The Wallflower's Revenge

AWR Chapter 2: Eveelia the bully

I slowly got up and tried to compose myself. This is not the time to mind Eveelia’s rude behavior. I might want to choke her but no, hell no. I will never stoop down to her level just because she’s the “popular” one here.

I tapped on my skirt and fixed my uniform as I sighed. I looked around and good thing, I guess not a lot of people have ever witnessed what she did to me. It’s kinda childish but it is getting on my nerves. 

I want to do something that will make her realize what she did to me was wrong. However, I always think about how my father would react if he ever knew that I was initiating any trouble in school. I am known for being meek and modest. I know one wrong move could ruin not my reputation but my father’s. Why do I always consider him anyway?

I decided to enter our classroom since it will be ten minutes and the classes in the morning will start. I can see the smirking Eveelia with her group of bullies looking in my direction. I can see from my peripheral vision that they are following me with their eyes, they don’t just make it too obvious for our teacher to see.

Gosh! I know why her name is Eveelia! She’s pure evil. If I have a chance to rename her, I will just call her “Evil” instead of making this name sound so beautiful. I put my hand on my cheek as I let my elbow rest on my armchair. What happened earlier felt like a burden for one day.

“I want to congratulate Leylah Hacke for being a consistent student for many months. Please give her a round of applause, everyone.” Our teacher, Mr. Parkins announced it to everyone as soon as he entered the room. He’s one of my best teachers because he’s keen and energetic when teaching Maths. I am inspired by him as always.

I can see from my peripheral vision that most of my classmates laid their eyes on me. Most of them looked at me with full astonishment while there were bashers who looked at me as if mocking my entire soul to my core. I am just sitting on my seat while eyes narrowed as I secretly swallowed. I could feel my palms sweating as I am starting to feel nervous.

Every time this happens to me, I always feel more uncomfortable than being lifted up. It’s like I’m about to do something that I didn’t want to do if I only have a choice left.

I can’t help but glanced at my teacher. I saw him as he looked at me with a smile and nodded. It indicated that I should do the usual thing when he’s congratulating me on everyone in my classmates. Sometimes, I feel more embarrassed than happy whenever this awkward situation happens. I was left with no choice but to stand up and acknowledge my teacher and how proud he is of me. He’s always congratulating me, maybe because I have exceeded his expectations.

I slowly stood up and I couldn't help but beam a smile to everyone who cheered for me, even if I could slightly hear a “booing” sound coming from Eveelia and her group. I clenched my fist because of their reaction. I am not wishing for everyone to acknowledge my scores in the classroom, at least most of my classmate’s respect me and that’s fine with me.

Well, I guess not all people could clap to your victory. There will always be somebody who will not be happy with all of your efforts or achievements no matter how you do your best or pursue your little goals inside the classroom.

“I hope everyone will follow Leylah’s dedication in class. It’s not impossible to reach the top if you will have qualities for studying like her.”

I slowly looked around and most of my classmates sounded “Yes, sir” as a response to Mr. Parkins. I can see that most of my classmates are truly happy about my achievement. That’s quite a relief.

I glanced at Eveelia and all she did was roll her eyes. What shall I expect? We’re mortal enemies. She can’t be happy with me no matter what I achieve and do something great in life. I just ignored her and enjoyed my moment. The important thing is I am happy today and when she almost ruined my day, there’s something to be proud of.

“Hey, keep it cool.” Lea winked as she put her shoulder to mine. The class ended well and we’re about to leave the classroom as most of the students stood up and ran as fast as they could, trying to be the first to leave the classroom.

"Yeah, I'm trying to." I held her hand resting on my shoulder as we got outside the house. Lea is one of my dear friends. She's always my supporter and she's very vocal about my achievements. I almost want to label her as my own "echo".

"Hey, how do you study like that? I mean, are you doing supernatural things?"

I snorted because of what Lea complimented me just now. Supernatural things? Seriously?

"No. A total no." I smiled as we were nearing the main gate of our school.

"Then, how? How could you maintain the top 1 spot without getting pressured at all?"

"First of all, drop the "not-pressured-at-all" thing. I feel this all the time, you know."

"Hmmm…" She reacted, giving me a confused look.

“I am pressured, always. I guess I don’t let others see it so that I will not appear to be ‘tiring’ as the other kids who always study hard.”

“Whoa...you have that thing.” I laughed at Lea’s reaction because she looked amazed at what I had said to her just now.

