**John’s POV**
I stood by my locker, peering at a group of girls chatting on the other side of the hall. I knew a few of them from hanging out with Blake, but she was nowhere to be seen. Her best friend, Alisha, was missing too. What could possibly be going on? Blake was usually here by now; she was always surrounded by some group of girls—she was the popular one. Girls like her were always making new friends, unlike her sister. I glanced over at Billie, who was busy muttering to her only friend, Ann. They seemed to be happily chatting, and Billie was blushing the entire time. What could possibly be making her so happy? And why was she blushing? This was a new development. I had never seen her laugh like this before. Since Ann became her friend, Billie didn’t seem the same. She used to be the gloomy one, always sulking. People didn’t really like her, and I didn't either; I just used her to get good grades in English class. Now that I no longer needed her help, our connection had fizzled out. What made Ann want to befriend Billie? It didn’t make sense to me. Billie didn’t usually attract friends, yet here was this new girl who seemed eager to be her friend. I couldn’t figure it out; it was beyond my understanding. I checked the time. It was almost eight-thirty, and still, Blake was nowhere to be seen. I wanted to ask Billie about it, but I dropped the idea. I would wait for Blake like I used to. Just as I was about to open my locker, someone suddenly slammed their hand down on it, forcing it shut. I turned around. “Who the hell—” I stopped mid-sentence, staring at the intruder in front of me. Blake was glaring at me, her eyes blazing and stained with tears. It looked like she had been crying. What the hell happened? I thought. I hadn't done anything to upset her, right? I would never do anything to annoy her because I loved her. Yes, I loved her. It felt different when I was with Billie, but this was true. I couldn't have possibly done anything to upset Blake. Except... “I know you did this!” she shot at me. Did what? “I know you can't be trusted! How dare you go behind my back and write her a letter pretending to be MN or whatever?” I stared at her in confusion. What was she talking about? I needed to find out. “What do you mean? Who did I write a letter to?” I think I had just angered her more because I could see her fuming. “Don't act like you know nothing, you dumbass! You wrote a letter to Billie saying she is the most beautiful girl in the world and even better than me! You betrayed me!” I Glared at Blake. Me? Wrote a letter to Billie telling her she is the most beautiful girl in the world.? How can I write that? I don't love her anymore. I didn't even love her while we were dating. She is fat, ugly, and disgusting to me. I loved Blake from the start. I only used Billie as a pushover how many times can I go on telling her that or anyone who thinks I might have fallen for that pig? How can I? I wanted to defend myself but she stormed out before I could. I could feel everyone's eyes at Billie hearing them. “Oh my God, so John loved her while he lies to us about only using her for a grade in his English, she is lucky to have a handsome boyfriend than Blake” I fumed. What the hell are they saying? I turned and looked at Billie she was watching this scene and she couldn't deny it. She wanted to look like a real star. I walked towards her. I would teach her. I gripped her hand as soon as I reached her. She tried to let her hand go free but I held it tightly. “Hey stop it you are hurting her,” Ann whined trying to free her friend's hand from my grip but I just held it. “Follow me now” I commanded her as I dragged her along. She couldn't resist as students stared at us. Ann was walking behind us still trying to free her hand. I walked into one of the soccer changing rooms and locked the door immediately making it impossible for Ann to come in. She banged on the door. “Open the damn Door John, do not hurt her she knows nothing” She wailed but I didn't care about her opinion. If truly is Billie innocent and didn't know anything then she should tell me. “What the hell did you show Blake?” I glared at her. “I didn't tell her anything I promise, it was just a postcard and I didn't know who sent it, she just got it wrong,” she said hiding her eyes. She was trembling. “What are you talking about? Someone sent you a Postcard, and you didn't know who it was ?” She nodded. I could tell she was telling the truth. But I wanted to press it in her for making Blake yell at me, she is going to pay for that. “And what did the letter say, that he loves you and you are the most beautiful girl in the world?.” I asked. She kept quiet she didn't answer. So it is true. “I guess it was just a joke Billie,” I said. She finally look up at me. I tried to find a lie to confuse her. she had to pay for making Blake cry. “What?” She asked. “It was just a joke, I had one of my friends write it to you, it was just a prank, it was all a lie. You are not beautiful. You are just the ugliest girl I have ever seen and so it is true he said you would fall for it, but I don't believe but now I know it is true. No one would ever love you, I think you are starting to have hope again, well it is all a lie I think you drop out of the fantasy and don't look at yourself as comparable to Blake” I said. Her face was full of shock, and she stared at me. “No it's not true, it's not,” she