Chapter 25

When Reality hits you like a wrecking ball, it depends on you; how well you take it!




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"Amy..." A slow whisper came somewhat near me. But I was not in my state of mind! Everything is dark here, As I got stuck somewhere near the world of dark, so enormously dangerously silent, yet captivating enough to drag my soul with it. My mind was clueless!  clueless about everything related to extremely dark things! I wanted to get hell out of this place, but it's kept devouring my soul! It had trapped me with its power; it had stacked me with its strength, and I look like a little damsel who can't have anything in her hand.......




"Amy!" again that sound came, but this time; it was pretty close to me. I want to hear that voice! I want to follow that voice, but something had been stuck inside me which was falling repeatedly with my body.




"Amanda Parker!" that sound commanded me, harshly! It was enough to make a lake dead frozen! That was the moment when I felt my body moving; enough to make my eyelids open, slowly.




"God, Damn! Woman! Hell the Bloody Wake Up." And my shoulders were started shaking continuously, with that much force which could make the earth shaken.




My eyelids were half-open, everything was in a blur! Before I could make everything proper with my eyes to surroundings; a whole bucket of freezing water splashed on me!




"Holy shittt!" I almost yelled, when I felt myself drowning in water. What had happened?




Something is wrong! Well, not something everything is wrong! I'm not at home, and everywhere is rushing here. People were running from one side to another side, though half of them were still lying on the floor wasted!




And I have that dress which I had chosen for the party! It only means that the party has been done!




Then why I can't remember it? My brain doesn't want to think about anything! It kept hurting me, buzzing with pain, and giving me the feeling of heaviness! Like it had been buckled up with some stones; oh my, it is hurting so much.




You drank too much! As simple as that!




Glimpses of last night started floating into my eyes! But anything wasn't clear everything was so mixed up.




Above all! In front of me stood Vanessa Carlson with her deadly eyes; as she wants to hunt down everybody with raged bloody eyes!




Something has happened!




I tried to slightly rise from my place, but I couldn't! "Have I done something extraordinary?" I asked Vess, shyly.




"From what I remember; you jumped on the table; tried to be a queen of some downtown Virginia, and ordered everyone to be your slave! You told Veronica to hold her shit together because she had a problem with you being a queen. Oh, one more thing! You teased Cole," what? I did all those things? Heat welled up in me. Great! A wasted tomato- Maybe I can live like that, or maybe not. But the shit has about to come! What did I do to Cole? I hope I didn't kill him, or worse than that kissed him! That can't happen!




"What I did to Cole?'' I asked while sceptically rousing my eyebrows. Well, her reaction was the same copying me, "you told him joker, and asked him to do monkey dance! Then you threw away a banana at him." Oh well, that was bad but still better than kiss.




Wait! What the hell do I drink? Last night.




"You were drunk, in fact at the peak of it!" she said exasperatedly.




"No, I was not! I was delighted." I cleared myself. Yeah, maybe I got drunk, but not that much, right?




"No. You were high in fact!'' she said with determination while making her point clear.




"No. I wasn't." I can't be high!




''Yes! You were, you became a father and told me, and Dylan to get married and give you a child." Ok! Maybe I was that much high, but how did everything end up like this! I can't remember a thing.




"What happened next?" I asked hoping if nothing had happened wrong after that. She didn't reply. Because she was too busy for blushing! Her hairs were messed up, as something had happened to them!




Holy shit! She had sex! "So, finally you loosed your virtue!'' I mumbled. Ok! Maybe I still have alcohol that affects me.




"Shhh.." she shushed me! "Details, I need details!" I yelled. Again, my head started burning, "and some aspirin please."




I take that aspirin with water and gulped it all at one time.




"Better?" she asked with concern. I nodded my head in understatement like a silly child. My eyes started becoming heavy; I was ready to fall asleep. However, I didn't because she flicked me on my forehead, "wake up bitch! Results were going to announce in less than one hour. Wake up!" She practically yelled in my ear.




"Bitch, Let me sleep," I demanded.




Results! Idiot results! Hell the bloody wake-up!




Holy shit! Results! I stand up on my foot like I had seen a ghost. Bussing everything in the hush and shush movements.




"Now, you finally realized it!" she uttered with a smirk.




***




We were running like our life depends on it! Adrenaline was pumping through our veins, hearts were beating so faster, as it was about to explode at any moment. As we entered the school building with those outfits which we wore at yesterday's party. As we reached the hallway; everyone was watching me suspiciously, like I had done something wrong! They were whispering in each other's ears and laughing at me! Well, its look the same! They were scrutinizing me, with their eagle's eyes.




