Wednesday, two more days until Desy’s big fight against the slimy monster that’s called Sindy. Word got around faster than the bubonic plague when Sindy announced her challenge against the young girl. It spread around so quickly that even her mother found out. She again blasted Sindy’s mother, but her mother tried to talk her daughter down about fighting the helpless girl. To no unveil, her mother had no control of her daughter’s actions. This angered Ms. Addison, but when she saw Desy’s determined face, it sparked confidence in her daughter. Yet she couldn’t help and see her younger self in Desy. The exact same situation, and scenario felt just as similar, but with one minor difference; it was about a guy. In Desy’s case, she’s facing her bully and building up her self esteem.

Desy didn’t really speak that much when she returned home Tuesday night and once her mother was finished with her phone call with Sindy’s mother, all the young girl could do was think of how she could beat her. Not only is this an opportunity to overcome the pink slime monster slithering, creeping into her dreams and taunting her, but a chance in showing that she's just not a shy average girl, but one that’s not afraid to face the real world. Later in the night, her mother tried knocking to ask if she’s alright, but Desy gave her no response, and stayed quiet. Not hearing her daughter’s sweet soft voice hurt her soul, so she crossed the privacy barrier by unlocking her door with a spare key.

“Desy, my little flower, please talk to me.” Ms. Addison said.

When she opened the door all the way, she saw her daughter on her desk, doing her homework with a still face. Headphones over her ears, the way she was pushing the pencil against the paper, all her mother could think of was that her daughter’s listening to something gnarly.

“Look at her go… heh.”

Her mother creeped up to Desy, and carefully bent down next to her. Desy’s so focused on her essay that at first she paid no attention to her surroundings until she saw her mothers hand placed near the top of the paper. Desy jumped, and her headphones flew out of her head. Her mother laughed and hugged her daughter while Desy sighed and turned red afterwards. With the headphones off her head, her mother could hear the music she was listening to.

“Darn it mom!” Desy shouted while placing her hand on her chest.

Her mother went to grab her headphones and mildly bumped her head to the tune. She immediately picked up the song and band she was listening to, and it made her raise a brow and grow curious.

“Hey, since when did you get into early nu metal?” she said while holding the headphones.

Desy turned to her mother, and shook her head while also appearing caught off guard.

“And how do you know what I’m listening to, mom?”

She chuckled and decided to stick around, sitting on Desy’s bed and jamming out to the music her daughters suddenly taking a liking to.

“Are you kidding?! This is so my shit!”

“I thought you were more into hip hop and rap stuff?”

“And I thought you were more into soft music and soft rock?”

The two blinked at each other, and giggled afterwards.

“Well well, you’re half right, my dearest curious daughter, but you’re mother here used to be a huge grungy emo head. Har har.”

Desy’s surprised to hear that. Knowing her mother and seeing old photos of her, never would she imagine that her own mother was into that type of culture.

“That’s kinda cool.”

Her mother grew an open mouth smile.

“Really?! I don’t know, looking back at my younger self I thought it was kinda cringe.”

“Well, the way they dress always made me go ehhh, but I kinda dig the outfits besides the stupid hairstyles and idea of being an attention seeker.”

“My my, my little Desy sure does her research on pop cultures.”

“I do I do, I mean, I do take after you when it comes to a thirst of knowing something you can’t help indulge in.”

Her mother grabbed her chin, and nodded.

“Yes yes! But to hear you listening to Korn! That’s wickedly dark and shocking.”

Desy grinned, and tapped her hand on her thigh.

“Yeah… I-I have my reasons. Yet I can’t help but relate to what a lot of the lyrics say when I’m—frustrated.”

Ms. Addison wiped her smile, and got up. She went to her daughter, and placed her hand on her tiny shoulder.

“Desy, are you trying to tell me something? If it’s about the fight, then I’m doing my best as a mother to prevent it from happening.”

Desy said nothing, and her pupils glanced around. Her mother didn’t want to ask the next question since it relates to the band she’s listening to. It’ll also go into the territory of her emotions and the condition of their living status. But, Desy’s mother wasn’t afraid of the answer, rather, to what her daughter’s state of mind was at.

“Is it about… me? My little blossom?”

Desy closed her fists, and her head shifted down.

“Ma-may…be.”

Desy’s mother grew half a grin, and kneeled down. She caressed her daughter's cheek, and wiped some of her bangs out of the way.

“Honey, I can take whatever you have in mind. Remember who your mom is: A fucking badass who can overcome anything that comes her way!”

Hearing her mother’s confidence and knowing that she can endure any personal questions Desy had for her instilled more confidence in Desy. It confirmed that she’ll be just as confident as her mother in the future, but there was one thought besides Sindy that lingered in her mind; and it was to never follow in the same footsteps that her mother walked, thus resulting in the life she lives now.

Desy let out a breath, and moved her head up slowly, looking into the same eyes that she sees in the mirror.

“Mom… how did you end up—”

Their front door got slammed by five heavy knocks. Desy’s mother rolled her eyes, and groaned.

“Oh fuck. Who could that be at—9:45?!”

Three more knocks made Ms. Addison placed her hands on her hips, and stomped away from her daughter who paused.

“I’m coming I’m coming, goddamn it.”

She made her way out, and closed Desy’s door behind her. Desy didn’t move a single muscle nor trickle another breath. She remained in a statue state, and moved her lips. She glanced around her room, and scratched her head, getting a new feeling she thought she’d never experience.

“Huh… what is this?” she said.

She rubbed her head, and let out a groan.

