EPISODE TWENTY-FOUR: SOLITIDE

**HADIZAH'S POV**

I sat at my desk, writing down everything I had studied for this exam. The effort had clearly paid off.

I caught Mr. Lois watching me intently. He'd been assigned to me because they thought he could "handle" me.

"Mr. Lois, I'm done," I said.

"About time," he replied, his gaze sharp.

He stood up to collect my paper.

"Thanks," I said, gathering my things.

I left the classroom, eager to avoid the stares that would follow me. Opting for solitude, I headed towards the Biology lab.

For the past two days, I hadn't spoken to any of my classmates. I felt ashamed, even though there was no real reason to be.

I kept my head down, lost in my thoughts, when I sensed an aura nearby. I looked up and saw Ethan.

"I don't think I want to be seen with anyone right now," I said, rising to leave.

"Wait," he said, grabbing my hand. I tried to pull away, uncomfortable with his touch, but he didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip.

I pushed him away, kicking his leg with all my might. He winced in pain. Realizing what I'd just done, guilt washed over me.

"Ethan, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?" I asked urgently.

"It's fine, I'm okay. I realize I approached this the wrong way," he said.

He sat down and removed his prosthetic (fake leg) leg from the knee downward.

I stared in shock.

"Oh my God," I whispered, almost shouting.

"See, you didn't even dent it," he reassured me as he fixed it back in place.

I sat down, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment.

"I'm really sorry," I said.

"You don't have to be," he replied.

We sat in silence, both watching the fish swim freely in the aquarium. I envied their freedom, wondering if I could ever be as liberated.

"If you don't mind, can you tell me how it happened?" I asked softly.

Ethan sighed and began his story.

"It was a spring day. I was going to a seminar with my dad. He was about to receive an award for Best Entrepreneur of the Year. Our brake failed, and the driver jumped out, saving his own life. My dad tried to stop the car, but it was useless. We collided with a tow truck, and the car flipped. My leg got trapped in the front seat. My dad tried to free me, but it was impossible. With fuel leaking and the car about to explode, he used all his strength to pull me out. My leg was crushed. He carried me a few steps before the car exploded. He was injured, but he carried me to the hospital. I was in a lot of pain and terrified I wouldn't make it. My dad kept assuring me I'd be okay. When I woke up, I realized my leg had been amputated. My world shattered. I couldn't walk again, and it felt like my life was over.

After a year in a wheelchair, my uncle, a robotics engineer, offered me a chance to test a new prosthetic (fake leg) he'd been working on. I was the first human trial. It worked. Now, I'm able to play football and live my life," he concluded.

"Wow, that's overwhelming," I said, wiping away my tears.

"I don't like when people cry for me. It's just a phase in my life, and I've moved past it," he said.

"Yeah," I agreed.

My plastic bottle of drink rolled to the entrance. As I picked it up, I felt my cheek sting. I saw Rose's eyes filled with rage.

"What's wrong with you?" Ethan asked, his tone sharp.

"There's nothing wrong with me. I was under the impression I was your girlfriend. Yet, here you are sharing things with her you never told me in four years of our relationship," she shouted, her voice laced with venom. "Shame on you, Ethan."

"That doesn't give you the right to hit her," Ethan retorted, raising his voice for the first time.

"Look at you, raising your voice at me because of this scholarship charity," Rosy sneered.

Her words stung more than the slap she gave me. Now, everyone knew I was a charity case.

"I might be a scholarship student, but at least I'm not a delusional girlfriend," I said, my voice shaking with hurt.

"You have the nerve to talk back?" Rosy lunged at me. I braced for the impact, but instead, I heard her cry out in pain.

I opened my eyes to see Ethan's guilt-ridden face. He had pushed her away, and the result?

Rosy had blood on her hands from the impact with the iron bar. Her beret lay discarded on the ground.

"I'm so sorry, Lina," Ethan said.

"I don't want to hear it from you," she said, tears streaming down her face. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Primrose, please," Ethan pleaded as he reached for her hands.

"Don't you dare touch me," she said, her voice filled with anguish. "You should be ashamed."

"Please," he said again.

"F*** you, Ethan," she spat, storming out.

In her anger, she had left her beret behind.

Ethan gripped his hair tightly, anguish written all over his face.

"I'm such a screw-up," he said. "I miss dates with her, or if I show up, I'm late. I've rescheduled so many times. She has every right to think I'm cheating." he said.

"I'm sorry I caused a rift between you and your girlfriend," I said genuinely.

"It's fine. I just want to be left alone," he said.

"This is her beret. I'll take it to her. You're probably the last person she wants to see right now," I said, holding out the beret.

"Thank you," Ethan said, and I left him alone.

