Chapter Two

Zachary's hand hung in the air, his piercing blue eyes locking onto her.  "What did you just say?"

Olivia swallowed hard, her hands trembling. "I said... let her go."

"Who's she?" Zachary asked Noah, his lips thinning.

"No one," Noah scoffed.

Whispers filled the hall as a cruel smirk formed on Zachary's lips.

"A nerd challenging Zachary?"

"She's dead."

"I can't wait to watch this."

Keeping his gaze on Olivia, he gripped Riley violently and shoved the scissors down her uniform, eliciting a sharp cry from the shaking girl.

As if possessed by someone much braver than her, Olivia stepped out from the crowd and yanked Riley from his grasp, breathing heavily.

"What part of 'let her go' didn't you understand?" she demanded, surprised by her own boldness.

Another round of gasps echoed. Phones locked on the scene awaiting something truly gruesome…and exciting. Zachary’s eyes flashed with something unreadable before his lips curled into a slow, menacing smile. Then, he laughed—low, mocking, and maniacal. His friends, Noah and Kyle, quickly joined in.

Just as suddenly, the laughter stopped. Zachary strode toward Olivia, his steps measured and intimidating.

Olivia instinctively pushed Riley behind her, her pulse hammering. As Zachary loomed over her, her grip on Riley tightened.

Then, Zachary lowered his head, his breath ghosting over her skin, his lips grazing her ear. Olivia fought to continue breathing.

"If I were you, I’d run… little nerd." His voice was dark and threatening, and Olivia didn’t need to be told twice.

She grabbed Riley, spun around, and bolted down the hall. The students groaned in disappointment as Zachary turned away, Noah and Kyle following behind him. One by one, the crowd began to disperse but by morning, video of a nerd standing up to Zachary had spread like wildfire, lighting up the school blog with endless comments.

Hidden Library, Harrington High

Olivia paced the quiet room, her fingers tightening around her phone as she pushed her glasses up her nose. In the corner, Riley sat curled up, her face streaked with tears. A loud hiccup broke the silence. Olivia sighed and walked over, pulling Riley into a hug.

"I'm... so sorry, Olivia. I should have listened to you. I was so scared... he..." Riley choked out, wrapping her arms tightly around Olivia.

"It's fine, Riley," Olivia murmured. "I wanted to stay out of trouble, but I couldn't let him do that to you and, well, there’s no going back now. We just need to find a way to leave school without being noticed."

Riley quickly nodded. "I'll call my driver to pick us up."

As she pulled out her phone, Olivia scrolled through the group chat, checking if the news had finally died down. No luck. The video of Olivia and Zachary was starting to play and the comments were building up. "We should try to get out the back way. Can they meet us there?"

Riley nodded. "I'll tell him."

A few minutes later, Olivia and Riley crept around a corner, their eyes alert. They tiptoed surreptitiously into the elevator. The moment the doors slid open, Olivia instinctively pushed Riley back when she caught sight of Madeline parading down the hallway.

"Who's that?" Riley whispered, clutching her backpack tightly.

"It's Madeline. We have to go back to the second floor," Olivia murmured, biting her lip. She punched the elevator button willing the door to close before Madeline saw them.

"Do you think she saw us?" Riley asked, her voice trembling.

"No," Olivia reassured her, blowing out a breath and leaning against the back of the elevator car. But how was she going to get her things from her locker?

Just then, Riley's phone buzzed. When she checked it, a glimmer of hope lit up her face. "My driver is here, Olivia."

"Have him meet us at the side door. We'll go down the side stairs. Only the staff use them." Olivia started for the hallway.

A few moments later, they were slipping down the dark concrete stairs to the side door. Olivia had never been as thankful to get out of school in her life.

Harrison High Gym

"You're not going to do anything about that nerd?" Noah scoffed for the umpteenth time, his shaggy brown hair falling over his lanky face.

Zachary's eyes narrowed, his tongue brushing his lips lightly before a smirk appeared. "Don't worry. I'll handle her."