“Whatever. I had my chance but I guess the world doesn’t want me to say it just yet. Guess I’ll go back to doing my homework.”

Desy spun herself to face her desk, and stared at her paper, tapping her thighs. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her pencil, and before getting back to her work, she wanted to get her headphones to drown out the world. When she got up, she heard giggling and another voice, a bassy raspy voice that she’s never heard of. Feeling curious as to who her mother welcomed into their home, she walked to her door, opened it halfway to take a peak. There, on the couch, she saw a man who looked to be around the same age as her mother sitting next to her. He had an arm on the couch behind her as she laid on his chest. She tilted her head, and wondered who this man was.

Her mother sensed her daughter’s presence by instinct and looked over, waving.

“Desy, come here sweetie.”

Desy said nothing and walked over to them. He also looked over, and saw the daughter of the woman he’s taking a liking to. Immediately, he saw the similarities and raised a brow, sucking in his lips. Desy stopped midway, and already, his eyes were creeping her out. They were cold, brown, and perverted. His appearance just by the upper half indicated that he’s trouble for not only her mother, but anyone around them.

“Why are you always choosing idiotic pretty boys… mom.” Desy muttered.

“Hey! What’s up, what’s your name?” he asked.

Desy’s pupils aimed left, avoiding eye contact.

“Desy.”

Her voice sent goosebumps on his arms, and he chuckled. He rubbed his arm, and with the exact same arm, put it around her mother with his eyes locked onto Desy.

“Mmm, you look just like your mother if she grew her hair out. Of course you ain’t got gohonkers like—”

“Babe, shut up. Not in front of my flower.”

“My bad my bad. But it’s aight, she’s gonna keep growing and—”

“Ey, I said chill. You’re starting to make me uncomfortable now.”

“Aight aight, didn’t mean to come off odd, baby.”

His first impressions already gave Desy a bad feeling. His looks alone should indicate that he’s not trustworthy to her mother, but knowing how she operates in her love life, Desy knows that this will end up in another domestic dispute. Disliking his presence, she decided to go away and crawl back into her safe heaven. As she turned round, and proceeded to go back to her room, she didn’t recognize the perverse eyes of her mother’s new boyfriend watching her as she made it all the way back. He kept his grin, and the two began to make out and do sexual acts.

Decy closed the door and went to her headphones, and picked them up.

“Mom… why are you so focused on finding a father replacement for me?”

Desy wiggled her headphones, and rubbed them.

“It’s not like I even know my real dad anyways…”

Desy never knew who her actual father was. Her mother would never tell her or had never attempted to hint about him. The most she got was when she was seven years old, during a party her mother’s friend was hosting, she remembered a man who sat next to her and by glance, he appeared just to be any typical thug, but when she asked who he was, he got up, and appeared to be nearing the bridge to cry. He walked away, and afterwards, a huge fight ensued between him and her mother. The two were yelling, screaming, and it ended in a big scuffle between the man and Desy’s mother’s friend's boyfriend. In the end, the man won the scuffle, but became the villain of the party, and stormed off bloodied and in tears.

She brought the headphones up, and slowly placed them back over her head.

Was he my dad? she wondered.

Thinking about it made Desy freeze, and try her best to find any stored memories of the same guy. She tried remembering his eyes, his hair, but all she could remember was the side of his face, and the outfit he wore. It didn’t help when he wore a cap and faced away from the crowd most of the time. She tried searching even farther back but to no unveil, found nothing in her thoughts. Letting out a sigh, Desy processed to return to her academics and hoped to finish before her show came on.

As the hour went by, she managed to finish her long essay and complex mathematics, she leaned back on her chair, and stretched her skinny arms out. Stretching like a feline, she curled her toes, and fingers, feeling better about her finished product. Although, the thought of Sindy still lingered, having the scene repeated and with her standing up made her nod in approval.

“I’ll show her alright… I hope so.”

The headphones were still blasting music into her brain, rattling it, she didn’t hear the twist of metal and wood disconnecting from the door latch to her room. The door creaked open, but not without a quick pause of hesitation. Peeking through a gap that shone the light of innocence into the perverted pupils of a thirsty man, Ms. Addison’s new boyfriend was lurking. His curiosity got the best of him, and he wanted to observe the girl, and see what she’s up to. Watching her jam to her music, enjoying her alone time, he can’t help but smile. Yet his eyes were scanning something else, and his lips sucked in, bringing in a thought that would end in something vulgar.

Ms. Addison’s in the shower, and he shifted his head to her door, puckering his lips. Feeling the opportunity at hand, he welcomed himself in, but leaving the door open so he could hear the shower turn off. Tip toeing his way to a young girl in her safe heaven, the perverse man snuck behind, and wondered what she’s doing and so enlightened. Desy hadn’t noticed, and slowly got out of her chair, flinging her hair with her hand, smacking his face with it. He was struck with her scent, and he waffed in the smell of innocence. She turned around, and immediately jumped against her desk, gasping. Her headphones fell off again, and she looked fearful, and began shaking.

“Ey ey, no need to be all scared and shit. I was just seeing watcha doing, uh… Desy?”

Desy ground her teeth, and leaned further back against her desk.

“Wha…t are you doing in my room?”

He shrugged and kept his grin.

“Just curious as to what my potentially new step daughter’s doing, that’s all.”

She wasn’t buying his ruse, and with the tone he has, it flickered every danger sign. She carefully scooted off her desk, and tried walking away, but he caught her arm, and she felt his massive grip almost breaking her wrist.

“Ey, where ya going?” he asked with a raised brow.

She wasn’t going to show him weakness, and brought back earliers confidence.

