This chapter is dedicated to Redrosefr for voting and commenting... it means a lot to me...😘😘😘

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{KEIRA'S POV}

This is the first time I'm sharing my story to someone...

"I only have a few memories of my dad as he died in an accident when I was five. After that incident my mother became weak, so for me, she got remarried because she knew that she won't last long.

One day when I was at school, the teacher came and told me that my mother had collapsed and gave me permission to leave.

I ran to the hospital but I was too late. The doctor said she couldn't make it. I was nine at that time.

On the funeral day, my stepdad brought a lady and a kid my age, I later found out that he lied to my mom.

He was happily married already and they have a kid too. He married my mom for financial stability.

Then it started, the abuse.

Sometimes they don't give me any food, beat me up when I tried to escape. They only place they let me go is to my neighbor, Mrs. Homes. She lives alone with a dog. She is the only one who has about me. Her husband died early, before they had a chance to have a child. So she takes care of me like her own, giving me my favorite meals, joking around, trying hard to make me smile.

When I'm with her I feel like I still have a family. Coming to this school I thought that things would change, but no, I don't think that my life will ever change, ever...."

By the time I finished my story I was trying like hell. But I felt some weight in my heart lifted. I sat there with Mr.Ross not saying a word.
" Your life is totally different from what I've imagined." he finally said. Then he started to think something.

After a long thought, he asked, "Do you have any skills?"

I was startled with his sudden question... "Ye..yes, I can draw and paint and...." "and....?" he asked, "and, as I tried to escape a lot, I am quite a good runner....I think." I completed.

Then he snapped his fingers said "That's it. There is a race every year before the basketball match. Only after the race,will the match start. It is something like a tradition."

I came to know what he was indicating. I smile....a smile which came from my heart....after a long time.

Mom, I found someone who stands with me. I know you wouldn't leave me alone......

"So... Miss. Scarlet, how about you participate in it. Once you get a chance everyone will start to recognize you." he says.

Huh...how????

"Umm... How, sir?"

"Miss. Scarlet, all the girls want to participate in this only for one reason, the participants will always be with the basketball team. It is a must."

WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL...

Stay with the team...

With those three....with Zay...

He's gotta be kidding me...

This can only get worse...

Just a few minutes ago the captain threatened me...

"No girl, you gotta do this. Don't forget what you said to Zay. You should do it. This is the only way to free yourself." I say to myself...

"Yes sir, I will do it, " I say to him...

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Lunchtime got over and I'm still having food all over me. I know that I have all my classes with those jerks... I can't face them today. So instead I took my stuff and left the school. When I was walking back to go home I sense stares from the people passing by and giggles from the girls who skipped school. I started feeling down.

I stood outside a shop window, my ugly reflection staring back at me. I was so deep thinking about my bad life that I didn't see two girls approach me. "Umm, excuse me..." I snap out of my thought to look at the person who just spoke 'to me'.

I see two girls my age; one with brown hair, brown eyes and a girlish look, the other one with black hair, black eyes and a boyish demeanor . " Umm, you know, we've been watching you and... you know...umm..." continues the girl with brown hair. "She is asking you to come with us. We will help you clean up. you got everyone staring at you ." the black haired girl completes.

I start to sob when I heard them. This is the first time in my life someone is helping me. "I hate my life," I whisper and I cried out loud.

Both of them start to comfort me.

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They take me to their home. Or should I say 'mansion'.

While they were driving me to their home they introduced themselves, the brunette one is Sophia Parker and the tomboyish one is Liya Williams. They said that they were friends since diapers and they just moved here from North Carolina two days ago. Also since their family is so close, the live together in one house.

Sophia takes us to her room. "I have a room next door but I usually sleep here in Soph's room since someone here is scared of 'shadows at night'," says Liya eyeing Sophia. Sophia blushes with embarrassment and throws a pillow towards Liya and Liya perfectly dodges it.

And they start the pillow fight.

I sat there laughing out loud. It felt good...laughing...it is the first time I laughed since mom died.

They stop their fight and looked at me dumbfounded, Sophia had a pink tint on her cheeks. "You have a beautiful laugh, you know. it is so melodious to hear." Sophia says and Liya nods in agreement.

"Why... why did you say that you hate your life?" Liya questions.

And I told them... my story.

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By the time I'm done with my story, I find myself in their arms, both of them crying their eyes out.

I never thought Liya was a crying type. "Umm... Guys, you're choking me." I say and we all laugh.

"You know we are in your school, I'm gonna go tomorrow and teach that b*tch and those jerks a lesson."

Lesson learned: Do not mess with Liya.

I smile ... for the first time I have friends... today consist of a lot of first times.

"Thanks for being there with me, mom."

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So it has been so long...

Finally I am done with school.. yesterday was my last day.. so I donno wat I'm gonna do now.. now I have to think about college....

Since my school is done I might publish chapters faster than before..

❤️
xxMBxx