Chapter 3~ A Weak Rat

Thanking the elderly woman at the counter who handed her a cup of juice, the woman's eyes showed some warmth which made the brown-haired girl feel relief.

Knowing that there was some good in the school, even if it was hard to find it thanks to those who would gladly snuff it out. 

Now turning to find a place to sit, Anberine immediately felt her stomach leap up to her throat as she suddenly tripped and fell straight on to the floor. 

This to her sorrow resulted in laughter from the ones who saw her fall, her ears immediately became red while throbbing uncomfortably due to how hot they became.

Food and juice now covered her semi shaking body after hitting the floor. 

Even though she was in pain she tried not to whimper even though her hands and knees were screaming from the impact as she tried to get up. 

Her hands that held the tray released the item thanks to the fall while they turned red.

"Ooops, looks like you fell" said a voice, soon she saw a pair of black shoes that appeared in her line of vision. 

Looking up she saw a smug red-haired grey-eyed boy staring at her while folding his arms.

Holding his right arm was a blond-haired teen girl with blue eyes wearing semi-short clothes. 

Even though it was against the school dress code given she was wearing semi revealing clothes.

 The blue-eyed girl snorted as she saw the state of the girl but didn't bother to help as she watched the injured girl struggle.

The brown-haired girl looked up at him weakly knowing that it had been him who did this.

"Of course... who else would have done it?" she muttered grudgingly as she looked back at the male, masking her bitterness at how he could not only hurt but humiliate her in front of their classmates.

"Might want to watch where you're walking, then again you are clumsy rat girl" the boy jeered while some students laughed at the state she was in, not caring that it was upsetting her as it was something they witnessed nowadays. 

"Hmm? Nothing to say?" the boy asked with a mocking smile as he bent down slightly to look at her, his hands were on his hips while a cold glint formed in his eyes.

"Prince Skye let's just leave her, she's just a nobody so why bother dealing with her?" the blue-eyed girl cooed causing him to scoff in disgust before kicking some of the food that was on the floor into injured girl's eyes. 

This in turn caused the already injured girl to whine loudly in pain as some of the food was still hot. 

Shakily she placed her hands to her face in order to help remove the gunk and pain that continued to sear her face.

"Weakling" he muttered darkly as she continued to groan weakly while rubbing her eyes with her sleeves.

Mentally she was thankful that the food and water were masking her tears preventing anyone from mocking her anymore.

"Anberine" a boy whose voice she quickly caught out despite the loud noises that echoed in her ear leaving her thinking that wasps and locusts were in the area. 

Knowing that for now she was unable to see or get up without crashing into things left her more uncomfortable as she was vulnerable to more attacks. 

Feeling someone eventually help her up by her arms, she immediately tensed up until she felt hands on her back.

Regardless of the help she still remained tense to the boy's anger from seeing how scared and upset she was. 

"I've got you Anberine, don't worry I'm here" the boy whispered soft words of comfort before flashing a cold glare at the prince who just smirked cruelly at the pair.

"A weak rat always leans towards an even weaker rat, you two are perfect for each other" Prince Skye had said with a mocking jeer before going to sit at his table with the girl still hanging on to his arm. 

Something that got the boy who was helping her to mutter under his breath at how the prince could do anything and not care about who he was hurting as long as he got what he wanted. 

Everything was a joke to him to the point he saw people even nobles as dirt under his shoes.

"Get her inside" the cook whispered sternly once she approached the pair after shooing a few students who were about to make more trouble for the pair, glaring at the group the boy helped Anberine to the kitchen thankful to the elderly woman who opened the door for them.

~

Once inside did the woman help Anberine by grabbing a towel soaked with water and used it to wipe the distressed girl's eyes. 

The boy watched with a sad look as Anberine squeezed his hand tightly due to the pain, just watching her had left the boy feeling angrier at how most of the students would continue to torment her. 

Regardless of the fact that she was trying to remain out of the public eye. 

But no matter what she did she was always subjected to their abuse and most of it was thanks to the prince who had a vendetta against her for whatever reason he had in mind.

"S-Sorry Marcus, didn't mean to hurt your hand" Anberine said weakly as her teeth chattered from pain thanks to her body shaking, wanting nothing more than to cry until there were no more tears to shed. 

Wanting the pain to leave for good but alas when it did it was only temporary. 

Staring at her Marcus an orange-haired male with hazel brown eyes stared at her with sad eyes.

 He wore a white shirt under his black jacket, black faded jeans and black trainers.

Smiling softly in hopes of cheering her up he patted her head softly.

"It's okay Anbery, I'm sorry I couldn't be there sooner" he said before turning quickly in order to look at the door that released a loud bang. 

A frown quickly formed on his face thanks to whoever sent the door open in a violent manner.

"Oh for goodness sake! Get out of my kitchen!" the elderly cook snapped sharply as two individuals entered the kitchen.