The Princess & The Pauper

New Girl

ISABELLA'S POV

"Hey Belle, are you okay? You look like you just want to kill someone since you met the new girl," asked my best friend, Lily. We've been friends since forever, and she is like a sister to me.

"What? I'm fine. Just I've been busy thinking of a new routine for the championship. It's our last year, and I want to make a name for the school and, of course, for the team. Don't give me that look, Lily," she chuckled.

"To be frank, I didn't expect her to talk back. She's a b***h if you ask me," do we have to talk about that b***h? I am trying to forget about that encounter.

"Can we just pretend she doesn't exist? Yesterday she ruined my day by calling me a pauper. God, I wish I could smack that pretty face of hers," Lily raised an eyebrow.

"So you admit that she has a beautiful feature?" She asked. Only idiots wouldn't think that she's pretty. She looks like a model that's in a fashion magazine. No one can deny the fact that she has the looks.

"Of course, now, please; can we focus on the routine. I want to win this year," Lily was about to reply to me when we were interrupted by a sudden gasp that surrounded us. Cant that girl open her door? Is she trying to say that she is better than anyone?

"Seems like she is leaving an impression on everyone in the school," I try to ignore the fact that she's flaunting her wealth in front of everyone. I hate people like her.

"Hey Karina, have you ever wonder what it's like to date someone like me? I promise I only want you for your inner self and not for your- wealth," I can't believe those simpleton jocks are flirting with this b***h.

"Hmmm- I'm sorry, but I only date girls," I was surprised to hear that. Did she just confess in front of everyone?

"Besides, boys like you remind me of my deadbeat father. I much rather date Miss Knox, who hate my guts, than you who will surely leave me after getting my money," What did she say?! I looked up to that b***h who just gave me a smile before walking towards the school building.

"What just happened?" I asked Lily, who shrugs her shoulder.

"She said she rather date you than me. Man! I thought she was not a dyke. I guess rich people have a choice to be abnormal," I don't need him to explain it to me!

"Whoa, Belle! Why are you glaring at me like that? I promise it wasn't me who hurt your boyfriend. It was the opposing team." He asked while putting his hands up, surrendering. That reminds me, I should visit Gabriel after school today. I hope he is doing fine at the hospital.

"But seriously, though. Why would someone who drives a car like that even go to a school like this? I bet something happened at her old school that she had to transfer here. Well, Belle, you're the person who knows what is going on in the school. What is her story?" Asked Gabriel's teammate.

"The principal didn't tell me anything yesterday when I went to his office. He just told me that I should keep my mouth shut because that b***h is the daughter of the senator and it will be terrible for my parents if I did something bad to her since you know, they work at the government office," and that's what ticks me off even more.

She shouldn't use her mother's influence like that!

"Yikes. Well, you did tell her off yesterday," Lily said. Gabriel's friend was taken aback.

"Wait, what did I miss?! Why am I out of the loop here? What happened yesterday?" He asked. Lily explained to him what happened. His eyes stare at me in disbelief at what I've done.

"What? I need to say something before anything even happen," I shrugged.

"You're such a badass, Belle!" He seems encouraging with my action but not Lily.

"Don't encourage her, James," we both chuckled but not Lily. She's such a mother when it comes to dealing with us. It was when the warning school bell ring that I realised that we hadn't even thought of any new routine yet.

"Don't give me that look. It's not my fault that James decided to open his mouth and asked the new girl if she's willing to go out with him," Lily retorted. I didn't even say anything yet! James excuse himself since he has a different schedule.

Lily and I decided to go to our locker before going to our first class. We were talking to each other when we both noticed the new girl staring at her locker. She looks like she's in deep thought but- why?

It was as if she knew that we were walking towards her when she turned to face us both.

"Miss Knox, I'm glad to see you here. I am puzzled because I can't open my locker. It was fine yesterday," huh? Her locker? I turned to her locker and chuckled mentally.

"You were given the bad locker since it's the only one available. This used to be Lily's. There's a trick to get it open," I showed her the trick by banging on the locker, and it miraculously opened.

"What a savage," I heard what she said and glared.

"I just helped you, and you called me a savage?" She nod. Just how straightforward can she be?!

"Not in a bad way, though. Don't get me wrong," she smiles before thanking me for helping her. I can't help but peek inside her locker.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Nothing. It's just your locker; it looks normal," Karina seems confused.

"Of course, it's normal. That's what I'm trying to achieve here," huh? Now it's my turn to be confused. What does she mean by that?

"Oh- okay," she smiled and took out her book for the first period. Lily and I excused ourselves and went to our locker.

