Chapter 2: chapter 2
The next day at school, I couldn't help but feel like everyone was staring at me. I wasn't sure if it was because of what had happened with Michiel or if it was just my imagination. But I tried to ignore it and focus on my classes.
During lunch, I was surprised when Linda, one of my classmates, came over to my table. She was a quiet girl who kept to herself most of the time, so I was surprised when she started talking to me.
"Hey, Lin," she said, a smile on her face. "I heard about what happened with Michiel yesterday. You were really brave."
I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. It was nice to know that there were people who supported me, even if they didn't know the full story.
"Thanks, Linda," I said, returning her smile. "It wasn't easy, but I'm glad I did it."
Linda looked at me for a moment before speaking again. "Hey, so there's this party happening this weekend. A bunch of us are going, and I was wondering if you wanted to come too?"
I was taken aback. I had never been invited to a party before, let alone by Linda, who I barely knew.
"Uh, I don't know," I said, hesitating. "I'm not really a party person."
Linda shrugged. "That's okay. It's not going to be anything crazy, just a small get-together. It'll be fun, I promise."
I considered her offer for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll come."
Linda's face lit up. "Great! I'll text you the details later."
As she walked away, I couldn't help but feel excited. This was my chance to show people the real me, to let them see that I wasn't just some poor kid. It was risky, but I knew that it was the right thing to do.
For the rest of the day, I couldn't focus on anything but the upcoming party. I couldn't wait to show people what I was really capable of. And I knew that with Linda by my side, I was sure to have a good time.
As the week progressed, I found myself getting more and more nervous about the party. I had never been to one before, and the thought of having to interact with people outside of school made me anxious. But I was determined to go through with it. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was more than just a poor kid.
On Friday afternoon, I received a text from Linda with the details of the party. It was being held at a house in a wealthy neighborhood, which made me even more nervous. But I put on my best clothes and headed over, determined to make a good impression.
When I arrived, I was surprised to see that there were only a handful of people there. It was a small gathering, just like Linda had promised. I spotted Linda in the corner, talking to a group of girls. She saw me and waved me over.
"Hey, Lin! Glad you made it," she said, giving me a quick hug.
I smiled nervously. "Thanks for inviting me. This is my first party, so I'm not really sure what to do."
Linda laughed. "Don't worry about it. Just have fun and be yourself."
She introduced me to her friends, and I was surprised to find that they were all really nice. They didn't seem to care that I was from a different background than them. We talked and laughed, and I found myself starting to relax.
As the night went on, more people arrived, and the party started to pick up. There was music playing, and people were dancing and having a good time. I even joined in, despite feeling self-conscious about my lack of dance skills.
At one point, I found myself in a conversation with a guy named Jack, who I had never met before. He was asking me about myself, and I found myself hesitating to answer. I didn't want to lie about my background, but I also didn't want to reveal the truth.
Just then, Linda appeared next to me, sensing my discomfort. "Hey, Lin, can I talk to you for a second?"
She pulled me aside and looked at me with concern. "Is everything okay?"
I sighed. "I don't know what to tell people about myself. I don't want to lie, but I also don't want them to know the truth."
Linda nodded in understanding. "I get it. But you don't have to hide who you are. You're an amazing person, and people will like you for who you are, not your money."
Her words made me feel better. She was right. I didn't need to hide who I was. I just needed to be myself.
With a newfound sense of confidence, I rejoined the party, determined to have a good time. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone