Bella stood in front of the huge building and stared at the signpost that was boldly written "scholars college". She couldn't believe that she had been given a chance to finish her studies, her first experience in college was not nice but this time would be different because she would do her best so that she wouldn't cause any scandal. Since she couldn't get a transfer letter and recommendation from her previous college, she will be starting afresh but she doesn't mind because this time, she intends to finish college, and she won't waste this second chance that life has given her.
She thought for a moment about her former college and her one and only friend Ana. She couldn't bear to keep in touch with her friend after what she had done to her cousin, she hoped that she would one day forgive her for killing her cousin even if it was self-defense. Ana was the only person who had stood by her in those trying times with Jeremy and it shamed her to have cut ties with her best friend but linking up with her means linking up with her past, a past she badly wanted to get away from.
"Hey Bella, why are you standing there looking lost?" She heard someone call and she turned to see Brittany walking towards her, she shook off the sadness that had clouded her mind and smiled at Brittany, glad to see a friendly face.
"I'm so glad that you're finally here, I'm going to take a picture of your first day in Scholars College and post it on the internet," Brittany said as she brought out her phone.
Bella froze at the words, "pictures and internet" Posting any picture on the internet right now indicates more exposure from her and she might be found, she skidded away from the camera just as Brittany was about to click
"Hey, what's up?" Brittany asked in confusion
"I...I don't like pictures and the internet" Bella mumbled
"Oh come on, it's just a picture, there's no harm in it" Brittany replied as she tried to get a few clicks but Bella quickly turned away from the camera
"I told you I don't like pictures" Bella's voice was edgy and although Brittany was confused at her reaction, she tried to calm her down
"I'm sorry, I need to go" Bella replied and ran off
"Hey, I'm sorry" Brittany shouted after her but she didn't stop, she just kept running as her eyes sought for a secluded place where she could be alone for the moment.
Bella sat down on a concrete seat under a tree that's just behind a building and tried to catch her breath, damn, she had freaked out at the mention of posting her picture to the internet, she wondered what Brittany must be thinking about her reaction. Since the incident with Jeremy, she has deactivated her social media accounts and doesn't post anything on the internet, as a matter of fact, she developed an internet phobia and freaks out whenever it's mentioned.
"Who gave you the permission to sit here?" Someone asked and Bella's head snapped up to see a male with tattooed arms and earrings on his ears glaring at her, she was confused, wasn't this side part of the college?
"Isn't this arena part of the school? Why can't I sit here?
"Who are you to question Big Sam?" Someone asked and came into view
"Who the hell are you and what is your name?" Another asked and Bella stared at the three of them, uh-oh, she didn't want any trouble
"I'm Bella and I'm new here, I'm sorry if I got into your space, I'll leave now" she mumbled and stood to leave but she was dragged back by the guy who had first approached her, the one that they had referred to as Big Sam
"Who said that you can leave? Do you think that you can just come here and leave when I am still talking to you?"
"Whoever you are, please, I don't want trouble" she mumbled and made to leave once more
"The audacity to talk to Big Sam the way you please"
Bug Sam dragged her back for the second time and this time, her shoes caught on a stick lying idle about and she fell right on her butt, the hateful Big Sam, and sneered at her and his gang laughed. Embarrassed and furious, Bella stood up, she was definitely leaving this time, she wouldn't stay here and allow him to ruin her day but as soon as she stood up, Big Sam drew closer to her
"You know, you're actually pretty and I love to have ladies just like you" Big Sam said as he ran his hand over her jaw, Bella pushed him off and her palms connected with his cheek much to his chagrin and the surprise of his friends
"There, that's all you deserve" she spat out and fled out from that place.
"Bella, where have you been?" Brittany asked as soon as she got sight of her, "I've been looking for you everywhere. Look I'm sorry about the pictures and internet, I didn't know..."
"It's okay Brittany, I'm sorry for the way I behaved, it's just that I don't like my stuff on the internet but you can take a picture of me, I'm okay if you don't put it on the internet" Brittany smiled and hugged her
"I was sitting down there," Bella said pointing towards the direction of where she was, "there's this guy they call Big Sam who tried to harass me and I put him back in his place"
Brittany's eyes widened and she hit her forehead with her palm, "You encountered Big Sam? Oh no! This isn't good"
"Why? Who is he?" Bella was quite curious as to why Brittany reacted that way
"He is quite the school magnet, his father is a millionaire and he goes about bragging about his father's wealth, no one dares go against him or they'll find themselves rusticated from the school"
Bella's stomach quivered at what she had just heard, the last thing she needed was to get kicked out of school, "what do I do now?" She asked in a worried tone
"You have to apologize to him and stay clear of him because he is trouble"
"There are two people you should avoid on this campus and that is Big Sam and Jojo"
"Jojo?" Bella asked this college wasn't going exactly as she planned it
"Her name is Joana but she's called Jojo and she's the school Barbie, if you avoid both her and Big Sam, I promise you'll have a great time here"
Bella sighed, of course, she'll avoid whoever Jojo is and also apologize to Big Sam.
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[Country side. Nicua Town]
Jeremy strolled the streets of Nicua town not sure of where to go since the town was pretty new to him, he had just a few bucks with him and based on his estimation, it could last just a few days, he had to think of something.
He decided to get a few drinks while thinking of his next step.
"Hello handsome" someone whispered and a very beautiful and elegant lady came into view, she looked rich and expensive
"She can be my ticket out of my misery," he thought and smiled sweetly, he was glad for his sweet look that always drew the ladies to him
"Hello beautiful" he replied as he invited her to join him, although, she looked a bit tipsy already, perhaps, she had been drinking somewhere before coming towards him, he poured her more drinks until she appeared very drunk, and he gently placed her head on the table and then collected her purse
He was right, this lady was rich, he found a few credit cards, some cash, and expensive pieces of jewelry, taking everything, he was thankful for this angel that was sent to him, at least, what he had taken from her purse will last him for a while until another gullible lady falls prey.