“I’m going to my m—”

She yelps, he pulls. He throws her to her bed, and she lands, facing him. He walked in front, and stood as he got a view of her vulnerability. She moaned, and once her eyes opened, she began to show signs of more fear. She rubbed her wrist as she got up half way. He smacked his hand against his forehead, and groaned.

“Ah shit, my bad! Didn’t mean to do that, but you were gonna tell her something misleading.”

She ground her teeth, and looked disgusted.

“Then why the hell did you throw me? Hu…h?”

Her shacked tone was music to his ears, and he sat on her bed, raising his hands to the sides.

“It’s just a reflex, my bad, Desy.”

Feeling unsafe and violated, Desy again tried leaving, but he once again grabbed her arm, and pulled her near his face.

“Chill… out. Sit your cute ass down, and relax mama.”

Desy wanted to cry, but knew it would worsen the situation. She obliged to his rules and sat next to him. He nodded and smiled again.

“Good, now, tell me a little about yourself, Desy.”

Desy hung her head, and gripped the sheets on her bed.

“I-I…”

To make the situation more in his favour, he scooted closer, and wrapped his arm around her tiny shoulders.

“How old are you?”

Her bangs hid her downward gaze, her muscles tensed up as she felt hopeless and wondered where her mother could be.

“Thir-thir…teen.” she muttered.

“Mm, couldn’t hear you with that soothing ass voice you got.”

He eased his hand off her shoulder, dragging it down her arm to her left thigh. He groped it and she grit her teeth, having the urge to lunge at him and claw his eyes out. But, she knew he’d over power her, and have her succumb to whatever desires he had. The sense of hopelessness, trembling, her moist eyes lurking beneath the bangs of her hair, Desy’s mouth opened.

“Thirteen…” she murmured.

He moaned, and moisturized his lips, nodding.

“Cool.”

He continued rubbing on her thigh, and invaded more personal space until the shower was shut off. He leaped off, tucked his hands in his pockets, and pretended like nothing happened. Stepping out into the hallway, he took a final glance at Desy, hovered his finger near his lips, and winked at her. She didn’t take a glance, and only thought of ways of how she could’ve lashed out and screamed. He walked off, and Desy’s alone, basking in her shame and discomfort. Yet seeing that she couldn’t bring herself to even attempt a minor action like walk away near the end, showed Desy that she’s not ready to overcome monsters like him. The fight this Friday had her slip a tear, streaming down her cheek as she stood back on her feet, and went to shut her door.

“He’ll pay…” she muttered. “He’ll freak…ing… pay.”

Desy slammed her fist on her door, and walked back to her desk. She stacked her homework together, placed them in the divider, and after putting it back inside her bookbag, the dam broke. She felt water stream down her face, and Desy covered her face, dropping to her knees and whimpered in silence. She heard their giggling, their causal laughter, and all Desy could do was cry alone. Thinking of the fight, and being molested just now, the redness that she envisioned at her darkest times came to swipe itself. Taking her hands off her face, she could see the red world soaked from her anger.

“I-I…”

She slammed the edge of her palms against her head, and grit her teeth.

“Can’t endure this any…more.”

The demons inside her thoughts whispered retaliation, revenge, and took her into a slideshow of outcomes if she had enough courage to face the beasts in her life. The idea of seeing Sindy badly hurt or dead made her briefly chuckle, brokenly, and shacked. But, she knew deep down she isn’t like this; a person soaked in hate. She took many deep breaths to calm herself down, and it worked. Wiping the sadness and trauma from her eyes, she sniffled and decided that it was time for bed. Despite the day ending in a new form of trauma, Desy knew tomorrow might be better. The closer it gets to the fight, the better so she can finally face the pink slob that pops her brains out every night.

Once she had finished preparing for the next day, turning off the lights, Desy lay on her bed, thinking. Facing the dark ceiling and her breathing slowed, the thought of Andre came into mind to keep her at bay. Seeing his four eyes, his warmth comforting her chilled shy nature along with the voice that vowed protection to her; she can fall asleep with a grin on her face. Shutting her eyes, the scrapping of crickets chirping outside her window, the darkness that cloaked her room eased her emotional pain, and made her give into a slumber.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“An…dre…” she whispered.

The last breath did it, and Desy was able to fall asleep. No moonlight could brighten through the creaks of her curtains, but a faint glow of red did shine through, momentarily. Crimson slid into her room, marking her wooden floor in the hatred she dormant. The light faded, and the eeriness of silence had resumed with total darkness.

***

Next day, Thursday—afternoon, 12:15: Lunchtime.

Closing her locker, and locking it in combination, Desy let out a sigh, and felt relieved about acing her test. The morning started out fine and gave her the hope she had planned for the day like she predicted yesterday. Although, she knew Sindy will be present in her last period. She’s also anticipating punishment from her art teacher who she shouted out to unexpectedly. Feeling the punishment coming from someone as sweet as her, Desy gave herself chills and walked off to lunch. As she made her way to the cafeteria, a strange girl had walked around the corner, and taking her eyes off the book she had in hand, the girl recognized Desy right away. She slammed her book shut, and ran at her.

“h-Huh?”

Desy could see the now emo girl running towards her, which made her brows rise. Desy stood in a weirded yet curious pose. The emo girl presented herself, and grabbed Desy’s hand, moving it up and down.

“My new friend has finally been guided to me by the cruel world.”

Desy’s eyebrows dropped, and she tilted her head in confusion.

“At long last, you and I can have a proper discussion and for you to explain as to why you have been chosen as another victim to this ruthless society.”

Desy’s pupils erratically bounced, and she forced a grin.

She… sure does talk, a lot and without taking a breath. Desy thought.

“Now then, let me guide you to the place that brought this moment into fruition. The place where I found you lying in a pool of your own blood.”

She’s really outspoken and edgy too… Desy thought.

The emo girl tried dragging Desy but she resisted and held her ground.

“Ain’t budging will you?! Very well then, allow me to utilize this!”

The emo girl pulled out her comb, and pointed it at her. Desy once again wondered what she’s planning and edged closer to her.

“Yes, curious are we?”

Desy took her glance off her for a second. She saw and stepped in the line of her sights. Desy again averted her gaze, but she would always be in line of sight. At first, it annoyed Desy, but she grew accustomed to her shenanigans and giggled.

Despite her cool outfit, she’s really cute and adorable. Desy thought.

“Mm mm, you’re entertained by my flattery. This shows that you’re not as emotionless as I predicted.”

Desy rubbed one of her fingers against the side of her face.

“Uh, I have to get to lunch. If you wish to accompany me, then you’re welcomed.”

The emo girl’s eyes along with her eyeshadow elongated upon hearing her voice.

“You have the voice of seduction and of an angel. You are indeed… a victim of modern society.”

Desy nodded, and began walking forward.

“Whatever you say, strang—”

“Sabrina! Call me, Sabrina. No one else knows my real name besides you now, new friend.”

“Sabrina, what a cute name. But uh, I’m going to go ahead now, follow if you wish.”

Sabrina’s eyes sparkled as she followed Desy. With the two walking side by side, entering the wave of laughter, cackling, and tables slamming, they went to grab their lunches and took a seat near the edge of the cafeteria. Desy began eating while her new friend Sabrina took out a drawing pad, and returned detailing a scene she was brewing. Desy peaked closely, watching but eating with care.

“Hey, are we interested?” she said.

Desy nodded while munching on a spicy chicken sandwich.

Desy edged closer, and Sabrina could smell her innocent pheromones which made her shut her eyes and indulge in her scent.

“Mm, you smell as I predicted.”

Desy smeared her lips after another bite, furrowing her brows.

Huh? What’s with the weird flattery? Is she… oh, maybe she is?

“My new friend, Desy, you smell so good that you can get any guy you want.”

Desy giggled but felt that the compliment was not deserving.

“Thanks but… I’m pretty average compared to most of you girls. And I’m not going to mention the beauty standard that my main nemesis upholds.”

Sabrina hated hearing her low self esteem, which made her slam her hands on her drawing. The table rattled, and Desy jumped from the force of her frustration.

“You are not! I repeat, not average! You are above that, my adorable new friend.”

Sabrina grabbed her pencil, and pointed it at Desy’s confused face.

“And I’m not just saying that because we’re girls. I know how we operate, but I’m different because I understand pain, I can relate to agony, despair… for I too, am a victim of modern society.”

“Or you’re just, how do I say it without saying mean… uh, going through an emo phase.”

Sabrina paused, and her eyes went blank when she heard the words ‘emo’ and ‘phase’ come out of Desy’s soothing voice. After comprehending the label printed on her, she went static, and let out a groan from the gap of her lips. Desy poked her to see if she’s alright, but she kept groaning and stayed frozen. Desy grinned, and patted her new friend, returning to her meal and finishing it in silence. When she got done, coming from around the pillar was Andre, surprisingly. He spotted Desy on the table, trying to unfreeze the girl whom he called poser a couple days ago.

“Great, it seems like that weird attention whore’s bothering Desy. Better go check on her.”

He approached their table, and Desy saw him, and grew a big smile that shined his day.

“An-Andre!”

Andre couldn’t help but also return a smile.

“Desy, what’s up?! Mind if I join you?”

She shook her head, and put her hands out.

“Not at all, take a seat!”

Andre did and took a seat across from Sabrina, and that brought her back to reality. She slammed her hands again on the table, making Desy jump again and nervous.

“You!”

Andre raised a brow and crossed his arms.

“Hmm, I see that you’ve ended up bothering Desy from the looks of it. Or is this the case where you forced yourself into her peronsal space and knowing she can’t say no to a weirdo like you?”

Sabrina growled like a dog, and barked nonsense at him. Desy didn’t like the tension between her friends and decided to calm the storm. She patted Sabrina like a puppy, and she calmed down, leaning her head against Desy which made Andre secretly angrier.

“There there, no need to be so nasty to Andre.”

“Desy, wh-what are you doing? You’re treating her like a pet.” Andre said.

Desy squinted her eyes at him, and pouted.

“I just didn’t like how you were being a smartass and talked to her so vulgarly.”

Andre raised a brow, and never thought he’d get a response like that from her. It sounded so sassy, yet maturely, to that of a wedded couple. It made him smile, and forget about her being a nuisance.

“My bad, anyways, how’d you guys meet?”

“Oh, uh, well, I was just finishing up the second to last period until we crossed paths and now, we’re friends.”

“Close friends!” Sabrina exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Desy.

Oh dang, she’s soft as heck too. Just what the heck is this chick trying to pull? Sabrina thought.

“Are you sure you’re not just playing innocent and fooling these idiots?” Sabrina asked.

Andre took notice of what she meant, and was quick to answer.

“Right?! Look at her, she’s… beau—”

Andre couldn’t bring himself to finish his statement, and Desy turned red, covering her face. Sabrina looked up at her, and ruffled her silky brown hair.

“Why do you self doubt so much? Desy.”

