Chapter 4

• February 2013
• Zeus was the name of the proud son of Don Fausto. Sometimes I looked at him secretly, he just frowned.
• He has been in our area for two months and he always looked bored. I guess he didn't want to be here. I didn't think that arrogant person knew that it was better to live in the province. Everything was fresh including the air.
• According to the gossip I found out from Nanny Belen, Zeus' parents have been separated for a long time. He lived with his mommy and was based in America. That man was really annoying. He always kept saying English words to everyone. I knew he could speak Tagalog because that was how he talked to Don. He was just really stupid to others.
• 'Tssk. Spoiled brat really.'
• In my mind. I remembered his arrogance again. He had a bad temper for me. Especially when he looked at me when watering the greenhouse.
• I was at school today. The exam was near so I burned my eyebrows again to study. I have to study hard because I am a scholar of Don and I was in Senior High. It was my last year.
• I'm bored. Too long discussion. When I looked at my wristwatch I smiled. It was only a few minutes before the end of class.
• 'Where else will I hang it?' I asked myself.
• I gasped. I know Helga's group was waiting for me, so I would definitely hide first now. I am not in the mood to tweak them.
• I smiled at the thought. That was right. I'm going home early today. The school bell rang correctly. I quickly picked up my belongings and ran away. I no longer looked at teacher Monica. I was even ahead of her.
• I smiled as I walked down the hall to the comfort room of the school. When I got inside I looked at my appearance in the mirror. I smiled again. I am really beautiful. No doubt. Even my male schoolmates always said that I am more beautiful than Aria — the school princess. Princess because she was the daughter of a Governor. A very famous lady.
• I adjusted for a moment as my smile faded. I noticed no one inside the area except me. I'm nervous. Usually a lot of students at this time were in the bathroom to clean themselves but now, no one. I was even more nervous when the door opened and Helga's group entered.
• I'm brave but I'm not a superhero. There were many of them and I am alone. They would definitely wring my neck.
• I scratched my head. I didn't know what to do. I'm already on the brink of beating, but I could still think of nonsense.
• "What else do you need?" I asked them. I had to be brave now. Delaying tactics perhaps.
• Lyza turned to me. She was Helga's right hand. I was surrounded by her henchmen and they held both my hands.
• "You're really brave Sofia. It doesn't matter to us anyway," Helga said while smiling.
• If her henchmen had not held my hands, I might have punched her. Case I have nothing against so far. Sometimes it was better to just stay still and don't fight back. Especially when you knew you were losing even before the fight began. It was easier that way.
• My thoughts got interrupted. I was even surprised when Helga suddenly slapped me. It hurts but I just let her. She pulled me too. It was as if she still wanted to shave me with the force of her, tweaking me. Sometimes she even slaps both my cheeks.
• I accepted all of that. My cheeks were numb from all the slap. I didn't resist. They were outnumbered unlike me. I'm alone.
• "You thought maybe I wouldn't hit you. Then, you're wrong bitch!" she shouted again.
• I wanted to show them that I was not affected but I was shocked when Lyca handed her something. When I saw that metal thing in Helga's hand, I cried.
• What would they want to do?
• "You look so beautiful. Every man wants to like you," Helga said.
• She suddenly pulled out the scissors and showed it to me. She even waved it then they laughed. Helga and her friends laugh as if I am a very funny person to play with.
• I was scared by what I saw. I knew she had bad intentions towards me.
• "What will you do?" I asked, fainted. I'm afraid of what they would do to me. I no longer had the strength to fight because they had been hurting me before and I am dizzy.
• They were actually cowards. Just be brave when there were many of them.
• Helga did not answer. She smiled foolishly at me. She walked slowly closer to me while still holding the scissor. I knew she would do something bad.
• When she finally got closer, she first cut my blouse down to my navel. She even meant to show my bra. Her friends grinned as she continued to cut my uniform. Even my skirt she did not miss. They cheered and laughed sarcastically. Leaving me powerless over them.
• "Stop!" I beg them. But they remained deaf to my opposition.
• "Who else would want you, if I were to do this?"
• My eyes widened as she suddenly touched my hair. My hair was long and wavy with a natural blonde color.
• Helga mercilessly cuts my hair while grinning foolishly. Her henchmen were laughing and seemed happy too. While I am crying. Begging them to stop. My heart hurt so much from what they did to me.
• When they got bored they left me. My heart hurts so much. I love my hair so much but that was how it was when Helga played and cut it.
• My chest tightened and my heart seemed to pound because of what had happened to me. I was fainting but I had to stand up.
• When I finally got up I slowly walked towards the bathroom door. I clung to anything I could cling to just to support myself in the impending fall. I tried to turn the door but I just felt depressed.
• Lock.
• I sat on the floor. I cried over to what happened to me. They were so cruel to me for Helga to do this to me. I am not at fault to any of them. I did not want Helga's boyfriend to like me, either.
• I did not know how I would go home today. I also didn't know if there was anyone else at school.
• When I finished crying I looked at myself in the mirror. I felt even more depressed when I saw my appearance. My hair was blown and my uniform was perforated. I combed my hair and breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow it could still be remedied.
• Moments later I adjusted myself. I need to focus on how I can get out. I couldn't go home. Nanny Belen would worry for sure.
• While thinking of a way I could not help but remember what happened earlier. I wish I fought back. I wish I had a chance to defend myself. But whether I fight against them if I know I'm gonna lose. It was still useless.
• Maybe there were things you just have to accept because that was what it should be.
• Moments later, I slammed the door of the C.R. I hoped the guard would hear me. I did that several times until I just gave up.
• It was late. It was impossible for anyone else to be at school at these times.
• I stay beside the door and hug myself tight. I cried more because I wanted to. I am praying and wishing in between my sobs.
• I hoped someone would come to save me.
• But, who am I fooling? Mother Belen was my only family. I also have no friends because I knew almost all the girls at school hated me.
• I was crying, quietly. Why was life so unfair? I, who only wanted to feel the love of parents, have not even experienced that thing. While there were people who ignored all who loved them. After all, people who experience true love and appreciation were very lucky.
• Someone that could give you love was someone that you need to cherish in your life.
• That was my belief.
• I sighed. I just need to wait for the right time. Maybe, because of the traffic. They said that love comes unexpected. For me, when else would it come?
• My mind was interrupted when the door suddenly opened. I blinked a few more times to confirm what I saw. If he was really in front of me.
• What was this arrogant person doing here inside the school?
• He walked quickly towards me. Uncertainty was written all over his face. The way he looked at me, I knew he felt sorry for me. But there was something else in his eyes. Something I couldn't even name.
• “Zeus,” I whispered. I stood up even though it was difficult.
• When Zeus approached me, he hugged me tightly. "Shh ... It's okay." he whispered to me back.
• I cried louder this time. I cried on his shoulder like a kid. I no longer care that my tears wet his clothing. We were not close and I knew I look pitiful now, but I didn't care. I would cry because I want to. Because my chest hurts so much.
• "Hush now, doll," he said softly. He even patted my back.
• Oddly, I felt safe in Zeus' embrace.
• This was how you feel when someone else cared about you. It was overwhelming.
• They said that love comes unexpected. And right now, I may not be in love with Zeus but he touched a place in my heart.