Like the world was turning upside down and a blast of siren was wailing in her ears. Nothing else mattered in that moment. Her eyes itched with tears forcing their way out. Pinching herself repeatedly to be sure it wasn’t a dream or worse, a prank. It wasn’t, especially seeing how he swarmed Mary Jane in his hand after she said yes.

“Ooops!” Bianca’s mocking voice reached her ears. Turning to see the joy of mischief on her face. “You thought he would settle for you?” Sticking out her tongue, her minions did the same. “No one wants to take a liability anywhere. You’re just good for publicity. He was always out of your league.” They all erupted in scornful laughter.

“Take me out of here!”

Samantha held tight the wheels pushing against the barriers of the sand on the beach. She had no reason to hold back her tears, she let them fall as she groaned louder.

“Arielle!” She recognized the voice without even turning back. “Samantha wheel me faster! Don’t let him get to me.”

“I’m trying!“ the sand made speed almost impossible causing him to catch up with them.

“Where are you going?”

Holding up a straight face like she didn’t just bawl out her eyes in tears. “Home,”

“Why? The party just started. I’ve not even introduced you to my prom date.” His excitement exposed his oblivion. The wind of the beach ran through her hair, frustrating her more.

“I don’t need to see your date. It’s Mary Jane, the part time janitor.”

“Arielle!” Squatting to meet her face, “she only does that part-time to pay her bills. Apart from that, Mary Jane is as much a student as you are.” His voice soft and calm.

She grunted, “you said you care about me?” Whimpering, “you called me Cinderella? You took me out on dates only to make a fool out of me and boost your fan base!”

“That’s not true! You’re my friend and that never changed. Mary Jane has been my crush since grade 4.”

“I don’t care!” Slamming her armrest, “if not for this stupid accident, how dare you compare me with a low life like Mary Jane?!”

His tongue untangled to spew out his rage but he held it back. Rising up to his feet. “Can I at least drop you home?”

“No, Sam would do that.” Turning to Samantha, “let’s go!” She hinted Zion to quit pacifying her and let them go which he did.

The rest of Arielle’s week was spent in her room, covered in her duvet. Not in the mood to see anyone or even go to school. Deceiving her parents on the note of being sick, She could see Bianca’s tweet mocking her online. Her absence didn’t stop the world from moving especially for Zion. The NBA draft was released and his name topped the list giving him a full scholarship to the college of his choice and also a space to play professionally with the big leagues next season.

“Girl! I got you your favorite powdered doughnuts.” Samantha yapped immediately she stepped into the room. The only one who didn’t get tired of Arielle’s sulking.

“I’m not hungry.” Throwing her duvet over her head but it was pulled off.

“I insist!”pulling Arielle to a sitting position. Observing her tattered hair and rumpled face. “You look horrible.”

“I don’t care.”

“You should. Today’s prom.”

Arielle’s face lit up for a bit but it quickly weaned. “That’s great.”

Samantha’s face wearing a question mark. “Aren’t you going to come for that too?”

“I’m not coming.” With any indifferent posture.

“Arielle, we’ve planned for our final prom for years. Why would you want to miss it?”

“Let’s start with I’m the laughing stock of the entire school and I’m not willing to drown in grief anymore than I already am.”

“Arielle!” Samantha

Samantha brazenly snatching her bag from the bed. “I can’t believe you decided to let one stupid guy put your life on hold! I’m going for my last prom.” Kissing Arielle’s forehead and dashing out. Her heart fluttered for letting Samantha down but she couldn’t. Never had she imagined herself in a wheelchair for prom. Tears slipped down her cheeks, her chest clogging with tears.

“He fooled me.” She repeated. Opening the school blog some minutes later, students were already arriving with flashy clothes and making an entrance. Her blood boiled at everyone of them especially at Zion. He stepped hand in hand with Mary Jane, forcing her to more fury.

There and then it hit her, Samantha’s words. She was fine being the victim. Picking up her phone to get her plans in motion.

“Hello?” Whimpering, “can you…come over to my place?”

So much difficulty it took for Arielle to transport herself from the bed to her wheelchair but she took it. Getting dressed, she made the call to the house security. It was her parents date night hence she was alone with Winifred who wouldn’t pose any distraction.

“I’ll soon be back. It’s an emergency!” Zion whispered in Mary Jane’s ear as he ran off. Amidst speed and worry, he bumped into Samantha.

“I’m sorry.”

She gave him an attitude but he cared less. “Sam, did Arielle call you?”

“No, why?”

“She called me and I think-“ his mind making several calculations, “forget about it. Enjoy prom!” Hastily running into his borrowed car and speeding off to the Monroe’s apartment.

First thing he noticed were the dim lights as he entered.

“She’s upstairs in her room.” Winifred said with her hands gesturing the way to go.

“Thanks.”

Running up the stairs breathlessly. “Arielle, you called for me.” Pushing the door open to see her covered in her duvet. He had come up but never being alone with her.

“Zion, come in.” Her voice barely above a whisper.

“Are you ok?” Crouching by her side but maintaining a safe distance.

“Am I not beautiful enough?” Leaning forward but he pushed back.

“What is this about, Arielle? I left prom to ensure you’re safe.”

“Come, help me up.” Feigning a frown, immediately rushing to help her but her hands seized his blazer fighting with it.

“Arielle, what’s wrong? What are you doing?” Still not knowing what to make of the violence ensuing, the duvet over her thighs fell off revealing her torn night gown and the scratch marks on her body. He tried pushing her off but all her might was exerted.

“Heeeeellllpppp!” Her voice echoed down the hall, in less than a minute, the door flung open with raging Monroe in the company of police officers. Brights lights immediately turned on. She held even tighter, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Sir…I…I don’t know what’s wrong with…her.”

BAAAM!

He staggered from the first blow, “I let you into my house and you decide to rape my daughter right under my roof?!”

“No…no.” still not sure of the right words. His world had stopped some minutes ago. As the police cuffs clipped his wrist, it was then it made sense.

“I didn’t…do it…I swear!”

“You’ll explain all of that in the station.”