Desy eased her hands off her hot face, and steamed out the rest of her embarrassment with a sigh. Feeling conflictions on where she stood in society, she still disagreed with the two. Not even Andre’s words could instill more confidence in her looks.

‘It’s okay, don’t worry too much about it… I’ll be—”

“Andre! Yoohoo!”

The voice of the devil shouted in their way, the pink slimy shadow that dwells in Desy’s dark thoughts emerged from an oncoming crowd, presenting herself with an outfit that said, “look how popular and fashionable I am!” Her mainstream sneakers, her tight faded blue jeans that showed every curve, and long sleeve shirt that signified her growth to womanhood displayed her chest to the fullest. She barged into the conversation, and grabbed Andre’s jaw, which made him smack his lips.

“Andre, where’ve you been?! I missed you!”

Desy scowled, and averted gaze as Sindy provoked her by rubbing herself all over Andre. Sabrina disliked the popular Sindy and also turned away, crossing her arms.

“Who’s the new girl? She's pretty cute, don’t cha think?” she said.

“The hell do you want? You evil witch.”

“Huh?! Who are you—”

Andre jumped out of his seat, pushing Sindy away.

“You think I don't know about you challenging Desy to a fight this Friday?! And as a matter of a fact, I still remember you dragging her away to her doom a couple of days ago, bitch.”

“Andre! Who are you calling a bi-tch?!”

“You! You are a fucking bitch! Fucking bullying Desy and making her life a hell for the sake of amusement. Disgusting wretched—”

“Shut your damn pie hole and don’t you ever call a girl a bitch! Look, I came here to totally apologise because I’m that good of a person.”

Andre laughed and shook his head.

“Are you kidding?! You! Apologise? Since when the hell does Sindy Valeria take accountability?! No mames!”

“Oy te, cayateh lo sico ya!”

The two began shouting at each other in Spanish, and a small crowd formed. While the two were arguing in their native language, all Desy could hear were the sadistic voices of the sheep that followed the trends that rot the young minds of innocence. The girl who’s the personification of being an example to what's trendy, cool, and for the sheep to follow in her shoes, the static of hate faded into her subconscious. The sadistic voice that turns her mind red, the echoes of laughter that seek joy in watching others suffer, turned up the static. The shadow that lurked over her eyes from the bangs of her hair covered the anger surging in them. Andre’s shouting, Sindy’s sass and carefree tone, it made Desy’s stomach turn.

She abruptly stood from her seat, and slammed her palms against the table.

“Enough!” she shouted.

Everyone turned, shifting their heads in the direction of the once soft voice turning into a fierce mature tone. Sindy had Andre’s hand in her clutch, and wondered who Desy was talking to. Andre’s serious sarcastic expression slowly faded as he saw the girl he’s grown to like show a side he thought he’d never see: Confidence, and strength.

“Who are you referring to? Miss average girl?” Sindy asked, making sassy head movements.

Desy’s teeth were ground, her arms shook, one of her eyes gleamed through the shadow that hovered over them. Glaring at Sindy, Desy mustered enough courage to speak and reply to the pink monster.

“Who else, you no good… good…”

“Good what?! Come on say it, little ass bi—”

“Slut!”

Amongst the crowd, students gasped, covered their mouths, intrigued, surprised, shocked, and others never suspected to hear such a vulgar word come out of the innocent girl. Sindy was also in shock, but her anger bested the expression and she clenched her jaw, crossing her arms, and angrily approached the table to also slam her palms on them.

“Say that—one more time! But, to my face, you little gremlin.”

Desy shed a tear, and again, slammed her palms, louder than before.

“I said… you’re a slut!”

Andre’s jaw dropped, Sabrina’s eyes twinkled, quivered, and no one laughed or trickled a chuckle. Not even a giggle can overcome the brewing silence that Desy ensued from her retaliation. Sindy’s face turned tomato red, and she began breathing heavily from so much anger building. She couldn’t retain it, and showed it with laughter, and pointed at Desy, mocking her without saying anything. Just her giggling, broken laughter’s enough to blow away Desy’s confidence and again, she cowardly stepped away from the table.

“Look, the little dumbass gremlin thinks she can tell me to shut up?!”

The crowd at first didn’t know how to react, but Sindy’s goons were behind them, and began laughing, trying to engage the crowd to do the same. The crowd soon joined in, laughing at Desy as she froze with her mouth mildly opened. Her eyes grew big, and her head began to spin, and in a panic, she glanced around, and saw the students melt into pools of ink. The ground gave in, and Desy was left floating in a single oval of tiles. The world shattered into a white screen, and ink splattered across the blank spaces around her.

“Stop…” she muttered.

Each Splish, splash that echoed, cracked her eardrums made her eyes quiver more. They widened out as she scowled her face, sweating bullets. She wiped her forehead, and saw black smeared on it. She gasped and trembled uncontrollably. Soon after, the ink spots swelled up, and popped into gooey shadows that pointed their slimy wicked fingers at Desy. Desy slowly was caught in a barrage of mocking renaissance. Quickly, she was trapped in a chamber of endless laughter, and she couldn’t take it. She screamed and dropped to her knees, clutching her head.

“Make it stop… make it stop!”

It didn’t stop and only grew as Desy grew more and more frightened and went back to her original cowardice nature. Eventually, the plethora of ink goons spread out, and slithered their way in the middle of whiteness. Once gathered back into a single giant ball of black ink, it pulsed pink, and exploded into the very thing that Desy feared. The pink slime monster reached out to her with its wretched claws of slim, and grabbed her shoulders. It shook Desy uncontrollably and ultimately, it grew more violent until Desy broke.

