I turned around to my name being shouted.

Ashlyn - To the principal's office?

The guy nodded.
Everyone were shouting and hooching to tease me.
I looked at Drew who was shouting even louder and glared at him.

Ashlyn - Would be nice if you tone it down.

He stopped shouting and I went out.
I was nervous even though I didn't do anything but I know it's going to be okay.
I knocked and heard an "come in".
I entered to find Jay-Jay and Keifer with some Section D students.

Principal - Miss Rey,do you know why you are here?

Ashlyn - I am not sure...

Principal - Alright,you are called here for using violence with your classmates here onto the students of Section D.

I was shocked.
I hit these guys? They were the one who chocked me on that day.

Ashlyn - But I never even hit them!

My voice was abit loud as I felt so unfair.

Principal - Please don't shout,explain yourself...you are given the chance.

Ashlyn - I wasn't even present yesterday,I took a leave to rest...so,how would I hit them?

Guy 5 - Liar! Look at my shoulder...you stabbed me with the pen.

Principal - How would you explain that,Miss Rey?

Ashlyn - That day I had to defend myself cause he strangled me...but I never used violence without a reason and that too yesterday cause I wasn't present.

Principal - Okay,please take a seat...I'll call your class teacher for the verification.

I nodded and sat down in the space between Jay and Keifer.

Jay-Jay - It's okay,you were absent yesterday...you'll be left off.

I nodded.

Ashlyn - I know.

She put the telephone down saying a "thank you".

Principal - Sir Alvin confirmed that you were absent yesterday...I would like to apologize to you Ashlyn,and Section D! You guys will be punished for lying and wasting the class time of an opposite student.

They hanged their heads down.

Principal - You may go now,Miss Rey.

I nodded and went out.
I walked out of the room to my classroom.
I came inside trying not to disturb the class as much as I can but they were distracted.

Ashlyn - Sorry,Mrs Cindy.

I apologized for the noise and went to my seat.
The class was done and without wasting a minute everyone surrounded my seat.

Ashlyn - What? Did I do something wrong?

Felix - Why were you called to the office?

Ashlyn - About yesterday,ofcourse...I refused any false allegations,she verified that I was absent yesterday and let me off.

Felix - Must be Freya's plan to get you into this.

Eman - Or Noah.

Ashlyn - Could be anyone...but I'll get back at them.

They nodded their heads.

Yuri - What about Keifer and Jay-Jay?

Ashlyn - Jay-Jay told me she is taking the blame...she needs to call her guardian.

Ci-N - Then she'll have to call her older cousin...

They nodded.

Ashlyn - Is it bad?

Felix - I don't think so...don't worry.

Eman - Right...She'll be fine.

I nodded and everyone went to their places.
Jay-Jay came in the middle to pick her bag and go to her house.

Ashlyn - Hey,you good?

She nodded.

Jay-Jay - Angelo was called,he's angry at me.

Ashlyn - That's understandable,are you going home?

She nodded.

Jay-Jay - Yeah,Angelo wanted me to go home and I was suspended too.

Ashlyn - Shit! For how many days?

Jay-Jay - Just for an week,don't worry...I'll be back soon.

I nodded feeling bad that I have to be alone.

Ci-N - Jay! I'm gonna miss you alot.

Ashlyn - Kid! Don't cause a whole ruckus while I'm out.

He nodded putting his hands on my shoulder.
Jay-Jay went to her house.
How do I survive alone!?

Next day

I walked into the classroom knowing Jay-Jay wouldn't be there.

I scanned the classroom and saw Eman.
I went to my seat and sat down.
Suddenly I felt someone sit beside me in the empty seat of Jay-Jay,it was Eman.

Ashlyn - Huh?

Eman - What? Can't I sit beside you?

I shook my head.

Ashlyn - No...it's just you came here so sudden.

Eman - I know,let me fill in the spot of Jay-Jay while I get the chance.

I turned towards the board blushing.
David was sitting beside me and Ci-N with Felix just beside Eman.
It was nice but also awkward at the same time.
The classes went on and it's the break now.

Ci-N - Oh! I wish Jay-Jay was here...I'm so hungry,Ash! Do you have anything to eat?

Ashlyn - No,and I am elder than you! Give me respect,kiddo.

Ci-N - Come on,you are only months older than me and I was just born a little after you.

Ashlyn - Doesn't matter,kiddo.

He sighed giving me a done look which I didn't care for at all.
I stretched out my hand.

Ci-N - What?

Ashlyn - Give me money and tell me what you want,I'll get it.

He put his hands into his pockets and took out only empty hands.

Ci-N - Nothing!

He said pouting.
Seriously? This kid.
David put some money into my hand.

David - Get me some food,I am hungry.

With that,few kept their money too for food too.
Denzel and Ci-N hadn't put anything yet as they don't have money.
I walked to the cafeteria as I wasn't banned nor Jay-Jay was.
I entered he cafeteria and ordered the food,it's going to be so hard to carry them!

Ashlyn - Thank you!

