Chapter 2
Connie's POV
Chase walked over, followed by a group of expensive-looking friends. He wore his uniform perfectly today, looking like a campus prince. The blonde one had to be Tyler, plus a few others I didn't recognize.
"Heard you welcomed me home with a baseball bat last night?" He sat across from me, the others circling around. The entire cafeteria's attention focused on our table. "What a WARM welcome."
I felt my face heating up but fought to stay composed. "I apologize. I didn't know it was you."
"Of course you didn't." Blonde Tyler snorted. "She probably thought places like ours actually had burglars."
The others erupted in harsh laughter. My fists clenched under the table.
Chase raised his hand for silence, something unreadable flashing in his eyes. "Tyler, come on. We should make Connie feel welcome. After all..." He paused, gaze sweeping across my face. "Not everyone gets the chance to experience our lifestyle."
"Right." A brunette girl chimed in. "From trailer park to mansion—that's quite the upgrade."
My face burned, fists clenching tighter. These spoiled brats—
Tyler "accidentally" bumped the table, sending my tomato soup splashing all over me.
Red liquid splattered everywhere, my white shirt instantly becoming a crime scene.
The entire cafeteria fell silent for a second, then erupted in louder laughter.
"Oops!" Tyler covered his mouth fake-sweetly. "Sorry! I'm so clumsy."
I stood slowly, soup dripping from my clothes. Everyone stared, waiting for my reaction. Some pulled out phones to record.
Chase leaned back in his chair, watching me with interest.
Did they think I'd cry? Run away?
DREAM ON! I wasn't backing down that easily.
"No problem." I said calmly, then grabbed Tyler's orange juice and poured it over his head without hesitation.
Orange juice splashed all over his hair and face as he jumped up with a shriek.
"Oops!" I mimicked his tone, voice sickly sweet. "Sorry! I'm so CLUMSY."
Then I turned and walked away, leaving a table of shocked rich kids.
Behind me, I heard Chase's low chuckle: "Interesting."
But this wasn't over.
That night, I was in the biology lab researching for tomorrow's quiz. Late and quiet, the entire academic building was nearly empty.
That's when I heard voices from the boys' locker room.
"Tyler, stop sending me those disgusting bug pictures!" Chase's voice sounded shaky. "You KNOW I hate those things!"
I stopped writing and perked up my ears.
"Dude, you seriously get freaked out by a little spider?" Tyler's voice was full of mockery.
"SHUT UP! They're just gross to look at! Delete it NOW!" Chase sounded more agitated. "Didn't I tell you not to send that crap?"
"Okay, okay, I'll delete it." Tyler laughed louder. "But bro, your bug phobia is seriously intense. You almost passed out from seeing a cockroach last time."
"That's different! Just don't send that stuff anymore!"
Footsteps faded, the locker room fell silent again.
I slowly turned to look at the glass containers in the lab corner. One housed a fuzzy Texas tarantula—our biology class specimen.
This spider was much bigger than whatever was in Tyler's phone pictures. Fuzzy body, eight thick legs—definitely scary-looking.
A plan formed in my mind.
Tomorrow was Friday, basketball practice day. Chase would definitely come to the locker room to change.
I knew this was risky, but my pride wouldn't let me be bullied without fighting back.
Friday afternoon, while everyone was in last period, I snuck into the biology lab. The Texas tarantula sat quietly in its glass container, seeming to sense my gaze as it crawled a few steps.
"Sorry, little guy." I whispered. "But this is for justice."
I put on thick gloves and carefully transferred the spider to a small box. It was more cooperative than expected, didn't struggle much.
Next came the crucial part—infiltrating the boys' locker room.
I waited until basketball practice started and everyone was in the gym before quietly pushing open the locker room door. Empty inside, just rows of lockers standing silently.
Finding Chase's locker wasn't hard—it had a "C. Blackwood" label. I took a deep breath and carefully opened his gym bag.
Inside was a clean basketball uniform, designer athletic shoes, and an expensive sports drink.
I placed the small box at the bottom of the bag, making sure the spider had enough space, then quickly left.
Everything went smoothly.
The next morning, the entire school was buzzing about one thing—Chase Blackwood had fainted in the locker room after being scared by a spider.
I sat in the dining hall, trying to keep a straight face while internally celebrating.
"Did you hear?" A girl next to me said excitedly. "When Chase opened his gym bag yesterday, a huge spider crawled out!"
"Really?" Another girl's eyes widened. "Then what?"
"He SCREAMED and passed out on the spot! Tyler said he'd never seen Chase that terrified."
"Wow, so the school's basketball prince is that afraid of bugs."
I kept my head down drinking milk, fighting not to laugh out loud.
Just then, the cafeteria doors slammed open.
Chase strode in, face dark with fury burning in his eyes. His hair was disheveled, uniform wrinkled—looking more disheveled than usual.
The entire cafeteria fell silent, everyone watching him.
His gaze swept the dining hall, finally locking onto me.
My heartbeat quickened, but I maintained my calm exterior, continuing to drink my milk.
Chase walked straight toward my table, footsteps echoing loudly in the quiet cafeteria. Other students held their breath, feeling the tension in the air.
He stopped in front of me, hands braced on the table, leaning down to look at me. The fury in those blue eyes was about to ignite.
"You think this is FUNNY?" His voice was low, barely contained anger.
I looked up, putting on an innocent expression. "What's funny?"
"Stop pretending, Connie." He said through gritted teeth. "I KNOW it was you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." I shrugged. "I heard you had some trouble in the locker room yesterday?"
The watching students began whispering, everyone waiting for the show.
Chase's expression darkened further. "A Texas tarantula, Connie. The one that went 'missing' from the biology lab. You think that's a coincidence?"
"Maybe it just wanted a new home." I said calmly. "After all, who doesn't want to live more comfortably?"
This clearly hit a nerve. Something flashed in his eyes before he slowly straightened up.
"This game is just beginning." His voice was quiet, but the entire cafeteria could hear. "You think one little spider could scare me?"
I stood up too, looking up at him. Though he towered over me, I didn't back down.
"Let's find out then." I sneered. "But next time remember to check your bag, RICH BOY. You never know what might crawl out."
His fists clenched, veins bulging. I could see him fighting to control his rage.
"You don't know who you're messing with." He said word by word.
"I know exactly." I glared back fearlessly. "A COWARD who faints at spiders."
The entire cafeteria gasped. No one dared talk to Chase Blackwood like that.
His expression grew even darker, but surprisingly, he suddenly smiled. It was a dangerous smile.
"Good." He nodded. "Let's see just how much pressure you can handle."
I lifted my chin defiantly. "BRING IT ON."
The war had officially begun.