---
The next morning came with heavy silence.
Julie helped Nelly dress in her spare uniform — the only one she had now. Her voice was calm, but her eyes still burned with the memory of yesterday's humiliation.
> "Hold your head up," she said as she brushed Nelly's hair.
"Even if your knees shake, never let them see you bend again."
Nelly nodded slowly, even though her heart still felt shattered. She wasn't strong yet, but something had started shifting inside her.
She picked up her bag and stepped out of the house, determined not to cry today.
But halfway to the school gate, she heard footsteps behind her.
Jimmy.
He walked up beside her, chewing gum, hands in his pockets, eyes cold.
> "No 'thank you' for the uniform?" he asked with a twisted grin.
Nelly didn't answer.
> "I went through all the trouble just for you," he added sarcastically.
"Didn't it itch enough?"
Still, Nelly stayed quiet. Her lips pressed together, her eyes straight ahead.
> "Ah," Jimmy laughed dryly, "So the rat grew a spine overnight?"
Then suddenly—a shove.
Nelly lost her balance, her foot catching on a stone. She stumbled and fell hard on the gravel road, her knees scraping against the rough surface.
Blood stained her socks.
She winced in pain but didn't scream.
Jimmy looked down at her coldly… and walked right past without a single word.
> "Next time, speak when I talk to you," he muttered before disappearing down the path.
Nelly stayed there for a second, her chest rising and falling as she bit her lips to stop the tears.
Her palms burned. Her knees ached. Her pride felt crushed.
But slowly—she got up.
Limping and hurting, she adjusted her bag on her back and continued walking.
Every step was pain.
But her silence? That was strength.
Nelly was limping quietly toward her class, her knees still stinging and her socks stained with blood, when a soft voice called out behind her.
> "Excuse me… big sister?"
She turned, her breath catching.
A small girl, no older than 12, stood there in a faded pink dress, holding out a tiny jar of balm.
> "I saw when that boy pushed you down," she said, eyes full of concern.
"I was scared to come out, but… this helps with wounds. My mommy uses it on me when I fall."
Nelly stared at her — stunned by the gesture.
Something about the girl… her face, her kindness… reminded her of Maria, her little sister back home.
> "What's your name?" Nelly asked, her voice soft.
> "Joy," the girl smiled. "My mommy is one of the cleaners here. I just follow her sometimes. I'm not a student yet."
> "You're very brave, Joy. Thank you."
Joy looked shyly at her knees.
> "Why are you in this school? Are you okay?"
Nelly gave a small, sad smile.
> "I'm here because… I have nowhere else to be. And I want to make something out of my life."
Joy nodded like she understood more than a 12-year-old should.
They sat on a bench under a tree. Nelly slowly applied the balm, trying not to wince. Joy helped open the water bottle from her bag and tore a small piece of tissue from her pocket.
> "You're really kind, Joy. You remind me of someone I miss a lot."
> "Your sister?"
Nelly nodded.
> "Her name is Maria. She would've been your age."
That was it. A bond was born.
---
During break, Nelly noticed Joy sitting alone under the same tree. Her stomach turned when she remembered the lunch she packed — just enough for two.
She walked over and sat beside Joy.
> "Want to eat together?"
Joy's eyes lit up.
> "Really? You'll share with me?"
> "Of course," Nelly smiled. "Sisters share."
They unwrapped the food and laughed as they talked about funny things — how Joy's mom hated lizards and how Joy wanted to become a nurse.
Nelly, for the first time in weeks, felt peace.
Until a high-pitched voice broke it.
> "Awwww… look at this pity party."
Nelly froze.
Luna.
With her sisters Bella and Clara right behind her. And this time — two of their friends from school: Kylie and Juan, known for their fake accents and sharp tongues.
Luna walked up slowly, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
> "Feeding stray children now? Are you trying to start a homeless shelter?"
Clara scoffed.
> "She probably sees herself in the girl. Broke, dirty, and sad."
> "Maybe she's practicing how to beg," Bella laughed. "Nelly the beggar. How cute."