I didn't understand all this! Now, what is wrong with everyone? Has everyone lost their minds? Or they do not have anything to do with themselves! That's why they are doing this purposely to hurt me. HA! They can do whatever they want! I don't have that kind of tendency now to react to this! Stupid bloody morons! Always ready to make fun of someone, like they do not have any work to do!




"You go Amy; I see what the matter here is all about," Vess uttered to calm me down. But I don't want it. This whole thing! "Are you sure?" I asked with the hope that she would neglect this whole matter, hardly I knew that she would never be going to do that.




"Yes. You go now! And make me proud!" she pushed me towards the ground area of the school where results were going to announce at any minute.




When I entered the scene of it, everyone was already present there. Veronica, Cole, and Nathan with other all finalists, a total of fifteen students were on the header row of the seating arrangement near the stage, while the other students were at a suitable distance from the stage. Mr Bennett was stood at the stage with some envelopes in his hands, maybe with our result who knows? A very fascinating trophy was placed on the right side of him; golden in colour and STUDENT OF THE YEAR was printed on it. That trophy was everything that a student would ask for! Embodied with the brilliancy of craftwork and the stone which was on top of the trophy fixed was amazing, brilliant! Something else! As it was glorifying the name of the title in every aspect of manner!




Just the sight of it, make me want to grab it! But hey, I am not going to do that! Maybe If I will win then definitely that trophy will belong to me.




Cutting the crowd, I tried to make my way near the stage, but again all those whispering, muttering, scrutinizing started! As I don't belong to this world, as I'm an alien on this planet, as I had done something wrong!




Do I do something wrong?




I didn't do anything, they are just hah! Well, who cares! By purposely nudging them on my shoulders and cursing under my breath; finally, I was able to make myself near the stage area.




Veronica eyed me as I was dirt! Yeah. Yesterday, I did that thing to her, which I would have done previously, though her expressions started mocking me; glint plastered on her face, and she was smirking at me.




What the hell was that reaction for?




She's a bitch!




And for Cole? I tried to make eye contact with him; because of the little hazardous thing that I had done yesterday, but he didn't look at my eyes! Not even for a second! This is just a miracle, how can it happen! He was trying anything to do to not make eye contact with me!




Is this even possible? Or I'm seeing a dream?




This is reality!




A sound erupted through the microphone and echoed to the whole school. Mr Bennett opened his mouth with an awful facial expression, "silence." And he closed his mouth again.




Suddenly, there was a pin drop silence, which is dangerous! Captivating, mysterious as something is about to come, something that will change everything the whole silence thing is killing me!




"AND THE STUDENT OF THE YEAR OF 2018 IS ....."




I started hyperventilating; my heart started beating fast, as it was going to explode soon! My muscles started aching, my limbs went numb, and I was sweating! My eyes went closed, fingers get crossed, and I was muttering constantly, "Amanda, Amanda, Amanda..." but nothing had happened, I didn't hear my name.




"VERONICA STRATFORD"




What?




And here I thought that- I was excellent in academics!




Oh my god!




Veronica is the winner? Did she win the title? I didn't win it!




Nor did Cole!




Shut up! This isn't about him! This is about me! For the very first time, I did something for myself, and I failed in it. HAHAHA! I failed in it!




'Am I that bad?'




"No!'' I heard somewhat near me, maybe I uttered that loud enough for others.




At least someone is happy, and that is Veronica. She was receiving the trophy; everyone was shouting her name, as was a celebrity. Her photographs were clicked by photographers with that trophy.




And here I'm standing like a fool when everything is about to go down and close. A tear started rolling down on my cheeks flawlessly, great just great.




I don't understand why I'm reacting like this?




That was just a competition; things come and go, but we don't need to lose hope! I know I should not react like this! When I knew that only one can be a winner in the last, there always be one winner in a competition of different stages, we all can be winners in each our lives! That's what we studied in school right? But why they didn't tell us that everyone has their dreams to succeed where they can't fail! Everyone has their perspective of the word 'winner'! 'Winner' isn't about always getting the remark or title of it! It is the journey of us that makes us winners! The winner is the one who fights for him/her. And no-one can say that you're a loser, because the whole journey of it, Makes you a winner in your own eyes, And for others? Well, who cares?




Why can't they teach all these things in school?




I came out of my thoughts when I heard shouting from the rooftop!




