23

~Anika~

I was not expecting to meet Erica at Master Xander's door not to say she had be there invading his privacy. I tried to think of every possible reason why she would, and the only conclusion I arrived at was so absurd.

I was just strolling around when I saw her.

She must think I wanted something from her in exchange for her secret but it was otherwise and I had to show her that.

I don't want her money, or any other thing, yet? A reason I chose to hold on to the opportunity for now.

~~
I went to Master Xander's office for my last attempt at phoning my parents', they didn't pick up the last time.

I picked up the phone and dialed my parents' number. The line rang and rang, but there was no answer. I hung up, maybe they were busy, or maybe they didn't want to talk to me, they don't know it's me though.

I tried again, and this time the phone was answered almost immediately.

"Hello?" I said impatiently into the phone. I have decided I was going to try being the good girl to them, anything to be out of here.

"Is everything okay? Why are you calling so late?" She sounded shocked.

"Mom, please listen, I need to come home. This place...it's not what I thought it would be. I'm not learning anything, and everyone here is terrible. I'm not even myself anymore, imagine the hunger." I didn't mind I was in the presence of master Xander, my back is turned at him and I shouldn't care.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost feel my mother's disappointment through the phone and I won't be surprised if she's currently frowning her face.

"This school is your chance to turn your life around.You can't run away from your problems. Master Xander is a highly respected person in there and I believe he can help you find your way and make you change."

She's quiet for a beat. Though she can't see me I was shaking my head.

"It's not like that here. Everyone here is cruel, and the other students are awful. I can't even breathe, I'm only just starting to get use to things here and I swear it's tough."

I finally allowed myself to meet his gaze and his ocean eyes striked me with knowing.

"I know it's not easy, but you have to give it a chance."

I should have know they weren't going to give in easily, that's how bad they wanted me out of their lives. I hung up, didn't bother pressing longer on the desk.

It's high time I accept this as my fate.

Nothing is going to work.

"Thank you for the phone." I grumbled turning around to place it on his desk. I can sense his eyes on me as I left, going into my room.

"This is messed up. You're done for Anika!" I growled animalistically to myself, hitting my fist on the floor not minding the bruise impact it made on my fist.

No one cares about me. What's the duration be here for? One, two, three years? They are pushing me at verge of escaping out of here..

And when I do that there will be no going back.

I have been punctual for classes doesn't mean I am doing this out of my own self fish but with the idea my punctuality would be a proof to my parents I have learned my lesson.

It's all clear to me now it's basically a wasting of my time. I have to find a way out of here soon, I'm done living like a caged beast.

I just have to keep acting like the goody two shoes for a while as I formulate my plan.

~

"That's my seat." Someone spat above me.

I titled my head up and it was one of Erica's pets. "Isn't it unfortunate I never met you there?"

I looked away from her hearing Erica and the rest approaching their seats that's beside me. I don't care whose seat I'm seating, I am leaving.

"What's that Cassandra?" I heard Erica ask, as she sat down her two other friends at both side of her while the one left- the Cassandra girl- refused to let me be.

"I met her on my seat and she's refused to stand up." She reported.

"Let her be. You can seat somewhere else come." Was Erica's response causing Cassandra to huff and walk away.

Erica is smart, I don't even have to open my mouth before she got rid of her for me, if I wanted to by myself I would use my hands and that will earn my first detention.

A stain I don't want on my record.