The Princess & The Pauper

Insecurity

ISABELLA’S POV

“Bella, this is not fair. How are we supposed to continue competing at the championship if you’re not there?” Lily asked while the others were nodding their head.

“I’m sorry for disappointing everyone, but it’s what I have to do so that you guys have the chance to compete. Don’t worry about the sponsorship. Karina will continue supporting you guys. And if you guys need some pointers, I’ll gladly help you guys. Don’t be sad. Lily has been the vice-captain alongside me. I’m sure she knows what to do.” The other teammates seem to contemplate whether to continue our primary goal to be at the championship or not.

“Come on, guys- don’t let what happened to me stop you guys from going to the championship. You all had been practicing like crazy, and I know you guys can do well without me. I will continue supporting you guys, so don’t get discouraged.” I smiled at my former teammates before Karina suddenly stood behind me.

“My meeting is over with the gym owner is over. Do you want me to send you home?” Karina asked.

“Yes. But can you give me a few more minutes?” Karina nodded. I turned my attention to my former teammates and continued giving them words of encouragement. As I was talking, I was surprised when they suddenly huddled together and hugged me.

“We’ll win the championship.” Lily suddenly said.

“Thank you for everything. We will do whatever we can to win.” I smiled before patting everyone on the back.

“Don’t forget to have fun!” We continued to exchange words before I told them that Karina was waiting for me. I waved before walking towards Karina, who was on a call with someone. Karina smiled as we walked towards her car.

Once she hangs up, Karina opens the car door for me.

“Oh wait- it’s a force of habit. Sorry.” Karina said before strutting to the driver's seat. I was confused but at the same time felt appreciated since no one had ever done that before. Even Gabriel never opened the door for me. I wonder how my relationship this girl had before transferring to Mercywood.

“Have many times did you dated someone?” I asked when we were both inside her car.

“A couple of times. But most of them are closeted lesbians and bisexuals. Our relationship mostly behind close door.” I see.

“Is it because the girls you dated mostly came from high-ranking families?” Karina nodded as she started to drive.

“I dated a woman who was five years older than I am. It was all fun and games until she knew who my mother was.” Karina chuckled. My eyes widen.

“Five years older?!” Karina nodded.

“And we broke up at last year's Christmas party. I wasn’t sad at all.” Lies. Even I was a little bit sad when I abruptly broke up with Gabriel. But it all changed when that piece of trash spread that stupid video.

“I’m worried.” I suddenly said.

“What are you worried about?” Karina asked while she drove with one hand as the other hand searched for music.

“What if Gabriel released another embarrassing video of me? What if this time my parents get a hold of it?” Karina chuckled.

“He can try. As I said, I have a lot of dirt on him. With the amount of information I have, it’s enough to destroy his future. Besides, his parents aren’t the best when it comes to keeping their businesses hidden.” Huh? What does she mean by that?

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, do you have somewhere to go? Or should I send you home?” Well, there is a place that I need to go to.

“Please send me to the nearest grocery store. My mother told me to buy some kitchen goods before coming home today.” Karina nodded without saying anything. Maybe I should do something to give my thanks.

Karina has been such a supportive friend, and I haven’t done anything to repay her.

“Do you have anything to do tonight?” I asked. Karina hummed before shaking her head.

“I don’t think so since my mother won’t be home tonight. I was thinking of going to my favorite restaurant for dinner tonight and slept.” Perfect!

“Stay for dinner tonight. Is that okay? I may not look like it, but I am a good cook. Not as great as my mother, but at least I didn’t burn anything- yet.” Karina hummed before nodding her head.

“Sounds like fun. Of course.” Karina smiled at me before she continued to drive. As we waited for the traffic light to turn green, Karina suddenly asked me if I knew how to drive a car.

“I do. It’s just my parents can’t afford to buy me a car yet. But I don’t need a car. I could drive my parents' car.” Karina hummed.

“That is true.” Karina continues to drive towards the nearest grocery store. As we tried to find a place to park, my eyes landed on a group of people from our school.

“That’s weird- that’s suspicious. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Karina asked as she parked her car not far from where the group of students was.

“No. I don’t know what you’re thinking.” I said.

“Look at how suspicious they look.” Karina reached out for her phone and called for someone.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m calling for the police.” Karina smiled as she called for the police.

“What?! We don’t even have any proof!” I tried to stop her, but Karina seemed confident that the group of students was up to no good.

“I see Marisa, and I know that girl is doing some illegal things with the others.” But- if the police came and they didn’t find anything, wouldn’t that bring trouble to her?

“But you’ll get into trouble if the police came and it turns out they didn’t do anything.” Karina smiled.

“The police won’t do anything to me. It’s alright.” Karina ignores my warning as she calls for the police. I hope nothing terrible will happen to us.

***

“Are you allergic to anything?” Karina shook her head no.

