Nora Shahan

A group of teenagers walked towards the canteen, their countenance just like models on the international runways. The students crowding around the corridors immediately made way when they saw who it was.

Among them was Jackson, who had a devilish grin on his face, making the girls swoon over him. The guy next to him, Rk, had his headphones on and was of a relatively shorter height as compared to the two giants next to him. Though he had a baby face, the piercing in his nose and ears made him look otherwise. 

Followed by them were two girls. 

The blond had round blue eyes and fair skin with some baby fat on her cheeks. Her hair was pulled up neatly in a ponytail. She carried an innocence on her that made people doubt if she was ever exposed to the outside world yet which was infact true.

Next to her was her childhood friend, Nancy Elliot. Her light brown hair cascaded down her waist. She had a pair of mesmerising dark brown eyes, her lips pouty. She was nearly 165cm tall and looked so stunning that it was difficult to withdraw one’s glance away from her. The boys were practically drooling at the sight of her.

However, she didn’t entertain any of them coz her eyes never once left the teenager in the front.

The person leading them was none other than the infamous Liam Keaton. He had one hand in his pocket as he strolled leisurely. His face was expressionless, but he gave off a detached and intimidating air, making people back away in fear.

The group entered the canteen and took a seat near the fountain. 

A cat fight had soured the atmosphere.

Jackson did not have an ounce of surprise on his face when he spotted his girlfriend among the group. Instead, he looked rather proud. His girl was never the one to bow down to others and let people step over her. That’s what made her special and him head over heels for her. 

The argument was quiet heated and people seemed to enjoy a good show except Liam, who as usual sat expressionlessly playing on his cellphone, unfazed by the drama. 

In bits and pieces he had picked up the reason for the conflict between the girls from around. 

They were arguing over boys! 

So childish!

Totally not worth his time. 

Nancy too noticed Jessica among the group. Though she wasn’t acquainted with her she had heard about Jessica from Jackson as he would never stop boasting about his ‘incredible’ girlfriend. 

“If your girlfriend isn’t comfortable there, you can ask her to join us.” she suggested and then glanced at the blonde, Sofia for her opinion, to which the latter nodded lightly.

Jackson shook his head. “Her best friend will be nowhere near a certain someone.” He said glancing at Liam and continued. “And she would never leave her best friend. Bros before Hoes you know.”

He didn’t know the specific reason why Nora was so fearful of Liam, but from what he had heard, the former had once pulled a prank on Liam which had terribly gone wrong. Three years ago, the cleaners found Nora lying unconscious in the school laboratory. No one had any idea who the propraetor was, and Nora wouldn’t tell either. It was only after a while it was rumoured she had pranked on Liam and provoked his wrath upon her. The traumatic experience Nora had to go through had caused a serious blow on her and as a result she has always stayed far from him until today when they were paired to sit together.

He too never considered the rumours exaggerating because he exactly knew what his best friend was capable of. 

Just then a loud shriek took everyone’s attention, including Liam’s. 

The girl who picked on the dispute was shivering with slush dripping from her hair. Her entire self was disheveled. 

Opposite her remained a calm Nora with her hands crossed over her chest. Her eyes had a blazing fire in them that wouldn’t hesitate to burn anyone who challenged her.

Sofia and Nancy stared at Nora with their jaw dropped. 

This was their first time coming across someone as daring as her. Being the top socialites in their circle, they never had to take a second glimpse at someone, much less get into an argument. One word and the person would be banished from the city. That was how they were pampered and bought up.  

And the girl didn’t appear like any shrewd woman with no manners and instead found her classy. All this time there was no panic on her face, nor a hint of fear. She never once let her composure slip, watching the ‘clowns’ make fun of themselves as they howled and shrieked like a mad dog.

“That girl has some backbone.” Sofia commented with complete awe. 

Rk nodded. “She does. Nora’s one of the few girls everyone admires sincerely. She can be quiet silly, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s a strong character.” 

“Also one of the two girls feared in the entire campus.” Jackson added.

“Who’s the other.?” 

He smirked. “My girlfriend.” 

Everyone rolled their eyes. Here goes a whipped boyfriend.

“Nora also carries the highest number of detentions last year.” Rk continued as he started counting Nora’s ‘records’ in the school. 

“R-Really?” The girls exchanged a glance, finding it hard to believe. 

Rk and Jackson both nodded in acknowledgement.

“There was this time when she slapped the senses out of the seniors when they were bullying a freshman. Another one was where she bitched at a girl nonstop till the latter got on her knees and begged for forgiveness. Oh, There was also one incident where she was almost expelled by the vice principal but the matter was brought to rest after sometime. And the list goes on…”

Nancy and Sofia had their mouth wide open by now enough to fit an egg in it.

Even Liam who was never interested in gossips had his ears perked up.

“Wait, how do you know so much about her?” Nancy asked.

Being in the same school even Jackson and Liam weren’t well informed about it.

