Chapter 4: Sisters

Livia

"Livia, get your ass down here. We are already running late and need to pick up the others." Nina yelled from downstairs.

"Watch your mouth, young lady." Audrey scolded.

"Sorry, Mom."

"I'm here." The heels clicking on the marble stairs grabbed the duo's attention.

Nina examined her outfit. "Damn, Livia, you look hot."

"Nina," Audrey called her daughter's name warningly.

"Like you never cursed before," she mumbled.

Audrey gave her a threatening glare. "What did you say?"

"Nothing, my beautiful mother." she backtracked, "But we should be going. Thanks to Livia, I'm sure we will get an earful from Zoe."

Flipping her hair. "You can't rush perfection, Nina."

Audrey straightened Livia's choker. "And you look divine, my girl. Nina could learn a thing or two from you. Maybe three." she teased.

"Alight, that's enough out of you two." Nina pushed Livia towards the door. "Bye, Mom. I'll be back sometime tomorrow."

"Be responsible,"

"We will, old woman." Nina taunted.

Audrey couldn't believe her ears. "Did you just call me old? You little brat." they laughed as she chased behind them with a slipper.

After getting an earful for being late by Zoe, the girls set out to The Cave on the outskirts of Seattle, where the party will be held. The hour drive chipped away as they reminisced about old times.

"Livia, do you remember when we first met?" Alicia suddenly asked.

"How can I forget?"

∞∞∞

Livia

Six Years Ago. Being the new girl sucks, and having to stand in front of the class to introduce yourself embarrassingly. Meeting new people who already have established cliques is not something I look forward to.

And this god-awful orange uniform is not my color. But, at least at my new school, Seawash Private Academy, we are free to express ourselves through accessories as long as it's not derogatory, slandering, or offensive.

Still, I wouldn't have to transfer if it wasn't for beating the crap out of the principal's son, Ashely Latimore. With a name like Ashely, I don't blame him for acting out, but bullying, harassing, and exploiting students wasn't something I could sit idly and watch. Unfortunately, because he was the principal's son, he often went unpunished for his misconduct. It's funny how Principal Latimore ran the school on a no-nonsense policy, except for when it came to his son.

Failing exams and not doing class or homework was punished with after-school detention. Bullying, you were suspended for a minimum of ten days, and fighting was automatic for two to four weeks in a Juvenile Corrections Facility. Once out of Juvie, the perpetrator would be isolated and labeled an uncivilized delinquent who shouldn't be with the other well-mannered students. But that didn't stop me from smashing Ashley's face into the lockers after catching him harassing a helpless student. As a result, Ashley was sent to intensive care for a mild concussion. At the same time, Principal Latimore threatened to press charges and have me put away for good. My brothers weren't keen on the threat and decided to show that prick who had the real power.

It was brought to the public that Latimore has covered for his son multiple times. Having to defend another student that led to Ashley being hospitalized could have been avoided if he had taken proper actions from the beginning. But, in the end, Ashley had little to no punishment. That's the thing with this society. The law means nothing if you know the right people. Principal Latimore dropped the charges, but his wife felt I should be punished for what I did to her precious son, the irony. So, they opted for a restraining order against me, stating I shouldn't be near their son for the remainder of our high school years as if that could stop me. I could taunt Ashley for the rest of his life if I wanted, but I didn't leave without warning him that if he bullied anyone else again, I would ruin his life.

Anyway, with some connections, I was admitted into Seawash without any hassle. It's currently 7:25 a.m. The first bell rings at 8:10. With a bakery in the distance. So I should have enough time to buy a coffee.

"Welcome to Jumpstart." the barista welcomed. Either she's a morning person or loves her job. "What can I get for you?"

"May I have a small mocha with extra foam, caramel drizzle, and two chocolate straws, please?"

"Of course. Anything else for you, darling?" I usually cringe at being called darling or sweetheart, but it's enduring when she says it.

"No, that would be all. Thank you."

"Okay, your total would be on the house."

I froze on the spot. "Excuse me?"

She chuckled, walking away. "What's your name, darling?"

"Livia, Livia Moon, ma'am."

"Well, my darling Moon, I am Elizabeth Sun, owner of this cafe."

 What are the odds a Sun and Moon meet? Eclipse? "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sun."

"Ms. Sun. I am a widow. It's just my daughter and me. She's around your age."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize when it's not needed. You must not be from around here? There aren't many well-mannered kids in this high-class area."

"No, I am not. I just transferred this school year."

She chuckled again, handing me my mocha. "New girl? That's got to suck, but something tells me you'll survive here. I can feel it in my bones."

I smiled, taking a sip of my mocha. "This is the best mocha I've ever tasted."

A girl suddenly appeared from the stairs. I didn't notice before. "Don't flatter her. It would go straight to her head." she happily reached out her hand as I did the same. "Hi, I am Alicia Sun, the bone whispers daughter."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Livia Moon."

"Honeybee, Livia will be attending your school."

Alicia jumped up and down in excitement. "Really? Oh goody, more friends."

