Chapter 1
POV: School
(Students arguing.)
(Teacher walks in.)
Ms. Joy:
"Silence. Take out your test book and turn to page 79."
(Students whispering.)
(In a high tone.)
Ms. Joy:
"I said silence."
(The bell rings.)
(The group gathers.)
Ben:
"So, Maya, why did you summon us?"
Maya:
"We need to come up with a plan to raise money for our weekly hangout."
Grace:
"Oh yes. We cannot keep asking our parents for money. We are old enough now."
Favor:
"Who is 'we'? I don't know about y'all, but I'm still a baby. I'm only 16."
Maya:
"Ha-ha. Funny, beauty queen.
So, are we all in for this?"
Josephine:
"Yeah."
Evelyn:
"Why is she speaking? We all know her dad is the president. She'll have the money, job or not."
Josephine:
"But I still want to help."
Evelyn:
"Well, we don't need your help. And if you want to help, first start by telling your dad to be a better leader instead of a corrupt one."
Favor:
"Enough, Evelyn. Stop."
Evelyn:
"Why? I'm only saying the truth. We don't need her here. She can go and play daddy's girl somewhere else."
Maya:
"Okay, fine. Evelyn, enough."
Evelyn:
(Smirks at Josephine.)
Ben:
"So... Maya, what's the plan? Election week is approaching. I bet there will be some jobs open."
Grace:
"We'll find a way."
Favor:
"How?"
Maya:
"What if we start applying for jobs? We also need money to visit the orphanage."
Josephine:
"Yeah. I've always wanted to visit the orphanage."
Evelyn:
"Let me guess. Since you're a spoiled daddy's girl, he didn't let you go. Typical."
Maya:
"Evelyn. Enough, please."
Evelyn:
"Fine."
Josephine:
"Um... my driver is here. Bye, guys."
Maya:
"Bye. Take care."
Evelyn:
"Bye, daddy's girl."
Ben:
"Evelyn, you need to control yourself around her."
Evelyn:
"There's just something about her and her family that I don't like. Trust me, they're hiding something."
Favor:
"Maybe you're just jealous that she can afford what you can't."
Evelyn:
"Me? Jealous? Girl, please. I don't get jealous of snakes like her."
Maya:
"Okay, that's it. My mum is here. Bye."
All:
"Bye. Take care. Stay safe."
(Maya leaves with the group and heads toward her mum's car.)
Later on, everyone went home.
Hours passed.
Saturday.
POV: Maya's House
Maya:
"Hi, Mum. Good morning."
Ms. Joyce:
"Hi, sweetie. How did you sleep?"
Maya:
"Good. And you?"
Ms. Joyce:
"Not so bad. I will be heading out. Bye."
Maya:
"Bye."
POV: President's House
(Mr. President and his wife are chatting. Josephine walks in.)
Mr. President:
"You're late for breakfast."
Josephine:
"Sorry."
Mr. President:
"It shouldn't happen again.
The driver told me that he saw you with that same group of kids I patiently warned you to stay away from."
Josephine:
"I... I..."
Mr. President:
"Yes or no. Were you with them?"
Josephine:
(Shivering.)
"Y-yes, sir."
Mr. President:
"So you disrespected me and went against my orders."
Josephine:
"I'm s-sorry. I have no other friends besides them."
Mr. President:
(Harsh tone.)
"I DON'T CARE. YOU DO AS I SAY.
Since you decided to go against me, you are grounded. One week in your room. No phone, no friends, and no food. Do you understand me?"
Josephine:
"Y-yes, sir."
Wife:
"But sweetie, she needs to go to school."
Mr. President:
"She will do online classes until she learns to listen.
And if anyone, including you, goes against this, there will be consequences. Trust me, they will be harsh. Understood?"
Wife:
"Yes."
Josephine:
"Yes, sir."
Mr. President:
"Now go to your room. I don't want to see you."
(Josephine rushes to her room in fear.)
POV: Josephine's Room
Josephine:
(Crying.)
(Knock on the door.)
Maid:
"Can I come in, ma'am?"
(Josephine quickly wipes her tears and fixes her voice.)
Josephine:
"Yes."
(The door opens.)
(The maid walks in.)
Maid:
"I came to take your laundry, ma'am."
Josephine:
"Please don't call me ma'am when it's just us. You're way older than me.
By the way, the laundry is right there."
Maid:
"Are you okay?"
Josephine:
"Yeah."
Maid:
"You sure?"
Josephine:
"Absolutely. Thanks for asking."
Maid:
"I'll take my leave now. Bye."
Josephine:
"Bye."
Night.