Jackson laughed lightly. “That’s because our little boy has a huge crush on her.”

Rk hit Jackson’s shoulder and denied vehemently. “I don’t. I just like her as a person.” Despite saying that, the tip of his ears turned pink.

“Does that mean she’s invincible and fears none?” Sofia enquired. A person like her must be worshipped by everone. How amazing that must be.

As soon as her question landed, Jackson and Rk both turned at a certain someone at the same time.

One name lingering in their heads.

Liam Keaton.

“If it was three years ago that might be the case. But now, you can say that there's an almighty force who can tame her.”

“Who?” Both girls asked at the same time.

Jackson’s mouth twitched at the girls’ curiosity for gossip and he pointed at the figure who was now eating his lunch.

As all eyes were on him, Liam looked at them and raised his brow.

“What did you do Liam?” The girls turned to him with expectant eyes.

Rk chimed in. “That’s right, even I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time.”

Jackson did not speak but it was certain he wanted to know too.

Liam looked confused as he had no idea what they were talking. He was quietly eating his lunch. Why did he suddenly became the topic for their gossips?

He put down his fork and clasped his hands as his elbows leaned on the table. After thinking hard he did have some recollection of such incident.

The look on his face changed when realization dawned on him. “That’s her?”

Rk stared at him in disbelief. “Are you kidding me? You don’t recognize her?”

Liam cocked his head and asked instead. “Why should I?”

He was never the one to give attention to such insignificant things much less a girl who had caused him trouble repeatedly. He was only surprised at the drastic change in the appearance of the girl.

He took a glance at Nora and then back at others. “Wasn’t she supposed to be some fatty in ugly pigtails? The girl in front doesn't resemble the one in my memory.” he pointed at Nora and then continued eating as if it wasn’t a big deal.

Jackson and Rk looked at each other and had the same thought.

The girl who was visibly traumatized by this demon. How would she react when she’d learn that the person she was running away from all these years didn’t even remember her in the slightest bit?

The boys felt bad for her.

“Puberty’s no joke.” Rk murmured softly as he peered at the girl, who looked extremely adorable while fighting. 

On the other hand, Liam quietly peered at the girl in front. If he was not wrong, she was the one who sat next to him in the classroom. Despite his unbothered facade, he was exceptionally keen on his surroundings. His eyes trailed on the girl in front before settling on her face. He was amused by how she was now totally different from the harmless kitten who sat beside him.

The duality!

It was as if they were two different people.

Touching his cheek with the tip of his tongue, he gave a sly smile as he stared at the back of the girl till she disappeared out of his sight.

_ _

Rayna Larsen might be the Queen-bee of Davidson, but here in Bradford, she is a Bimbo.

“You were awesome back there.” Jessica gave me a thumbs up.

I flipped my hair in an exaggerated manner. “When haven’t I been awesome?”

Jessica rolled her eyes and we both burst into laughter.

As far as I knew everyone on the campus must've already been informed about the episode in the canteen. When I returned to the class there were unusual stares and whispers all over me especially from the ones who were new. Indeed news travels faster than light. Not like I cared. I ignored them all and got to my seat. Our next class was literature and was grateful for I didn’t have to share it with a certain someone.

A girl I didn’t recognise walked towards me and asked in a low voice. “Hi! Mind if I sit here?”

The girl had blonde hair and a pair of mesmerizing aqua eyes never seen before.

I stared at her for a while and nodded.

“Thank you.” She smiled and sat down.

While playing on my phone I caught the girl staring at me from the corner of my eyes. I ignored thinking she was peeping in my phone and didn’t give much thought. After completing a level, I realised the girl was still staring at me.

Turning off my phone, I turned at her. “What?”

Startled at my sudden outburst, she almost fell back in her chair.

My lips twitched at the sight as I snapped. "I don't bite."

She hesitated for a while before finally opening her mouth. “I-I saw how you stood up against Reyna in the canteen. You were re-really cool.” she stammered.

“um... Thank you.”

“I knew Reyna back since kindergarten. We attended the same school. Back then too she would bully everyone on the silliest thing. It was just that no one ever fought back.” The girl went and could see her eyes dim as she spoke about her past.

I nodded understandingly. Honestly, the entire bullying thing amused me to the core. How could people actually find delight in someone's torture?

I looked at her sympathetically. “Don't worry, as long as she’s in Bradford her petty tricks won’t work. And you too can live without having to worry about it.” I stretched out my hand to give her a pat on the shoulder, but she quivered once again.

“Then… Can we be friends?” after a pause, she extended her hand. “I’m Sofia.”

I shook her hand “Nora.”

I wasn’t exactly extrovert and good at making friends, however I had no problem when people wanted to befriend me as long as they didn’t cross the line.

The class began, and I concentrated on the subject. It was currently literature period. Though I was weak in almost every other subject, literature was the one I was most confident in. Then again, I didn’t top in the subject but was among one of the students with the highest marks.