"You girls should get going before you're late."

"Oh shoot, come on, Livia. Bye, Mom." she grabbed my hand, running out of the bakery.

"Bye, Ms. Sun."

Alicia is such a chatterbox, but she is adorable. Suddenly a group of boys stood in our path.

"Good morning, babe," he said, wrapping his arm around Alicia's shoulders.

Alicia pushed him away. "Ughh, Liam, don't call me babe."

"Why shouldn't I call my girlfriend, babe?"

"Maybe because I'm not your girlfriend."

He suddenly pinned her against the wall. "What is your problem? I have been courting you for months, yet you treat my feelings like it doesn't matter."

"What's my problem?" Alicia threw her bag on the ground, pissed. "Let's get something straight. You haven't been courting me. You were shoving your attraction for me down my throat, but I told you from the beginning I wasn't interested. I never once led you on or gave you false hope. So why am I obligated to recuperate your feelings? What about mine? I respected your feelings, but you can't seem to do the same."

"Just give me a chance, Alicia." he pleaded.

"No, Liam, now leave me alone."

Liam's demeanor shifted. "You know Alicia. I would hate to have my father foreclose your mother's little bakery because you can't accept that I love you."

"Oh yeah? And I would hate for you to pick your teeth off the floor." Alicia punched him in the face knocking him to the ground.

"Her form was off, but at least she could fight for herself. Good for her." I thought.

Liam got off the ground and squared off with Alicia. "How dare you strike me?"

"You think you scare me. You are nothing but a spoiled brat hiding behind your parent's success. How easy it is for the rich to take from the poor."

Liam's friends started laughing. "You lost the bet, bro."

"So, all this was just a game to you." Alicia spat at his feet. "Pathetic," she said, walking passed him.

Liam was embarrassed by his friends mocking him and snapped after Alicia's last stunt. "What right do you have to turn me down? What right does someone like you have to look down at me and strike me?"

"I never looked down at you, Liam. But after knowing you're only doing all this because of a failed bet, I realize you are worse than scum. How dare someone like you to think you could have a chance with someone like me?"

"You bitch." He was ready to slap her until a hand caught his wrist and twisted it behind his back.

"I really can't stand guys like you. First, you attempted to play with her feelings but failed, then threatened her mother's business. Now you feel some way because she defended herself. Entitlement is a disease that needs a humbling cure."

He squirmed, trying to free himself. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Who are you would have been just as sufficient. Mannerless."

"Answer me."

"I am the bully to bullies," I said, shoving him away.

He held his shoulder in pain. "Do you have any idea who my father is?"

I chuckled. "At my last school, I put the principles son in the hospital. I am supposed to be locked away, but I am talking to you here. Do you know why that is? It's because I have power beyond your imagination."

"I don't believe you."

I stepped up to him, "Believing me or not isn't my concern because one or another, you will learn I am someone not to be crossed. I would hate to drain your parents for every cent because their son lacks basic manners. But I'm having a good morning, so I will let you go on a warning."

"You think I will let go this easy." he scowled, not backing down.

Liam was pinned to the ground in a split second with my knee on his back. "For your sake, I hope so, and I don't make empty threats. Alicia, let's go."

"Okay."

Alicia was going to reach for her bag. "Ah-ah, Liam, be a gentleman, will you."

He glared up at me, handing Alicia her bag. "I'm warning you, Liam, don't take my words lightly. Understand?"

"Yeah, I got you."

"Good. Come on, Alicia, we're running late."

Alicia clapped her hands. "Woah, that was so cool. But is what you said about your last school true."

I shrugged my shoulders, walking off. "Oh, come on, tell me." She chased behind me.

At the entrance, teachers on duty greeted the students, "Good morning, students! Six minutes before the first bell!"

"Do you already have your schedule and locker number?"

"Yeah, here." I handed her my schedule.

"Oh, goody, your locker is right next to mine. Sadly, we don't have the first period together, but one of my friends has the same class."

Walking to our lockers, three girls were already waiting. "There you are. What took you so long?"

"Sorry, Sandra, but I met a new friend."

"Alicia, what did I tell you about picking up strays?" one of the girls scrutinized.

The nerve. "Is that what happened to you? Aw, bummer."

She got in my face. "How about I smack the shit out of you."

"And how about I knock your jaw loose bitch."

Alicia pulled her back. "Nina, trust me, you are barking up the wrong tree."

"Who is she?" Nina grunted.

I pointed to myself, "Me? I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. You decide."

"I don't find you funny."

"Good thing I was joking."

"Bitch."

"Only to a few."

Nina stormed off. "Seems like everyone wants to be my enemy today."

"She will come around. I'm Zoe. This is Sandra, and the little hot head is Nina."

"Livia."

"Nice to meet you."

"Same."

Sandra wiped the tears from her eyes. "Nina bucking up to Livia was hilarious."

"If I knew then what I know now, I would have never said that. But, thank heavens, Livia didn't kill me."

I laughed. "Those were the days."