I said picking up the food.
I paid for Ci-N and Denzel...cause no one should be left hungry,right?

I was almost going to slip when someone held me.

Rakki - Oy,careful.

Ashlyn - Thank you,I really can't see well as these are blocking my sight.

Rakki - It's okay,do you want me to help you?

Ashlyn - Oh! Thank you but it's okay.

Rakki - Really? I can help.

Ashlyn - No,it's fine.

She nodded giving me a way.
I made sure to watch my step and went inside to the class.
I was going inside and was as careful as possible when to my worst luck I bumped into Eman.

Eman - Woah! Careful!

I felt his hands on my waist.
Some of the lunch boxes fell down.
I quickly got out of his grip and picked up the boxes.
Luckily the food was tightly packed and there was no spilling.

Eman - You could've asked me to wait outside to carry some..

Ashlyn - If you had the intention then I don't even have to ask for help...

Eman stared at me while just then Felix came.

Felix - Are you alright?

I nodded.

Ashlyn - It's just boxes.

He nodded and helped me get some to the table.
I sat beside Felix and to the opposite of Eman.

Keifer - There are two extras...did the server made a mistake?

Ashlyn - No,I got them.

Felix - Did you want them to take home? I'm telling you these food would smell real bad soon,don't eat them later.

Ashlyn - I'm not taking them home either...

Felix - Then why?

Ashlyn - It felt too cruel to eat while they starve...

Felix - They won't die for not eating lunch.

Keifer - Exactly,just get for the people who give you money.

Yuri - You make them look like beggars too.

It was just so disgusting of them to speak like that.
I could see Denzel getting abit dull.

Ashlyn - I'm not making them look like beggars! It's you who is making them look like beggars.

Felix - Ash...stop it,let's not start a fight now.

I didn't even respond to him.

Ashlyn - It is you who made them this vulnerable where they are looked down by other sections and where they can't even get food with their own money.

Keifer - Me?

Ashlyn - Yes! And you too! How harsh is it to eat while they are hungry? Why should they be treated like that by us?

Keifer - They'll learn to get money later on.

Ashlyn - As if! Do you know if all their families are in good state? Maybe it is the reason they don't or something is happening within their families...just be kind,it's not that hard.

Ci-N - It's okay,it's my fault for not getting money...I'll not forget again.I'll repay once I get money tomorrow.

Ashlyn - Just eat! Don't be picky and finish it all,that's enough of a repayment.

Ci-N - Okay mom!

He said giggling and others started laughing too.
He really does change the mood.
I smiled at him as he ate,Denzel still looking at the food dully.

Ashlyn - Denzel! Don't you want to repay me?

Denzel looked at me and smiled lightly.
I could say he was sad.
Others beside him persuaded to eat and he started eating.
I totally forgot about my anger towards Keifer and Yuri.

Why am I getting so sensitive these days? Must be puberty.
Our lunch was done and we were walking back to our classroom.

Felix - You know,you are getting quite very sensitive about stuff...you keep fighting with Keifer and Yuri,I'm not saying that your point is wrong but constant fights would only increase enemity between us who needs to best friends.

Ashlyn - I know but I just can't stop being sensitive...and somehow since I've been to this school,I'm always triggered.

Felix - I get it but...try controlling it,okay? If your fight next time is really worth it then I'll fight with you too.

He looked into my eyes.
I nodded,it was kind of comforting cause this time it didn't feel like he was lecturing me but it felt like a brother taking care of me.
I smiled at him.

Past

TW!

Traveling back to 4 years before.
11 years old Ashlyn was sitting lonely while others were having their dinner.
It was the time when the Ashlyn was still in Philippines until the same year she had to shift to Germany.
Felix and Percy beside her and the parents opposite to them.

Felix's mom - Honey,I know what she did was wrong but it was just a game...we can punish her but let's not starve her.

Dad - No...I get what you mean but this is how I want to discipline my child.

Percy - D-Dad...Please let her have dinner.

He said even though he himself was scared of his dad.
His dad glared at him and he hanged his head down.
Little Ashlyn couldn't help the tears falling down.
She felt like an outcast in her own family.
The only thing she did was play outside for more than her curfew timings.

Ashlyn - Dad,sorry...I won't play for more than the set timings again,I'm really hungry.

Poor girl only played for more 20 minutes cause her friends pressured her to or else they would never speak to her again.
It was just hard for the girl to not refuse cause she wanted to protect the friendships as she never had friends.

Dad - Shut up! If I asked you to get punished then get punished...I know what I'm doing is right! You think I am the uneducated! Go and stand in the corner!

He shouted at the girl as if she didn't have a reason to cry already.
She stood up and went to the corner and sobbed.

Dad - Look at that brat! Took her mom away from my child and me but still dares to ask for food.

Ashlyn could'nt even cry out loud for her mom.
She blamed herself everyday,no exceptions for any day.
Blamed herself more on her birthday.
Only if people knew how she was treated,they would understand more on why she was very senstive about few topics.
They would maybe understand more about why she was so skinny and why she would starve herself when she felt that she made a mistake.