11

~Anika~

As I carefully emptied the watery gruel I had been given into the sink that was barely enough to sustain me, the able Erica, the academy's malicious cheerleader, sat at a vacant table, her plate overflowing with a sumptuous meal.

Why?

Why was I being fed scraps while she eating in such extravagance? I can't even help but approach her.

"Excuse me, Erica. I couldn't help but notice that my meal is significantly inferior to yours. May I inquire as to why?" I didn't mean to fight with her but I placed my hands at akimbo and asked her since she's the Mrs-know-it she should know better.

"Don't you realize? You're not in the same caste as I am. We are not equals." She stretched her lips into a feral smile baring her teeth as I leaned into her face.

I had known that there was a hierarchy within the academy, but I had never imagined it would be so blatant and obvious at the same time. I was nothing but a servant in her eyes, worthy only of scraps for everyone of them.

"Since we are not equal like you claim why are you here then? I'm sorry but I keep thinking of every possible answer but there isn't even a conclusion to drive to. You are rich and not of the same caste as I am, that's fine but shouldn't you leave this academy for someone of a low caste as me, why is some one of a high position like yours under same roof as me?" I leaned closer to her ear.

"I bet you're really curious to ask such. Well let me answer you." She adjusted herself on her chair.

"This is my father's building and I have every right to be here with having to pay a dime. Unfortunately this place is the only thing we share in common and not wealth which is so pitiful and what makes it even more ridiculous is the nerves you have to ask me why I am under my father's property." She countered.

Silence.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned away, from the humiliation As I retreated to my room, I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever be able to escape this oppressive place. I shouldn't cry, I try to tell myself.

She may be smart but she's not smart enough to knock me down.

~

I shuffled into the cafeteria, the usual Monday morning chaos around me. The smell of burnt toast and overcooked meat can be sniffed in the air, something different from the wafting scents of cinnamon rolls and freshly baked cookies from the bakery across the street. Somewhere I wish I'll have a chance to go to someday.

I scanned the room my gaze settling on a vacant seat next to Erica. Why the hell am I crossing paths with her pretty much nowadays.

Erica, with her perfectly manicured nails and hair the color of gold is a definition of something I can never be.

She was popular, beauty- something I'll never admit to hers- and rich and her father owns this place, a huge thing to be proud of.

I, on the other hand, was a poor, troublemaker who preferred roaming about the streets beating people up.

My stomach was rumbled in a way that demanded immediate attention clearing out the comparison thought I was having.

Although the lunch lady served me a meager salad, and all I could think about was the delicious chicken parmesan that Erica was devouring.

"Excuse me, Erica. Would you mind if I borrowed a spoon?" Okay fine now Anika, you want to eat from the enemy's table.

She didn't even look at me, just scoffed. "You don't deserve a single bite of this meal. You're just a nobody like I've been reminding you but if you're willing to be my pet, I might be generous enough to share, who knows."

I couldn't believe someone could be so cruel, she should be grateful I wanted to share a food with her.

I crossed my arms and stared back at her, my chin held high.

"I'd rather starve." I declared, my teeth clenching the only warning before I sent the rejection straight at her face, and then turned my back on her and heading towards the door.

As I walked away, I could hear her giggling with her friends. I didn't need their validation or their scraps. I would find a way to satisfy my hunger, maybe with a granola bar from the vending machine at least..

I had my own strength, my own worth, and I wouldn't trade my ego for a single bite of her damn chicken parmesan. Be her pet? what does she take me for? she doesn't have more than enough?!

My stomach growled embarrassing in Mrs. Colter's silent class, someone who droned on about ethics that I couldn't bring myself to care about.

My mind was miles away in search of where I am supposed to feed my stomach.

All of a sudden a commotion started at the back of the class.

"She said her phone's gone. Someone stole it!"

I checked and gratefully my own phone was nestled in my pocket. I glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source... or whether they caught the thief?

However it was then that the whispers changed into full-blown accusation. "Anika!" my name was the only thing they all kept saying.

My blood ran cold. The teacher's eyes, narrowed at me likewise was everyone's eyes fixed on me.

"Did you take this phone, Anik..."

"No, I didn't!" Before she can even finish I was up on my feet to defend myself.

I am not understanding them at all, one minute it's trying to finish concentrate on the teaching the next minute is accusation fingers being pointed to my face? Whereas, I am not the only in the classroom.

