Chapter One

Olivia walked into the crowded hallway of Harrington High with her head lowered, her brown hair tucked behind her ears. Her black rimmed glasses hid her dark brown eyes as she moved carefully through the students trying not to be seen.

It was Monday morning—another day to stay unnoticed. She made her way to her locker, grabbed the books she needed, and slammed it shut. As she turned, she bumped into someone, sending her books tumbling to the floor.

"I'm sorry," Olivia apologized automatically, bending down to pick them up. To her surprise, the person bent down as well.

"I should be the one to apologize. I'm so sorry," a soft voice said.

Olivia froze for a moment. No one ever apologized to a nerd at Harrington High. This girl had to be new.

"It's fine," Olivia said, standing up and finally looking at her.

The girl had warm amber eyes, her dark hair styled into two braided ponytails. A backpack was slung over her shoulders, and a bright smile was plastered on her pale face.

"I'm Riley," she said, extending a hand toward Olivia.

"Olivia," she responded, shaking it hesitantly.

"I just transferred in today, and I think I’m lost."

"Oh." Olivia chuckled awkwardly. It felt strange that someone was talking to her. She glanced around nervously, noticing students staring, but Riley didn’t seem to care.

"Are you okay?" Riley asked.

"Yes... I…um…I just don’t think you should be talking to me," Olivia mumbled, and Riley’s smile faltered.

"Why? Can’t we be friends? I mean, you're the first person who's even spoken to me this morning."

Olivia bit her lip. She given up having friends here, but something about Riley’s pleading eyes made her hesitate. Why would a rich kid want to be friends with her?

"Please," Riley added.

"Okay," Olivia exhaled softly. "We can be friends."

Riley squealed, grabbing Olivia’s arm. "Thank you so much! I can’t believe I just made a new friend. You know, I was always bullied in my old school. Can you show me around? I have a map, but this place is so big!" she rambled excitedly.

Olivia stopped in her tracks, her brown eyes fixed on Riley. She was a cute girl. She didn't look like an obvious target. "You were bullied?"

"Yes…" Riley’s amber eyes lowered. "All the time."

That made Olivia remember her first year at  Harrington High—the BB girls had tormented her relentlessly. By her second year, she had learned to hide from them.

She turned to Riley. "If you want to survive here, stay out of trouble—especially with the BB girls and Zachary."

"BB girls? Who’s Zachary?"

Lowering her voice, Olivia explained, "Zachary is Harrington’s biggest bully. And the BB girls? They’re our own mean girls—like the movie, but worse."

Riley smiled nervously, hiding her sweaty palms. "I hope I never meet them."

 After showing Riley around the massive school buildings, they took the elevator to their first class. One of the perks to going to a school full of the wealthiest of the wealthy of California. As the doors opened, they stepped out, passing a classroom with large glass windows. Riley’s heart skipped a beat when she saw a breathtaking guy sitting alone. He had headphones on, his eyes closed, and was seated by the window.

"Who’s that?" Riley gestured toward him.

Olivia followed her gaze. "That’s Liam—Zachary’s brother. He’s always alone and never talks to anyone."

"Why not?" Riley asked, still staring.

"He’s been like that since first year… after losing his girlfriend."

Riley gasped. As if sensing their gaze, Liam’s gray eyes suddenly opened. Olivia quickly avoided his stormy gaze.

"Let’s go," Olivia whispered, grabbing Riley’s hand and pulling her away.

As they neared their classroom, Olivia suddenly ducked behind a wall dragging Riley with her. She tried her best to flatten herself enough to not be seen.

Riley followed along immediately. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s the BB girls," Olivia whispered, her heart pounding. She was supposed to be in class early, but after showing Riley around, she was late.

Riley peeked out and gasped. Three girls with smug expressions strutted down the hall. Students immediately stepped aside, holding up their phones as if it was a celebrity sighting.

"It’s the BB girls!"

"Get out of their way!"

"I wish I had her hair!"

All three girls had gold running up their ears in multiple piercings, the girl in the center had a nose piercing as well. Their uniform skirts were hiked up way above regulation, revealing long, tanned legs, and their blouses were unbuttoned just short of showing their bras.

"That’s Ava and Madeline," Olivia muttered. "And the one in the middle is Irene Harrison. Her father owns this school."

Before Riley could respond, a loud CRASH echoed through the hallway. Students started running out of classrooms, screams filling the air as they rushed toward the commotion. The attention immediately shifted away from the BB girls to a point farther up the hall.

"It's time."

"Zachary is here."

"Who's today's victim?"

"This will be fun to watch."

"Move I can't see."

"I can't wait to see his face."

"What's going on?" Riley's face paled as students pushed past them in a hurry.

"Zachary must be about to bully someone. Let's leave."

Olivia was about to drag her away, but Riley hesitated. "Let's go see."

"We need to stay out of trouble." Olivia urged as her eyes flashed with disbelief.

"Just this once. It won't hurt," Riley pouted.

Olivia bit her lip. She knew better than to stick around but she didn't want to upset her new friend.

"Okay," she relented, though doubt clouded her eyes.

They followed the crowd to where a large circle had formed. Riley's mouth dropped open at the sight before her.

A boy's uniform was already soaked in blood as a tall figure rained punches down on him.

"I swear I didn’t do it," the boy weakly pleaded, his face a bloody mess.

Olivia clenched her fists, lips pressed together as she watched Zachary deliver a final blow, sending the boy sprawling to the floor. He lay motionless, while students took videos, their laughter and mocking giggles filling the air.

Zachary turned, and the moment Riley saw his face, her breath hitched. If she had thought Liam handsome, then Zachary was a Greek god. His piercing blue eyes, thick eyebrows, and perfectly shaped pink lips were mesmerizing. Dark hair fell effortlessly over his flawless face.

Olivia tapped Riley, jolting her from her trance. Students parted like the Red Sea as Zachary strolled past with his friends casually wiping blood off his hands with a pressed white cloth. His expression was completely neutral, as if he hadn't just beaten a boy half his size half to death.

"What’s wrong with you?" Olivia whispered.

"He's so handsome," Riley whispered back.

Olivia scoffed, her face twisting into a frown. "He's crazy."

As Zachary passed by with two of his friends, someone shoved Riley from behind causing her to lose her balance and crashed straight into him before she landed on the floor at his feet. A collective gasp echoed through the hall, and time seemed to freeze.

Riley’s eyes widened as she scrambled to her feet. "I-I'm sorry..." she stammered, lowering her gaze immediately.

The air around her turned icy as Zachary's cold eyes locked onto her. Such audacity.

"If that's true, then take it off," his voice commanded, sending a wave of fear through Riley.

"W-what?"

"Take off your clothes."

Everyone knew what Zachary did to the girls he bullied. And everyone would just stand around and let him do it. Olivia clenched her fists, watching as Riley trembled.

"Please, I'm sorry... I-I can't..." Riley fell to her knees, tears spilling down her cheeks.

A smirk curved on Zachary’s lips. He was enjoying her tears. One of his friends, Noah, handed him a pair of scissors. Zachary took them, raising his hand. Olivia knew what was coming next. He was going to shred Riley’s clothes and humiliate her.

Riley's small body shook violently. The hall fell silent as the students watched with anticipation.

"Let her go." The words escaped Olivia’s lips before she could stop them.

A sharp gasp filled the room as every eye turned to her.