Chapter 7 & 8 : Silent Strength
LATER THAT NIGHT
~PARK
“So you resumed today huh?”. Dwight asked smiling.
“Yeah, the school is beautiful and the students are nice”. She simply replied.
She munched on her ice cream cutely while he was lost staring at her.
“That’s all?”. He asked.
“What else were you expecting?”. She pouted.
“Nothing, just wondering if you got bullied, you’re too weak to fight back”. He said, she paused for a while but just shrugged her shoulders and continued.
It stained her mouth and she licked it off while he groaned.
“Why are you so cute?”. He muttered looking away.
“Did you say something?”. She asked.
“No I didn’t”. He replied still not looking at her.
“Let’s go”. She said after she was done.
He stood up and they left the park.
THE NEXT MORNING
~CRYSTAL HIGH
Daphne strolled into the school, she literally came very early so she can tour down the entire school before morning lectures.
She went round the school and finally got to a building “VVIP GRADE” was boldly written on it.
“Weird”. She muttered and proceeded into the building.
“Is this a house or what?”. She wondered admiring the interior decors.
She saw a door opened and she peeped through the little space and gasped.
It was a large studio room with blue lights.
She opened the door widely and proceeded into the room. She sighted a keyboard and gushed happily.
One mind keep telling her to leave while the other keep telling her to stay, she obeyed the second one and stayed.
She sat before the keyboard, apparently backing the door. She ran a major scale and cleared her throat.
She shut her eyes and decided to go for 28 by Ruth B ft Dean Lewis, she began…..
🎤 Put you first just like you wanted
🎤 Gave you me, you took for granted
🎤 Now here I am at twenty-eight
🎤 All my friends, I hardly know ’em
🎤 I don’t sing ’cause you’re still broken
🎤 I almost threw it all away
🎤 How did we go from movies on Tuesday
🎤 To all our memories packed in a suitcase?
🎤 Carried the weight for you for far too long…..
Brandon actually came early today just to make it up to his friends for leaving them behind though he’s body still aches a little.
He took pain killers which helped reduce the pains, he passed by the door and noticed it was opened.
He couldn’t hear anything because of the headphones he was putting on. He’s a lover of headphones, pods, earpiece, etc.
He walked in and was surprised to see someone there, he took off the headphones and froze immediately he heard her voice.
She stopped when she noticed someone behind her, she picked up her bag, used it to cover her face and ran out of the building in full speed without looking back.
~GRADE 12
“Never you wander off again, did you get that?”. Daphne yelled at her legs.
“That was pretty close, I almost died”. She muttered touching her chest when breathing heavily.
“Hey”. Reece greeted taking his seat.
“Hi”. She replied still panting.
“Are you okay?”. He asked and she nod.
“Wait, I should be the one asking you that. Your mood changed when that…. That…. What did she call her name again…. When that cresiq walked in”. She said and he chuckled.
“You can’t understand and don’t call her that, she might just cut off your head and bury you without the knowledge of anyone”. He said and she gasped touching her head.
“Huh? That’s too harsh and dangerous”. Daphne muttered and he nod.
“Then do well to stay away from her, she is a devil”. He whispered the last part in her ears and she screamed.
“That’s enough! That was so creepy”. She muttered and broke down in tears.
“Hey? Like seriously?”. He asked in between laughter.
“I was only joking”. He added and she frowned.
“Don’t talk to me for ten years”. She mouthed and turned to the other side without wiping her tears.
“Crybaby?”. He called, she hissed and he lost it.
He burst into laughter hitting his hand on the table repeatedly because her hiss sounds so babyish.
Marielle and her minions stood at the entrance glaring at them except Winnie who had a blank expression on.
“How about a little fun at the cafeteria at noon?”. Marielle asked smirking.
“I’m in”. Laylani smiled.
“I can’t wait”. Caitlyn squealed while Winnie said nothing.
They matched back to their grade with evil grins on their faces.
They had two classes before it was finally lunch period.
“What’s that bell for?”. Daphne asked.
“Lunch dummy”. He replied packing his bag.
She mouthed an “oh” and did the same and they left the class heading to the locker room.
~CAFETERIA
Reece and Daphne walked into the cafeteria, got their orders and took a spot.
