"Hurry up I am going to be late for classes," I shouted, banging on the door.
"I am almost done," Bryan shouted back.
Sighing, I walked towards the living room, plowing down on the cushion.
"Good morning," Brenda greeted from the kitchen, where she currently was with Kelvin.
"Morning," I greeted back.
Ah yes, it seems they were back together for now, who knows what would happen in the next seconds.
I didn't understand their relationship, and was even more confused when Brenda tried to explain to me the dynamics of their relationship.
Kelvin cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding my eyes as he walked towards his room.
I didn't know if this sudden awkwardness between me and Kelvin was a good thing or not.
Last week, we had been arguing about something as usual and Kelvin had pushed me against the wall, his large body towering over me.
I don't know what happened, but next thing I was hysterical, crying and stuff like that.
It was as if I was back at the lounge, that drunk man taking advantage of me.
I guess I wasn't as unaffected as I had led myself to believe.
Bryan and Brenda had rushed in, trying to calm me down while Kelvin had stood there wide eyed and confused.
I had been so embarrassed to see everyone the next day, and till now haven't told Brenda what happened.
In some ways, maybe Brandon was right.
If only I hadn't stopped when that man stopped me, or even responded when he asked for my name, maybe I wouldn't have been sexually assaulted.
"Are you ok?" Brenda asked, snapping me from Whatever daze I had been in.
"Yes, just tired. Classes have been really overwhelming lately."
"I understand girl, that's exactly why I am skipping today."
I snapped my head towards Brenda.
"Really Brenda, you can't keep skipping classes every time. This is your fourth time this week."
She shrugged her shoulders, chewing the fries on her plate, before swiping through the TV channels.
"Hey yo, am done," Bryan called.
Sighing, I stood up, briefly contemplating just skipping like Brenda.
Heaven knows I need the rest more.
Well I had promised myself not to slack off on my studies or attending lectures.
College was really different, no one to disturb you if you didn't want to attend lectures, or do anything productive.
So it was up to you, to discipline yourself.
With that in mind, I went to the bathroom, took my bath, the dilemma of what to wear another obstacle.
I eventually decided on some creme colored cargo trousers and a white tee, something simple but still cute. I paired it with an oversized cardigan in case it got windy.
I packed my bag with my essentials, checked the time, before walking out of my room. Brenda was still lounging lazily on the couch, typing on her phone.
"Hey um see you later," I told her.
"Yea later babe," she responded, not even glancing up from her phone.
I just shaked my head, walking out of the house.
The air was a bit chilly, and for that I was glad i brought my cardigan. I knew later in the day, it might get more chilly.
I put my AirPods in, the extraordinarily voice of Sza blasting through my eardrums. I went into the nearest shop, grabbing some granola bar, juice, gum. Before walking to campus.
The class was almost filled up when I got there.
Quickly, I signed the attendance sheet, our lecturer made it mandatory, claiming that we get higher scores from attending his class than passing his test.
After that, I took my seat at the back, bringing out my books for this class.
I took off my AirPods, tucking it into my bag along with my phone, before going through what I had jotted down the last class.
From the little gossip I had heard around, Mr killian, our lecturer for business 101 liked springing up surprise test.
So I wanted to be thoroughly prepared incase something of that sort happens.
Loud commotion made me glance up from my book.
Brandon and one other of his friends I think Max or something was walking towards the back seat.
Shitttt, I mutter, bending my head over my desk.
I didn't know he took this class, the last time i didn't see him, but then again, someone like Brandon was sure to be skipping his classes.
I am sure the only reason the class was filled up today, was because of the new mandatory sign in Mr Killian had imposed.
Why...., why couldn't I successfully avoid Brandon.
The school was big enough, yet fate always found a way to torment me.
I raised my head up, resisting the urge to glance back.
All I needed to do was keep my head down, make myself as invisible as possible and then run out immediately class was over.
Mr killian glanced at the attendant sheet, before glancing at everyone.
"We will be starting the first project for this year, I want everyone in a group of five now."
Immediately, everyone started moving about, choosing their partners while I sat there utterly confused.
Before I could stand up, Brandon and his sidekick was already in front of me, a nasty smirk on his face.
I whimpered, biting my lips as I avoided his gaze.
He sat down at the chair close to me, and before you know it, almost every girl and boy was clamoring to join our group.
"We are already three, and just need two more people. It's up to our group leader to choose, not me." Brandon says, pointing at me.
Every head snapped towards me, while I sat there embarrassed.
I didn't even agree to be in his group, now he was leaving me to choose.
Um... I cleared my throat, glancing at each hopeful face.
I chose a small petite girl, before choosing a boy standing at the far back.
After we were complete, others let out disappointing groans, some even glaring at me, before choosing other partners.
"If everyone is complete now," Mr Killian called out, "then the group leaders should come forward."
I stood up, my eyes briefly meeting that of Brandon, before walking forward.
Mr Killian took down our names, before handing us a file.
I went back to my seat, dropping the file on the table.
"Inside that file contains instructions for this project. Each group will come up with a business idea. You have three weeks to finish the project, and only three winners."
After giving us instructions, Mr killian left the class.
"Hello my name is Camille," the small petite girl introduced herself.
"My name is Jason," the other boy says, his deep voice ringing out.
I blushed at his intense stare, before introducing myself.
"Well I believe everyone here knows who we are," Brandon spoke out.
"Yes," Camille sighed out dreamily.
While i simply rolled my eyes, before opening up the file.
Nothing much was written on it, just simple instructions to follow.
I showed it to everyone, before turning towards Jason.
"So, um.. do you have any business ideas in mind"
Jason scratches his head. "Um, how about conventional buses for the physically impaired."
"Oh," I mutter dumbly. "Um how will that work, and how do you make it a business?"
"Well, it is just like normal buses where you have to swipe with your card to pay, but this is more modified for the physically impaired, conveying them to school and back."
I stared at Jason with admiration.
"Wow, that's really thoughtful." I murmured out.
"That's bullshit!!," Brandon exclaimed with a loud annoying laugh.
"How do you think that would be profitable? And really, how do you expect such buses to work huh. Let's not forget, Mr Killian told us there will only be three winners, so we need to come up with something better than this."
"Well, Mr I know it all, please enlighten us with your better idea," I say in annoyance.
"I will, just not today. We have three weeks, I am not in a rush."
I sighed, gathering all my books.
That was until one of my books was snatched out of my hand.
It was a novel I was currently reading, yes, reading was one of my hobbies.
I smiled at Brandon not wanting to show how upset and annoyed I was, Why couldn't he just leave me alone?
"Can I have my book back please?" I asked politely.
"You read some weird shit," Brandon says, squinting at the novel in his hands. "What the fuck is wrong with you Christy?"
My heart sank at his harsh tone. "Nothing is wrong with me, give me my book," I spat out harshly.
My voice faltered, and I felt like crying because everyone was looking at me now, some even laughing.
I hated it. It was like the only time I got attention was when Brandon was teasing me.
"You are so week," Brandon says maliciously, before throwing the book at me.
He scoffed, shaking his head.
While I grabbed my bag and my book, before running out of the lecture class,
Their cruel laughter echoing behind me.
