SCARED TO LOVE

CLARA'S POV :

I kept on running with no destination, I turned back to see if I was still being chase by a man who was clearly harmed, I ran as fast as my leg could carry me. The more I ran, the more it felt like he was meeting up with me, it was like I wasn't running fast enough, or I wasn't even running at all, maybe I was just moving my legs.

I was scared, I didn't want him to get to me. As far as I am concern, I was already lost in these thick woods. The thought of me getting killed, kidnapped or even raped frightens me, I was crying and running at the same, all of a sudden I felt a hand grab my hoodie throwing me to the floor, I fell and started screaming for help .

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I woke up still screaming, then I realized it was a dream, I heaved a sigh of relief and layed back on my bed with my eyes open looking at the ceiling. I turned to look at my sister Jenny, who was sleeping on her bed which was next to mine, I was happy to find her still sleeping , at least I was happy i didn't wake her up with my scream, she needed the sleep she must have had a hectic day at work.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I was thinking about my family situation ever since my dad died, I was just 10. My mum was from Italy while my dad was from New Zealand, after my dad died my mum thought coming to Italy was the best option, at least she could get a job. It hasn't been easy for my mum, it was as if we get poor each day no matter how hard we work our asses out. I was only 18 but I had 3 part time jobs.My sister work all day when she was supposed to be in school. Mum couldn't affors to send the both of us to school, she works as a maid in a big mansion, her salary wasn't even enough to take care of all our needs. I guess we are just destined to remain poor anyways.

I checked the time, it was 6:15pm, I turned to sleep hoping not to have any bad dream anymore, when I noticed a uniform hanging on the wall.

"Oh shit" it was my first day at Royal Height school, how could I forget. I was awarded a scholarship to study in this prestigious school which made mum and my elder sister proud. It was a big relieve to her, she wouldn't worry about school fees any more. They were so happy, they went round boasting about my admission to our neighbors, some of them where happy for me, while some were jealous. As usual, there are always bad eggs among the good ones.

I started preparing for school, I had just two and half years to study in this school. I started wondering if I would be able to cope in this school, I doubt if any of those rich kids would want to associate themselves with a poor girl like me who is on scholarship in their school.

"Would I be able to cope" was the question I keep asking myself, but anyways I promised myself not to mind nor care about their attitude towards me.

" I will go there, study and come out with the best results, in order to be awarded another scholarship to study in another prestigious university and graduate with a first class, get a good job so i can take care of mum and my elder sister " i told my self looking directly at the mirror.

By 7:30 I was ready to leave. Mum was awake, she had prepared breakfast and had packaged my brunch which I will eat in school. I finished eating and was ready to leave, mum hugged me and was giving me tons of advice, I had remind her that I would be late, before she let me go. I turned to bid her good bye when i saw my elder sister coming out from the room, she was just waking up.

I entered a public bus to school, I was standing in the bus, due to the fact that the whole sit was occupied with passengers going about their daily duties . I noticed that majority of them were looking at my uniform with suprise. I guess they were wondering what a Royal height student was doing in a public bus. It never happens, it either their parent or their driver drives them to school or they use the school bus which i clearly can't afford. I just tried my best not to notice their stares.

I finally arrived at my destination, the one and only Royal height school, it was indeed a big school. I look around to see student staring at me because I got down from a public bus. I saw student coming down from their parent expensive cars. I haven't even entered and they already noticed me, I felt so inferior, i was thinking if I made a wrong decision by applying for the scholarship at the first place, but I remembered mum's advice and what I had promised my self to do this morning while looking at the mirror. It was a great motivation, then I put on my back pack and walked towards the gate not minding the continuous stare at me, my bag, my shoe, my hair... it was easy for them to know I wasn't from a rich family.

While I kept on walking towards the school building, it occurred to me that I didn't even know where my class was " Shit ", What was I going to do? Ask a student?. I can't do that, they wouldn't reply me and getting snubbed was the last thing I needed now. I entered the building looking for my class, I did it a in way that no one will notice, I was already getting enough stares, which was inconvenient. I kept on looking down as I walked through the hall way. , Whenever I get to a particular class I quickly take a glance to see if it was my class and immediately look down again. Now I was on the second floor and still haven't find my class, I was almost about to cry when I saw a teacher walking towards me, I was thankful he was heading towards me, I hurriedly went to me him.

" Good morning sir"

" Yeah, morning. Are you new? " He asked smiling.

I was suprised, how did he know I was a new student, was it that obvious. I gave him a shocking look.

" Relax, I just knew you were new because, student in this school never greet their teachers, only the few good ones greet, plus I haven't seen you before so I just thought you were new and asked. I am Mr. Mark by the way.

At least his explanation was relieving, I thought he noticed I was new because of my hair, my bag, my shoes which didn't look expensive. Ohhh what if other student were staring at me because they haven't seen me around before,well whatever.

" Sir do you mind directing me to my class please? " I asked him looking around only to notice that there were only few student stilling walking, I guess they have all gone to their various classes . I told him my class and he did not only direct me but also took me to my class. Then he opened the door and told me to get in, I noticed the teacher was already in class teaching, but immediately he opened the door and everyone saw me they all paused, there was a moment of silence. I kept on looking down, I was too shy, standing in front of all these rich kids, I probably look like garbage before them.

" Good morning Mrs. Bella, she is a new student" I was grateful to Mr.Mark, I appreciated the fact that he did not just bring me to class but also told the teacher I was new, I didn't know how I was going to tell her. Then I turned back and saw him wave me good bye then he was gone. I felt like going with him.

" What are you still doing, go and have your sit, you came late to my class, interrupted my lecture and now you want to delay me? "She said almost shouting.

" Sorry ma" I said looking sober.

I saw the whole class laughing at me, then I heard a girl saying I was so pathetic because I apologized to the teacher. Another girl said she thinks I was the scholarship student and that this was how those low class people behave, we were losers, I felt so bad.

Two people sat together, the chair was big enough , so two people to one sit. I walked towards a girl to sit with her as she was the only person on the chair , she was sitting at the second role, when she noticed I was coming towards her, she placed her bag on the other side of the sit, cleary tell me that she doesn't want me to be her sit mate.

I was heart broken, I wonder if the teacher didn't see what she did. I looked to my left and saw an empty sit, no one was sitting on it, although it was at the end of the class, close to the wall but I liked it.

There was no sign that someone was sitting on it. I went and sat on the chair comfortably, I looked up and saw some people laughing, some looking at me pitifully and shaking their heads, I didn't understand why they gave me those kind of looks, well for all I care, I have gotten a chair to sit and I would be sitting there alone, I was relieved. I brought out my book and started jotting down what the teacher was saying, after some minutes the bell rang, Mrs. Bellla left the class.