"Then why would everyone say you did?" Mrs. Colter demanded gritting out and while the others took advantage of the chaos to make their well known noises..

"Because they think I'm poor that I need to steal, who knows?" Sweat poured down my now pale face.

This is scary for me, then trying to toy with me isn't funny either.

"Stop making excuses and let me check your bag." She emerged and moved towards my bag but I snatch it away from her.

"No! You can't search my bag! What the heck, I wouldn't steal anything!'

The entire class watched and I saw the way their eyes are masked with disbelief.

None, not even one of them spare me the benefit of doubt.

"I'm not a thief.' I shouted once again but they won't listen. It's so terrifying how it seems they are all ganging up against me.

Then, I did the what I ought to, I reached into my bag, my hand sifting through the clutter of books and papers while everyone held their breath.

I pulled out a phone and it was sleek black, something I'd never own.

I felt dear for the first time, for the first time I lost any form of reaction, I was lost, I was dumbstruck. I was... what... just came out of my bag?

A collective gasp coursed through the classroom. I saw the relief in Erica's accusatory eyes, the shame in the eyes of those who had believed the lies and most of all, I saw the surprise in Mrs. Colter's eyes as if she wasn't expecting it.

She took the phone, looked at me, then at the students, then back at me. She spoke no word instead she returned Erica her phone.

I looked at her, then at the rest of the class, as I ticked like a timed bomb.

The bell sounded giving an end to the drama of the day.

Erica was already at the door by the time I knew it with her sickling smile plastered on her face.

I knew she'd done it, knew she'd planted that phone in my locker, knew she was the reason the vice principal had called me down to the office, accusing me of stealing thereafter and even said they'd inform my parents.

"Erica, come over here. Why did you do that? Why would you frame me?" I could have reached for her hair and yanked it out but it will only triple my suffering.

She stopped her smile faltering for a split second before returning wider than before.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand why you think I'd waste my time on you, framing you or what did you just say? I have far more better things to do so why don't you spare me all this shits and apologize for my phone you stole while we are at it?" Her lips are tensed as she said quietly.

'Don't play dumb with me or I'll have to kick your ass I don't care the repercussion. You planted that phone in my locker. You wanted to get attention, and you knew I'd be blamed!" I shook my head my energy depleting steadily.

"Attention? You're delusional I think. Mine is to just go in and out of the class, you think I care about anyone and you especially?"

"Seriously? well then. You're just going to tell everyone what you did. You're going to tell everyone you stole your own phone and lied about it." I grabbed her arm stopping her from leaving.

"I didn't steal anything and I'm not going to waste my time explaining myself to you. because I have far more better things to do." She refused swatting at my hands.

'Just do it, okay? Tell everyone you did it. Tell everyone you didn't steal it. Just tell the truth if you want this to be over." I ordered my voice stern as I pointed toward the principal's office.

She pulled her arm from my grasp when her grabbed at it again.

"You're so pathetic and a fool, no one believes you anyway.' she said and snarled pushing past me.

Behind her, her group of friends cackled, sticking their tongues out at me as they followed Erica back to the dorm whilst I stood there, my fists clenched and I've never felt so humiliated.

I reached my room and I contemplated packing my things and getting my ass out of here but I couldn't not when the guards are heavily packed everywhere, including downstairs, which means a no way out for me.

If I ever get to see Erica, which I would, I'm going to make sure I give her a taste of her own medicine that she won't have any peace until she has to make her father throw me out of here eventually.

I might do all sort of bed things, like beating people to a pump but I don't steal, not something that icks me out a lot.

"Dinner is here." It was a bad that brought the watery food this time around. She placed it down on the floor when I refused to receive it from her and right before her own eyes, I picked at it, its content successfully emptying on the ground.

"Get it away from me." I seethed.

"You know how much this is worth?" she threw a death glare at me in which I returned.

"As if you never took your full fee from my parents."

"Let's see if you won't starve then pretty lady." It's then she looked at me eyes away from the mess created on the floor a crazed smile on her face.

I peered down at her as she packed it up and brought something inside to clean its stain, while I smoothly waited for her to leave.

I want to go home.

I want to leave this place.

I'm fed of their meals.

I'm done starving.

I feel so lean I'm so scared for myself, I can't even eat to my fill again. Everyone here are nothing short of demons.