Eliza's POV
        I sat on a chair close to the window pane, looking out. I was bored out of my life. I miss my brother and his little antics. I was with my dad for the Christmas holidays. John refused to come with me, I was surprised by his behavior. He was very close with dad, practically the daddy's boy. I wonder what changed.

I thought he would leap for joy with the very thought of visiting dad. I glanced back at the well furnished room, my bedroom. My bedroom was pretty but definitely not my type. My room was like a Disneyland with shades of PINK! Muted-pink wall! A pink bedspread with silk! cushy throw pillows in assorted shades of pink!, A white rug placed at the end of my bed, the wall posters were that of the beach with palm trees giving it a serene look, at least I loved this one.
Placed on a white dresser was a table lamp with shades of PINK hues! my white curtains were soft and pretty and my favorite of all were stuffed animals on my bed,I would definitely take this home with me.

My dad really outdid himself.
Well, Meredith helped because she was once a girl, you should thank her My dad told me. Well, she must be dumb if she thinks that all teenage girls like pink. So cringy.

My eyes rested on a Christmas card lying on my bed. I walked over to it and picked it up. Opening it, a small beautiful golden bracelet was lying underneath, I smiled, must be from dad. I read the card 'I hope you like it. Merry Christmas. Love Meredith' I quickly tore the card to pieces and threw it in the  waste bin beside the door along with the stupid bracelet.
This woman should stay out of my way o else I'll make her life a living hell. Mtcheew, rubbish.

I picked up my phone from the dresser and went through my WhatsApp chats.
Why hasn't Chioma replied my chats? I thought. I knew she was still mad at me. I've told her repeatedly that Isaac and I are nothing to each other. My mind flashed back to the events that unfolded before the holidays.

                   Flash back
I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling. I squinted as rays of sunlight streamed in through the curtains.

Oh God, it's Monday. How am I supposed to face the whole school?
I was literally dreading it. I slept fitfully last night. My mind was fully occupied with events that unfolded at Chiomas party. I touched my right cheek, it still stung slightly.

I hate that girl Chika. I hope mom won't notice the scar on my cheek, cause I'll probably not hear the end of it. She's supposed to be back since she had her night shift. I don't think she would notice when she has always been occupied with work and herself.

I looked over at the other bed opposite mine where John lay. Yep, we share the same room. Weird right?
I need to wake him up for school. Then I'll think of excuses to avoid going to school today.
Maybe I'll tell my mom that i'm feeling nauseated. No! Definitely not! Highly suspicious.
Think Eliza! Think!
Yes! I snapped my fingers, I'll tell her that it's that time of the month and i'm having the worst cramps of my life. Yes, that's it. Mom will actually believe this one.

I walked over to John's bed and shook him vigorously.
"John, wake up"

He mumbled something incoherently.
He's definitely in la la land I thought.

I slapped him "John wake up!"

He jerked up suddenly, obviously trying to force his eyes open.

"Earth to John!" I snapped my fingers. "Come on, time to go to school"

"Can't I skip today?" He whined.

Yeah, we're on the same boat I thought
But one of us needs to go.

"No, you're not skipping, get up! Now!"

He got up, rubbing his eyes and heading to his wardrobe.
"But why aren't you preparing?"

"Well, i'm sick" I told him while I lay back on my bed picking up my phone.
I tried dialing Chioma's line but it was unavailable.

He faced me, eyeing me suspiciously.
"You don't look sick. You're lying"

I wanted to strangle him there and then.

"Guys, i'm home!" My mom's voice  echoed in the hallway.

"Great, she's here. Look John" I gathered my knees to my chest "You know when, every month I buy sanitary pads and take my bath three times a day and I would be moody all day and I wouldn't want to exert myself too much?"

He didn't seem to grasp my explanations.

I tried another route. I decided to make it plain and raw.
"You know those girly sickness with  blood coming out of ......."

"Jeez! Enough! I know, you don't have to tell me the rest" He grimaced and literally ran out of the room.

I knew it would work. John thinks it's a curse. The cycle women undergo, he thinks it's a curse that was being laid on us. I just allowed him to think that way.

When I heard mom's footsteps coming close, I quickly lay down with my blanket all over me and a hand on my stomach, putting on an expression of someone writhing in pain and closed my eyes.
I heard the door open.

"Eliza, what's going on?!"

I could sense the panic in her voice.
"It's the cramps" I moaned.

She sat down next to me and touched my forehead.
"Your temperature is normal. It's just the cramps. I can give you some medications, at least to reduce the pain"

My eyes shot open. "No! Mom! Don't worry. I'll just endure it. I'll be fine."

"Which means you won't be able to go to school today?"

I nodded.

She wore a puzzled look on her face.
"This is the first time your monthly cycle has kept you from going to school. I think you have an infection"

I rolled my eyes, sighing heavily, getting really impatient with her.
"Mom, i'm fine"I groaned.

" Okay, well, I'll go call your principal and tell her" She stood up and then she turned staring at me intently.

I stared back, wondering why she was looking at me like that.

"How was the party?"

"Um, it was fine" I replied avoiding her gaze.

Suddenly she leaned towards me.
"What's that scar on your cheek?"

My eyes widened.
What am I supposed to tell her? Think Eliza, think!

"Well......I....." I stuttered "Chioma's dog scratched my cheek" I winced at how I called Chika a dog. I smiled inwardly.

"Oh, you never made mention of Chioma having a dog" Her brows furrowed.

"They....they just bought it recently"

She nodded her head. "Okay, well, I had a great night as well. In case you were wondering"
She turned and left.

I felt this pang of guilt flowing through me because of the lies. I just didn't want to show up in school not after what happened,this is my reputation on the line, I would definitely answer to the Principal. I needed to call Chioma and explain everything to her.

I heard a buzz sound from my phone. I picked it up, it was a WhatsApp text from an unknown number.
Who could this be? I wondered.

I opened the text

'Hey, are you okay? It's me, Isaac.'

My eyes widened in surprise and my heart sped up.
Isaac is texting me, wow.
I remembered what happened at that party. My lips twitched in a slight smile.

I tapped on my keypad, wondering what to text. I started with, Hi Isaac
No, that's not it. I deleted it.
I tried again, Who's Isaac?
No, that's rude. I deleted it.

'How did you get my number?' I texted instead.

'From our group chat' He texted back.

Oh I thought, I remembered our school's group chat. 'Okay, hi'

'Are you okay?'

What does he mean by that?
He's obviously concerned about you novice. My subconscious said.

I smiled, my heart did this fluttery weird feeling.
I texted back.
"Yes, I am"

'Okay, I hope you won't come to school today?'

His question startled me.

How did you know what I was thinking? I thought.

'Why?' I texted

'I would advice you not to think about it. Have you seen the latest video online?'

I shook my head vigorously.
No, no, no. It can't be what i'm thinking right now. I thought.

'It's the video of the incident that happened at the party. The video is streaming online'

My eyes widened.
It can't be.

New chapters are up guys.

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Can you guess who Meredith is?
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