2.

Head high, chin up, one steady foot in front of the other.

Remember, direct eye contact always,

a flawless smile and don't flinch.

Don't let them see her again.

It's a new you, the perfect Alora.

Don't let them near those walls you've struggled to build.

These are the words that echo in my head as I walk into the building of the prestigious St James University. Classes start today and I am on the verge of a mental breakdown. I had spent more than thirty minutes in my car deciding whether I should drive back home or proceed with the class but since I knew I had sacrificed too much to be here, I couldn’t back down last minute like I told Tristain and Ronan.

I resist the urge to check my outfit again in the transparent glass I pass on my way to the class. I had a custom-made denim dress with white sneakers and a custom-made tote bag. I had put my locs into a bun and put some shell hair accessories on them and I finalized it with a makeup no-makeup look I spent weeks trying to perfect.

Stares follow me down the hallway and I have to tug my dress lower because of how uncomfortable I feel. Mama told me things would be better when I became skinny, but I don’t feel so good. There are faces I recognize, and I see the surprise on their faces as they try to comprehend if I am still the same girl they loved to bully back in high school and call Alora, the dirty pig.

Awwwn,

Little Alora thinks she’s prettier than the others now she has a great body and a face to die for.

You can continue to dream but you are still the old you.

The voice cackles and my steps falter at the harsh whispers that float around my head.

No…. Not today.

I won’t listen to you. I won’t let you get to me.

I am you Alora, you can’t get rid of me.

You need me to function, to remind you how pitiful and miserable you will be for the rest of your useless life.

My eyes water with every harsh word. It didn't matter how often I hear them but there isn't any getting used to being constantly reminded of how pathetic you are.

My hands tremble and I clasp them at the edge of my dress to hide how nervous I am. I keep my head high as I walk through the hallway, trying to locate my class while mimicking the cheerful expression on the other student’s faces.

My relief is short-lived as I see the last person I hoped not to see. Dilora Andrews has a frown on her face as she watches me approaching the door of the class where the lecture will be held. My hands become clammy, and they fly to my stomach out of instinct. I sigh in relief when my hands don’t land on my bulging stomach. It’s still hard to come to terms with my new body.

"You are not the same fat girl she used to bully," I whisper, trying to encourage myself even though my knees still buckle when I think of the last time I saw her.

I study Dilora with envy. Yes, we had almost similar names but that is the only similarity we shared. Dilora was every bit the perfect I had always wanted to be back in high school. Her long brunette hair is straightened to perfection, her clothes scream high-end stores, and her makeup is flawless like always.

I can’t remember Dilora being anything but pristine and classy. A stunning spawn of the devil. I hate that even though it has been seven months, Dilora is still able to make my stomach feel like it houses rocks in its pits.

I breathe out softly before putting on my armour and approaching the door, determined to ignore her and not give her the chance to bully me.

Just as I am about to open the door, she stops me and I flinch back in horror when I feel her hands on me but I am quick to cover up my expression.“What do you want? I’m busy.” I force myself to speak coldly and give myself a mental pat on the back when my voice comes out as strong and not as shaky as I feel inside.

Dilora grimaces at the harsh tone. "It's really you, Alora. When I saw you enter the building, I thought you were someone else. You even dress and talk differently. You've changed a lot." She says eyeing the septum piercing on my nose.

I tense up "And you still haven't told me why you are here." I snap, getting defensive.

"Did you come to tell me about how much I have changed? I have a mirror at home, so I know that I don't look like Alora the pig anymore"

"Alora, I promise I am not looking for trouble. I just want to apologize" Dilora says quickly, and my eyes widen.

"What?” I gasp. “You, Dilora Andrews, want to apologize to me?” I eye her suspiciously, my walls barricading themselves.

"I tried to reach you after graduation, but you changed your number. I heard you left the country, so I called Ronan instead, but he wouldn't give me your new contact."

I arch my brows in surprise. This is news to me. Ronan never told me about her trying to contact me, but I am not surprised. After what happened, everyone was overprotective. They didn’t want me to go back there.

"You are serious about apologizing to me?" I ask again before I don’t believe her. She nods and I have no other reaction to give except the laughter that escapes my mouth.

"Sorry, I am not laughing at you, but I find this situation hilarious," I tell her, gesturing at the space between us. “You want me to believe that you want to apologize to me? The same person you bullied so badly that I wanted to end my life many times. Come on, spill it, Dilora. Tell me what you want”

“I mean it” Dilora insists. “I want us to be friends” She sounds so sincere, but I know better than to let her fool me. I know she just wants me to drop my guard so she can strike.