said trying hard not to break down. I smiled it worked she fell for it. I titled my head to the side. Faking it even more. “It true you had better forget about him. MN or whatever because it is not real. It was only a prank well I guessed he won the bet after all. I would have to give him his five bucks, what a loser. you disappointed me Billie you did” She was already crying, her lower lips were trembling, and when she couldn't take it anymore. She ran towards the door, unlocked it and flew outside without stopping to look at Ann who was standing by the door. A shocked expression crossed Ann face. She turned and glared at me. "What the hell did you say to her, John?" I smiled. "It was only the truth. I guess you should go after her and persuade her, or who knows what she might do?" She sighed. "I promise, if you did or said anything stupid, I..." She stopped mid-sentence and hurried after her friend. She seems like a good friend. At least Billie needs someone like her by her side, as she isn't aware of what she is about to face. I thought, "A postcard? Something is starting to go wrong, and I need to find out what it is." It was all a lie when I told Billie that it was just a bet, but I knew it wouldn't be long before the man came back for her. It seemed like she was starting to attract an admirer. I gasped. The guy who had been staring at Billie at the boutique—although I couldn't see him clearly, it seemed like it was him.**Ann's POV** It had been three hours, and I still hadn’t found her. “Billie!” I called out, hoping to locate her soon. I checked the classroom, the lab, and the cafeteria, but she was nowhere to be found. Had she gone home? I wondered. But it couldn’t be. Billie wasn’t the type to leave school at this time. I started to think about what John might have said to her. I just hope she’s okay. I truly do. She means more to me than just a friend; she's practically a sister. Even though I was approached by many girls who wanted me to stop befriending Billie, I declined. They even said they wouldn’t hang out with me because of her, but I didn’t care. To me, Billie was special. I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt protective over her, especially since John broke her heart and her sister betrayed her. She’s been living a tough life. Billie is truly strong, and I’ve always admired her. I often wonder how long she had to endure everything on her own before she met me. I’m just gratef
Nate POV This morning was something I had dreaded for a while. As soon as my brother parked outside the school and I stepped out of the car, all eyes turned to me. They couldn’t deny my charm, could they? I was tall—six feet, not three (just kidding)—and muscular, with wavy hair that I brushed back, covering most of my neck. Although my hair was long, I had it cut before coming to this school. I had blue eyes like my mom and a pointed nose that seemed to drive all the girls crazy. This wasn’t my first time at a new school; it felt more like my hundredth. I had just moved from California to this small town after my dad passed away. My mom returned to her hometown to settle down, as many widows do. She refused to remarry and decided to focus on raising us. Although we weren’t kids anymore, she still treated us like we were, and I loved it that way. I was the charming, handsome boy of the family, while my sister was the "witch," as I affectionately called her. “Hey, boy!” Zack called
Billie pov “No,” I said. Ann threw a hard glance at me, and I smiled. She shook her head, disappointed. The new boy looked confused for a moment, and then he smiled at me as if he understood my intention. It seemed like he was smiling at me. I hid my eyes and faced my parents and Mr. Rogers. And The memory earlier came playing in my Head. I raced out of the room where I had been earlier with John. My heart felt like it was shattering into a thousand pieces. I knew it was a lie; it wasn’t a prank. John was lying, and I could see it. But I didn’t know what to think. Why is my life such a mess? I can’t tolerate it anymore. How could MN be someone who knew John? I thought it was a prank, a bet. I dashed into one of the toilets and broke down. I hadn’t cried like this before. I didn’t know what to do now; I just needed some time alone. My life had always been difficult, and just when I started to have hope with M.N., I was thrown back again. Of course, how could someone like me be l
Billie pov I lay on my bed, unable to sleep after everything that had happened. A slow smile crept across my face as I remembered our drive home. The drive with Nate and Ann was something I hadn’t expected from the new guy. He seemed genuinely kind and, of course, jovial. He had volunteered to drive us home and borrowed his brother's car, who had come to visit him. Nate had been ranting non-stop for what felt like an hour, which put Ann on edge. She hated how he was trying to be nice, even though she resented him; after all, she had been in the same position as him. But after he saved me from Blake, she had formed a good impression of him. “Hey, girls, aren’t you some item?” he joked as he turned onto the bumpy road. Ann smirked. I hardly ever saw her smirk, but I noticed it now as she shot an angry look at Nate. “What do you mean by 'an item'?” she asked, her voice sharper than usual. “I mean, you act like her sister even though you’re not, while her sister acts like her rival.