She smacked its hands away, and reached up to smack it in the face.

“LET ME GO!”

“De-Desy?!” Andre said, taking a defeated sitting position.

The crowd grew silent, and the laughter stopped a while ago. Sindy remained in her spot, arms crossed and hip out while Andre was on his butt, and on his face was Desy’s hand print. Her hand was still up, shaking, pulsing heat from smacking Andre. He rubbed his cheek that stung, and slowly got up as he saw poor Desy’s mortified and scared face.

“Desy… its-its me.” he said in a worried tone.

Desy’s eyes were locked onto Sindy who seemed to be enjoying this uncertain event and discovery. To raise the tension again and bring the crowd back to her side, she raised her thin brow and giggled.

“See, what did I tell you, girls sick in the head.” she said.

The crowd nodded, and while most were in agreement, others were not on board. One of these people was Sabrina who courageously marched to Sindy, and pushed her.

“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re—”

“Hey, bitch mc bitchy bitch. Don’t you think you’ve done enough? Look what your relentless bullying has done to this girl.”

“And? What have I done to turn her into a crazy gremlin? She did that to herself, and don’t call me bitch you little attention whore.”

“Oooo, why you!”

With everyone arguing who’s right and wrong, Sabrina standing in defense against the monster that torments Desy, Andre did his best to snap her back to reality.

“Desy, relax, it’s me?! Andre…” he said in a soft tone.

Desy kept gasping, trying to catch her breath as her wide eyes kept dimming out of life.

“Jesus christ, what have they done to you, Desy…” Andre muttered.

Desy saw the monster trying to reach her again, and grab her with its twisted slimy pink claws. The laughter of violence grew louder, muffling out the outside noise that tried punching its way into her subconscious. And, the subconscious voice that spoke a couple of days ago, appeared. Desy blinked and saw the shape of herself, but older, and covered in a coat of different paint colours. It stopped the monster in its place, touched the tip of its claws, and the pink menace was sucked in like a vacuum. Not a single drop was left, and the shape turned to Desy, growing a thin smile and covering her eyes in red.

All you want to do—is laugh again. The time when you were ready to blow your head off from the girl who mocks your existence, will keep hoping you’ll spare nothing once she gets what she wants. But that won’t happen if you’re ready to blow your head off, and become dead inside. If you really want to laugh again, then you have to take it… take it!

Wh…at are you talking about?

We’ll take it, we’ll take it… you’ll take it, you will—take it! Become like her, become a dirty little fuck like her, face the words, hear the treachery that rages you on! That way, you can finally accept reality… and laugh once again, as you used to, before you realise you’re walking in the same shoes—as your mother!

Desy’s eyes exploded red, and out came the anger she had dormant. She screamed and once the world around her couldn’t contain the voice of pain, the domain had shattered. She blinked repeatedly and saw Andre’s face with a handprint on it. Realizing that she was thinking again and back in reality, her expression remained empty, and with dark circles around her eyes.

“An…dre?” she murmured.

“Oh thank God… Desy…”

Andre hugged Desy, and rubbed her back, easing her pain.

“I thought I’d lost you…”

“Wh-What are you talking about?”

Andre put his hands on her shoulders, and grabbed her chin.

“You were in such a broken state you slapped me and muttered nonsense.”

Desy averted her gaze, and furrowed her brows.

“I’m… I’m sorry.” she replied.

Desy carefully grabbed Andre’s wrists and took his hands off her shoulders. He was shocked that she’s reacting like this. But seeing how serious she looked, he knew she had to overcome her bully. Desy looked past his shoulder, and saw Sabrina still having a shouting contest with Sindy. She let go, and got up, walking past Andre and approached the two. Sindy saw her coming, and she pushed Sabrina out to the side.

“H-Hey!” she shouted.

Sabrina shifted her head and saw Desy, but something seemed different about her. Seeing her eyes, the same innocent twinkle that gleamed, no longer had flickered, but instead, sharpness of rage had cut through her pupils. The life around them became colourless to a sea of dull water. This made Sabrina sad, and step more away to allow Desy to face the demon in her dreams.

“Oh, look at you, finally back to sense crazy ass?!”

Desy’s eyes were locked, and she clenched a fist.

“Oh, whatcha gonna do?! Stupid little gremlin? Gonna try and face me?”

Desy’s eyes were stone cold, and she tilted her head in a slow manner.

“Look everyone, she’s so crazy she thinks she can—”

Sindy stumbled backwards, and fell to her butt. She felt pain on her cheek, and spat blood. Her right cheek went numb, and a tear came out an eye as she glanced up at her attacker.

“You—?!”

Desy retracted her fist, and stayed frozen while everyone else around her were completely stunned. They couldn’t believe that she had attacked her, more notably gave her a strong punch that sent her falling. Andre was the most in shock, but didn’t like seeing her in this state. He quickly tried standing up, but Desy was quickly attacked by Sindy’s goons, and they jumped her. One grabbed her hair, the other punched her face, another smacked her repeatedly, they threw her to the ground, and all began kicking.

“No!” Andre shouted.

A couple of teachers came in to break up the crowd and cool the storm. One teacher tackled Andre, and as he was on the ground, he could see Desy broken as she was being beaten to a pulp. Her eyes were running, and more teachers came in to break the girls up. The chubby girl gave Desy the worst beating, and before being pulled away, she kicked her face, and left Desy face down.

“This is awful!” one teacher shouted.

Another pulled two girls away, and threw them to another.

“Take them to the principal's office!”

Sindy was accompanied by another, and she was taken to the nurses office as she glared at Desy.

