Heartbreak

"Hey, Pauper! My girlfriend and I need to assuage our thirst, the sun is pretty much today. Come and have this five ten dollars and get us a cold americano from the school cafe, then you can use the remaining two dollars to enjoy your life" a voice uttered amid other students, motioning to Adrain to move closer.

"Has he launched an errand job in the school environment? If yes, I would also like to send him to get some snacks for me at the cafeteria" another added in a ridiculous tone while other students burst into laughter.

"Why won't he go when the two Dollars can save him from eating trash on the street" the first guy retorted.

Adrain stood and couldn't mutter any statement. He faces humiliation in school every day, yet there is nothing he could do about it. He was on scholarship because of his high level of brilliance, yet he was finding it difficult to cope but what would he do? Absolute nothing! Since it's the best place to get an education and not paying a dime made it easier.

When he was still In his former school, he wasn't humiliated and even had a lot of friends but he had to work for six hours after school for him to be able to pay his tuition fees which cost almost a peanut fee. Reducing his part-time job to four hours made him the happiest person when he was awarded a scholarship from the minister of education after a heated competition between some schools.

"Adrian, in case you need another part-time job, feel free to come to me and I'll give you one. Washing my butt will earn you ten dollars in a day, don't you think that's pretty much for a lowlife like you?" Another student mocked him and the rest giggled as usual.

He was offended but chose not to concede. Instead, he turned back and wanted to change his direction but mistakenly collided with someone. Before he could raise his head and apologize, a loud slap landed on his left cheek.

"Are you mad? Has poverty overwhelmed your eyes? How dare you touch my body with that stinking shoulder of yours!" A lady yelled, which also deflected the interest of those that weren't aware of his presence on the school field.

Adrain was hurt and his cheek had turned red immediately.

"It wasn't intentional, Rachel but don't you think slapping me is too much? I only collided with you by mistake" he said to defend himself since he wouldn't dare to fight back the rich kids. Nobody will ever support him if anything happens. They will be excited that the plaque in their midst has left.

"What does that seem to mean? Are you insinuating that I'm the one with the eye problem? Have you gone nuts? Jeez! The school management needs to do something to eradicate this idiot school so that we can breathe well" With that, she used her hand to blow some air to inform herself of the demonstration and walked away from the field.

Adrain tried to lift his legs but it seemed they had been glued to the ground. He wasn't able to get used to the everyday stigma and embarrassment. The stares from the students and their laughter made him more uncomfortable.

He was vexed and felt cheated at the same time but had nothing to do. After what seemed like forever, he was able to drag his feet away from the school field. He was about to vacate the school field entirely when he mistakenly slipped and fell on his butt.

"Argh!" He screamed in pain as he felt some pain in the lower part of his body.

"Oh no! That little trick cannot break his leg. You could have used something else and not a banana feel" a student mocked from his back. Despite his pain, he managed to get back on his feet.

"Didn't I tell you? This will only hurt him for a while and not break his leg. We need something that will get him bedridden for months so that we can breathe and be free of suffocating" another student cursed.

"What have I done to deserve this?" Adrian questioned in a murmuring voice but that was louder enough for some student to hear him. 

"Coming to this life is a mistake on its own, arriving through a poor family is the second one, and choosing not to reject the scholarship is the biggest among your sins" a voice echoed from the students. Adrain was embarrassed to look at the person, rather he chose to leave quickly. 

Fortunately, he was able to leave the field in one piece. He saw a bench that was placed under a tree and decided to rest there.

"Should I leave the school? This is becoming more serious!" He asked no one in particular.

"Hello, Mr. Poor Rat, I've dropped my mathematics assignment on your table and made sure to finish it before the end of today. Also, don't stain my book with poverty, else I don't cease to feed your head to my dog" A lady dropped by to inform him but Said the last part with disdain.

He was humiliated for being a poor student but he is the most intelligent of them all.

"One of the reasons I can't leave this school is because I need to make sure of their learning equipment to gain more knowledge," he said in response to his earlier question.

He was thirsty but had no money to buy any drinks. He walked towards the public water, meant for drinking in the school, hoping to quench his thirst but had to turn back and take another direction when he saw some of his fellow students chit-chatting at the place. He wasn't ready to face another bundle of insults. Going back to the study room isn't the best option, cox some students would be there also to mock him and the library? That's his worst fantasy!

He paused when he remembered there was somewhere to visit. His girlfriend had called him hours earlier to complain about having a headache. Strolling on the school premises with her by his side always lessens any form of humiliation for the day.

He had earlier told her to take a nap, as the headache may have occurred because of stress. When he recalled how supportive his girlfriend was, he began to smile like a small boy that just feels

He didn't notice he was smiling, till two girls passed beside him and were shooting him some disgusting looks. He thought it was normal since nearly all the students stare at him irritatedly until they voiced out.

"I couldn't believe the poor guy now has some mental disorder. He needs to get treated instantly" the first girl uttered

"Smiling all alone isn't a good sign. I only hope he will be taken out of the school premises. Who knows? His illness may be contagious" the second girl retorted.

Adrain quickly composed himself and began to head toward the school infirmary to see his girlfriend. That's the only place to get enough rest during the study hours and he had already advised her to go there.

About two blocks to reach the school infirmary, he saw two students behind a building kissing deeply like their lives depended on it.

He chose to ignore them but on second thought, the backside of the girl looked familiar. Could that be Matilda? Hell no! She wouldn't do such a thing. She has always told him that his status isn't important and she has been his pillar of support in the school premises. 

Yet, he chose to move closer to have a glimpse of them, so that he would be able to satisfy his curiosity. His heart was beating so fast as he proceeded to see them. 

"What if he gets insulted for interfering in two lovers' affairs? On no condition would they let him go scot Free" he thought as he nearly reached their side but he was determined to steal a gaze at least.

"Matilda!" He cried out when he saw the lady happened to be his girlfriend, he was shattered and dumbfounded!