"What does she meant by that? I'm so confused," Lily said while taking out her books. That girl, she's such a mystery, and I can't help but be curious.

***

"Miss Delvaux, I was told that you're quite the history enthusiast. Care to explain to your classmate about the pyramids in Egypt? What is the purpose of these pyramids, why and how does it represent the afterlife?" I can't believe we have the same class.

When I wish for some peace, Karina have to ruin it again!

She stood up from her seat and beginning to explain to us about the pyramids. The thing is, she didn't even open her book since the class started. It's as if she knew all about it. Even the teacher was surprised to see how elaborate her explanation was.

"What? One of my uncles is an Egyptologist. And I've been to Egypt a few times before. I can't just ignore the facts that I am in one of the most historic sites of the world," she said when everyone in the class stared at her when she finished her explanation.

"Thank you for that, Miss Delvaux," the school bells rings.

"Alright! Don't forget to turn in your essay about how ancient Egypt cares for the afterlife and the process of the afterlife by the end of the week. Class is dismissed," while everyone is busy cleaning up their table for their next class, the new girl sits there, waiting.

"Miss Delvaux, if you please," It was when the teacher who calls for her. Karina stood up and went to the teacher's table, signing something on a piece of paper.

"Is it indispensable for me to do this? Is it that difficult for my mom to trust me?" She asked.

"Nope. All the teachers were told to ask for your signature so that the senator knows you've been in class," for real? Now I wonder what she did in her old school before coming here. She sighed before turning her attention to Lily and me.

"This is what you get for trying to secure your future," she gave out a burst of dry laughter before leaving the classroom.

"Piece of advice, Miss Knox, Miss Black, never think too far ahead. If you do, you would probably face the same fate as her," now I'm more curious as to why the teacher said that.

"What did she do? It seems like the principal is taking extra care of her," I asked. The teacher was in deep thought when she finally smiled at us.

"I'm not the perfect person to tell. But, to feed your curiosity, let's just say that she did something a person shouldn't have. Move along, or you will be late for your next class," oh, I almost forgot about that.

We excused ourselves and went to our next class. I can't help but think of why Karina is treated this way by the teachers and principal of this school. What was so unforgivable was that making the teachers seems to be on edge.

"Hello," I was surprised to see the new girl greeted me.

"What? I'm late to my next class as it is," she suddenly grabbed me by my wrist, and she did the same with Lily.

"What is your problem-," I was about to yell when she covered my mouth with her hand- her sweet-scented hand. Wait, why did I even say that?

"I don't think we should go inside just yet," she whispered.

"We should be considerate and let them finish," huh? Let who finish? When I peeked in the direction she's referring to; I heard moaning coming from a hidden spot under the stairs.

"Was that moaning I heard?!" Lily questioned.

"So. I was contemplating whether to walk past them or wait for them. You see, I'm a good person. To see someone suffer just because I walk in on them having s*x is not what I like to do," just what in the world is she talking about?!

"s*x is not allowed in school! You should stop them!" She pulled me back before I could even open my mouth.

"Relax, Miss Knox. You would be surprised to see them if I let you go," just then, we all heard a tiny yelp coming from the hidden place. The new girl immediately pulled both Lily and me back from being seen.

To my surprise, the first person who walked out of the hidden place was our gym teacher, Mr Harris!

"Mr Harris?!" Lily whispered.

I blew our cover when his companion walkout from the same place as he did. I can't believe what I'm seeing.

"Marisa?! The school's council member is actually in a relationship with Mr Harris?! That explains a lot then," Lily whispered.

"What do you mean?" The new girl asked.

"She's a bully. Every time we try to get her to taste her own medicine, she simply slips away from getting in trouble. Now we know she manages to get herself out of trouble. Too bad we didn't catch her right-handed," Lily seems disappointed for some reason.

"There is a lot of ways to deal with bullies. For example, we can always play with their future," the new girl made both of us confused.

"We don't speak your language here," I said while getting myself away from her before her scents got to me. She smells darn good that I almost choke my saliva.

"What's so hard to understand? All you have to do is confront her, tell her what you saw and let fear take its toll. Trust me when I say they will do whatever it takes to get their ass out of trouble," she explained.

"Are you speaking from experience?" I asked before she nodded.

"Well, there was a time when my life was in such a dark place; I've done many things that made my mother thought of sending me to prison herself," she laughs it off, but now I'm more curious.

"Is that why you're here instead of Grimcross?" Lily asked. She smiles before tapping on her wristwatch.

"We only have 2 minutes to get to our next class. Maybe one day I'll tell you a story about myself," she winked before walking towards our next class.

