4

THEA

Penelope and I had the same class after science and she offered to walk together to class which I was grateful for. I did not want to get lost on my first day and entering the class late for everyone to look at me again. We took the seat at the back, near the windows as we were the first ones to enter. The students started coming in one by one, occupying almost all the seats available.

"Good morning, class." The teacher, a man who looked like he just ran all the way here spoke as he took his seat behind his desk, still trying to catch his breath. "I'm Mr Smith. Your english teacher."

"Now, is this everyone?" He asked, looking at the students. I noticed two empty seats beside me at the back, the teacher probably noticed it as well- hence the question.

"Nope." A deep a voice spoke at the door. I quickly averted from my eyes from the empty seats to the source of the voice and a small gasp left my lips at the sight. A guy stood in front of the door, entering the classroom. He was dressed in a black shirt, his muscles on display. His black hair looked wet, like he had just gotten out of the shower and I wanted nothing more than to run my hand through them. "Now that's everyone." He spoke, reminding me that he wasn't just a pretty statue. A smirk formed on his lips when he caught my gaze, making me look away.

"Who's he?" I asked Penelope in a hushed voice as they entered the class, making their way to the seats beside me. His friend, I assumed, was not bad looking either.

"He is the guy I would stay away from." Penelope's tone became serious. "Trust me, Thea. He's not someone you want to get involved with."

"So, he's like the 'bad boy' of the school?"

"The bad boy?" She repeated, shaking her head. "He's like the king of the school."

"It's rather nice hearing you girls talk about me as if I am not sitting right beside you." I froze and so did Penelope. I heard her muttering something like 'we're dead' or 'God help us' under her breath. I knew she was overreacting.

"Bold of you to assume we were talking about you." I said, not daring to look up from my book. Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?

"I am quite certain you were talking about me unless there's another king at this school I am unaware of?"

"No, no." Penelope interrupted, "Thea just asked who you are. She's new, I was just introducing you."

"I can introduce myself." His tone was final, making Penelope nod. "I apologize, Cain."

He ignored her, his gaze burning holes at the side of my face. "How about I give you a proper introduction after class?"

I snapped my gaze to him, disgusted by what he was attempting to say. "I don't need an introduction to know what kind of person you are. Thanks for the offer but I must refuse." I gave him a fake smile before giving my book my full attention. I really needed to learn how to stay quiet.

"Hmm." He hummed, looking away. I didn't dare lift my head to see the expression on his face. I was pretty sure I pissed him off, but it was alright. I was no coward, I knew how to stand up for myself.

"Are you crazy?" Penelope whispered, looking at me with wide eyes. "That's Cain. No one just refuses him and gets away with it."

"There's a first time for everything."

"Since I am new here, I don't know your names or anything about you." Mr smith spoke, his eyes scanning the class. "Please stand up, one by one, and give me your names. Your full names."

The moment I dreaded had finally arrive. Like Mr Smith asked, every student stood up and gave their names, one by one, except Cain and his friend. The teacher mentioned he already knew them so it wasn't necessary. When it finally got to my turn after Penelope introduced herself as Penelope Bryce, I almost excused myself to use the bathroom but it was now or never. I knew at some point I would have to introduce myself as Thea Hart and not just Thea. People were bound to find out sooner or later and befriend me for the sake of my last name. "Thea Hart."

Penelope choked on something beside me, her gaze on me, staring with her mouth opened. Everyone was staring at me. Including the teacher. "Miss Hart, it's a pleasure to have you in my class."

I ignored him. There it was, the shift in behavior. I was going to be treated differently just because of my last name. Just because of my father. I knew this school was for rich kids, but I also knew my father was richer than all these kids' parents. His reputation was something sacred. People worshipped him. And of course Mr Smith was one of his worshippers. "Do not hesitate to approach me if you need any extra help."

Like I said, another one of his worshippers. Again, I ignored Mr Smith. I was never going to 'approach him for any extra help'. I was fine on my own. I did not need my dad's little minions to favor me just because of him. I hated the attention I received from others because of him and his so called reputation. If only they knew how he truly was, how much of a monster he was then I wondered if he would have any worshippers at all. 

"Oh my god." Penelope breathed. "You didn't tell me you were the Thea Hart. Your family like one of the richest families in the whole world."

"Don't start with me." I sighed. "Im just Thea. Don't start treating me differently just because of my last name." I hoped she'd understand and thankfully, when she nodded, I knew she understood. "I understand what it's like. But, you see Cain over there?"

I nodded, waiting for her to continue speaking as Cain stared right at me. "His last name is Hayes."

Hayes. That name seemed familiar. It took a minute for realization to hit me. The Hayes was the richest family in the whole world, before mine. The family my father had grown to loathe because of their wealth. Simply because they were richer than him. He hated them because he could never surpass them.

"Does he get treated differently too?" I asked, earning a nod from her. "He used to. But he hated it, and made his own reputation here at school. King."

"Are you telling me that I have to make my own reputation as well?"

"Most students won't treat you any differently. Especially the queen bees. They might even get you to join their little group of mean girls." Penelope chuckled. "But you don't seem like the type who would hang out with mean girls. You're nice and I feel like we'll be best friends."