Cassie’s P.O.V

Her body aches. Everywhere aches like she was pounded with mortals. She could hardly move her body. She didn’t bothered trying to stand up at all as she lay on the couch staring at the ceiling. Apart from those times she ran away from home, this was her first time spending time outside – in an uncomfortable area. And she missed her mother so much. She wondered how she must be feeling at the moment; did she also miss her or was she glad to give her away to these people. 

“You’re awake. Stand up, let me guide you to where you will take your bath”

Cassie turned her back to her. 

She heard a sigh, “This is not the time to be stubborn. I’ve to go to work, and I need to register you at the school you will be attending, unless you want to take a break from school and repeat.”

Cassie frowned; there was no way she would truly repeat her just because she refused to get dressed for school, right?

When she didn’t respond, she heard her mother tsked, “Fine. If that’s what you want, I will gladly tell them to hold you back for a year.”

She turned to leave when Cassie jumped up on her seat temporarily forgetting about the body pains, “Are you serious?”

Her mother arched her brows, “Does it look like I am joking? I won’t force you to do what you don’t want to.”

Cassie stood up and stopped in front of her. For her age, she was tall, so she stood the same height as her mother. “Was that the way you trained Moyo, or is this a special treatment reserved for me alone?”

Her mother did not respond; instead she bit her lower lips and blinked. When she spoke again her voice shook, “Meet me outside if you decided to attend school.”

For some moment, Cassie stood still in the living room. She blinked back tears that threatened to fall wondering if she really did deserved to be abandoned here.

After some moment, she went outside to meet her mother. “What do I do?”

Honestly, her mother hadn’t expected her to truly come, but she said that to scare her a bit while praying she would actually come. She was glad it actually worked out. 

“Let’s get you ready for school. I promise it’s one of the best out here.”

Cassie nodded, although she doubted it was going to be anything like her school, but she needed somewhere she could think that was different from this place. If only she had brought her phone. 

“Can I get a phone?” She asked suddenly making her mother stop in her steps. She looked back at Cassie. 

“I will get you a phone on my way back from work.”

Cassie eyes widened. She hadn’t expected it was going to be that easy to get a phone from her mother. 

“Thank you.”

Getting ready for her so called school was hell. The bathroom was so tiny and there was no running water; they had to bring in water from somewhere else. The toilet was a different story entirely; she wondered how people were comfortable using it. And she discovered they weren’t the only ones living in her house. They had more neighbors – noisy neighbors. 

All in all, her morning was hell that she couldn’t stomach anything on the way to her new school. Instead of wearing one of Moyo’s clothes like her mother had suggested, she left to school with the same cloth she had worn the previous day. It was way better than the beggar clothes they asked her to wear. 

If she was going to be spending time here, she would need some new clothes. 

There was nothing pleasant about her day. Her ride to the new school was horrible. It was a bit far and the cab driver played loud music like he didn’t have passengers in his cab. 

Cassie wanted to talk but her mother stopped her from saying a word. 

There was only one word Cassie would use in defining her new school – trash – and she wasn’t in class yet. 

Her mother took her through the registration process and although the school didn’t want to admit her because section was on, she was able to convince them with more money. 

At last she was a registered student at Crown’s field. 

“This is one of the best schools here. I hope you will like it.”

Cassie already knew she wouldn’t like it, but she nodded. 

Her mother left and she was shown to her classroom. The class was crowded unlike her former class. After introducing herself, it was a bit hard for her to find a decent seat in the class, but after a while, she was finally able to find a seat at the back. 

She hadn’t settled when a guy beside her started whispering, “Xup, beauty.”

Cassie ignored him; he looked tattered to her and can’t compete with the kind of guys she associate with. She wondered if Moyo might be getting closer to Aaron. The thought alone brought with it unwanted headache making her groan loudly. 

“What’s that?”

The guy turned towards her as if he wanted to sit close to her. Cassie turned away from him but he moved towards her other direction. “Don’t be shy, beauty. You’ll need me if you want to survive in this school.”

The last thing Cassie needed was to associate with these riff-raffs, so she ignored him again and slept on the chair. When the teacher came in, she didn’t bother standing up. 

It was not surprising to her that the teacher didn’t bother waking her up. The classes were long but she hardly notices that as she was in and out of sleep.

At the end of the day, she didn’t learn a single day, and thankfully most of the students ignored her except from Mr. Annoying. 

Her mother had given her a token to use in transporting back home. 

“Where do you live?”

Mr. Annoying was back, but this time on a motor bike. She squint her eyes at him. 

Isn’t Motorbike dangerous?

And was student supposed to be allowed to use motor bike in school?

She ignored him. 

He smirked, patting the back of his bike, “You know I can actually give you a ride back home.”

For the first time, she gave him attention. “Can you?”

“Anything you say, beauty.”

Cassie smiled. It might not be a bad idea to have a lackey here.