Hold on; we have the same second period?!

***

“Gabriel, how are you feeling today?” Gabriel smiled as he ate the door I brought for him.

“I’m bored. Can you talk to the doctor and release me from the hospital? James has been texting in the group chat, saying there’s a beautiful new girl. But I know no one is more beautiful than my girlfriend.” Why is this boy suddenly get too cheesy?

“Is that so? If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t be looking at your phone while eating. You should be focusing on me.” I took his phone from his hand and read through the chats. I can’t believe what I see as I scroll up.

“Your teammate has been following the new girl around and update it in the group chat? That’s creepy! What if the new girl notices this and lodges a complaint? Karina is the only daughter of the senator.” Gabriel smiled.

“So that’s her name? Karina- hmmm. No wonder James is giddy about her.” I gave Gabriel his phone back.

“Well, Karina possessed unimaginable beauty, but her attitude is a bit rude if you ask me.” Gabriel continues to scroll through his phone.

“Is that so?”

“And she's a lesbian.” Gabriel almost choked on his food when I told him about Karina’s sexuality. I handed him a tissue before pouring a glass of water.

“She is a what?” Gabriel asked. I shrugged my shoulder and once again telling him about Karina’s confession when James asked her out.

“Whoa! I didn’t expect such a beautiful girl to be gay. What a pity.” Excuse me?

“Pity? What do you by that?” I asked since I’m curious why he thinks it’s a pity for Karina to be gay.

“Well, she’s rich, beautiful and popular among men. Liking girls is a bit unorthodox. Also, it’s against religion.” I almost forgot this Gabriel’s family is one of those who visit the church every Sunday. Even when I first met his parents, they were judging me with their eyes.

“So? Nowadays, it’s normal to have girls liking girls and boys liking boys. It’s not weird or strange. Please pick up your kind from the gutter.” Gabriel didn’t say anything as he continued to enjoy his food.

“Well, I’m not worried about that. I’m sure James is doing what he can to make sure Karina likes him back.” Good luck to James, then. I doubt someone like Karina would make time for someone like James.

“Hey- I heard you managed to witness Marissa being screwed by Mr Harris. How did that happen?” Gabriel chuckled. How did Gabriel know about this? Did Lily accidentally tell him about what we encountered?

“We didn’t witness it. I was walking towards the classroom with Lily when Karina pulled both of us away from the stairs. You know- the stair that students often use as a secret place to meet their lovers- it’s the closest to the classroom. Karina told us to be quiet and listen. I didn’t expect to see Marissa and Mr Harris leaving the stairs together.” They were careless.

“Too bad you didn’t make use of that situation and get Marissa to taste her own medicine.” Well- there’s always another time for that.

“Hey- why are you smiling like that? It’s scaring me.” I smiled at Gabriel before telling him about my plan to make Marissa get what she deserved.

“I won’t keep what happened to me, and team go. That woman treats us like we trash, and that woman has always been telling the president to keep our funds low!” Gabriel tried to calm me down by offering his oranges to me.

I waved my hands and sighed. While we were talking about schools and homework, a young nurse came in and smiled at Gabriel. Excuse me? Why did this woman smile at my boyfriend?

“Hello.” The nurse smiled before giving Gabriel his medicine.

“Thanks.” I raised an eyebrow when Gabriel accidentally’ touching her hand.

“Have a good rest.” The nurse smiled at me and left the wardroom.

“What was that?” I asked my boyfriend.

“What was what? If you’re thinking that I’ve been seeing the nurse, you are wrong. Come on! I’m not that stupid to let you go after trying so hard to get your attention. Belle, you’re the only one in my heart, I promise.” I have no words to say to him.

I know full well that Gabriel was a playboy before I agreed to be his girlfriend. I don’t even remember why I agree with him, even after learning that he is not a faithful person. If only I could scold myself for accepting this man in my life. I sighed in front of him.

“What? Why are you sighing like that?” I shook my head and smiled at Gabriel.

“It’s nothing. I think I should leave before your parents arrive.” Gabriel grabbed hold of my hand and smiled.

“Stay and meet them. Ignore whatever my mother will say. What matter the most is that we love each other.” Well- if only his mother doesn’t exist, then I might get happier.

“Fine. But if your mother decided to talk about me in such a rude manner yet again, I’m sorry, but I will leave.” Gabriel chuckled.

“I will make sure my mother won’t say anything about you. So please, stay.” I sighed.

“Are you nervous? Don’t be. You met them before, right?” I smiled.

“I know. Fine- I’ll do my best.”