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe you. You probably only want to be friends because I lost weight and can now be in your rich circle of friends, but I'm sorry. I'm never going to be friends with someone like you" I spit, my voice dripping with every ounce of anger I feel towards her.

"I promise I mean it" she reaches out to touch me, but I pull back “I know I did a lot of childish things back then, but believe me, I’ve changed for the better. I want to make it up to you”

I study this supposedly new Dilora with a mountain of doubt. I don’t trust her and never will but if she is claiming to be a new person, I want to give her a chance but not to be my friend.

My mama always says I am too trusting, and I know she will be disappointed to see me giving my bully a second chance, but I need Dilora. They say to keep your friends close but your enemy closer. I don’t believe that she has changed but I am smarter now so she can’t hurt me. This time, I will be the one pulling the strings.

"Okay. I guess I can give you another chance. It's a burden to keep malice" I tell her but flinch back when she tries to hug me.

"I promise you won't regret forgiving me," she says with a broad smile that I don’t bother to return.

"I hope so" I mutter.

"Stupid Alora." The whispers mock snidely.

The atmosphere is awkward because I don’t know what else to say so I turn and walk into the class.

“Dilora!” someone calls and I look up to see a beautiful Asian girl waving at us.

Dilora turns to me with a cautious smile, “Do you want to sit with us? I promise my new friends are all nice”

“Okay” I shrug because most of the seats available are in front and I didn’t want to sit there on the first day.

“Guys, this is Alora. Alora meet Harvey and Hani” Dilora introduces when we take a seat with her friends.

Harvey was a cross-dresser with long blonde hair and blue eyes. He was stunning with his light makeup and long lashes. Hani was also pretty, and I could tell she was Asian. She had warm brown hair and eyes and a full smile.

“It’s nice to meet you” I say with an uncertain smile. I hope Dilora was telling the truth when she said her friends were nice.

“Girl, you are gorgeous, you have the entire class in a chokehold” she smirks while eyeing the class where most of the attention seems to be on me.

“It’s because it’s the first day, they’ll get bored soon "

Dilora opens her mouth to say something but is cut off as the class becomes loud. I take my attention to the cause of the commotion.

There, in front of the class, making their way up the row of seats are three boys who look like they would rather be somewhere else than here. They stride through the hall, oozing confidence.

The power that oozes from the boys is frightening and it is obvious by the smug look on their faces they are aware of the reaction they cause whenever they go.

My eyes find that of the one in the middle. He has striking grey eyes that look like winter on a dull day. He carries himself like a King; like he owns the world. I want to look away, but I can't. He doesn’t look away either. He looks rugged with his half-buttoned top and the lip ring he is sporting, and at the same time, he looks dangerous.

Something screams at me to look away, but I am trapped in his gaze. Call it instinct, but deep down, I know he is dangerous, and that I should avoid him.“Shit” Hani pulls at my arms forcing me to break eye contact.

“What” I turn my head towards her a little bit irritated which startles me. Why am I acting like this?

“You shouldn’t go near them” she warns. There is fear in her eyes, and it makes me uncomfortable.

“Why?” I ask nervously.

“They are the Bastons. The one of the left and middle but even Mason Richards is also as deadly” Hani supplies, and I look at her in confusion. Is that supposed to be an adequate answer??

“What does that have to do with avoiding them?” My eyes are straying to the back to get a glimpse, but Dilora catches my hand and turns me to face her.

These girls have to work on their answering skills. I know about Baston conglomerates since they control the entire country but that doesn’t tell me what I need to know and why I should stay away.

“They are dangerous Alora. There are rumours that they are tied to the mafia and the underworld. You shouldn’t get involved with them” Harvey finally provides an adequate answer but there is an edge to his voice as he speaks, and I catch him also looking at them.

“Why are you telling me this? I didn’t say I was getting involved with any of them”

“You were practically looking at Kian with fuck me eyes” Dilora deadpans and I flame up.

“Kian” I tested the name on my lips almost moaning at how good it sounded.

“He’s got her addicted” Harvey chuckles.

“No, I'm not addicted to anyone, and I wasn’t looking at him with fuck me eyes” I huff, avoiding their eyes.

“Yes, you were” they replied together.

“Just avoid him, okay? He’s trouble” Dilora pleads but her eyes are hard, she is serious.

“I'll try” That is the only honest answer I can give because the desperation to get a second glance at him is killing me.

I want more.