02

Layla walked into her classroom, panting.

She was glad class hadn't started yet.

She made her way to her seat and the students started jeering as usual, laughing and pointing at her, whispering in each other's ears.

She noticed it was a lot today and then realized it was because she had cut her hair down to a bob.

Did it make her ugly like Philia said..

She hadn't even looked at her reflection in the mirror before leaving for school.

Even at that, she knows she's not ugly! And even if she is, why should they laugh at her for it!

She was pissed off as she sat down in her seat and this time she sat down completely, raising her head high and her look showed that she dared one of them to approach her and him. say mocking words to your face.

They looked a little surprised to see her so fearless, Layla had always placed her head on the desk crying as they laughed at her, she only looks up when they have a lesson.

Layla's gaze shifted to Dylan who was flirting with almost five girls at the same time.

She felt her heart tighten, wishing he was at least flirting with her too.

He always lights it up inside just by looking at it.

He's one of the most handsome teenagers she's ever seen and if they rated his looks a ten, he'd definitely get nine.

Her beautiful face looks like it was sculpted by a creative genius.

He has soft brown eyes that would melt the strongest ice, his eyelashes are inky black and even longer and curlier than most girls', his breath would almost be taken away every time Dylan blinked. the eye.

He has exotic high cheekbones and a narrow, straight nose that perfected his appearance.

Her shiny black curls, always swept to one side giving her a touch of villainous looks.

He has friends flocking around him and they are handsome too but not as handsome as him.

A loud bang distracted Layla's thoughts and eyes.

She saw Chloe standing in front of her with her three friends behind her, Chloe, the mastermind behind Layla's teasing was considered the sexiest girl in Ocean High School.

She had the looks and the body, her brown hair had been dyed pink and she flaunts it happily, she has a proud nose that suits her "not so nice" character and her lips...always in different lip gloss colors, her face was always covered in that "bitchy makeup"

Just like Dylan, Chloe was also wanted by so many guys, it was all over the school when she dated Dylan but their relationship only lasted two weeks.

Although they still randomly kiss during the game of truth or dare.

Chloe is the leader of the cheerleading team and she had refused to allow Layla to join the team just because Layla's father is black.

Layla is now on the swim team and the other team members refuse to even swim with her, none of them want to be in the water with her or even get in the water after she is gone. out... just because of Chloe's slander.

Everyone wants to be in Chloe's good book.

“You cut your hair down to Bob, huh? Chloe burst out laughing.

She's there to taunt her as usual and everyone watched eagerly as they always do.

They don't know that they are going to have a surprise this time.

Layla is done tolerating shit.

"Think that'll make you look better, huh?" asked Chloe.

"No…it just made you uglier, you look worse than a scary witch." Chloe snorted and there was laughter.

She was surprised that Layla hadn't put her head on the desk to start crying.

"Okay…I cut my hair down to a bob, so what? I look like a scary witch, so what? Why do you have to be so concerned about that?" Layla asked, looking Chloe in the eye.

There was a silence and everyone looked on in surprise.

It would be the first time that Layla had fearlessly answered Chloe.

Chloe hid her surprise with a forced laugh.

"Did you just…like, did you…you? answer me? How dare you? You humble African!" Chloe shouted.

Laila smiles. "You call them infamous because they are black, come on, that's not fair"

Chloe's breathing became uneven, she was at a loss for words.

She had planned to taunt Layla as usual and return to her place, she hadn't expected this return.

"They are humble! Your father is an ugly and humble Africa!" Chloe said, trying to gain more ground.

"I dare you to say that one more time and I'll pull your hair out of your scalp" Layla shouted as she banged her desk as she stood up.

Everyone was shocked and even Dylan turned to look at her this time but Layla was blinded in fury to see him.

Chloe stepped back in fear...

" Finally ! You behave like the African monsters that you are. A group of violent people. Chloe said, almost out of breath as she fled to her seat with her friends.

