Chapter 12

HARRISON MANSION

Irene scrolled through the school blog on her phone. Despite Olivia being shaded all morning, it did nothing to pacify the rage boiling within her. Zachary had let that girl touch him—he even carried her! But when Irene expressed concern, he shut her out. Now, after sending countless messages, he was still ignoring her.

"Reply to my fucking messages, Zachary!"

A maid rushed in, holding a tray with juice. "Are you okay, miss?"

Irene’s eyes blazed with fury, making the maid tremble. "Do I look fine?! Who the fuck are you to ask me that?! Come here!"

She grabbed the glass and threw the juice in the poor maid's face, drenching her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Irene," the maid whimpered, but Irene had lost all restraint.

"I’ll teach you to be sorry, bitch!" Smashing the glass against the wall, she dragged the maid toward the bathroom, ignoring her cries. She was going to make this stupid girl drink something worse than juice.

MONDAY MORNING

Olivia strapped on her backpack and stepped toward her mother. Amelia kissed her cheek.

"Be a good girl, Livia."

"Yeah, Mom," she muttered, turning to leave the dining room.

"Bye, Dad," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Theodore, sitting at the head of the table, ignored her, focusing on his breakfast. Olivia sighed and her shoulders slumped.

Madeline whined when Amelia kissed her as well. "I'm not a baby, Mom."

"You’re my baby," Amelia chuckled.

Madeline skipped to Theodore and kissed his cheek. "Bye, Poppa."

Theodore wiped his mouth and chuckled. "Bye, Pumpkin. Have a good day at school."

Olivia's belly clenched with a pang of jealousy. Balling her fists, she quietly walked out. At least her mother loved her. She tried to console herself with that thought.

In the drive way, she got into the car and waited for her sister. A few minutes later, Madeline joined her, loudly popping her gum as the SUV slowly drove past the fountain and out of the compound. Olivia pulled out her phone while Madeline started applying heavy makeup, fixing multiple earrings in her ears and transforming her look completely.

Suddenly, Madeline turned to her. "If I were you, I wouldn’t show my face at school today."

Olivia ignored her and turned on her phone. She had switched it off since Saturday, avoiding everyone. A part of her feared seeing a message from Zachary—even though she knew he didn’t have her number.

Madeline frowned at being ignored. "You know, everyone’s talking about you in the school blog," she taunted.

She was right. The moment Olivia’s phone powered on, countless notifications flooded the screen. She scrolled quickly, confusion turning to horror as she read the nasty comments. Then she saw it—the videos. Her breath hitched. Was that… her? Her eyes widened in disbelief.

The screen showed a completely different Olivia, twerking and dancing on stage. Oh no! Was this what Madeline had shown their father? She kept scrolling, and suddenly, her hands flew to her mouth. Ignoring Madeline’s smirk, she stared in shock at another video—her throwing herself at Zachary.

What had Riley given her that night?

The car suddenly stopped a few blocks from school. Madeline gave her a mocking look. Sighing, Olivia stepped out slowly.

"See you in school, baby sis," Madeline sneered, blowing her a kiss before the car sped off.

This was how it had been since her first year. Madeline always made her walk the last stretch to school. She had fought back the first time, but now, she was used to it. Her sister’s reason was simple: BB girls and the school couldn’t know they were related or lived under the same roof. And Olivia couldn't ask her mother for a separate driver. That would raise suspicion, and Madeline would make life even more unbearable for her.

HARRISON HIGH

Exquisite cars whizzed into the grand, tarred compound of the school as students made their way into the magnificent building. Harrison High boasted towering skyscrapers, each more eye-catching than the last, with beautifully arranged flowers lining every path.

Olivia strode into the school, wiping her sweaty brow. She kept her head lowered, as always, wishing things were the same—her old, unnoticed life where no one paid her any mind. But the moment she stepped into the main hallway, she knew everything had changed.

She's here.

OMG.

Hey, nerdy. Come twerk for us.

She was hot, though.

Her curves are killing.

She has no curves. Silly.

She touched my Zach. I wish I could strangle her.

"You can do this, Olivia." She repeated the words over and over in her head, forcing herself to walk to her locker, shutting out their taunts.

"Olivia." A timid voice spoke behind her.

She spun around and grabbed Riley’s hand without a word, pulling her into an empty classroom.

"Are you okay?" Riley’s voice trembled with worry.

Olivia ignored the question. "What did you do to me?"

Riley chuckled nervously. "Nothing, Livia. I was just so worried and—"

"What did you do to me?!" Olivia repeated, her raised voice making Riley flinch, stepping back instinctively.

Riley’s hands shook as she stammered, "I'm sorry, please forgive me. It was... Zach. I swear. He promised to ruin me if I didn’t bring you to the party."

"What?" Olivia’s mouth fell open.

"He… he told me to get you drunk. I didn’t know what alcohol to give you, so I asked the man at the cellar for something strong. I didn’t know what he gave me. I swear I’m not lying!" Riley rushed her words, reaching out to Olivia.