“F*ck! It’s yummy”. Daphne said licking her lips.
She suddenly stopped and looked around with a confused look.
“What’s the matter?”. He asked looking around as well.
“I feel I have eyes on me”. She replied and he chuckled.
“Like someone’s watching you right?”. He asked and she nod.
“Could it be the girls?”. He wondered fearfully but decided to ignore it.
“Just eat, there’s no one”. He said and she nod.
The Crystal queens matched in and the students began screaming taking pictures of them.
They smirked and walked close to the Daphne and Reece’s table and kicked the table away.
“Oops! Sorry babies”. Marielle mocked.
“What do you want from us?”. Daphne asked soberly.
“And what did I tell you to do whenever you see me?”. Marielle fired.
The students did their thing, taking shots and videos.
“Bow”. Daphne replied already in tears.
~VVIP GRADE
“The cafeteria is in chaos”. Jude sighed and dropped his phone.
“Marielle right?”. Valentina spranged up.
“Who else?”. Rudy asked rolling his eyes.
“Bingo! Let’s bounce, I really want to spank those flat ass of hers”. Valentina smirked.
“Gosh! Let’s just go, I’m kinda hungry”. Brandon said softly.
They all left the building heading to the cafeteria.
The students were so engrossed that they didn’t notice when the HOT 5 entered.
“Bow before me and lick of the dirt on my shoe!”. Marielle ordered and she gasped.
“I….. can’t…. do…. it”. She stammered.
“Do it or you loose your precious hair”. Marielle smirked, Laylani and Caitlyn raised the scissors, rolling it on their index finger.
“I….”
“Chill, you’re not destined to be her saviour today”. Phillip said with a smirk.
They all took their seats without obstructing the scene before them.
Brandon kept staring at Daphne, something seems familiar in her but he just can’t pinpoint what it was.
What baffles him is the fact that he didn’t see the girl’s face from the studio, the only thing he can use to recognize her is her voice which he’s not sure he’d hear again.
Daphne went on her knees slowly but someone pulled her up roughly.
Chapter 9 & 10 : The First Day at Crystal High
Daphne went on her knees slowly but someone pulled her up roughly.
“Dwight!!!”. She called in shock.
“Who the f*ck are you?”. Marielle asked boiling.
“You don’t need to know who I am but stay off her lane and mine if you really want your dad to remain as the Vice President”. Dwight replied smirking and pulled her out.
“Nice show”. Freddie clapped with smiles on his face.
They turned around with the students and a loud gasped followed.
👥 HOT 5!!!
👥 When did they get here?
👥 Guess they didn’t miss the show after all
👥 What are we expecting next?
Marielle swiftly turned to Brandon who wasn’t even looking at her but he has his eyes fixed on Caitlyn.
She traced his glares and rushed to him, she sat on his laps and began straddling him. He only gave a blank expression without uttering a word.
“I miss you”. She whispered kissing his earlobe.
Deep down he is f*cking irritated and confused. If he reacts, the video will definitely get to his dad and if he doesn’t, it’s still the same.
“I prayed to God this morning to deliver you but I can see you’ve given your heart and soul to the devil after a one night stand”. Valentina said smirking.
“What the heck?”. Marielle screamed.
“You really don’t have to get mad because I mentioned no one’s name”. Valentina replied and Laylani made to slap her but Valentino pushed her with great force and she fell hard on her butt.
“If I were you, I’d leave with my minions and prolly wet my pillows or drag my mum here again”. Valentina added and they all burst into laughter.
Marielle stood up and threw a slice of pizza at her.
“You’re a psycho!!!!”. Marielle yelled.
“Thanks for the compliment”. Valentina winked while Marielle matched out angrily with her minions.
“I’d help take down that video”. Jude said and he shook his head.
“It’s of no use after all”. He muttered and left.
~EMPTY CLASSROOM
“You still haven’t answered my question, who are you? How come you’re a student here?”. Daphne said obviously still in shock.
“Like I said, who I am is unimportant right now! Let’s talk about you!”. Dwight snapped and she swallowed.
“If I was one minute late, you would have bowed to your mate and also lick off the dirt on her shoe right?”. He asked, she said nothing but picked on her nails.