Nelly stood up slowly, shielding Joy behind her.
> "Leave her out of this," she said, her voice surprisingly steady.
> "Ooooh, she speaks now!" Kylie mocked.
"Do you think you're brave now just because Jimmy pretended to care about you for five seconds?"
Juan stepped forward with a smirk.
> "Careful, Nelly. You're starting to forget your place. That didn't end well for the last girl who thought she could fit in."
Nelly's hands balled into fists — not out of anger, but out of the pain of having no one to defend her.
Except one voice…
A small one.
Joy peeked out from behind her.
> "You're all just jealous she's nicer than you."
Dead silence.
Bella blinked. Kylie gasped. Juan burst into laughter.
But Luna? Her eyes narrowed.
> "Say that again, rat," she hissed at Joy.
Nelly stepped in front of Joy.
> "Touch her," she said, "and I swear I'll scream this whole school down."
The girls stared at her in disbelief.
Something had changed in Nelly's voice.
And Luna… noticed it.
> "You're starting to talk too much," Luna muttered, then grabbed Kylie's arm.
"Let's go. This is boring now."
As they walked away, Luna whispered just loud enough for Nelly to hear:
> "Watch your back, both of you. That girl won't save you next
Who are they? .
My siblings.
That's not true
Okay fine how about we discuss about them some other time the break is over now .and I ne...
Joy interrupt. It's fine
Nelly smiled at joy and left why joy sat and stare while she was limping away.
*******
That school day, things didn't seem so bad for once.
Joy sat beside Nelly at break, talking and giggling. It felt warm… normal… like something close to happiness.
And when Luna and her crew mocked again, Nelly stood up — not just for herself, but for Joy.
> "You can insult me all you want," she'd said, standing between the girls and Joy, "but don't touch her. I won't let you."
Luna gave her that icy, dangerous smirk — but walked away without pushing further.
For the first time ever, Nelly felt like she'd won — even if it was small.
But peace, in Nelly's world, never lasted long.
She reached the house tired but relieved… unaware that the real torment was only waiting.
As she stepped in, she heard Clara's voice from the hallway.
> "Look who's back. The queen of dirty children."
Kylie appeared next, arms crossed.
> "Did you enjoy playing 'big sister' in school? Awww… how sweet."
Nelly didn't respond. She walked toward the stairs, but Bella blocked her path.
> "Where do you think you're going?"
> "To rest. I'm tired—"
> "Rest?" Clara laughed. "You're not here to rest, you're here to work."
Juan stepped out of the kitchen holding a list.
> "We made a schedule. You'll clean the toilets, scrub the backyard, sweep the compound, then go to the market for us."
Nelly looked around helplessly.
> "But… where's Julie?"
Bella smirked.
> "Julie's in her room. She's not helping you today."
Luna appeared last, arms folded.
> "You like acting like a superhero in school, right? Let's see how powerful you are at home."
They shoved the mop and broom into her arms.
> "Start now. No dinner until everything's done."
Hours passed. Nelly's back ached. Her feet burned. Her stomach growled with hunger.
When she finally reached the kitchen to drink some water, she saw Julie standing by the fridge, arms folded.
> "Why didn't you help me?" Nelly asked, her voice cracking.
Julie didn't answer at first. She looked… tired. Distant.
> "Because you didn't listen to me."
> "I was only protecting Joy. She's just a child!"
Julie sighed heavily.
> "And you're not? You're here alone, no one to defend you, no one to speak up for you. I told you to stay quiet. Blend in. Survive."
> "That's not surviving, Julie… That's surrendering."
Julie's face hardened.
> "Then go ahead, be brave. But don't come crying to me when it breaks you."
She walked away, leaving Nelly alone again — tired, betrayed, and empty.
That night, Nelly lay on the hard mattress in the corner of the room, her hands sore and blistered. Her uniform still smelled faintly of the itchy substance from yesterday. Her knees ached. Her pride was bleeding.
She buried her face into the pillow to cry but found… she had no tears left.