Crap! Dylan! He was going to do it!




He was standing on the high rooftop of the school, and just the sight of it gave me a heart attack! Why? Because I'm afraid of heights! He had a silly look on his face, shit he was going to do what he told him to do when Veronica won!




"Mr Bennett sucks! He won't receive any fucks!" He shouted through the microphone, all the attention was on him!




Mr Bennett's face looked like a tomato, he was angry! He started yelling at staff members to do something so that Dylan can be out from the rooftop area.




And the students? They were laughing their asses off! The whole scenario makes Mr Bennett angrier; as he was ready to kill Dylan.




"Mr Bennett sucks! He won't receive any fucks!'' this time ye yelled by doing a happy dance.




Okay! I need to stop this! Vess is still not here, so? The only option I had left is Cole!




Should I go, or not?




Go! Otherwise, he will get expelled




Somehow, I found him; between the crowd. I tapped on his shoulder," Cole!" I whispered breathlessly.




He didn't look up at me he don't want to meet his eyes with mine! But still, I need to get Dylan away from the whole problem, though this whole situation looks first-class comedy, It is not "Do anything so that Dylan can come down from that place! Will you?" I uttered.




First, he laughed, but soon he realized that I'm not going to back away from my posture; he muttered, "Fine!" and walked away.




***




Finally! He came down, and the whole mess cleared up! Well not, whole; Mr Bennett demanded Dylan, and Cole to meet him at his office.




And Here I'm searching for Vess! Don't know why? But she was nowhere to be found! Where is she? And above all the students were chuckling, just by the slightest sight of me! what the hell is wrong with me? Do I look like a joker? Unconsciously, I checked my dress which is perfectly fine! Then why the hell they were laughing at me? Muttering under their breath pointing their finger towards me! What the hell is wrong with everyone?




I'm standing all alone in the middle of the hallway, and everyone was watching me! I want to go home! I do not want to be present here, anymore. I whispered under my breath.




Suddenly, someone tapped at my shoulder, and I whirled around from my direction in a corner place. Vess! Thank god she is here. "let's go home! All these people making my blood boil," I muttered.




"Yeah let's go!" without asking any question she grabbed my hand and started walking! But it's not like the same, something has happened! Something is fishy! And she was nowhere to be found some time back!




I stopped at my place; freeze my foot on the god damn floor- and snatched my hand from her hold, "what has been happening?" I demanded.




She didn't reply, yet her reaction told me everything! Without uttering a word, she told me by her reaction that something had happened!




"Amanda, maybe you didn't win the title, but you are a winner in every aspect! You found yourself in this competition! And not even a bet change the whole scenario in itself you understand!"




Whoa! Wait for a second! What bet?




"What bet? Tell me? Tell me now?" I demanded while continuously stomping on my foot! She didn't utter a word! She was looking at her phone all time, so I snatched away the cell phone from her hands...




A video was presented on the screen of the cell phone, I touched the play button to get it to move!




'the whole party was going, everyone was dancing, and laughing with red cups in their hands, but that did not get the attention of mine, I and Cole were seated at the chairs near where drinks were served, laughing and looking at each other, while drinking at the same time; something went wrong with us and we both started yelling at each other, "you are going to lose Parker! Admit it!" I heard his voice. "The one who's is going to lose is you Maxwell!" and that sentence was told by me. We were still picking on the same line for each other for who's going to win, or who's going to lose! Then he said " Let's make a bet! And like I silly child I nodded my head in reply. "Whoever loses had to do that thing of another person, which you hate about the most! For a month," he declared. "What do you mean?" I asked.




"It is simple parker, you hate me for being a playboy, so if you lose; you have to become a playgirl for a month!" by the looks of it I didn't like his idea! Not at all, so I was shaking my head for his proposal!




"Afraid are you that you will lose?" his statement made. "For the last time, I'm telling you I'm not afraid of you! What if you lose Maxwell? Then what will you do?"




"It is not going to happen!"




"What will you do?"




"Then I have to become a nerd for a month."




"Then bet it is then!"




And we both lost it!




"Bullshit!" is the first word I uttered. "This whole thing is bullshit! This is not going to happen! I was not clear in my state of mind, nor was he! Well, maybe he was! But who cares? I'm not going to do it! Vess," I clarified myself.




So that's the reason for stares, judgment! And who the hell made this video? "Tell me that this is not gone viral!" she didn't utter a single word. So this video has gone viral.