“That’s what you get, bully!” Sindy shouted.

Desy’s hearing, although static, heard what the monster had called her. She weakly put her palms on the ground, lifted herself off it, and faced Sindy with a face she’d only imagine in her nightmares.

“See… you… tomorrow…” Desy said.

Sindy growled and flipped her off as she was guided away from the scene. Andre was struggling against the grip of an adult while he wanted to embrace her and comfort his poor friend.

“Desy! Wait for me after school!” he shouted before being guided away.

Desy stood there, in silence as static kept drowning her hearing. The affiliation of her subconscious, the anger, and sadness intertwined, blocking her vision in a screen of static red. Her subconscious murmured words that Desy couldn’t understand, and she herself repeated it out in the real world as she was carried away by a female teacher. She felt weightless, and changing, but also felt eagerly just as sad, wanting to cry her eyes out. Once she was in the nurse's office, Ms. Glenda broke down in tears.

After attending to her wounds, Desy was sitting up on the bed, bandaged and still. Ms. Glenda kept her eyes on her for most of the day, watching Desy act to that of a novelty doll. She hadn’t moved a single muscle since Ms. Glenda placed her in the bed, and Desy sat up after ten minutes. For two hours, Desy remained in her doll state until the bell rang and Ms. Glenda saw her fingers twitch. She had tried calling her mother, but got no answer as usual. Letting out a sigh, Ms. Glenda stood out of her chair, and went to sit next to Desy, wondering what the girl’s thinking about.

“Desy, talk to me, please?” she asked.

Desy panned her attention, finally, towards Ms. Glenda. She quickly grabbed her hand, and patted her head.

“Who did this to you?! Tell me, and I’ll make sure they’ll get expelled.”

Desy appreciated Ms. Glenda’s favour, but even she knew it’d do nothing to put a stop to Sindy and her goons. It’ll only delay the inevitable for poor Desy. Feeling hopeless and her doom awaiting her tomorrow, Desy was finally coming back to her senses. She replied to Ms. Glenda’s touch by rubbing her hand, and Ms. Glenda could feel her shaking, and her worry.

“Desy, my little Angel, please tell me who did this to you. I want to help put an end to your suffering.”

Desy grabbed Ms. Glenda’s hand, and hung her head, remembering Sindy’s relentless laughter that broke her into the state of mind she can’t seem to remember.

“Si…ndy.”

Ms. Glenda knit her brows, and bit her lip.

“I should’ve known that problematic girl was behind this.”

She hugged Desy, and rubbed her back.

“Don’t you worry. After today, once I have a talk with the head administration, she’ll regret ever picking on you, Desy.”

Desy also embraced Ms. Glenda, and slowly, her eyes began to swell.

“I tried calling your mom, but she’s probably asleep. Ugh, I just wished she’d not worked her ass off so hard and… nevermind, I can’t muster the courage to tell you the last bit.”

Desy’s jaw gapped, and she got the chance to say what she’s been thinking for a while to Ms. Glenda. But to think of all people to know her mothers actual intention, it would be her nurse. It raised questions as to why she knew her mother so much, but right now, Desy will ask. She never did before because she always thought, due to her frequent visits they got to know each other. To know that she’s been keeping to her mothers actual intention, raised curiosity as to who Ms. Glenda actually is to her mom.

Desy gently eased off of Ms. Glenda, and looked into her eyes.

“Is my mom so focused on finding a father replacement for me?” she said.

Ms. Glenda’s eyes grew wide, but ultimately, she felt at ease and grinned for Desy.

“So you knew?”

Desy nodded, and placed her hands on her lap.

“Yeah… for a while.”

“Oh, Desy, only if you knew how much your mother wants to bring you out of the ghetto just as much as you want to do for her.”

Desy agreed but felt conflicted about her mothers way of getting them out of their living condition. She always wondered if having someone she’d barely know or be a potential danger like her new boyfriend who recently tried doing vulgar acts towards her is best suited for thei situation. Her mother had another idea, which was to marry a rich guy, although Desy didn’t want her mother known as a gold digger. She knew how pretty her mother was, but how much more was she in the past? Yet seeing as she moves, Desy questioned if her mother was as problematic as she thinks she was in terms of her thuggish character.

“Is my mom…? No…” Desy murmured.

Ms. Glenda quickly went to grab her purse and she had an aura of righteousness and a face that said, “watch me conquer your fears!” Desy giggled seeing her nurse so excited.

“What’s going on, Ms. Glenda?” she asked.

Ms. Glenda went to the door, and gave Desy a thumbs up.

“I’m going to the administration to file a suit against Sindy. It’s time to get her expelled and knowing how she operates, I know for sure I’ll gather enough evidence to get her out of this school!”

Desy smiled but let out a sigh.

“We’ll see, Ms. Glenda.”

“Doubting me, little one?”

Ms. Glenda opened the door, and posed for greatness awaiting her.

“You shouldn’t because I have hookups! Be careful on your way out, Desy! See you tomorrow.”

Ms. Glenda stormed out the room, and Desy couldn’t help but keep her grin. Since the day’s over, and taking a glance around the room, as suspected, Ms. Glenda had already gotten her stuff. She got out of the bed, and went to her belongings. Picking them up, she put her bookbag on, and walked out of the nursery with her bandages still intact. Slowly walking through the empty halls, and the brightness of the sun glaring at her side, Desy began thinking of ways to beat Sindy again. The dark thoughts that like to storm in, and fog her mind with hatred displayed a similar scene in which had her walking in the rain, and seeing Sindy cowardly crawl backwards as she approached her.

