After agonizing 15 continuous rounds and endless stares and glares the day had ended. It was terrible I had got painted over, humiliated and it seemed that my humiliation was going to be continued at least for a few days. The question was how was I going to handle it. By sitting and crying, naaah.By asking for forgiveness, definite naah. By fighting back? That was one interesting one but then their pranks would only increase. The ball was in their court I had to wait for my opportunity.
I met Ray outside the main campus building he didn't talk much. I tried to do small talk but to no avail. We reached the parking area. When I least expected it Ray burst out.

" How the hell did you even do that?".

" Do what?"

" Lift a guy twice your size and wrestle him to ground, I had so many things going on in the morning that I didn't think of it but how could you possibly do that without training".
I wanted to tell him the truth but I couldn't so I told him what was close to the truth.

" My dad has a friend Micheal, he taught me fighting, in fact, I know boxing and even sword fighting".

" Swordfighting?"

" Yes sword fighting, he was a trainer, Micheal specializes in many things, even now we have a dual sometimes".

" Okay, why didn't you tell me? ".

" There are many things about me that you don't know, you will get to know them eventually " I said speaking the truth.

" Three years is a lot of time "

" Yes it is ", I said hopping on the scooty.

" You know what happened today is nothing compared to what's going to happen ".

" What's going to happen ".

" I don't know, I only know it will get worse, they don't stop until they break the self-respect of the person against them ".

" How do they even get admitted here?".

" Winston's High is called the school of the rich, the same question is asked by them, it's their territory ".

"What if we stay together and fight?".

" Rose I had already warned you, there is no use messing with them. Do you want to end up failing classes?".

" How will I fail classes?".

" You didn't see how the teachers listen to them, they have to, they will get to any lengths to fire them or to bring their reputation to dust ".

" Does no one do anything about it?".

" You did, didn't you, and here are you now, you do it again it gets worse. We have responsibilities Rose, we shouldn't get involved in childish play".

" Is that why you burn up in anger when they did this to me ".

"It's because you matter !". He shouted and I fell quiet I hadn't expected it. I didn't know what to think.

" Believe it or not Rose, you do matter, even though it's been only a few days you are family now ".

" And you are mine " I said laying my head on his back.

" Does it get any better ". I asked

" You will have your friends to support you and soon they will find someone new to torture and you will be nobody ".

          We stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. I went straight up for a shower. My face was still red from the paint and I was all sweaty from the run. I let the water hit me and wondered how had I and Ray become close. Was it the shared jokes at the dinner table. Was it how we spent hours talking about books or was it the fact that we both had lost our mothers. But somewhere it felt right. Maria and Ray had become a family. In some weird way we all needed each other. I pressed my uniform, today was the day of firsts. I dried my hair let them open. Applied little makeup and decided to leave my specks.No one would be expecting the real me to work as a waitress.
I put on the uniform. It was very form fitting. The shirt was maroon coloured and half sleeved, it had a little cross tie. The skirt was black and came above the knees but was comfortable to walk. I went down, Ray was wearing a matching uniform but he had a black pant and bow tie. He was looking handsome I wondered how he would look in a suit. We were required to wear back heels and black shoes I had luckily brought a pair with me. Ray was sitting in front of tv drinking tea and telling Maria something. Maria had a shocked look in her eyes. They hear my footsteps and Maria exclaimed.

" You look lovely".

" Thank you".

" How did you put that boy down, what's his name, Ray "

" Derek".

" I see someone has been gossiping" I said looking at Ray.

" Oh no dear, Ray was getting me to explain it to you that you shouldn't do that again, you shouldn't in his words ' mess with the richies'.

" I got it Maria I wo...".

" No no, listen to me " she was looking at me with all seriousness, " on the contrary, I want you to teach them a lesson"

" Maa!!"

" Shut up Ray ".

" Teach them a lesson, but using your brain, you shouldn't be silent when one of your batchmates is getting beaten up, whatever be the consequences fight, but remember you have a lot at stake and they have nothing, I'm proud of you," she said hugging me tightly.I hugged her back.

" And now we won't have to be worried about bugler's " she said winking at me.

" Rose, please they are going to be doing this for a long time if you react against them. They will make it worse believe me ".

" I won't do anything till it has to do with me, I'll keep quiet but if they as much as try to lay a finger on people that matter to me I won't have it ".
Ray sighed.

" Don't worry Ray, I was rash today it won't happen again".

" You could have gotten expelled, Rose".

" I know " I said looking at my hands.

" The only reason they didn't do that because they want to tell everyone what happens when one of us stands in their way ".

" Don't be upset Ray, I couldn't stand there watching, I had to do something, I'm stronger than this "

" I hope you are "

" Hey now, want to try me " I said taking the boxing stance.

    Both of them laughed and we left for Dark Temptations.Ray explained everything to me again, though he had done the explaining a few times already.

" By no means disrespect a customer"

" Whatever happens speak politely"

" Take care of what they need, you will be given tables the customers on these tables will be your responsibility".

" When they snap fingers, it means they usually want something".

" Always address them as sir and madam, even if they are younger than you "

       The list went on and on.When we reached I was given a small apron and a notepad, table number 3,10 and 14 were assigned to me. Soon it was rush time and the restaurant became crowded. I stumbled while talking the first time but I got the hang of it. Take orders, get it to the kitchen, carry food. The first two orders were simple so I had to carry just one dish. The next one was tricky as I had to carry three dishes. Ray had taught me how to hold them and after breaking 3 -4 of Maria's dishes I had finally learned. It was still wobbly but as the evening went past I fully got in my role. I and Ray could hardly talk but we shared our occasional smiles and gossips.
I had taken a break to go to the washroom. When I returned Ray looked worried.