But Olivia pulled away, her eyes swirling with emotion. Carefully, she asked, "If he had asked you to kill me… would you have done it?"

Riley shook her head rapidly. "No, no. I would never do that!"

"I wish I could believe that." Olivia gave a bitter smile before storming out of the classroom.

She had barely taken a few steps when a hand clamped over her mouth from behind, and she was hoisted onto a hard shoulder.

"Let me go!" she tried to yell but knew no one could hear her.

OLD BASKETBALL COURT

Riley’s hands trembled as her legs gave out and she crumpled to the floor, regret washing over her, her heart clenching. She didn’t want to lose her friend. But she was afraid she already had. Her phone buzzed. When she checked the message, panic surged through her.

"No! Olivia!" She shot to her feet and sprinted out of the classroom.

Riley ran into the old basketball court, her breath quickening.

What she saw made her eyes widen in horror. In the center, Olivia was forced to kneel. Irene and Madeline stood over her, pouring juice, ketchup, and sticky liquids on her. Ava watched from behind, rolling her eyes. Students jeered all around, some throwing cans and eggs, others recording the spectacle.

See, she didn't get away with it!

Haha, I knew this would happen.

Serves her right.

Scarlett shook her head while Ruby sighed. "This girl is a dumbass."

"Have to agree," Scarlett said nodding, returning her attention to the scene.

Riley’s heart shattered as Olivia struggled against the boys holding her. But they were too strong.

"You think you're special because he held you, huh?" Irene sneered, slapping Olivia hard across the face.

"And because she threw herself on your man," Madeline added, yanking Olivia’s hair.

"C’mon, guys," Ava whined.

"You know the sweetest part?" Irene let out a mocking laugh, ignoring Ava's half-hearted disapproval. "Zachary gave us permission to do this."

Olivia finally lifted her head, her struggle ceasing. Her face was almost unrecognizable. Her eyes, however, burned with rage. "Is that all?"

Woah.

Did she just talk back to the BB girls?

Is she crazy?

Irene was stunned. "What did you just say?"

Suddenly, excited screams filled the air.

Zachary is here!

Oh my gosh!

He’s so hot!

Did Kyle dye his hair?

Noahhhh!

Please look at me, Zach!

Noah, I tattooed your name on my ass!

Noah winked at the girl who had spoken. She fainted. Zachary walked in, his hands tucked into his pockets. His attractive pink lips pressed into a thin line. He stopped a short distance from Olivia, and she met his cold gaze.

"Baby." Irene hugged him. He didn’t push her away, and her smile widened.

Awww.

I’m jealous.

They should just end up together.

But Zachary is mine.

Shh! Don’t let Irene hear you.

Noah and Kyle flanked Zachary. Noah focused on his phone while Kyle’s headset hung around his neck. The boys holding Olivia released her, and she stood up.

"Who told you to stand up?" Madeline sneered, pushing Olivia backward.

Olivia stumbled but quickly steadied herself.

Zachary’s gaze swept over Olivia’s disheveled state. "You didn’t do anything to her."

Irene pouted. "Baby, isn’t this enough?"

Ava’s attention was fixed on Noah. When he finally glanced up from his phone and met her gaze, he winked. She blushed. But then Zoe appeared beside Noah, and Ava’s smile vanished.

"When you've done enough, call me," Zach said coldly before turning to walk away.

"If you think you can do more to me, then you're delusional." Olivia didn't even realize when the words left her lips.

Zachary stopped in his tracks. Riley held her breath from where she stood. What is Olivia doing?

"This just got interesting," Noah muttered, a smirk growing on his face. Kyle shifted his gaze to Olivia.

What's going on?

What did she say?

Keep recording. I need to rewatch this later.

Olivia clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She looked around at the crowd of students, their scornful gazes piercing through her. Then at Riley—the one who betrayed her. She had finally reached her limit. This would never end unless she put a stop to it herself.

"What did you just say, piggy nerd?" Madeline sneered, stepping forward.

"If you don’t want me to spill your secret, shut up," Olivia spat back.

Madeline blinked in shock.

"What the fuck!" Irene scowled, instantly letting go of Zach.

Zachary eyed Olivia with feigned boredom. He wondered what this girl was trying to do…get my attention? He scoffed and turned back to leave.

But what Olivia did next left everyone gasping. Her body moved on its own, and before she knew it, she had lunged at Zachary, knocking him down and straddling him on the floor. This time, she was fully aware of her actions. Several boys stepped forward to pull her off, but Noah stopped them. He was enjoying the show.

Zachary, now utterly flabbergasted, stared up at Olivia, whose once timid eyes burned with fury. She gripped his shirt tightly, smearing him with her stained uniform. "Everything is not going to be about you anymore, Zachary Maverick! I’ve had enough! If you or anyone else tries to bully me again, I’ll make life hell for all of you!" she shouted, her voice dripping with venom.

"Oh, I’m scared," Zach smirked, finally snapping out of his daze. In one swift move, he flipped her over, ignoring the stains their contact left behind.

Now he was on top of her, their eyes locked.