"A student was found dead on an abandoned building nearby Artkinson Street. The said victim experienced horrific tragedy, her face covered in bruises and was almost unrecognizable. The investigation team also suspected rape attempt as her sensitive spot was found swollen and bleeding. The victim's only identification was the ID she was wearing the night when the crime took place. The grief of the bereaved parents broke the hearts of those who have heard their painful cries. Up to date, the police have not yet identified the suspect of the heinous crime."
Pelting droplets of rain were drizzling on the window pane. The stars were concealed as ferocious thunderstorm roared upon the place. But the catastrophe happening outside is nothing compared to the utmost rage stirring inside the unlit room.
Their gaze narrowed as gruesome images flashed upon the screen. The jagged streak of lightning pass upon their eyes burning with cold fury.
There's only one thing in their minds right now, revenge.
"I will never forgive them for doing this to you. I promise, I'll break the rings of hell just to make them suffer."
•••••
Lauren's POV
"Get your lazy ass down here Lauren! Are you still expecting me to prepare your breakfast?"
I rolled my eyes as I listen to the ear-splitting tantrums of my mother. If I have no respect and sense of gratitude towards her, I would have bottled her up a long time ago.
After folding my blanket and doing my morning rituals, I immediately climb down the stairs. I let out an exasperated sigh before making myself a sandwich and a cup of coffee. I've got no time to cook anymore. Obviously, my mother won't do it for me as well.
Luxury and extravagance are not something that you should not expect in my life. We're living in a not so spacious house, but we're not that penurious. We're able to eat enough and I'm attending school. I have a roof over my head, so I guess I'm still lucky. Some people out there experience much worse.
After digging in my sandwich, I immediately take a bath. It's the first day of school, meaning new struggles as a student. I can already imagine the thick stacks of paper works that we need to do during the whole semester.
I'm studying in Ridley University, one of the most prestigious school in the country. If you're wondering how am I able to enter that school, that's because of scholarship. As luck would have it, I have the brain and intellect that I use to my advantage. I'm still lucky that inspite of my mother's imprudent behaviour, she supported me in entering a reputable school, so she's not that evil afterall.
•••••
Buzzing noises and chitchats invaded my ears as soon as I step out of the taxi. Students who seem that they haven't seen each other for ages are walking on the hallway, bragging their expensive vacations and luxurious stuff. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, I hate this kind of scene, toxic and unpleasant.
I'm walking in silence while my earphone, in its maximum volume, was plugged in my ears. Suddenly, a girl smiling all ears came running towards my direction. I grimaced at her being so hyperactive.
"Lauren!" she exclaimed, catching the attentions of many students. I shoot daggers at her, mouthing 'shut up' that she ignored and continue shouting my name.
"Haven't you drank your medicines yet?" I asked scornfully when she walked beside me.
"Hmp! I just miss you much. Imagine, it's almost three months that we haven't see each other," she said dramatically and started narrating her vacation experiences, but my mind was too preoccupied with other things.
"Are you listening to me?" Her forehead creased.
"Y-yeah, what is it again?"
She rolled her eyes. "Nevermind. How about you, how's your vacation?"
I just gave her a flat stare and she already knew the answer. I was burried and rotten in our house the whole vacation, enduring my mother's never ending hissy fit.
Loralei Shin, Lei for short, my bestfriend, and probably my only trusted friend here in the University. That's because some just approaches me for their personal gains, to answer their assignments and even do their projects. Despite my reluctance, I could not afford to refuse because I know they will surely make a fuss about it.
Those scoundrels look so kind in front of me and when they are in need of help, but when they turn their backs? Their horns started to grow and wanted to throw up talking to me because of my life-status.
You see, students here are immature, self-centered and hubristics because of their parents' money and power. Since this is a prestigious school, expect those bunch of spoiled-brats. As if I wanted to be affiliated with them either. I don't care if their pockets are sparkling with expensive bills, they should have use it to feed their brains with decency and intelligence.
•••••
As soon as we reached our room, the sight of a rowdy class greeted us.
