at all. Andrea’s eyes met Principal King and she almost gasped. The woman in front of her was gorgeous. She looked like she was in her mid-thirties, no doubt looking younger than what she was. Her hair was tied in an elegant bun, not a single strand out of place. Her eyes were a light shade of brown but they eyed Andrea coldly and distastefully.

"Have a seat Ms. Quinn." Not only were her eyes cold but her voice as well. Andrea nervously obeyed.

“Welcome to Kingston High. You can consider yourself very fortunate that you have been chosen to attend this school. Not every student from your…uh…humble background get this opportunity.” Andrea nodded. “I am indeed. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.” Mrs. King nodded, her expression staying hard.

"We are a very strict school Ms. Quinn. You are to behave at all times. Just one wrong move and I won't hesitate to kick you out." Mrs. Kings stared at her with her cold eyes and Andrea nodded again. She seemed to be nodding a lot ever since she stepped foot in this school.

"You're report card looked quite impressive and you are expected to maintain it." Andrea nodded but it appeared to her that giving her a compliment was painful for Mrs. King and she could not help but feel like Mrs. King had a disliking towards her. She mentally shook her head, getting rid of her absurd thoughts. A principal is supposed to like all her students.

"I will try my utmost best to maintain it, Mrs. King." Andrea said, finally having found her voice. "No trying here at Kingston High, Ms. Quin, you have to. Your good marks are what got you into this school. There will be no slacking academically or you’re out of here as fast as you can say fail." Andrea swallowed again. Jamie did not lie, she was scary.

"Understood, Mrs. King.”

"Be sure to read the rule book and to follow every single rule of them. Being punctual is of great importance to us. Be sure that you are punctual to every class or you will be punished. As I mentioned, you are here on scholarship, few students get the honor to attend this prestigious school."

"Yes Mrs. King. I am a very punctual person."

"I will keep a close eye on you Ms. Quin. Oh and another thing, no interacting with people you’re not supposed to.” Andrea frowned at Mrs. King’s cryptic words. What was that supposed to mean? When Andrea did not say anything, Mrs. King told her that she was dismissed. Andrea did not waste any second longer there as she almost ran out of her office.

"This principal is officially the scariest person I ever met." Andrea said once she reached Jamie. Jamie giggled. "I told you. She's the worst."

“Remind me never to get in trouble, ever.” Jamie smiled at her. “I think I like you, girl” Andrea smiled back, she liked Jamie too.

She walked next to Jamie, through the hallway. Passing students were giving her stares again.

“Jamie, I want to ask you something.” Jamie turned to her. “Shoot.”

“Before dismissing me, Mrs. King gave me a cryptic message. She said not to interact with people I am not supposed to. What does that mean?” Jamie almost laughed. “I cannot believe she actually told you that.”

“Why? What is it?”

“I think she is probs talking about her son and his circle of friends.” Andrea frowned so Jamie continued: “Andrea, we sorta have unwritten rules at this school. Everyone thinks it’s a dream to attend this school when in actual fact it is so prejudiced against…poor…okay, I don’t want to say poor, more like scholarship students like yourself.” Somehow that did not surprise Andrea.

“These students are ruthless and show no mercy towards scholarship students.” Andrea’s eyes went big. “What, exactly do you mean by that?” Jamie noticing Andrea’s expression gave her a sad smile. “All I have been doing today is freak you out but I need to warn you about this. The students of this school are not a fan of scholarship students, so what they do is, they try their best to get the student to voluntarily quit the school.” Andrea was officially scared. She was aware she might be looked down on but she did not expect this.

“They feel like these students get the easy way out by getting a scholarship when some of their parents work hard to pay the school fees.” That sounded absurd to Andrea. She worked extremely hard to get these good grades, in her situation. 

“So, Mrs. King was referring to the entire school? Should I not interact with any of you guys?”

“She was talking about the six students that the rest of the school refer to as The Elites.” At the name, Andrea pulled a face. This school was just getting weirder and weirder.

“It includes her son and his five friends. They are the richest students in this school. Their parents are all business owners while owning several properties and buildings. Like Mrs. King and her husband have their law firm but they own hotels and even a few restaurants. The five other Elite members’ parents are all shareholders of this school so they all basically own this school with Mr. and Mrs. King being majority shareholders of course. The rest of the students are all just from families who work at good companies.”

“So are The Elites, the ones who will try to drive me out of school?”

“Not necessarily but they give the “green light”’ to the other students to do it. They start everything and once they have, the rest of the students fall in line.” Andrea did not even feel freaked out anymore, she just could not believe her ears.

“There is actually a way for a scholarship student to avoid it all and that is if one of The Elites befriend him or her. Andrea, if you are friends with anyone of them, no one will dare touch you. But do not get your hopes up, it is highly unlikely. I started attending this school two years ago and it was rumored to have only happened once.”

“Honestly, this school sounds completely insane. All I wanted was to complete school and further my studies but now I am going to have to deal with all of this as well.”

“Hopefully The Elites don’t do anything to you. If they don’t, no one else will. You will immediately notice them during break. Their table is in the middle of the cafeteria with the rest of the table’s surrounding them. My advice to you is, stay under the radar and try your best not to interact with The Elite, especially Kirsten and Austin. They are the worst of the six." A commotion heard in the hallway stopped Andrea from replying to Jamie.

A guy was walking in the hallway, soaking in mud. Students were laughing at him. Andrea's eyes widened. Wasn't anyone going to help him? Andrea made a motion to walk towards him so she help him but Jamie grabbed her wrist.

"Don't. You need stay under the radar. Helping him will make them target you and not many people know that a new scholarship student is arriving today, so you’re still in luck. He is one of those on scholarship." Andrea stayed put. Was this really how she was going to spend her last year of high school? Watching other students shamelessly bulling people like her and then possibly having to go through it as well.

The boy passed them. "Are you alright there, Tim?" Jamie asked him. Tim lifted his shoulders up "I'm used to it. I even packed extra clothes in." He looked defeated and Andrea felt extremely bad for him.

"So, Andrea. That is it for now. I should probably take you to your first class now. Let me see your time table." Andrea took her time table out of her bag and handed it to Jamie. Jamie’s eyes scanned through it.

"So today we have second, fourth and sixth period together. Give me your number so we can agree where to meet after first period." Andrea looked at her sheepishly. "I don't have a phone."

"No worries. Meet me at your locker then."

"All good."

"Let me take you to your first class, it is in B2.” B2 was in the next passage and when Jamie dropped Andrea there she gave her a smile.

“Happy first day…so far.” Andrea gave a small smile and nodded. She did not know what this day had in store for her and she was not exactly looking forward to finding out.