Joy walked out angrily, trying to get free from Rachael. Rachael keeps telling her that she should not have slapped Maya, as that resulted in her getting into detention.
"Hey wait up," Rachael called out as Joy walked toward her locker.
Rachael hastened her footsteps as she caught up with Joy.
"Okay, I am sorry. I was just guilty because you got into detention for trying to defend me," Rachael begged.
Joy heaves a sigh. To her, Rachael was one of the most important people in her life. She looked at her pitiful self, as she began to calm down. She cannot stay mad at her forever.
"Do not look at me with those eyes of yours. Next time, avoid taking the blame on yourself," Joy pouted her lips as Rachael smiled.
"You almost gave me a heart attack when you slapped Maya. You should have scared her with words, not slap," Rachael stated as she opened her locker, which was beside Joy's own.
"She deserved it. No one messes with my friend and go Scot free," Joy replied as she closed her locker, setting her eyes on her phone.
Rachael giggled arranging her books inside the locker.
Joy knew that was not the reason she slapped Maya. Maya said she looked like an ape, and for some split seconds she believed it. Joy feels she is too fat to be noticed, not only that, her hair was coarse, tangled, and not like Rachael's own which was blonde and straight.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. One thing she can pray for was for Maya to have learned her lesson, if not, she would teach her a bitter lesson.
Rachael saw a piece of paper in her locker. She picked it up, as she read through it. Her mind went wide at what she read.
Dear Rachy,
I know you are still angry with me about what happened this morning, but you should not blame me. You should blame those twins.
The elder one, Sonya kept requesting to get to know me. While the second one Annie confessed she had an attraction to me.
It feels stupid right?. It was interesting helping them realize how stupid they are for not paying close attention to their relationships
Even when they both knew I was dating the both of them, they are still doing survival of the fittest.
They should have learned their lessons by now.
Yours Sincerely
Zackie
*****
Rachael's face concocted into a frown as she read the letter. "How did he even gain access to my locker," Rachael could not help but wonder as she squeezed the paper and put it in her backpack.
She turned to face Joy who held some of her books up to her chest.
"Any problem? You look angry," Joy informed her.
She faked a smile, as she looked at Joy.
"Yeah, um. I will stop being angry now," Rachael said as the two friends walked hand to hand to the library.
Rachael felt a shrill down her body. For some reason, she felt Zack was up to something.
**********
The week kept going with Zack letters getting into Rachael's lockers. Rachael avoided him like a plague, as she felt negative vibes around him. His stares, looks, make the hair on her skin stand.
Her mind always goes frenzy whenever Zack is coming her way. To her, it is best to avoid Zack. She never trusted him in any way. Rachael felt Zack sees girls like pawns that she could use to play. To Zack, girls are like toys that can be used and dumped.
Rachael finds herself regretting having developed feelings for Zack. If she had not developed one, maybe she would have stood up against him. She would have made him now at her feet. She would have to be able to make him respect girls.
Even though most of the girls seduced Zack, Rachael feels Zack should have said NO. This however will prevent any kind of false hopes and feelings from lingering.
Things would have been better but it seems Joy is beginning to develop deeper feelings for Zack. After that day of detention, she has been constantly wishing for Zack to notice her.
She told all this to Rachael, who advised her to control her feelings. Joy however was not pleased with the answer as she tabled her interest in Zack to Kevin and Andrew. The twos however advised her to follow Rachael's advice, and more importantly focus on her studies.
They told her the feelings she had for Zack can distract her. Joy was not happy with the result as she continued to believe that one day, Zack will stop being a player, and like her. That, however, seems like a dream that might never come true.
- FRIDAY AFTERNOON
The afternoon class was English, and even though the topic was interesting, Rachael could not concentrate. She felt cramps as her face flushed instantly. She wished she had listened to her mum by taking some of the herbs she prepared.
Menstrual cramps can be one of the most difficult parts of a girl's life. The pain can be unbearable sometimes, making one wish to be unconscious for some time.
There was no doubt that Rachael wished to be a boy, that way, she won't have to be in pain every month. She was the type that will run away from herbs, ginger teas, turmeric, or lemons which help to subsidize menstrual pains. To her, she prefers sweet things compared to bitter or sour ones.
At that moment in class, Rachael felt weak. Any lady or anybody of the female gender deserves the great accolade. She could not help but wonder if boys feel the same pain they felt every month. Of course, they have their balls rolling with them freely', Rachael thought.
"Miss Rachael, are you okay?" the voice of Mrs. Sylvia, their English teacher, returned her to earth.
"I... I am not feeling too well. I am so sorry for not paying close attention," she pleaded as Mrs. Sylvia nodded.
"Your face looks disoriented. You should visit the sickbay. You have my permission to leave my class", Mrs.. Sylvia responded nicely.
Rachael felt as if there was a way she could go back in time and drink the herbs her mum provided to stop the pain she was feeling presently. That way, she would not be stared at by the 13 students of the Arts Department. She hates to be the center of attention.
"Thank you ma'am", Rachael appreciated as she made her way out of the class. She looked at Joy who wore a smile and made a' Get well soon' sign to her.
Rachael found her way to the restroom, as she clutched her stomach tightly. Rachael's menstrual period always tends to be unbearable, and that makes her feel like giving up.
She looked at the mirror, noticing the puffiness in her eyes. She sighs as she puts on a rubber band to tighten her hair. She rinsed her face with water, breathing in and out gently.
She later went to the sick bay as she was provided with pain relievers. She left after the pain reduced only to bump into Zack. She felt her heart thumping, feeling that Friday was going to be a worse day.
"I never knew Miss Perfect would ditch her class," Zack taunted.
It was outside the class area, few meters away from the school field they both met.
"How is that any of your problems? And please stop sending me those bullshit letters. They are all lame," Rachael stated as she proceeded to leave.
"Really? Maybe if I am interested in your best friend. Will that be regarded as lame," Zack replied, wearing a complicated face.
Rachael could swear her body quivers at Zack's words. What does he mean by being interested in her own best friend Joy?
"Stay away from my friend, you douchebag," Rachael's voice started breaking as she looked at Zack sternly.
"Stop being such grouchy pants. If I am interested in her, it is none of your business rights?"Zack's lips curved into a smile as he looked at Rachael.
"I will not take it easy with you if you try to play your dumb games on my friend. I promise that...", Rachael found her words hanging, as she realized there was nothing she could do to stop Zack.
If Zack made a move after Joy, Joy would no doubt believe in Zack's tale of love processing. Zack could use his evil and cunny ways to disrupt their friendship.
"Promise to do what? Beat me up, report me to my parents or kill me?" Zack questioned.
"You can tell your friend ahead to hate me if you like, but it all depends on her. Do not be a baby and stop the love between us," Zack proposed, a smile on his lips.
Rachael has never seen someone as crazy as Zack. One could easily see those stupid urges in his eyes. It seems he already has a plan, not only to date and dump Joy but to make her (Rachael) confess her feelings to him. Most importantly, cause a rift between Joy and herself.
Rachael closed her eyes, breathing in and out gently. She took two more steps closer to Zack, her eyes piercing into his.
"I can see through your plans. All the best. Do well to remember that what goes around comes around. You never can know what might happen to you in this attempt. A player will get played someday," Rachael said, enunciating each word, before leaving him.
Zack stood there motionless, a little bit troubled by Rachael's words. For the first time, a girl's words affected him.
On the other side, Rachael kept wondering how to make her friend see Zack for who he was but the question is' Will she listen to her?'