All she could do was whisper one thing over and over:
> "I'll get out of here. One day… I'll get out.
Nelly was sweeping the corridor late that night when a deep voice startled her from behind.
> "You. Come here."
She turned quickly — it was Mr. Benson, standing tall in his wine-colored robe, his face calm… too calm.
Nelly dropped the broom. "Sir… good evening."
> "Follow me."
He led her to the private study, a room no one entered without permission. The door closed behind her with a heavy click.
He stood with his back to her, pouring himself a drink. The air in the room felt heavier than usual.
> "I've been watching you," he finally said, swirling the glass.
Nelly stood quietly, head down.
> "You're… quiet. Obedient. But lately," he turned to face her, "you're making noise where you shouldn't."
> "I—I don't understand, sir."
Mr. Benson chuckled, a low, cold sound.
> "Standing up to my daughters. Making friends with strangers. Getting attention from Jimmy… Do you think you're one of us now?"
Nelly's heart dropped.
> "No, sir… I—I never—"
> "Then act like it," he snapped, cutting her off. "You were brought here for two things: school, and service. Don't forget your place."
She looked down, fists clenched.
> "Also," he stepped closer, his voice lowering, "you'll address my daughters and sons with respect. If Luna slaps you, you bow your head. If Jimmy mocks you, you smile. If I give an order, you obey without blinking. Understood?"
> "Yes… sir," she whispered.
He leaned closer, his tone cold as ice.
> "And don't ever… ever cry to me again. I'm not your father. I did your father a favor. Don't make me regret it."clear ?
"Yes sir".
Mr Benson starts touching Nelly ripping off her dress and nelly knowing what he wanted to do she begged and begged Mr Benson turn on deaf ears and forced his self on nelly
Fortunately Jimmy came out of know where hearing the noise coming from the study room he burst in and Mr Benson was shocked.
Mr. Benson stumbled back as Jimmy stormed into the room, eyes blazing with rage.
> "What the hell are you doing to her?!"
Nelly clutched her torn sleeve, heart racing, eyes wide and full of tears. Mr. Benson looked cornered—shocked, but trying to mask it with pride.
> "You stay out of this, Jimmy. It's not what it looks like."
> "Not what it looks like? She's crying! She's terrified! You were on top of her!"
Jimmy's voice echoed through the walls. Nelly had backed herself against the bookshelf, trembling.
> "If Mom hears about this—"
Mr. Benson's voice turned cold, cutting him off.
> "If anyone hears about this… she dies."
He pointed at Nelly, who was barely breathing from fear.
> "You know what I'm capable of, son. Keep your mouth shut, or your precious girl will vanish without a trace. Do you understand me?"
Jimmy stepped in front of Nelly protectively. "You're a monster."
> "I'm your father," Mr. Benson growled. "And I own everything in this house. Including the lies."
With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The thud rang in Nelly's chest like a gunshot.
Silence.
Jimmy turned slowly. Nelly was still on the floor, her face buried in her hands, sobbing.
He bent down gently.
> "Nelly… I'm—"
But before he could finish, Nelly sprang up and shoved him hard against the wall, eyes burning with betrayal.
> "Don't you dare pretend to care!"
Her voice cracked from the pain.
> "You mock me. You torment me. You made me wear that itchy uniform. You watched me suffer. And now—what? You're suddenly a savior?!"
Jimmy was frozen in place, guilt splashed across his face.
> "I'm not stupid, Jimmy. I've been alone since I walked into this house. You all made sure of that."
She sniffed, fists clenched.
> "Your father tried to break me. And you… you were helping him without even touching me."
Jimmy whispered, "I didn't know he would—"
> "But you knew I was drowning," she spat, "and you let me."
A long silence followed. Jimmy looked down.
> "I'm sorry…"
Nelly didn't say another word. She walked out of the study, her shoulders trembling.
She didn't slam the door.
She didn't scream.
She left that room carrying more pain than ever… but also, a spark of fire that would never burn out again.
---