“Where are you going? You can’t crawl away like that?” Desy said in an eerier innocent tone.

Once she heard her own voice in a sadistic nature, she gasped, and shook her head to shake the scene away.

“Jesus… I need to get home before I really freak myself out.”

When she managed to get to the front entrance, and went outside, she saw Suzan standing with her fists on her hips. She was staring at the sky, and her stance told the world around her that she’s the most confident girl in the world. Seeing her in a superhero stance made Desy’s heart bounce and her eyes quiver.

“She looks so awesome. Wish I was as brave as her.”

Suzan stretched her arms out and reached for her toes, tapping them. Desy wondered what her sassy friend was up to? She watched as Suzan did more stretching and suddenly, she sprung in the air, leaping so high it made Desy gap her jaw.

“Awesome…”

Never has she seen Suzan in action in terms of her athleticism. She was the school's top track star, but she had no clue she could jump that high. Suzan went for a quick run to the front, skidding to a stop, and using the stopped momentum to have her leap over one of the coeloms that block buses from getting closer.

“Look at her go, so rad.”

Suzan leaped over another, and once she got on the ground, she spotted Desy.

“Is that? My little pookie thang?!”

Desy regretted standing, and saw her hungry eyes locking onto her.

“Uh oh!”

“Come here!”

Suzan ran after her as she tried getting away, but she was no match and quickly fell into the arms of Suzan.

“Ahh! You adorable little thang! Why are you here so late? Hold up…”

Suzan backed off, and saw the bandages around her, and the bruises beginning to show colour.

“You’re the girl they talked about?! How the hell, no! Again did Sindy’s bitch ass gang up on you?”

Desy didn’t say anything, but instead, went to hug her, and remained quiet.

“Desy?”

Desy’s eyes shook as she tried holding back her tears.

“You want me to give them giant boo boo’s? Mm? Want me to beat their stupid candy asses? Mm?”

Desy giggled, and glanced up to Suzan’s bright caramel eyes.

“I wish, but I did something cool today, and it upped my confidence.”

Suzan patted Desy, and smiled for her.

“Oh yeah? What was it?”

Desy backed off, and playfully punched Suzan's arm.

“I decked Sindy in the face, and made her bleed.”

Suzan’s smile faded, and her face turned still. Desy’s face quickly turned, and she was confused as to why Suzan’s reacting so coldy. She thought, of all people who would congratulate her on facing, and actually throwing the first punch at her demon, Suzan would be the one to celebrate. But, instead, Suzan’s staring at Desy with sunken eyes, and a shadow had lurked over them.

“Su-Suzan…?”

Suzan’s arms trembled, and she slowly put her hands on Desy’s shoulders while her head went down for a moment. She felt her shaking, and Suzan had begun squeezing Desy’s tiny shoulders.

“Su-suzan, you’re-you’re…”

Suzan clenched her jaw, then ground her teeth, and once she had brought her face up, her eyes were knit, and she looked disappointed at Desy.

“Desy… why?!”

“H-Huh?”

Suzan’s eye began to swell, and for the first time, Desy saw water forming around the edges.

“That isn’t like you… Desy.”

“But… Suzan…”

“You’re not a fighter, Desy… you’re not someone who inflicts physical pain. You’re not a conflicted individuel, and most of all—”

Desy’s eyes began shaking, and Suzan got in her face, bumping heads.

“—I would never suspect anyone, as sweet and innocent as you, to draw blood!”

Desy couldn’t retain her repeated gasps, and leave her jaw gapped.

“Desy, this fight, tomorrow, will not be the outcome like you expect. It’s just going to get worse from here on out.”

“Bu-but… I-I—”

Suzan brought her hands up to her face, and Desy could feel the heat from them rubbing against her cheeks.

“Desy, I know you want to face your bully, I know you want to show everyone you’re not just some shy, pushover girl who’s easy pickings. But, honey, there’s other ways of doing that, and you were already doing it by being one of our smartest folks. Your grades alone will tell them, and eventually rub against their smug faces in time. Trust me, baby, you’ll get your revenge, and when you see it, and look to what they’re going to end up as, you’ll have the last laugh.”

Desy’s eyes began to flood, and she clutched Suzan’s wrists.

“But if you really insist on this fight… then just this once, Desy…”

Suzan eased off, and grabbed Desy’s jaw.

“You make sure you show everyone just what type of girl she is, and I promise you, even if you don’t come out as the winner… once they see who she really is, then in the end, you’ll win.”

Desy’s emotions had broken. She cried, and hugged Suzan, and Suzan wiped her eyes. She held Desy tightly, and let her cry her eyes out, staining her shirt.

“Show them who Sindy is. Show them she’s not as strong as people think she is. Then, afterwards, go back to being the cute lil mama I’ve come to adore as my best friend.”

Desy cried more, and Suzan rocked them. Nearby, Andre happened to be sitting around the corner, and heard the cries of relief. He sprung up, and ran out the corner, seeing Suzan embraced with Desy. He hurried over to them, and Suzan paused him, and placed the tip of her finger against her lips. Andre was worried at first, but soon grinned, and the two stayed quiet as Desy cried all her anger, sadness out, letting the world know of her pain, and suffering. With the fight being tomorrow, knowing that a huge crowd will be there, Suzan vowed to be there, and support her. Andre also wanted to see, and support the girl he has feelings for. Together, they hoped that them being present would inspire her to not fight Sindy in a traditional way, rather a way of exposing who she actually is like Suzan said.

With the day coming to an end, and Desy’s cries muffling out, the sky turned from a hazy orange to a blood red sky: Dawn was approaching.