Samantha, Claire and Alexandria are flexing the places they went to during the vacation period. Carter, Lincoln, Greyson and Asher are throwing papers with each other. Aeron and Josiah are bickering, their voices are too loud. I bet the sections under our floor can hear them too.
I sighed in displeasure.
I find a seat at the back near the window and plug my earphones in to lessen the noise. Lei sits next to her other friends, and I don't mind it tho.
I'm about to close my eyes and feel the rhythm of the music when I felt someone poking my cheeks. I opened my eyes and my orbs settled on this stubborn guy. I stared at him flatly and throw him a death glare. If stares could kill, he's probably running out of breathe right now.
He raised his hand and let out a lunatic laugh that infuriates me even more.
"What?! You're too hot-headed. "
"Stop pestering me. Will you?" I hissed.
"Tsk. You know what? That kind of attitude only fits beautiful faces. In your case." He puts his hand on his chin while staring curiously at me with a mocking smile plastered between his lips.
I stand irately and search for a new seat before I lose my composure. I wanted to applaude him for successfully ruining my peaceful morning.
Sloane Hayne Laxon, one of the most popular guy in school, who happened to be my classmate. Girls admire him because of his looks, which I could not repudiate, he's indeed an epitome of handsomeness. Not to mention his family is well-known for its reputation in the business industry. But sorry to break the bad news, I don't belong to his harem of girls. I despise him actually, his attitude ticks me off. He's an arrogant cassanova who loves flirting with girls. He's everything that turns me off.
The door opened and a woman wearing a small smile and carrying a thick text book enters the room. She's not familiar to me, probably a new teacher because of her attire. But she looks too young to be one.
"Good morning class," she greeted but no one bats an eye and continue minding their respective businesses.
"Good morning class," she repeated louder so I decided to stand up along with Lei and Lucas, a nerd and a certified book worm in our class. She just show a subtle smile to us.
Don't be surprise, my classmates were not only ill-mannered towards other students, but also to teachers. They don't respect them as well, I highly doubt if they respect anyone at all aside from their conceited and imperious selves. Clump of obstreperous people.
"I said good morning class and only three students greeted me back. Are y'all deaf or just plainly rude?" she shouted, losing her last string of patience. Defeaning silence filled the four corners of the room. Everyone stares at her in awe, even me was stupified on my spot.
Amber, one of the bitches in class, stands proudly and raises her eyebrows.
"Excuse me Ms. But who gave you the permission to shout on us? As far as I know, you're just a teacher," she taunted.
"I'm a teacher, not JUST a teacher," she retaliated, emphasizing every words.
"Huh! You have the guts to answer back? Do you have any idea who am I?"
"I don't care who you are, Ms. Now, I'm requiring you to suit yourself before I forget that you're my student, and this book might land over your face. Please stop showing your awful attitude ," she said coldly, beckoning Amber to sit down. Our classmates giggle at the scene. She seemed embarrassed while returning to her chair but still frowning.
"I hate her guts! She will regret doing this to me!" she whined while stamping her feet.
The woman in front of us raised her eyeglass upto her nose before smiling.
"Now that all of you are already acting according to your age, let me introduce myself." She writes her name on the board.
"My name is Remy Eloise Montereal, you can call me Ms. or Ma'am Remy." She paused and roam her eyes around, the beam on her face is now nowhere to be found. "I only have one rule to implement, listen or get out of my class. I don't care if you're the richest kid here," she said giving Amber a short glance. "I'm your teacher and you're my students, show me some respect. I won't tolerate nasty demeanor inside my class. I don't care who you are outside this school, but as long as you're inside my preminisce, behave and act appropriately. I'm looking forward on teaching all of you."
Maybe this is not the worst year afterall. In recent years, all of our teachers gave up on us because of how chaotic our class is. They could not handle the behavior of some. I remember back then, our Creative Non-fiction Teacher was about to enter the classroom when she was strucked by a bucket full of red-paint hanging on the door. It's a trap set by Amber's group. They have done that out of boredom. That's how immature they are.
"Now get a piece of paper and write your name, age and birthdate. We will not be having a class discussion for today."
The day went well, or so I thought. In fact, I never imagined that this day will change everything in our lives.