As I walked through the hallways, I was afraid of what people might say or think about me. I didn't want to be labeled a thief.

I braced myself for the taunts.

"Look, it's the charity case," Maya said.

"Come, everyone, give it up for Miss Cheatathon," Violet added.

"Girls, stop it. You don't want her to feel bad about being a thief," Dahlia said. "She should feel good so she can steal again and get kicked out."

"I heard she tried to make a move on Ethan recently," Sandra said.

I kept walking, fighting back tears.

I reached Rose's locker, where she stood with her friends Kilie and Amber.

"Here's your beret. You left it in the lab," I said, extending my hand.

Rose grabbed it without a word. Her eyes were red from crying, if she was wasn't wearing waterproof mascara it would have streaked down her cheeks.

"If it isn't the charity case, trying to steal people's boyfriends to secure her future," Kilie sneered.

"You can have Ethan for all I care, he doesn't deserve me anyways," Rose shouted.

I knew she was faking it, she could never let Ethan go, she is in love with him, she is smart and she knows that he loves her as much as she loves him.

The I stopped abruptly turning back to her,  her words ignited something inside me.

"You know what, Primrose, you're one of the most stupid people I've ever met," I said my voice laced with venom.

"What? What the-" Rose started in disbelief.

"Now you'll listen and I'll speak. You've been blinded, thinking I want to steal Ethan from you. You think everyone is after him. Maybe that's a perk of dating the most handsome guy at school, but you better start living with it. You should have thought about it before falling for him, trusting him his all he probably wants from you. Take a long look at your relationship and ask yourself if he's ever cheated on you," I said, catching my breath.

"Look around and see who actually wants to steal Ethan from you," I said, glaring at Sandra.

"Who's this b*** looking at?" Sandra asked rhetorically.

"Guilty conscience speaking," I muttered.

"Speak up. I dare you," Sandra challenged, but I just walked away.

" I'm pretty sure you don't want me to start," I said glaring at her

"Looks like charity case now gives speeches. How wonderful," Maya said.

"Do you want one? I could give it to you," I asked sarcastically.

She lunged at me, but Capri intervened.

"Don't you dare," Capri said. "Let's go, Hadizah."

I followed her, grateful for the support.

"Thanks," I said.

"It's no big deal. I'll gladly help you. You've done the same for me," Capri said.

"It's good to know. I'll be leaving now," I said.

"Okay," she said, waving goodbye.

I made my way to the garden, hoping the sounds of birds would ease my worries.

I curled up, tears flowing freely. I was tired-tired of trying knowing my efforts seemed pointless. Tired of pushing myself just to fit in. I screamed, letting it all out.

I felt a hand patting my back.

"Julian?" I called out.

"I thought you needed this," he said.

"I'm really not in the mood. Please just leave," I said.

I started to walk away, but then he said, "I like you, Hadizah."

Did he really just say that?

"What?" I asked, turning to face him.

"Yeah, you heard me. I like you. I like like like you. When you smile at me, somehow it makes my heart flutter, I see the beauty of a thousand roses when I'm with you. My love for you is like music that I never get tired of," he said.

"No, you can't. I'm leaving this school. Move on, Julian," I said.

"It doesn't matter. I can't turn my feelings on and off. I'm too far down this path. I can't stop, but I'll keep moving forward," he said.

"Well then, learn to," I said clearly lying.

"You know I can't, and I know you don't want me to," he said, taking my hands and interlacing them with his.

The touch sent a surge of electricity through my spine. It felt intense and unfamiliar, a sensation I feared I couldn't control.

"Julian, stop it. I mean it," I said, as tears threatened to fall.

"I know you feel the same way," he said.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, even though my heart was racing.

"You're smart, and I know you understand," he said.

I looked at him, feeling drawn to his gorgeous features. His sharp cheekbones, mesmerizing black eyes, and ginger hair made him look like a perfect blend of bad boy and prince charming.

"Give me time to process my feelings," I said.

"I already know your answer. You don't need to process anything but I'll wait, no matter how long it takes," he said, as his hand gently touched my face.

The warmth of his hand and the coldness of his rings sent shivers down my spine.

"Fine then, wait for me," I said, pulling his hand away gently and walking away.

"You will always be in my heart," he said as I left him hanging

As I walked away, I couldn't help but reflect on the memories we shared. Julian was my prince charming, and maybe, just maybe, he could save me from my own fears and insecurities.

WRITER'S NOTE:

Looks like, Rose has got a lot to handle with Ethan. I kinda feel bad for Ethan. Things are getting spicier with Julian and Hadizah aren't they. It's getting a lot chummier, don't you think.

QOTD :Beauty only gets attention, but personality captures the heart.