“Answer me Daphne!!” He said raising his voice a little.
A tear dropped from her face to her finger and he sighed frustratedly.
“Gosh! Stop the damn tears Daphne!!”. He snapped and more poured out.
She hates been yelled at by someone close to her and she just couldn’t stop the tears no matter how hard it is.
“Get your head together and know this awkward attitude won’t help you in any way, you need to stand up for yourself!”. He snapped while she cried silently.
He doesn’t have it in mind to apologise to her for now, he needs to tell her the truth which he knows she would definitely come around later.
“I’m sorry”. She muttered.
“Gosh! You’re something else”. He stood up and left while she increased her tears.
Winnie who passed by the class heard cries and rushed in. She met Daphne in tears and sighed.
“Hey, are you okay?”. Winnie asked and she raised her head.
“So you’re here on behalf of your friends to hurt me right?”. She asked trying to put Dwight’s words into action but she failed at it.
“No, I’m not like them and I’m not here to hurt you”. Winnie said softly, squatted before her and wiped her tears.
“You know, I like you”. Winnie said and she blinked cutely.
“You do?”.
“Of course, you’re cute, kind, gentle and calm”. Winnie said and Daphne blushed.
“But I’m a dummy”. She muttered sadly.
“You’re not, you’re just used to being yourself and haven’t given the chance to the other side of you to take over”. Winnie replied.
“You think?”.
“Of course and trust me just keep being yourself and let the other part of show come out itself. You can’t force it, all it takes is a gradual process but nevertheless stand up for yourself, she is just jealous of your beauty”. Winnie said and she nod.
“You’re also pretty and cute, I guess she should also be jealous of that”. Daphne replied while she only smiled in return.
“I’m winnie”.
“Daphne”.
“Friends?”. Winnie asked extending her right hand for a shake.
“Friends!!”. Daphne giggled and took her hand.
“You should head back to class, it’s almost time for music class!!!”. Winnie said softly.
“Yayyyyy! See you around some other time”. Daphne winked and ran out.
“She’s cute”. Winnie smiled and also left but bumped into Freddie.
“Hey beautiful”. He greeted and she could hear her heartbeats.
She tried walking away but he grabbed her hands and pulled her back staring deep into her eyes.
She looked into his eyes and couldn’t tell what emotions his eyes held. She swiftly jerked his hand off and he frowned.
“Stay away from me!! Is that too hard for you obey?”. She asked and he smiled moving closer.
“I’m afraid it’s too difficult to obey, I wa…..”.
“Tell that to the dogs”. She replied sternly and left. He bit his lips hard and stared at her till she left.
~MUSIC CLASS
The large hall was filled up with all the students, no one dares to miss any of the class because the teacher is highly disciplined and strict.
Only music class, extracurricular activities and the likes brings all the students together. He could have chosen to take them separately but he see all of them as one kind.
“Good afternoon students”. Mr Rogers said and they all echoed a response.
“We stopped……”. The entering of the Crystal Queens distracted the class but surprisingly Winnie wasn’t with them, she came earlier to save her ass from trouble but she ended up sitting beside Freddie who wouldn’t stop pestering her.
“What made you think you can walk into my class anytime?”. He asked.
“We have the best vocals here, we know everything so we don’t have to attend classes but we have to because you’d take it out on our result”. Marielle replied and he chuckled.
“What made you especially think you have the best vocal?”. He asked again.
“I’m simply the best”. She replied proudly and walked to her seat with the rest.
“Let’s see”. He muttered with a smirk.
“Get off”. She told the lucky lady who got to seat beside Brandon.
She stood up immediately and Valentina moved to the seat within a twinkle of an eye and smirked.
“Hey……”
“Find somewhere to seat young lady and stop distracting the class!!”. He ordered and she sat somewhere else with the urge to rip out Valentina’s heart.
HOURS LATER
“That would be the end of today’s class, ensure you do your assignments and submit them before the next class, Good day”. He said and left the class.
Laylani between gritted teeth and clenched fists approached Freddie, Winnie who wasn’t aware of her presence continued scribbling down things in her notepad.
“Hi Freddie”. Laylani said and Winnie gripped the pen tight upon hearing her voice.
“Hi”. He simply replied not sparing her a glance.
