Chapter 8 The Locker Room

Megan's POV

I got inside the library after I said goodbye to Ashton, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so happy as I walked to my favorite spot, and after I sat down, I started answering my exercises. I know I have to study in advance because I am going to work after class, and I don't have time to review after I get home because I need to answer all my assignments. I know it is tiring, but I don't have a choice. I want to proceed with my studies and graduate from college to make my dreams come true. Besides, I want to help my mom because someday, I want them to stop working. After all, by the time my parents became old, it would be my time to help them.

I adjusted my headset since I was listening to some music on my phone while answering my notes, and I didn't notice someone sat across from me, and when I raised my head, I couldn't help myself but smile at my best friend, Alice. We didn't talk as we continued answering our notes and reading our books because we both know that we need to study our lessons to maintain our scholarship. It was our dream to study in this Academy, so we have to keep our grades up to avoid being kicked out of the school. It has always been our dream to be part of this prestigious institution.

And we were both happy when we were accepted as academic scholars of this school. My brother was a varsity scholar, but he maintained good grades as well to keep his scholarship until he graduated from high school. And I know even if we felt like an outcast, it didn't stop us from feeling excited to study in this Academy where all we can see around us are rich girls and boys, luxurious cars pass our way as we walk on the driveway, and we can see our classmates wearing expensive bags and designer clothes. I know our fellow students, except for some scholars, are walking dollar sign because of their status in life, and that is why for them we will never belong in this academy; we have never been invited to any parties, but it was fine with us since we don't want to associate with their kind since for them we don't exist.

"Hey, guys, I am sorry I am late," Oscar said the moment he arrived, and if I didn't know he was gay, I could tell many girls would fall for him because our friend is handsome and tall, and I see a lot of girls check him out most of the time especially younger students.

"Do you know the latest gossip?" He asked, and I need to stop what I am doing to look at him. And I smiled when I realized Alice did the same, and she stared at him sideways since he sat beside her. He looked so handsome with his polo shirt, and I am still in denial that he is gay since it was only last year he confessed to Alice and me that we have the same crush, Ashton Priztgold.

"What?" Alice and I asked at the same time.

"They are talking that Ashton got a new girlfriend, and they said she is way out of his league, and the girls are laughing while the boys bet whether it is true or not because they will never expect Ashton to have a girlfriend this year. And I wonder who could be that girl because I am so jealous right now. And I think I am going to tweak her hair if I ever see her." He said, and I don't know how I feel at the moment, and I know being with Ashton will only complicate my senior year.

"What? Why do both of you look like you don't feel excited to know the latest gossip." He asked, and he looked at Alice and then at me, and I know he was shocked because every time I heard gossip about Ashton, I will be very interested to know.

"How can I be interested if you are going to pull Megan's hair," Alice answered, and his eyes widened.

"No way!" He said in a loud voice that made the librarian look in our direction and reminded us to lower down our voices.

"Yes, way, and you have to pull her long hair now since Ashton kissed her last night, and he picked up Megan and Ava early this morning; that is why she came ahead of me," Alice said, and Oscar covered his mouth so he couldn't scream.

"You need to tell me the details, girl." He said, looking at me, and I slowly nodded my head, and they both giggled.

"Later, Os, I will tell you everything during lunch at the cafeteria, and I think we should get out of here because the librarian is looking in our direction since we can't lower our voice. I am done anyway." I said, and they both stood up, and we walked out from the library hastily since we only have ten minutes to spare before our first period starts. We walked fast, going to the locker room, and I can't stop the pounding of my heart as I near my locker. And I am horrified to find my locker with a bold letter word bitch painted all over my locker, and my shoulders sagged as I realized they have only seen me once with Aston, and I already received this kind of treatment.

"Shit, who could have done this." Oscar cursed under his breath, but I held his hand and squeezed it to let him know I am fine. And I will never show these girls that I am weak, I may not be rich, but I will never let anyone trample on my dignity as a human being, and I will never cry even if I wanted to cry and scream right now.

"I am sure the one who did this is one of Ashton's fans," Alice said, and I opened my locker. And I hate that the paint is still wet, that it stained my hand, and I wonder who did this. There are still girls around the locker room, and they are waiting for my reactions, but I remained calm and didn't say anything. And I heard some of them mentioned the word bitch, and I am not sure if it is intended for me or they were only reading the word on my locker.

"This is what I told you about Alice. I know Ashton is trouble, and that is why I don't want to give him a chance to date me because I know my life will become problematic once I associate myself with him." I declared, and Alice's face frowned.

"Megan, we both know it wasn't Ashton who painted your locker with the word bitch, so you have to stop blaming Ashton because I can tell he was serious about you, and it is about time to give those girls a lesson that because we are not rich, we don't deserve their attention," Alice said.

"Yes, girl, and I am still in denial that you kissed my forever crush, but since it was you, Meg, I will let it slide, and I will give way. I will not push through my feelings for Ashton just for you because we are friends, and I know that you are a good girl, so that I will become the leader of your fans club." Oscar seconded, and even if I felt so angry, I can't stop myself from smiling at him as we get inside our first period.

And I am just glad that Ashton is not yet on his chair, and the moment he gets inside, the girls chorus and says hi to him. Still, I didn't raise my head because I don't want to see him after what I have seen in the locker room, and I heard the cheerleaders gasp the moment I felt him walk towards my chair and he lifted my chin, and I can tell the entire class fell silent.

"Hey!" He said, and I felt my heart skip a beat when he gave me his sweetest smile, but I am not in the mood to talk with him. Instead of smiling back at him, I lowered my head, but instead of walking away, he sat on the empty chair beside me, and his proximity made my heart beat faster, and I can't deny I am so affected by Ashton's presence.

"Why are you upset, Meg?" He asked me, and I felt so guilty that I turned my anger towards him even though I knew he was not the one who painted my locker with a big BITCH word.

"Just go back to your chair, Ashton, and please leave me alone in peace; I already asked you to stay away from me," I said, and before he can answer me, our teacher gets inside our room, and instead of returning to his chair he seated beside me and asked our classmate who is the occupant of the seat beside me to sit in his designated chair rather. And I was hoping our teacher would ask him to go back to his original place, but I am sure Mr. Diaz memorized our names, and he didn't need to call us using the seating plan. And for the first time in my entire life, I got distracted listening to my teacher as he discussed our lessons because I can't stop myself from feeling so thrilled now that Ashton is sitting beside me.. I wonder how I am going to survive this class when I caught Ashton, out of the corner of my eye staring at my face without flattering his eyes.