"I guess the only secret that I want to share with you is the consistency my father is teaching me." I finally revealed and it made her chuckle.

“I knew it!”

“You knew what?”

“You had that motivation in you, whether you like it or not.”

"Well, knowing Mr. Hacke, he is one hell of a strict father."

“Of course. If I don't do my best, I can’t touch my phone or enjoy things that other students take advantage of. I guess it’s not fair if I can’t experience what they enjoy, right?”

“If you want, I can buy you a phone,” Lea suggested that I almost choke my saliva.

“Do you want to die real soon?”

“My goodness, no!” We both laughed as we did a high five. She just praised me for what happened today. Lea could attest to the pressure that's being placed on my shoulders. She knew my father very well.

"I hate to interrupt your chitchat, girls. Leylah has to go home now."

"Oh, dad, please. I am not a baby anymore." I rolled my eyes and waved goodbye to Lea. She smiled at me as another car parked in front of her, too. It was probably her brother driving her to their house as well. I closed the car's window as my father started the engine.

"Congratulations." He started, breaking the awkward silence between us.

"T-Thanks dad." I looked the other way as I appreciated the scenery of trees lining up at the center of the highway.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Are you sure, Dad?" I suddenly became very excited. I can see him nodded and smiled.

"You know it already," I added as I almost jumped for joy. He turned left instead of going forward for our usual route.

"Here we are." He said, with his face beaming with a smile. I can't help but hug my father because it's not always that he will treat me to an amusement park adventure, and it's only the two of us! I giggled as I let go of him and ran to the ticketing booth.

I looked at him excitedly as he paid for an unlimited ride. He went with me inside. I was able to try the eleven extreme rides by myself, and dad just cheered me from among the bystanders looking at the screaming children as they tried those amazing rides. I can't describe how happy I am because of him.

"Well?" I heard him asking me as I approached him, panting. My heart is almost skipping a bit because of too many rides I can't catch my breath.

"Dad! Let's go to the slow-moving Ferris Wheel."

"No. Please. You can do it on your own." He said as he shook his head as he strongly disagrees with my decision.

"C'mon, dad! You can never enjoy your money buying that unlimited ride ticket when you haven't even experienced a single one!"

"It's for a family's discount, sweetie. Don't bother me. I am always afraid of rides."

"That's because you think it is. Have you ever tried the slow-moving Ferris Wheel that I meant?"

"No, and I will not."

"Dad, please? Can you please ride it with me? It is not as scary as you think."

"Still no." He sounded so tough this time that I couldn't help but sigh.

"I would say no next time if you will invite me again." He added, grinning.

"Thank you, dad! Please never look down if we're on top so that you will not feel anything negative. You might shout to them that you wanna get down on top of your lungs immediately." I said between laughs as I pulled him to one of the cable cars that's orbiting the giant, circular frame."

He followed what I said. We sat down from opposite directions so that the cable car's weight would be even. I want to laugh at my dad because he's holding on to the steel handle from both sides as if holding on to his dear life.

I guess I have discovered my father's weakness as a police officer. I took a photo of him in that position and it was so funny that I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Hey, how could you ever sit there as if you're not even bothered that this cable car might fall or something!" He nervously told me. I giggled and took a small clip of my father eventually conquering his fear of heights.

"Dad, relax. It will not snap, okay?"

"How many minutes left until this thing will go down? I think I couldn't hold my pee any longer."

"Daddy!" I burst out laughing but apologized to him right away. "Okay, four more minutes, dad." I smiled as I continuously took the video.

When we're finally down on the ground, as soon as the cable car opened its door, dad ran to the boy's comfort room as fast as he could because he badly wanted to pee. I waited outside the comfort room and I honestly spent almost seven minutes waiting for him to go out. When I saw him, he’s pale and he’s sweating a lot as he awkwardly smiled at me.

"I will never do this again!" He muttered as we're driving back home. 

“Dad, I’m sorry. I would not insist if I knew from the start that you’re afraid of heights.”

“I did warn you at the start of the ride. It’s just you who’s not paying attention to me.”

“It will never happen again dad, I promise.” I looked down as we’re waiting for mom to open the entrance door as we’re both waiting outside the house. My mom opened the door and asked all of us where we had been. Father told her everything and she laughed out loud because of the experiences we had, including my father's weakness that I had unlocked.

We ate our dinner full of happiness. I am so happy that I am more than inspired to do more and study more because dad will always be there to support me all the way, including my happiness even though he's always strict and everybody from around us, even my classmates knew him very well.