Mary-Jane stepped in front of the class, Ashley and Chrysolite could hardly believe their eyes. She wasn't that chubby girl anymore. She had a rounded face, and short curly hair that went well with it. This time, she was alone, no Janice, no Janet. Why was she in Green Hills? She had boasted to all that she had a more favorable school which was far too outstanding. What brought her to Green Hills?
"Do you know her?" Jasmine asked both of her friends as she watched their faces.
"Yes. We all went to the same elementary school." Ashley replied.
"Really? You guys have too many pretty boys and girls in that school." Jasmine was delighted.
"She wasn't like this before. She was way too fat." Ashley whispered.
As Mary-Jane scanned the entire classroom, her eyes spotted the girls, she hid her shock as she acted like she barely knew them. After some introductions to the classroom, Mary-Jane led her way to sit beside a brown-headed boy as the class teacher directed.
During recess, Ashley broke the news to Sardius and Michael. They sat at the cafeteria as usual, juniors at one side of the building, seniors at the other end. The senior cafeteria building was demolished at that time, so a new building was being built.
"Really? She's in our school?" Michael asked in surprised
"Yes. She even got herself all pretty." Chrysolite added.
"But, she's all bones," Ashley admitted.
"Ashley." Chrysolite nudged Ashley's left shoulder to which Ashley laughed.
"What is she doing in our school anyway?" Michael had to ask.
"I don't know." shrugged Chrysolite.
"Maybe, she's as different as she looks." Sardius sat back looking at them. He always had a different perspective.
"She isn't! She only got herself a pretty face but her mind's wicked ." Ashley folded out a fist to emphasize that to which her friends laughed.
Jasmine seemed to be left out, she didn't understand why they were talking about the new girl in class. She slowly puked at her plantains while the others talked about Mary-Jane. She made sure she didn't act concerned like she normally did.  Chrysolite sat between Ashley and Jasmine. Michael and Sardius sat at the other side of the table.
"I think I'm done," Jasmine announced, standing up.
"Are you? There are still some plantains left in your dish." Michael was confused.
Jasmine ignored him and made way to return her dish in the wash basin.
"Please, wait for us Jasmine." Ashley pleased.
"I will, that's only you." She snorted to the others.
Ashley picked up her empty plate and followed her. "Are you offended?" Ashley asked looking at Jasmine's face. They were all talking about someone she barely knew leaving her out of the conversation.
"Offended? Why should I be?" Jasmine replied herh within.
"We were talking about someone you barely knew."
"Nope. I just want to drop this plate off." Jasmine faked a smile.
As they both walked on, Mary-Jane strolled into the cafeteria. She was coming straight to an empty seat behind where Sardius and the rest sat. She was walking so fast that she didn't see the senior that was coming in her direction. He was a tall, big guy, and had a ruffian kind of hair. Mary-Jane collided with him and the food poured all over him. The senior who was wearing a clean sky blue suit looked down on himself in disgust then fumed when he faced Mary-Jane. Out of annoyance, he slapped her across her face taking off his suit afterwards. There were no teachers in the cafeteria so, there was no one to save her.
"Wash it up." He threw his suit on her as he said.
Mary-Jane picked the suit from her face, bowed slightly to him, and said. "I'm sorry." Then, she picked up her tray and dish and turned to walk away.
"Where are you going?" The annoyance was evident in the senior's voice.
"I want to get another food. Then, I'll come back to wash your school suit."
"Something must be wrong with you." He told her.
Mary-Jane watched him meekly, were they no more good seniors? Why wasn't anyone helping her? "Please, I'm so hungry, let me just eat a little then I'll help with that." She pointed at the suit with her other hand.
"Afterall I apologized." She added.
"What audacity," the spiked-haired boy gasped.
Jasmine and Ashley rushed back to their seat and watched the scene with interest. "Jeez, what sort of senior is that?" Jasmine whispered to Chrysolite.
Others around her glanced at her and  looked back at the scene. While Mary-Jane continued begging the senior. The senior wouldn't see any reason why she should first eat before washing his suit. Sooner than later, the recess would be over. Two of the seniors had to go over to beg on Mary-Jane's behalf.
"What's wrong with you, Robin? Let her go." The senior who had pulled Chrysolite out of the pool pleaded.
"No, Paul. Don't interfere, let me discipline her. She is but rude." Robin raised a finger.
Mary-Jane's stomach growled and she stood before them not knowing if she should turn away or remain still. She should have eaten at home but she knew she would have been late to class. Things were quite difficult at home since her father died yet her mother was still able to send her to one of the best schools. But she didn't want a school where most of her classmates were, a school she deemed up to the standard she felt she needed. A school she wanted, she had wanted to go to the school which her close friends, Janice and Janet went to but.........
Now, this senior from nowhere was adding to her misery. She can't stay and apologize till it satisfies him. " I'm very sorry. But I have to eat." She turned away again but her hand was pulled and another slap landed on her face again.
Michael had to stand up this time pissed by the obnoxious act of the spiked-haired senior. While he pushed back his seat, Ashley yanked his hand to bid him to mind his business. Michael pulled his hand out from her grip and Sardius grabbed his other hand.
"Sit down Michael. That's none of your business." Sardius warned.
Michael yanked his hand away aggressively. "Wouldn't you have to save me if I was the one?"
Jasmine blocked Michael's path. Why would he be the one to save Mary-Jane? Weren't there other seniors in the hall who were watching? Why must he be the one to save her?
"Let him go, Ashley. He believes he can save her."
Michael walked over to the spot where Mary-Jane stood and collected the suit from her which was stained with oil and mashed eggs. Mary-Jane was too surprised to see him, she had thought no one was coming to her aid. One side of her face was beginning to turn red.
"I'll wash it up for you. So, let her be." Michael said boldly.
"And who are you?" Robin had to ask.
"I'm a friend and I come in pick this up for you." He rose the suit up in acknowledgement then he turned as he went to the restroom.
"Stop there!" Robin commanded.
Michael stopped but he didn't turn to face Robin.
"Am I not talking to someone?" Robin shouted. It was clear that he was a ruffian and a bully with the way he acted.
"Mary-Jane, what are you waiting for? The recess will soon be over." Michael said to Mary-Jane who looked over the two boys and then at the other seniors who bid her to move along quickly.
"What is happening here?" Robin said as Michael began to walk away. Never had this happened to him, he was always feared and whosoever disobeyed him must face the consequences. He would certainly deal with Michael for interrupting his discipline, then someone pulled his hand firmly. It was Cecelia, his girlfriend.
"Robin, don't be a bully. If this gets to the office, you'll face the music. A teacher is around the corner." She whispered to his ears.
Robin fumed as he glanced towards the entrance of the cafeteria then he saw the teacher who had called him with the motion of his hand.
The cafeteria was quiet as a graveyard, immediately the bell rang out, and the hall became noisy. Michael's friends were still shocked at the act of Michael. Never will they think that Michael would be this way.
"That senior wouldn't let Michael be."
Jasmine said as she moved with her friends towards their classroom.
"He dare not touch my brother. He wouldn't, you'll see." Ashley assured them.