“That must be nice. I’m allergic to dairy, but I can’t stop myself from eating cheese and ice cream.” I chuckled as we walked down the aisle while looking at the list.

“Remember aunt Amber? She’s allergic to dairy as well. But she likes ice cream and everything made from dairy with a passion.” I understand how Amber feels.

“Oh- you’re looking for pasta sauce, right?” I nodded before looking through the brands on the rack.

“Found it.” I was reaching out to grab a jar of pasta sauce when Karina beat me to it.

“You’re shorter than me.” Thank you for stating the fact.

“I know I’m shorter than you, totem pole. What now? Are you going to make fun of my height?” Karina shook her head no before pushing the trolley forward.

“Hey! Aren’t you going to say anything? That’s it? You were making fun of me earlier.” Karina laughed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that speaking about your height would trigger something.” Karina chuckled as she continued to avoid me. I can’t believe this woman.

“Hey! I may be short, but I am beautiful.” Karina scoffed.

“I am the school's number one beauty. How about that?” I gasped as this girl proudly announced herself as the beauty queen of Mercywood.

“Anyway, aren’t you looking for chicken and beef?” Ugh! I almost forgot the reason why we’re here in the first place.

“Can you find some scallion, carrots, and potatoes?” Karina nodded before she left the trolley near me. As I was busy looking for a perfect cut of beef, I could feel someone staring at me. When I looked up over e counter, I saw two men staring at me from head to toe.

As I recall, I’m even wearing anything revealing. Why are the guys staring at me like that? It’s creepy! I shouldn’t have let Karina find the other things on the list and left me alone. Did they saw the video? Is that why they’re staring at me? They have been looking at their phone and me back to back.

“Found them.” Karina!

“Hey! What are you doing to her?! Are you taking pictures without her consent?!” Karina suddenly shouted at the two men behind the counter. The men were putting their phones away before shaking their heads.

“Harry!” Karina suddenly called out for her driver. Harry suddenly appeared from one of the aisles together with a couple of men in black suits.

“Get their phone.” Harry nodded before he ordered the men in black to grab their phones.

“Here you go, lady Karina.” Karina took the phone and looked at their gallery. I was shocked when the men were taking hidden pictures of me while I was bending over to look through the beef and chicken.

“You bastards!” Karina handed the phone to Harry.

“Bring them to the police station. They have been taking pictures of girls in school uniform secretly. What a pair of pedophiles.” Pedophiles?! Disgusting!

“How long have you two been doing this?” Karina asked. The two men kept their heads low as people started to gather around us.

“Bring them away. Harry, please deal with this matter. I’m going to Isabella’s house for dinner.” Karina smiled.

“As you wish, lady Karina.” Karina turned around and faced me.

“Are you alright?” I nodded. My hands are shaking, but I’m okay.

“You must be surprised. I’m sorry for leaving you alone. But luckily, I noticed how they were staring at you.” Yes- luckily.

“Are you okay?” Karina reached out to me.

“I’m fine. I think we got all the things from the list. Also, thank you.” Karina smiled.

“Why are you thanking me? It’s normal for anyone to say something when they find something weird is happening. Besides, one of the men was creepy.” That is true, but now everyone has the guts to say anything.

“You’re the first person I know who would do that. Also, how did you act like nothing just happened?” Karina shrugged her shoulder.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ve gone through a similar situation multiple times I guess. Besides, the world is not the safest place at all. Danger can occur everywhere. Even your bedroom would be a dangerous place for you.” Karina has a point.

After I paid for the grocery, Karina helped me to put the things in her car.

“Look at us- we look like a couple.” Karina joke when we’re both inside the car.

“Is it your mission to make me blush today?” Karina smiled.

“Perhaps. Can you type in your address on the screen?” I did as told before she drove towards my home.

“Are you nervous having me at your home?” How did she know?

“You’ve been rubbing your hands together. Why are you nervous?” I sighed.

“Because my house isn’t as great as yours. I don’t know if the food I’ll serve would be decent enough for your taste bud.” Karina chuckled.

“Why are you worrying about that? It doesn’t matter what kind of ingredient you use for the food as long as it’s delicious. Besides, isn’t it normal to have friends over? You’ve spent a night in my house before.” Yes- and I and the best time of my life.

“Remind me to give back the clothes I wore before.” Karina waved it off.

“You can have them.” What? No!

“I can’t have such expensive things in my closet.” Karina sighed.

“It’s not even that expensive. I have a lot of plain shirts and jeans in my closet so you can have them. Don’t worry about the money.” But, isn’t any type of clothes from that brand cost a fortune?

“How much money do you get as your monthly allowance?” Karina hummed.

“I don’t have any monthly allowance. My mother let me use her credit card.” Of course. What kind of question was that? But even so, you ought to have limits, right?

“That explains how you don’t have small change.” Karina chuckled.

“I guess so. Anyway, I can’t wait to taste the food you’ll be making.” Ah- little did she knows the only thing I can make is fried rice.