Chapter 5

At Lunch

I packed my books into my old, worn-out, white school bag, trying to ignore the stares. My classmates trickled out of the room, whispering things I couldn’t quite make out. Some smirked as they passed me. Others didn’t bother to hide their disdain.

I made my way to the cafeteria, alone as usual. I picked up a salad and a bottle of water — a safe choice, considering the daily scrutiny of what I ate. My only friend was Rilynn Blonca Thompson, the headmistress's daughter, though you'd never know it by the way she acted. She was the one small comfort in this snake pit of a school.

Just then, Kaylle strutted in with her little gang of "cliques." Or should I say "wannabe cliques?" 

“Hey, Bella,” Kaylle muttered as she passed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. She only called me Bella when she was in a good mood. 

I smiled inwardly but kept my face neutral, knowing better than to show her any satisfaction.

"Eww! Look at her eat. Like a pig!" Cole, one of Kaylle’s followers, sneered loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Pigs eat better than that!" Kaylle shot back with a laugh. Her pack of friends cackled along like hyenas, and I could feel their eyes on me, burning with judgment.

My smile evaporated. What did I expect from Kaylle? Whatever. I focused on my salad, trying to tune out their jeers. I wasn’t about to let them ruin my meal — as miserable as it already was.

Suddenly, someone thudded into me from behind, knocking me forward. 

“Ow…” I groaned, more annoyed than hurt.

“Hey, girlfriend!” Rilynn beamed, sliding her tray next to mine. 

I shot her a look. "When are you gonna stop giving me a heart attack, you witch? You're just as bad as Kaylle sometimes!" I wanted to scream it at her, but I bit my tongue. If I let it slip, she’d bombard me with questions. And I wasn’t ready for her to know what was really going on.

“Hey, Ril…” I said instead, forcing a smile.

She caught my fake smile immediately and sighed as if to say, "Why do you keep doing this to yourself?" She took her usual seat beside me, her eyes filled with concern.

Did she see what just happened with Kaylle? I panicked internally, shoving another forkful of salad into my mouth. My heart pounded in my chest. Was I being too obvious? Was she going to ask me about it? I couldn’t deal with that right now.

“Why not get something better? Like yogurt, ice cream, a doughnut, pizza, hot cheese… or even a hamburger?” she suggested, her voice teasing but sincere.

Relieved she hadn’t caught on to anything deeper, I nodded along, pretending to consider her suggestions. I even forced a laugh. “Hahaha… yeah, right,” I said, rolling my eyes dramatically.

“Hey! I’m serious, you idiot!” She swatted at me, but I could see her concern lingering beneath the playful banter.

“I know, I know,” I laughed again, trying to lighten the mood. “But seriously, I’m not some food junkie. I watch what I eat. I might become a model someday, you know.”

“You don’t have to eat everything, but salad and water every day? That’s not a diet, that’s torture!” she huffed, practically shouting.

I covered my ears, laughing harder. “Okay, Ril, geez! No need to go full-on English teacher on me. It’s just lunch. Eat the whole cafeteria for all I care. And for your information, I do not eat salad and water *every* day.”

“Right. Except for that occasional veggie pizza and strawberry yogurt.” She smirked.

I shrugged. “Say what you want. I don’t care.” I took a long drink of water, washing down the taste of frustration.

The truth? Kaylle kept tabs on everything I ate, and I couldn’t afford to draw any more unwanted attention. Not here. Not at home. So I played it safe while watching Ril wolf down her hotdog.

Then, just as I was zoning out, another girl slammed into me.

“Ugh, seriously?” I muttered, rubbing my sore back. I turned around to find none other than Brim — the school’s resident queen bee, and, of course, the governor’s daughter.

Brim wasn’t someone I tangled with. We were in the same class, but that was where the similarities ended. She was Kaylle’s idol, and that alone said everything I needed to know about her. 

“Anabella Andrews!” Brim barked, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. She leaned in, her posse snickering behind her like trained lapdogs.

If I had an ounce of the power she had, I’d give her a lesson she'd never forget.

She leaned in close, her eyes narrowing. “I suggest you be careful and play it safe around here.” Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but laced with menace. 

Her breath smelled foul, like she’d swallowed something rotten, and I tried not to gag. She flashed me a tight, smug smile before stalking off with her minions.

Ril looked at me, raising an eyebrow. “What the f— was that all about?”

I sighed. “It’s nothing, just another day in Brim’s kingdom of drama.”

**After School**

As the final bell rang, I grabbed my bag and headed for the music room. Mrs. Rafaella Johnson had been teaching us how to play various instruments, but today, she was wrapping up the lesson when she made an announcement.

“There’s going to be a music competition against All Whites High, and we’ll be sending one male and one female representative from our school. So, get ready,” she said.

I should’ve been excited, but instead, I felt a sharp pain below my belly button. 

“Great. Cramps,” I thought. Just my luck. 

Then Mrs. Johnson called my name. “Miss Anabella Andrews…”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“You’ve been one of my top students, so I expect you to participate in the competition.”

I mumbled something about trying my best and hurried out of the room. But before I could make it far, someone grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into a corner.

It was Evan Thompson, Rilynn’s brother. He looked down at me with those dark eyes that made my heart race.

“Hi…” I stammered, completely off guard.

He smirked. “I need you to tutor me.”