Love x betrayal

Chapter 3: School problems

The weekend was over, but Sadie was dreading her return to school. The viral video of her falling into cow dung was all she could think about. The humiliation was unbearable, and she even considered faking sick to avoid facing everyone. However, her grandma, ever strict and no-nonsense, wouldn't hear of it.

"You're going to school, Sadie," her grandma insisted, pushing her gently towards the door. "Pretending to be sick won't solve your problems."

Sadie sighed. There was no way out. On her way to school, she stopped by Serena’s house, hoping her friend could walk with her and provide some much-needed support. But Serena was unwell and unable to go, leaving Sadie to face the school on her own.

As soon as Sadie entered the school grounds, she could feel the weight of everyone's stares. Whispers followed her, but no one had the nerve to speak up — at least not at first. Sadie made her way to her locker, trying to keep her head down and avoid attention, but a group of girls soon approached her.

"Well, well, if it isn't the farm girl," mocked Anabel, the ringleader of the group, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sadie kept her focus on her locker, choosing to ignore the provocation, but Anabel wasn’t one to let things slide.

"Farm girl, I’m talking to you! Can’t you hear me? Or did the cow dung mess with your hearing too?"

Sadie turned slowly, her eyes narrowed. Even if she wasn’t wealthy anymore, she wasn’t about to let anyone walk all over her. "Oh, I’m sorry," she said coldly, "I couldn’t hear you over the sound of your own stupidity."

Anabel’s face twisted in rage, and without warning, she shoved Sadie hard against her locker. The sound of the slam echoed down the hallway, attracting more attention. Before Sadie could react, Benita and the rest of her friends rushed over.

"Do you really want us to remind you of the time you broke your leg falling off the stage at your birthday party, Anabel?" Benita taunted, crossing her arms.

Anabel flushed with embarrassment as the memory flooded back, and without hesitation, she lunged at Benita. Her group of "minions" followed suit, and soon, a full-blown fight broke out. Screams and chaos erupted until the teachers arrived to break it up.

Minutes later, they were all seated in the principal’s office. Anabel sat smugly, spinning her version of events to the principal, her voice oozing with false innocence. "Sadie pushed me first, I swear! I was just defending myself. She’s framing me!"

"Everyone in this school knows you're lying, you insecure wannabe!" Sadie snapped, unable to stay silent any longer.

"That’s enough, Sadie!" The principal barked, slamming her hand on the desk. The room went silent. "Everyone, out. Except Sadie."

Once the others left, the principal leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing at Sadie. "We need to talk about your grades and your behavior, young lady. You're not excelling in any subject, and your attitude leaves a lot to be desired. You’re nothing but a pretty face right now, and if you don’t shape up, you’re going to fail."

Sadie bit her lip, furious and humiliated. The principal wasn’t done. "Two weeks of toilet duty," she added. "Maybe that’ll teach you to stay out of trouble."

Sadie left the office with her head down, feeling defeated. Everything was crumbling around her, and there seemed to be no way out. She slumped against the wall outside, fighting back tears, when her friends found her.

"Hey, it’s going to be okay, Sadie," Benita said softly, trying to cheer her up. But those words only caused a flood of emotions to rise in Sadie.

"No, it’s not going to be okay!" Sadie shouted, startling her friends. "My life is a mess! My dad’s in prison, we’ve lost everything, and now I’m a joke. A joke!" Tears streamed down her face as her friends looked at each other, unsure of what to do. In the end, they wrapped their arms around her, offering what little comfort they could.

Later that afternoon, Sadie made her way to Serena’s house, her heart heavy with sadness. Serena, upon hearing what had happened, clenched her fists.

"I should’ve been there," Serena muttered angrily. "We would’ve put Anabel in her place." She then gave Sadie a thoughtful look. "You know what? Prove to them you’re more than just a pretty face."

Sadie wiped her eyes and sniffled. "How?" she asked.

Serena’s eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. "I have a plan." She leaned in and whispered her idea, and Sadie’s expression brightened.

"Serena, you’re a genius!" Sadie exclaimed, excitement bubbling up for the first time in days. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."

Later that night, Sadie rushed home with renewed hope. She flung her arms around her grandma, surprising the older woman. "Granny, things might be hard now, but I’m going to make you proud. I promise."

Her grandma smiled warmly, kissing her forehead. "You already have, my dear. You already have."