Blake POV I strode back into the corridor, Mom and Dad behind me as they spoke to Mr. Rogers. Billie had left with her friend and the new boy. I couldn't stop wondering what she had done. How could she still defend me after I had done something horrible to her? The look on her face was one I had never seen before; she didn’t feel like the Billie I knew. She always acted weak and would seek help from anyone willing to offer it. What was she doing? I thought. She seemed like a different person, brave even. I hated the expression she had. How could she act so good after what happened? I always wanted her to be afraid of me. I wanted her to keep her distance because I didn’t want anyone to know she was my sister—my twin. It was embarrassing and depressing. I knew it hadn’t always been like this when we were kids. “The castle is almost finished!” small, chubby Billie chuckled as she molded the sandcastle with her delicate hands. I had to admit she was always good at art, while I was bus
Billie POV I slowly got up from bed as the alarm went off, ringing loudly enough to almost burst my eardrums. I reached out and pressed the button to silence it. I leaped out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom for my early morning visit. After a few minutes, I came out only to hear something that nearly made me want to throw up. “Oh God, Ann, what are you doing here so early?” Mom's voice echoed from downstairs. My ears pricked up. I must be dreaming, I thought. “I came to pick Billie up for school. Since we have a project to work on today, I had to get her early,” Ann's cooing voice was instantly recognizable. What the hell is she doing here? I couldn't believe it. She had come to pick me up? The last time I checked, I didn't have any project with her. It was a blatant lie. Why was she here? I needed to find out. Mom's voice sounded again, and then I heard the front door creak open and close. I knew Ann had entered and that Mom was busy giving her directions to my room.
Billie POV "You have to look really good, Billie," Ann said as she tried on various outfits for me. I sat by the mirror, watching her select the clothes I was supposed to wear for my date. It was she who had made me wear that strange dress that caught everyone's attention. While I was cornered by John, Nate came to my rescue, but then he also went a bit crazy and asked me out on a date. I couldn’t believe it. How could I go on a date with the most handsome boy in our year? I felt a mix of emotions—half happy, half amazed, and also half sad. I knew I’d been on the girls' red list since the beginning, and now it seemed they had a real reason to disturb my peace. "I think this one suits you," Ann said, pulling me back from my thoughts as she held up a long pink dress with short sleeves. I recognized it right away; she had bought it for me the day we went shopping together. I shot her a concerned look, trying to make her feel guilty. "Ann, don't forget that you were against this date
Nate POV "And who is the girl for you to defend?" The tall, grumpy man with big black eyes seemed important—he was one of the few customers who usually patronized my aunt. Despite his significance, he was very rude to Billie, calling her names when she was already disliked by others. I had no choice but to stand up to him, and now he was questioning my connection to her. His arrogance was evident; he was proud of his status. I could boast about my father being the heir to one of the most profitable businesses in New York before his demise, but I wasn't raised that way. I despised the idea of acting tough, especially not in front of Billie. “She is my…” I noticed the entire room freeze at my confession, even Alice seemed interested. “She is my friend,” I said, locking eyes with the man. “Close friend.” His expression brightened for a moment. “Close friend, you say?” I nodded, knowing I had to tread carefully; I couldn't afford to offend my aunt's VIP customer. I invited her