"Forget about it! And make people blabber about it! Let's go home."




Yeah. This is nonsense! Let's go home.




***




My home was not in dark all the Lights were opened in my house, which means mom is here. At least something good happened today! After a whole month, she is back! On that day of my life, when I needed her most.




Then why not give her a surprise?




Yes. I would love to do that!




Then I make my way to the backside of the house without making any noise, hushed footsteps of mine started reaching their destination to give her a surprise...




Before, reaching in living area I yelled in surprise.




Hardly had I known that I was getting a surprise as well. Just when I got the sight of the living area, my whole world went black.




Mom was in one of her suitcase's dresses clanged in the arms of a man, and they were stopped in the middle of something! Because of my voice, because of me!




"Mom" I whispered, something is wrong? She can't be like this! Oh my god, she had done this for months? Or maybe from years! Didn't she? That's the reason for the whole suitcase and those dresses! How can she do not told me? How can she do this to me?




"Amanda Parker! Where are your manners?" she yelled at me while adjusting herself. Then I realized I was still at my spot! I can't move! I couldn't!




And that man has a smirk on his face! I want to punch him!




But wait for a second; he didn't do anything wrong, right? My mother didn't tell me anything about this! And the irony is that she is talking about manners!




"What manners are you talking about mom?" I yelled. I know I shouldn't have yelled at her, but I can't control it!




"Don't you dare to raise your voice at me! Is that what I raise you for?" Now, again that damn thing! Raising of me today I can't control anything, not anymore without thinking I spoke again, "I---" she stopped me in mid-sentence, "and where the hell have you been? I told you not go without my consent! How dare you to go without asking me?" oh so all the rules were going to apply at me! She can do whatever she wants! But I can't move a finger without her consent! Enough is enough!




"What? What the hell is wrong with you are we still talking about what you want? You told me to concentrate on my studies, I did. You told me to not be involved with any boy that also somehow I did. I did everything you told me! After the whole thing of- dad cheated on you, information went viral; when all classmates of mine started making fun of me, started bickering me, picking up me for taunts, the whole thing I went for alone! And what you did do? You just did your work, and told me to concentrate on my study! And what I did do? I didn't did fight! I make myself a nerd in the whole school! I, myself gave that title to me! Because I knew that; no one would take any interest in nerds, and they will start forgetting the whole thing! ...




....And you? Said it was ok! You said just study Amanda, I thought that yes. You are right! I did every possible thing according to you! Even I forget about me for you! How Idiot I was to do this at that time, but after participating in THE STUDENT OF THE YEAR competition, changed me for good! I--"




She cut me off," did you win?''




What? It's the only thing she listened to, "No. I didn't." I said proudly, maybe I didn't win that competition, but I got some sense in my brain.




"What? Did you lose it? You freaking lost it?" What is happening to her? I've never seen this side of her! Does she only care about that competition not for me?




"So, what that was just the competition!" I remarked, making my point clear.




"How can you lose? You are my daughter!" now she realized that I'm her daughter! She didn't love me ever did she? Every time I wonder, when I tell her that I love you, she didn't reply not even at one time! Now I know why she didn't love me! She only cares about her reputation!




Nice!




My father abandoned me, my mother don't love me!




What A beautiful family I have.




"You only care about yourself! Aren't you?" I asked while laughing.




And I don't even know why the hell I'm laughing!




"How dare you! You are a disgrace Amanda parker!"




''yes! You heard me. You are a disgrace Amanda parker! You heard me; you can't do anything of your own just like your father."




Enough is enough! She is not my mother! Not anymore! She was faking it for all the years! I don't want to be here, otherwise, I'll kill myself.




I started backing away from my place to go outside of the house.




"You'll not receive any money from me if you go now! Come back here!" She shouted, but I didn't listen, and I ran away from there while crying. I didn't know when the hell I started crying.




I don't know where I'm going!




I don't know what the hell is about to come!




I don't know from which direction I was going!




You are a disgrace!




You are a disgrace!




You are a disgrace!




You are a disgrace!




Stop! I shouted. But that didn't stop her voice these words are like plastered in my head, never wants to go out!




You are a disgrace!




Then Let it be!




***




''coming!" he shouted, as he opened the door of his house.




"Amanda, are you ok? What the hell is wrong with you?" Cole asked with concern! Again that fakeness, no one is concerned here for me!




"I'm ready!" I declared.




"Ready for what?"




"For the bet"




"What do you mean?"




"To become a playgirl," whispered I.




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