CHAPTER 1

Arianna's POV

With a smile teasing my lips in remembrance of the vacation promised by my ever-busy father, I stare out of the window and Samuel slows the car down to take the bumpy road leading to the school hall. 

I still can't believe I am an adult already and I am graduating tonight. It looks unreal but I have tried to wake up from the dream I thought it was all day long, all to no avail. 

I am stuck in this dream world, wishing for it to never end because of what it feels like to be out of high school and also become an adult.

I really can't say if this happiness is because of how I am going to escape from the bullies I have been stuck with since grade 1 but I know it is part of my heart-welling joy. I really can't wait to fly over to England in two weeks for my University studies. 

My father graduated from Oxford University with a first-class degree and his dream is to see me doing the same thing as he is doing.

Even though I have my plans and dreams, I still want to infuse his idea into mine and make it into a big picture of something he would love too much to reject when the time comes for me to make decisions on my own. I love him. 

He is my mentor and hero. He means the world to me. Despite his busy schedule, he makes time for me sometimes, unlike my mom who is barely around because of her type of career. She is an actress and she is always on the air all day long.

The car comes to a halt and before I can snap my head to take a look at Samuel, he is out already, opening the car down for me to hop out. I grace him with one of my beautiful smiles before climbing down from the car.

I glance around to see how the hall is already bubbling with life. There are two hefty security men at the entrance demanding for school identity card. 

Holding my purse more firmly, I saunter towards the door, not telling Samuel anything because I know he will surely wait behind till the end of the party. I did not want to come but my dad convinced me to. 

He said this is a lifetime opportunity and I gave in. I didn't want to come because I felt there is nothing more left to do since my final papers have been cleared. I have no friends in school, but I had many bullies, of which one is more cruel and dominant.

My silver stiletto heels are making the clacking sound as I move to the entry where the guards are on standby. I see Eric, a guy in front of me show them his ID card before he is granted permission to enter and I pull out mine too so I can do the same. 

The rule of showing our ID card was implemented just a few weeks ago when it got to the school authority that a high school graduate from Pentford's High School wants to come to join our party. 

The school management didn't want them to because of the fight that ensued between my school and theirs a year ago.

"You can go in", the first guy told me in his dark voice. I nod with a smile and walk in.

The loud music booms into my ears the moment I step in, glancing around the hall and wondering what is the first thing that I need to do. I don't have a friend who I can't chat with, which is the reason why I came here alone. 

Most of the girls in my class call me a snub but I believe that they are avoiding me because of my bullies. They don't want to get into their black book by interacting with me.

As soon as my gaze falls on Devon, I move closer to sit next to him. Devon is the principal's son and he is the only one who talks to me, even though we just started talking a few weeks before our exams. We aren't too close but I enjoy his company which is always brief.

"Hey", he beams with a surprised look when I am close to where he is sitting, sipping a glass of wine. "You came late."

"Yeah", I reply, flashing him a smile.

"I thought you won't come", he utters calmly, placing his hands on the seat beside him for me to sit in after examining my dress for some minutes. 

It is making me conscious of my floral bodycon blue dress. I told mom it was short but she insisted that I wear it to this party. She bought this dress for me on her way from Australia last week.

"I changed my mind", I reply with all honesty. He nods vigorously and we lapse into silence. I don't realize there is a bottle of wine beside him until he pours some wine into a clean glass cup and offers it to me.

With a flushed face, I shake my head in rejection. "I don't drink alcohol."

He chuckles lightly and turns to grab the bottle up. "See? It is non-alcoholic."

"Oh!" I mutter in embarrassment. Even though we have a bar at home, I don't go near it except on when occasion demands that I serve my father first or when our maid isn't available to do that.

In order not to make him feel bad, I take the wine from him and thank him. I turn to the other side with my fingers whirling around the glass cup. 

I see Nicholas taking the stairs up to the podium and I roll my eyes. I wonder what he wants to say. He is always ready for show ups and I hate him so much. He is my bully. 

The greatest of all who conquered the rest of the bullies just so he can be my only bully. He is the head boy while I am the head girl, but we still don't get along well. 

The moment our eyes meet, I want to look away but I find myself still staring at him, daring him in my heart to follow me all the way to England so he can continue bullying me over there. The bullying will stop here, tonight. He smirks at me and I finally turn my face away.

I want to ask Devon if he would like to dance after the arrogant head boy is done delivering his speech when I notice he is no longer beside me. I dart my eyes around, looking for him. When I see him by the doorway, talking to Becky, I sigh and lean backward to continue my drink.

What a boring party? I shouldn't have come! I say inwardly.

The standing ovation for Nicholas jerks me out of my reverie and I begin to wonder what he talked about to deserve such blasts. I hiss severely and continue sipping my wine in silence. 

I am thinking of spending some more time before leaving. This way, my father or mother won't blame me for not coming at all.

I am halfway done with the drink in my glass cup when I see Devon coming back, but without Becky. I have a feeling he likes her. 

I gulp down the remaining wine, preparing myself for him to come and dance with me since some girls are already on the dance floor when someone stops right in front of me.

"Can we dance?" I ask, without looking up. I drop the glass cup and hoist my head up to meet the gaze of the man I hate the most in this school.

He has an amusing look on his face and this is when I realize what I have just done.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing", he mutters in his deep husky voice.

I want to say a sharp no when he stretches his hands at me so I can take it. 

"I promise I will be a gentleman tonight", he smiles devilishly and I shake my head.

Before I can voice out my thoughts, I find myself on my feet and he is practically dragging me to the stage.