Chapter one

Today was Wednesday. Two days before I died.

“Well if it isn’t the wretched pig of Hamilton high.” Ashley’s high pitched voice reached my ears as I shut my locker.

She was the head of the cheerleading team and the most beautiful girl in Hamilton high.

“Ash, you’re far too nice. A pig looks way better than that.” Audrey said, mocking me. As usual.

Audrey was her best friend, the president of the student council, and the daughter of the owners of Hamilton high.

As they laughed, making fun of my looks, I clutched my books to my chest and tried to walk past them, my head automatically lowered.

“How dare you walk out when we’re talking to you??” Ashley snapped, dragging me by the hair.

“Please let me go! Please!” I cried, her grip on hair tearing at my scalp.

“The scholarship must have gotten to her head. She thinks she’s one of us.” Audrey said, her eyes looking at me with disgust.

“This is why poor people like her shouldn’t be in such a prestigious school, she reeks of poverty!” Ashley exclaimed, shoving me to to the floor.

“You know what Ash? Let’s give her a room befitting for her status.” Audrey spoke, a mischievous smirk on her lips.

Ashley smiled knowingly, and I knew that look all too well.

I knew what was coming next.

Ashley pulled me by the hair, dragging me on the floor.

My screams filled the halls, but no one said anything, everyone else looked away, as usual.

“This pig is so fat! So disgusting!” Ashley said, and Ashley laughed.

“If I looked like her, I’d jump off a building.”

Tears flowed from my eyes as they dragged me, my heart pounding in fear as we approached the janitor's closet.

That was their favorite place to keep me, since they found out I was claustrophobic.

“Please! Please don’t this! Please!” I cried till my throat hurt.

But they didn’t listen. They never did.

They threw me into the closet and locked me inside.

I knocked frantically, but no one came to my aid.

No one ever did.

“Now I have to take a shower, she stinks like a pig!” I could already imagine the irritation on her face as she spoke.

The one she always had when she looked at me.

“We put a little present in there, to remind you of your downbeat apartment.” I heard Audrey speak.

And then the smell hit me. It was very pungent, and I searched under the dim light until I saw it.

There were three rats.

Dead.

A loud scream escaped my lips, and I began to bang on the door. “Someone help!!! Help!!!”

And all they did was laugh.

They laughed as they walked away, till I could no longer hear them.

This has been my life since I got a scholarship to the most prestigious high school in New York City- Hamilton high.

It was nicknamed the school of the rich and famous.

That’s why I don’t belong here. And I’m reminded everyday of it.

“Anyone… please…” I whimpered as the halls grew silent.

My eyes slowly turned blurry as I leaned on the door for support.

And then suddenly, the door opened, and I fell into strong toned arms.

“Are you okay?” He said, his voice calming me.

As I looked up at my savior, it was none other than my secret love’s best friend, Damien Skye.

His blue eyes gazed at me worriedly, as I composed myself, standing up straight.

“Y-yes, I am, th-thank you.” I replied, my voice small as I lowered my head.

It had become a habit since I started getting bullied.

Looking anyone in the eye was termed as insubordination.

Because how dare I– a shapeless, acne stricken, buck teeth, poor girl– even think of myself as their equal??

But what he did next warmed my heart.

He stretched his hand towards me, and in it was an handkerchief.

I looked up at him, with watery eyes and he gave a small smile.

I was hesitant to collect it from him, because in Hamilton high, the kindness of the rich always comes with hidden intention.

What if this was another prank?

As if if noticing my hesitation, he reached for my hand slowly, and placed the handkerchief in it.

“For your tears.” He said softly.

Why was he being nice to me? Everyone else would just walk by because they know it was social suicide to go against Ashley and Audrey.

I wiped my tears with it and carefully folded it into my breast pocket.

He was about to say something else, and then the bell rang.

“Thank you!” I said quickly as I ran to class.

I’d already missed a period of class! I couldn’t afford to miss another one.

Thankfully, I got to class on time and this was the only class I was spared from the clutches of Ashley and Audrey.

And it was the only class I could shamelessly stare at my secret love, Cody Simmons. Captain of the football team, and the hottest guy in school.

He was every girl’s dream, mine included.

When the bell rang again, I was relieved. This marked the last class before exams next week.

My last class in this school. It’s finally over.

I stayed in my seat at the back of the class, till I was sure everyone had left the class before standing up.

But as I got to the door, it opened and I froze immediately.

What was he doing back here?? Maybe he forgot something.

Ignoring the frantic drumming in my chest as I lowered my eyes, about to leave.

“Hey beautiful.” He said, with that signature charming smirk on his lips, stopping me in my tracks.

I had to look around, so see if there was anyone else in the class asides me.

But there was no one.

Just me.

It took everything in me not to collapse instantly.

My heart thundered in my chest as I stood before him.

The boy adored by every girl in Hamilton high.

The boy I could only dare to love in secret.

Cody simmons.

Just called me beautiful.