" Really ? Are you running away? Layla laughed and Chloe felt so embarrassed.

She was known to be the queen of the school.

How dare that thing ridicule her.

"Never bring up my father's name with such disrespect again, he's dead and you know it, but you bring up his name any way you want and even refer to him as if he were some kind of rubbish, just because he is African! allow anyone to do the same to your own father?” asked Laïla.

"My father is white! Not an...African!" said Chloe.

"You think your dad doesn't deserve to be called thrash but my own dad does it just because he's black?! Wow, you make it look like a crime to be black, that's is terrible, why do you hate us so much" sighed Layla.

"Never mind!" Chloe rolled her eyes.

"And…if you continue to raise my dad with such disrespect, I won't hesitate to shoot your dad too, you have my words on that," Layla said.

"Wh-what did you just say?" asked Chloe.

"I said what I said Chloe" Layla said.

"How dare you talk to my father that way!" Chloe fumed where she stood with her friends.

"Ohh..you care what other people say to your dad but you don't care what you say to other dads!..that's pretty amazing of you" Layla raised her eyebrows.

Chloe sighed, Layla has the upper hand and it's so embarrassing for her.

"Everyone knows your dad married your mom just to get papers!" Chloe said and Layla laughed.

"Just so you know, my parents' love story is still the best I've ever heard. My mom actually forced my dad to marry her just so he could have the papers to stay behind her, she doesn't want him out of her sight not even for an hour..." Layla paused, a little surprised to see almost everyone taking an interest in the story.

"Huh..seems like everyone is so into a black and white love story. I'm sorry to have to stop there" She smiled.

“It does not change the fact that he is African! said Chloe.

"And what's wrong with being African?" Layla asked seriously.

"Maybe if you told me, I would at least understand why you hate them so much," she added.

Chloe was speechless for a while, she also didn't understand why she hates black people and maybe she doesn't hate black people, maybe she hates Layla personally.

"I don't hate Africans, I hate you!" Chloe says bluntly.

"For what?" asked Layla.

Everyone waited for Chloe's response but none came.

"Okay...I understand you hate me, do you have to extend it to my parents, my father in particular?" asked Layla.

"Because they gave birth to you! Damn they gave birth to you. And to think that a black! is in the same class as me...damn!" Chloe growled.

Layla laughed. "I'm not even complete black, my mom is American, so I don't think that's reason enough to hate me. It's just your excuse for, you obviously have other reasons but I don't care. don't even say bad things about my dad or your dad! I'll bear the brunt of it," Layla said.

"Don't talk about my dad with your black dad!" said Chloe gritting her teeth.

Layla laughs loud and clear.

"You should actually be glad I mentioned your dad next to mine.. My dad, Michael Ajagun Williams.." Layla paused and if there had been a 'Yoruba' in the class, they would have laughed at the way she pronounced "Ajagun". '

“He is a three-star general who fought in all thirty-six states of Nigeria in World War II, he fought until his last breath and he died protecting thousands of people,” Layla said and her classmates exclaimed, looking touched by the story.

Chloe was also touched but she was too stubborn to show it.

"He is not just any African, he is a hero! The most selfless man I have ever known. None of you should dare to bring up my father again and even if you do, please give her some respect," Layla said and the whole class left. silent.

Most of them already felt bad for calling Layla thrash.

Chloe could see what was going on and she knew she had to speak very quickly.

"You shouldn't all fall for his words!" She tells lies! said Chloe.

"Lies? Why would I do this? I did not say this to change anyone's attitude towards me, I did not say this to win the pity of you all or the friendship of anyone. I don't. I want someone's friendship. I said that to make you see how lucky your dad is to be mentioned next to mine" Layla smiled at Chloe.

"Your father fought in thirty-six states of his poor country! That doesn't mean anything!" said Chloe.

"Yeah, it means nothing to you but it means a lot to the people he saved and they will be forever grateful to him," Layla said.

