ELLA'S POV "Remember when Connor tried to ask out Jessica by serenading her in the cafeteria?" Liam grinned. "He sang so off-key, the lunch ladies thought a cat was dying in the kitchen!"We all burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the luxurious ballroom of the Grand Plaza Hotel. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow over our little group huddled around one of the many round tables. Large flat-screen TVs mounted on the walls played a slideshow of our high school memories.Connor's face turned beet red as he playfully shoved Liam. "Oh yeah? What about the time you accidentally set off the fire alarm trying to impress Dolly with your 'mad science skills'?"Dolly giggled, leaning into Liam's side. "I thought it was cute! Even if we did have to stand outside in the rain for an hour."I couldn't help but smile, taking a sip of my champagne. "God, we were such disasters back then. Remember the great cafeteria food fight of senior year?"Amelia snorted, nearl
ELLA'S POV "Ella,""Wake up sweetheart." I could hear my mom's voice pierce through my cozy cocoon of sleep like an annoying alarm clock. I groaned, burying my face deeper into my pillow. Monday mornings are the worst especially when they mark the beginning of senior year. Who needs seniorities when you can have a few extra minutes of sweet, sweet slumber. My mom's footsteps drew nearer and the floor creaked slightly as she swung my room door open. "Seriously, Ella! Don't make me pull out the big guns. It's the first day of senior year and you don't want to get scolded for being late."I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed and gave my mom a halfhearted glare. "Fine, fine. But no big guns, please. I'm not emotionally prepared for that on a Monday morning." But of course, my mom had that mischievous smile plastered on her face, and I knew instantly that she was up to something."Oh Ella, you asked for this" Ugh, not today mum! She placed her hands on her hips and began swaying th
ELLA'S POV"What the hell!"I groaned in pain as I hit the cold floor, my knees stinging so hard from the impact.Slowly lifting my face up, I hoped to see a concerned face but instead my eyes was met with the smirking face of Trent, my enemy with his messy dark hair and green eyes. His tall and muscular frame towered over me, making me feel even smaller and insignificant."Fucking watch where you are going, loser!" Trent scoffed, blowing his hair out of his face." Or are you busy daydreaming about your next sex with your pathetic little boyfriend."I shot him a death glare and rose to my feet, brushing off the dirts off my jeans. He always know how to push my buttons. Just because I'm dating the all popular Damien doesn't mean I'm fucking him. He can't just assume things in my relationship."For your information, my personal life is none of your business. Maybe you should focus on your failures instead of trying to pry into my sweet life. A life you will never have." I blurted out,
ELLA’S POV“Ow! What was that for?” I yelled, rubbing the back of my head where it had cracked against the linoleum floor. The whole classroom laughed except Susan of course who was fuming as I struggled to detangle myself from the upended chair. “Quiet down class, quiet.” Mrs kings yelled, her voice almost breaking. “There’s been more than enough excitement already.”The laughter died down as she turned to face trent who was failing miserably to look innocent with that insufferable smile on his face.“Trent, did you just trip Ella out of her seat?” I could tell Mrs kings was already tired of his nonsense – she only addressed him by his first name when she was fed up. I looked up at trent from my spot on the floor and I knew he would never admit it.Trent leaned back casually in his seat, running a hand through his hair. “Of course not, Ella just had a little accident.” He flashed an annoying grin. “Or maybe she’s just falling for me.”A few snickers arose from the back row where h
TRENT'S POVThe lunch bell finally rang and I jumped up more than ready to get out of class. My phone buzzed and I glanced down to see a text from Lucinda, my sort - of - girlfriend, if you could even call her that.More like a convenient hookup when I'm in the mood.Heyy Sexy, meet me at 5 in the equipment room. I want that hard body of yours pressed against mine:)I rolled my eyes, but felt myself getting hard. Lucinda may be clingy annoyance most of the time, but she's smoking hot and always down to fool around.Sure thing baby, can't wait to get my hands on you:) I quickly texted back.After that little scene with Ella earlier where I didn't get as much of a reaction as I'd hoped, I was definitely in the mood to blow off some steam. I hated how that mousy girl always acted so superior, not to mention she dating my nemesis, Damien. We'll see how high and mighty she feels with my hands up her skirt. Just thinking about messing with her gets me fired up.I stepped into the dark room
Trent's PovI barely had time to react before Damien's fist collided with my Jaw in a powerful right hook. The force of the blow knocked me back a few steps, pain exploding across my face. I tasted blood in my mouth from where my teeth had cut the inside of my cheek"You asked for it, Jerk!" Damien growled, spitting towards me. I touched my throbbing cheek and glanced around the cafeteria. Everyone wore sorry looks clearly thinking Damien had won. But I'll be damned if I let him make me look like a fool in front of the whole school!As Damien turned back ready to leave, I darted forward, spun him around and slammed my shoulder into his gut. He doubled over with a grunt.I brought my knee up hard, catching him under the chin. Damien wobbled but stayed on his feet. As he reared back to throw another wild punch, fury sharpened my reflexes and I dodged it easily. I tackled him around the waist, driving him into a nearby table. He crashed into the plates and food scattered everywhere."
ELLA'S POVI stood frozen, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene before me. Damien and Amelia, their bodies angled toward each other as she gently stroked his injured cheek.The same cheek he had shoved my hand away from earlier when I tried to tend to his bruises.This isn't fair.Why does she get to touch him so freely when he practically bit my head off for showing concern.My throat tightened as I watched Amelia Lean in close to whisper something in his ear. Something that made Damien grin that cocky, flirtatious smile that gives me butterflies.That's when Damien seemed to finally notice me standing there. His grin faded slightly as his eyes met mine. Then Amelia turned to follow his gaze, eyes landing on me with surprise, then cool assertment.Damien's jaw tightened. Then without a word,he stood up straight and walked away. Amelia cast a last glance in my direction and smiled before strolling off right behind him.I couldn't tear my eyes away as I watched them disappear, st
ELLA'S POVI finally got home after the long day. All I wanted was to go to my room and collapse on my bed. But when I entered the house, I was surprised to see Mom sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine."Mom? What are you doing home so early?" "What, I can't come home to my own house now?" She replied with a small chuckle.I laughed lightly. "No, of course you can. I just figured you'd still be at the salon." "I decided to close up early for once. With so few customers , it wasn't worth staying open. Figured I'd come home and relax a bit."I nodded, though I felt a bit worried. Business at the salon had been slow lately. It was our main source of income, since Dad left. I tried not to stress too much about it though. Mom always seemed bright, even when money was tight."Rough day?" she asked, patting the couch cushion next to her. I sank down with a sigh, letting my heavy backpack slide to the floor."Just long," I said, not wanting to get into the whole story. "Aw, my