She tried touching him but he threw her an awful look which made her retreat.
Winnie stood up, packed her bag and tried leaving but Freddie pulled her to sit on his laps.
Winnie widened her eyes in shock as she tried standing up but he held her tight.
Laylani who was boiling inside glared hatefully at Winnie.
She tried standing up again and he turned her face to himself.
“I’d kiss you if you try to stand again”. Freddie said with a serious look while Winnie froze.
Chapter 11 & 12 : Marielle’s Intimidation and Daphne’s Fear
“I’d kiss you if you try to stand again”. Freddie said with a serious look while Winnie froze.
They both stared at themselves till Laylani stormed out of the hall angrily.
They stare was a short one because she looked away immediately.
He turned her face back and leaned closer, she gripped her skirt tight as her breathing became tensed, her heart beating faster and louder.
He placed his lips gently on hers and her whole body vibrated.
She regained her senses and pushed him off, she got off him, picked up her bag and ran away.
He smirked and licked his lips gently before leaving as well.
4:30PM
~MCKENZIE’S MANSION
“Mum I’m home!!”. Lucy yelled but got no response.
“Guess she is not home today! Yayyy!”. She giggled dancing around the house.
Daphne walked in on her dancing and was confused for a minute.
“What’s going on?”. She asked and Lucy pretended not to hear her.
“Lucy, what’s going?”. She asked again.
“And how is that your business? Spare me all your shitty questions, I have a party to attend”. Lucy said running to her room.
“Lucy, you can’t go for any party, they would be home soon!!”. Daphne yelled but what gave her a response was the thunderous slam of her door.
“Heaven knows I tried stopping her!”. Daphne sighed and went to her room.
Her phone rang immediately and she hurriedly picked it up.
📞 “Hey doll”.
📞 “Dwight!!!”. She giggled.
📞 “Are you home?”. He asked.
📞 “Yes, you were mad at me, so I just left”. She replied.
📞 “Gosh Daphne! I was mad at you but that doesn’t mean I’d give you silent treatment”. He said.
📞 “I know! I just didn’t want to bother you but I’m fine now, I guess”. She replied and he chuckled.
📞 “Good to heart that, so would you be out tonight?”. He asked and she sighed.
📞 “Of course, how would I cater for my needs if I don’t work?”. She asked in reply but he kept quiet.
📞 “You still haven’t told me who you are and how you……”
📞 “See you later doll”. He interrupted and hanged up.
She sighed and dropped her phone, pulled off her uniform and left for the bathroom.
~BOBBY’S MANSION
Marielle paced to and fro around her room thinking of how to upgrade her look and voice.
Secretly, all she got in mind is to hit the spotlight and break the record.
No doubts, she is better than the rest of the Crystal Queens but Winnie’s voice keeps getting better day by day.
“Or should I just take Winnie down?”. She wondered.
Winnie has the best voice but they don’t let her use it, she is always forced to use a bad voice to sing which she has to obey to stay alive because she owns Winnie’s life.
“Then I’d take down that new b*tch! No one must be prettier than me, no one must have the best voice than me”. She said and picked up her phone.
“Time to get this all done”. She muttered with a smirked dialing her dad’s line.
~GREY’S MANSION
“Back in this dungeon”. He hissed and left for his brother’s room.
“Carl?”. He called entering his room.
“Big bro is that you?”. Carl asked in tears.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”. He asked rushing to his bed.
He raised his shirt showing his injured back and Freddie gasped.
“That monster did this to you right?”. He asked already getting angry.
“Because I refused to call him dad”. Carl said and broke down into another round of hot tears.
“Let’s get this treated first”. He said and carried him in his hands.
He left the house and drove him straight to the hospital, one could tell how angry he is but keeping calm just for his brother who is always frightened at little things.
NIGHT
~BAR HOUSE
“I thought I told you not to return”. The manager said but she said nothing.
“Sir, please, just give me back my job, I’m now in school I have to make ends meet or else I’d be a dropout again”. She cried and he sighed.
“Fine! Get to your feet and start working”. He did and walked away.
“Thank you sir!”. She yelled after him before running off to work.
“Thank goodness”. She sighed and resumed work.