" They are here "

" Who ?"

" The richies', all of them Charlotte, Veronica everyone, they are sitting at the joint table ".

" That's not my table why are you worried ".

" Because they will ask for you Rose if they see you, I know how it works ".

One of the other waitresses rushed towards us " Table three that's your table right they are calling you."

" I'll look after it, you stay here ".

" Ray all your tables are full, don't worry nothing will go wrong".

I took a deep breath and went to table three. It was an old woman and I had to bend to listen to her "There is not enough sugar in this coffee ".

" I'll get it right away ma'am " I went and got here sugar and asked her how many lumps would she like. I attended to her when the same waitress from before tapped my shoulder.

" Table 11 asked for you".

" I'm sorry, but it's not my table".

" I know, it's mine but they specifically asked for you". I turned to look who occupied table 11 and it was what I had expected.Veronica sat almost on Mark's lap. One or two other girls sat gossiping along with Derek and one other guy whom I had not seen before. He had brown eyes squarish face, a gold chain around his neck, and blond hair. He looked straight at me and smirked. Charlotte and Ashley were flirting with him.I put up my most fake smile and asked them.

" What would you like ?"

    None of them replied Mark looked up. He looked at me from my face to my toes almost staring at me, I couldn't help but return his stare, there was amusement in his eyes an expression which I thought didn't belong there. Veronica saw Mark looking at me and turned his face to give him a deep kiss. I averted my eyes and looked down. Veronica continued kissing him till Mark pushed her away slightly.
I asked them again " what would you like sir and madam ".
Still, I got no answer, I was being completely ignored this time. I opened my mouth again

" What would you..... "

" Ok cutie, get me steak medium rare and an orange juice freshly squeezed" the guy with the gold chain said fixing his eyes on my hips.

I tried to cover up and glare at him but he didn't care he continued staring it was making me very uncomfortable, I had no other option but to take other orders.

" Get us three salads". Charlotte replied.

" Which salad ma'am ".

" The ones that are on the menu
Duh " Charlotte said.

" There are 25 salads in our menu ma'am, which one would you like ".

" Get me the one that has least calories "

" Ok ma'am "

" Would you like anything ma'am, sir?" I said looking at Veronica and Mark.

" Get me a ham sandwich " Mark said flatly.

" Get me something that has the zero calories, and make it quick, you know I want to look perfect " Veronica said showing me her teeth.

" Ma'am, we don't have anything that has zero calories, why don't you try our salads," I said.

" Don't you teach me, if you don't have anything with zero calories make it, I don't care. If you don't I will personally talk to the manager and get you fired". She said shouting at me, every single person was looking at me and I had started to get an angry flush.

Veronica had tested my patience today. But I had to be smart, she was just doing this to get on my nerves. I got the order ready and gave it in the kitchen telling them to be quick. I put the stake in front of the gold chained guy.

" Stake for you, three salad for each of you, a ham sandwich and for you madam, the thing with zero calories " I said putting a glass of water in front of her.

" What's this ".

" This is a glass of water, I assure you it has zero calories " I said smiling sweetly.

Mark bust out laughing and so did the other boy. Veronica looked at me viscously but I knew there was nothing she could do.

" All right get me an en glas wasser, with a bit of lemon " she said giving me a smirk.

All of the richies' looked at her curiously, if she thought she could try to be smart by saying a glass of water in German and get me asking her again what it meant, she didn't know how wrong she was. I was fluent in French and German and two other languages. So I went to the kitchen got a glass of water with lemon and brought it back.

" Here madame 'un verre d'eau,euse " I said rapidly. Mark looked at me and again started laughing I guess he knew french.I had called her a snob .

" What do you say, you called me something didn't you, Mark what did she say ".

" I didn't ma'am, I just gave you what you requested, I'm here at your service just give me a call if you need anything ".

I wanted to bash the goldie boy's head, he couldn't stop staring at my hips and it was getting on my nerves, so I left.

I was called again, again I saw him staring but I controlled myself " what is it ?"

" Aren't you a bit rude for a waitress, did you forget your tone ". Veronica said threatening.

" I'm sorry ma'am, what is that you need ?" My purse fell down, get it for me.

The purse was at her feet, I reluctantly bent down and got it for her.

" Be careful don't get your dirty hands near my Gucci "

"Here, she took out four dollar bills, this will help you pay your fees won't it " she threw it to the ground stepped on it.

I could sense my anger, I didn't move I could see Ray getting worried. I looked at him gave a smile and silently picked them up.

" Is he your boyfriend, suits you" she said laughing.

I cleaned the notes and put them in my pocket.

" You should thank me you know for those "

" Thankkk youu" I said quivering in anger.

" Opps " she said spilling the glass of water.

" I guess you will have to clean it up, but then I already paid you didn't I ". She smirked.

I went haughtily and grabbed a cleaning cloth, Ray stopped me" take deep breaths, Rose deep breaths, you need this job ".

Never in life had I felt so helpless. I cleaned it silently.

" We are done here " Charlotte said and they all left. All through this both, the boys were silent. One was busy staring at my ass, the other was busy flirting. While going Mark pushed me
" He really does suit you" he said and left. The goldie boy spanked me and I was outraged. I was about to break his arm when Ray stopped me.I was fuming in rage.Later that night I imagined shooting arrows at each one of their heads.