"And I think I should be blamed here because I gave you the chance to disrespect my dad. From now on...don't ever speak ill of my dad again, I won't take it easy. Lightly… I promise you. So direct your hatred at me, don't extend it to my father. Never raise him again!” Layla warned clearly.

"And this is not for Chloe alone but for everyone here, never disrespect my parents again. This is a warning!" Layla said before sitting down.

His eyes landed on Dylan and surprisingly found his gaze on her, her belly immediately lighting up with excitement.

His gaze lingered before finally looking away.

Dylan looks like he's finally noticed her and maybe he'll start flirting with her too.

She almost smiled at the thought, her gaze still fixed on himself even after he looked away.

Everyone was amazed that Layla could become so bold and fearless, they looked at her, different questions written on their faces.

Chloe was fuming in her seat, tapping her fingers on the desk repeatedly.

His friends knew not to tell him anything right now.

"What is this strange silence?" Miss Moore asked as she entered the classroom.

She got no response and shrugged before continuing to teach.

Walking into the cafeteria for lunch break, Layla had the same demeanor she had when she was sitting in class in the morning.

For the first time in years, she was not mocked. She was just watched.

Realizing that it was so easy to put an end to the teasing that had been going on for years almost brought tears to his eyes.

She had let it go on and on, she had let it break her, it had almost ruined her and then with just a few words and a few actions…she was free.

She had thought it was going to take more than that, she would never have thought that being free from mockery and hatred only required standing up for herself.

If it hadn't been for what happened, would she have made the decision to defend herself or would she even have thought about it...?

She knew the answer and it saddens her.

Maybe she was being punished for not standing up for herself all these years.

Maybe God knew what happened would make her fight back and then...

Stop it Layla… she scolded herself.

She walked over to the counter to grab her lunch and then walked over to a table with a meal tray in her hand.

She sat down and expected the girls to get up and move to another table like they always did but she was surprised when they remained seated, eating their meal.

She was stunned for a moment, knowing that the students never ate with her, they moved to another table.

Except for one girl who always sat with her.

Only the girl did not avoid her.

She eats with her all the time, although the girl is in a junior class.

Layla looked around and wondered where the girl was, she couldn't find her.

"You should eat, lunch break will be over soon" one of the girls said to Layla, stunning her yet again.

"Huh..h? Alright" she said and started eating.

Chloe saw what was happening and knew that Layla was beginning to win the hearts of the students.

"I can't believe those girls sat with her!" Christy, said one of Chloe's friends.

"What will I do?" Chloe sighed worriedly.

The lunch break was over and everyone was starting to head to their classes.

"I think...your hair looks good on you," Layla heard.

The voice sounds familiar but that can't be the person she's thinking of, can it?

No... or she'll pass out.

She turned slowly, sincerely hoping it was him.

It was Dylan.

He smiled at her before walking away.

She managed to stop herself from screaming but she couldn't stop herself from dancing.

She began to dance, shaking every part of her body, humming an incoherent beat to complete her dance.

She cared less about the students who laughed at her funny steps.

She looked like the happiest person on Earth right now.

"No one told me that Michael Jackson's daughter goes to this school..." said one of the students as they walked past her and the others burst out laughing.

"Wow, great dancing skills.. wouldn't you show it to the class? Come with me," Miss Moore said and Layla stopped dancing.

"Miss Moore, no..I I"

"Come on, you have big steps there, you'll have to show it to the class" smiles Miss Moore.

"No...I...I was only dancing because I'm horny, I know my dancing skills are worse than a jelly, please don't make me show it in front of the class," Layla said and Miss Moore held back her laughter. .

"You just think you're still the best dancer I've ever seen. The world needs to know about your talent, but let's start with your class," Miss Moore said with a laugh as she coached Layla.

"Miss Moore..noooo, I'm dancing like a crab, please!" Layla pleaded as she was pulled towards her class.