~GREY’S MANSION
Freddie and Carl got back to the house and met their dad in the living room pressing his laptop.
“Go to your room, I’d handle this”. Freddie said and he ran to his room in fear.
“What do you have to say about what you did to him?”. Freddie asked.
“He got what he wanted”. His dad said and he chuckled.
“You know you’re nothing but a monster! You hit mum till you killed her! What else do you want? Why don’t you just kill us as well, maybe you’d feel better!!!!!!!!!”. Freddie screamed and he sighed.
“Your mum deserves it for sleeping around”. He replied.
“Or you meant to say you did the sleeping around, yet you hit her day and night with series of blames! Humanity is ashamed of you!”. Freddie slat and he groaned.
“Don’t you ever talk to me about your mum! She deserves it and the only thing I regret is me not feeding her alive to the hyenas”. He barked and Freddie took his laptop and smashed it angrily.
His dad boiled in anger and made to attack him but was quick to dodge it.
“You expect your sons to call you dad but you’re nothing but a monster that doesn’t belong here! I’d stop at nothing till I see your downfall, mark my words!!!”. Freddie spat and left for his room.
“That ungrateful son of mine”. He groaned and stormed out.
Freddie and his brother are no difference from an orphan, Freddie was just 10 while his brother was 4 when their mum died. He watched his dad stab his mum to death but couldn’t do anything.
What could he had done?
He couldn’t even report the case to the police because his dad cleared every trace and tormented them till he was 19 and decided to stand for himself and his brother. He couldn’t share his pain with anyone because he felt no one cares.
He vowed to bring down his dad by all means even if he has to lay down his life to achieve that. His playboy attitude was part of what his dad forced him to do, he taught him to love no one but he believes he’s not as evil as his dad.
NEXT MORNING
~CRYSTAL HIGH
Daphne rushed into the school, she was pretty late and the first class is already ongoing.
She bumped into someone and fell hard on the floor with a deep cut on her knee.
“Arrgh!!”. She cried out in pain shutting her eyes tight.
“I’m sorry!”. Brandon said squatting to her level.
“Let me get to the school clinic”. He offered and she nod still crying.
They haven’t taken up to three steps when Dwight appeared.
“I’d take it from here”. Dwight said and he hesitated for a while before handing her over.
“Thanks, I’d come check on her later”. Brandon said and left, Dwight rolled his eyes and also left with her in his arms.
~VIP GRADE
Laylani ran in angrily and punched Winnie twice on the face, she grabbed her hair and twisted it forcefully, she winced in pains and struggled with her.
“You motherfcking btch!!!!!”. Laylani screamed and kicked her hard on the face.
“Laylani! That’s enough, you’d kill her!!!”. Caitlyn screamed but she turned deaf ears.
Winnie fell hard on the floor trying to catch her breath but that wasn’t all. Laylani sat on her stomach and threw excess punch, spat and bit her hard till she fell unconscious.
“Foolish thing!”. She spat again before kicking her away.
~CLINIC
Brandon came as promised to check on her, she was fast asleep when he got in and sighed in relief.
“Glad you’re fine”. He said and dropped the lunch he got for her. He took a last glance at her face before leaving.
~VVIP GRADE
They had two more classes before the bell for the close of the day rang.
“I’d be back”. Brandon said and left hurriedly.
“Same here”. Freddie said and also left.
“Something is up, don’t you think?”. Rudy asked with a concern look.
“Yeah……”. Phillip agreed.
Freddie left for the VIP GRADE, he was worried, he remembered seeing Winnie in the morning but she wasn’t with the girls all through the day. He doesn’t he even know his feelings for her, all he knows is that he likes being around her.
He ran in and met her struggling to stand up, he rushed to her and gasped.
“Who did this to you?”. He asked.
“Just leave!”. She said without answering his question.
“Who the f*ck did this to you?”. He asked again holding her hands but she yanked his hands off and faced him.
“Leave and never return!”. She said coldly and he frowned.
“Where is that coming from?”. He asked trying to touch her again but she shifted away from him.
“Don’t you get it? Stay away from me! I hate you! I hate your presence! I hate everything….”
He interrupted her with a kiss holding her neck firmly.
She pulled out immediately and landed two consecutive slap on his face.