"Dude, you should go easy on her. Come to think of it, isn't she the nerd who’s been bullied since first year?" Kyle asked quietly, his predatory green eyes observing Zachary.

Noah laughed. "I thought she left already. Looks like the little bitch has just been hiding."

Zachary remained silent. No one had ever stood up to him before, and he would make sure Olivia paid for it.

His phone beeped. When he checked the message, a picture of Irene’s breasts flashed on the screen, the school bathroom in the background. His expression remained blank as he typed a reply.

"Come over."

"Sure, baby," Irene responded immediately.

"Party tonight?" Noah cut through the silence.

"Not interested," Kyle muttered, scrolling through his phone.

"You're a wimp, dude. I need some bitches right now," Noah said, rolling his eyes as he walked out of the classroom. Kyle sighed and shook his head. Not for the first time, he wondered how he was friends with Noah.

Collins Mansion

Riley gasped softly as her driver pulled up in front of the massive house. "Your house is huge, Olivia."

Olivia simply adjusted her glasses and said quietly, "You know every student at Harrison High is filthy rich. Commoners simply aren’t allowed except for the few scholarship students. But no one really knows about me—they think I'm just one of those scholarship kids and I haven't bothered to correct anyone."

Riley's brows knotted in confusion but she didn't ask any questions. "Thank you for standing up for me, Olivia. I'm glad I have you as a friend."

"It's fine, Riley. I'll see you in school tomorrow. Thanks for dropping me off."

Olivia smiled, giving Riley's hand a gentle squeeze before stepping out of the car. As the Mercedes sped off down the driveway, she walked into the living room and spotted her mother.

"Hi, Mom," Olivia greeted, pecking Mrs. Collins on the cheek. "I'm surprised to see you home."

Mrs. Collins turned from the TV, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're back early. Is everything alright? Where's your sister?"

Olivia pressed her lips together. "I… I had a headache, so I came home early. I'm tired, Mom. I need a nap."

Before her mother could ask more questions, Olivia hurried to her room. After a quick shower, she collapsed onto her bed, her brown hair sprawling messily across the pillows. She grabbed her phone and scrolled through the school blog.

The comments were endless—students were still talking about what had happened that morning. Olivia groaned, her frustration mounting. She couldn't believe she had landed in trouble with Zachary Maverick—the first son and heir of the Maverick family. They were the most powerful and wealthiest family in California, owning the largest conglomerate in the country. Messing with him was like walking into the devil’s lair. Zach and his crew were even worse than the BB girls.

His buddy Noah Martinez was the notorious playboy of Harrison High, he slept with anything in a skirt. As son of an uber wealthy movie producer, he never faced any consequences for his recklessness.

Then there was Kyle Smith. He was the quiet one. His family was just as wealthy and privileged. Olivia never saw him doing or saying anything questionable but hanging around with the notorious bullies made him just as bad, right?

And should she lump Liam in with them? As the second son of the Maverick family, he was the mysterious one with his striking gray eyes and auburn hair. Olivia had never seen him with Zachary. He was always alone—until his girlfriend's accident. She wasn’t dead, just in a coma. But after that, Liam had become even colder.

Olivia buried her face in her pillow, her glasses slipping off. This wasn't the plan. She never wanted to be noticed. She just wanted to get good grades and graduate. But now, Zachary would be determined to break her.

And then there were the BB girls. They would definitely come after her now. They always backed up Zachary and his crew. Irene Harrison, their leader, was spoiled beyond reason. Her family was closely intertwined with the Harrison's and just as rich and powerful. Olivia would be shocked if anyone had ever told the girl 'no'.

Ava Williams was the quiet one in their group but she was never far from Irene and always up for anything she wanted to do…no matter how cruel.

And then there was Madeline? Olivia scoffed.

Just then, her door swung open, and a familiar head peeked inside, grinning sheepishly. "Hey, sis," Madeline said slowly.