Billie POV She is nothing to me, Nate had said. I slowly walked toward the cafeteria, only to find an anxious Ann waiting for me, her worried eyes searching my face. “What the hell happened, Billie? I saw John and Blake head in after you and Nate, and I was worried, but I just couldn't do anything,” she exclaimed. If it had been a minute earlier, she would have seen the tear stains on my face, but I had wiped them away on my way there. “It’s okay,” I said to Ann. But I knew that if I didn’t tell her what happened in the soccer changing room, things would only get worse. So, I shared everything with her as we walked back to class. I had refused to eat; not because I was angry, but simply because I didn’t feel like it. Ann looked at me with a shocked expression. “What the hell did Nate do?” she gritted her teeth. I knew she would be angry, and I figured it was best to tell her now so I could find a way to deal with it. I had known this from the start. I realized Nate would be like
Nate POV “No, I can’t, Billie. I can’t do that. You’re a precious person to me,” I said to her and yes she is, she might not know it but she is the one friend have liked since I came in here. Though it doesn't seem like it. “What do you mean, Nate?” she asked her eyes confused. But I had to say it now, whether it was going to hurt her it was the only way she could be free. I had been distant from Billie the entire morning and I hated myself for it. It was only the way for her not to be bullied. I had not spoken to her or even gone near her but now I just couldn't control myself as I had dragged her in her. I know she was also confused. About me being distant. But I had to and now I had to tell her. “Billie, I’m sorry for what I’m about to do… I—” Suddenly, the door opened, and John stepped in with Blake by his side, staring at us. Blake smiled mischievously. “So, what are you going to say, Nate? What are you hiding?” What the hell are they doing here? I thought. I didn't remem
Billie POV It had been two days since the website application. Ann had insisted that I sign in right away, as it was the only option. I didn’t want to, but she assured me this would be different. I had tried similar things in the past, only to find they were all scams. Despite my reluctance, Ann's reassurances gave me some hope. I asked her if she knew anyone who had successfully used the site, but she replied no, claiming she just felt confident it would work. “It’s going to work,” she said, and that was a bit overwhelming. She spent the entire day at my house, helping me take the pictures needed for the application. Most of her time was spent doing my hair and dressing me in clothes that felt awkward and out of place. Balek walked in on us at one point and mocked my appearance when she saw me in the big gown. That night, I barely slept as I kept checking the website. What made Ann feel so confident? I wondered as I browsed the site. All I saw were older men and women who looke
Ann POV “Oh no,” I muttered as I scrolled through my laptop, desperately looking for something to add to my science test. I had been scrolling for hours without finding anything useful. All I kept seeing were some ridiculous solutions that would definitely earn me an F if I wasn’t careful. I leaned back in my chair, wishing Billie were here. I sighed; if she were here, I knew she could solve this problem. She was a genius. A total genius, even though she didn't focus on science — I bet she could find the answer in a minute if she just took a quick look. I admired her intelligence; she’s incredibly smart and always seems to know the solution before anyone finishes asking the question. Unfortunately, John took advantage of her talent. He used her to get an A in English, and once he achieved that, he turned his back on her. He never really loved her. I wished I were just as brilliant as her — then I wouldn't be racking my brain over this stupid science test. At least there’s something
John POV I just can't stop wandering. Is that guy I mean Nate in love with Billie or he is just playing her just like I had done? It seems confusing. He is handsome every girl demanded him since he had arrived at our school just a few days ago, he had been somehow interested in Billie from the first day after he had saved her from Blake in the bathroom. He had been glued to her since then always at her side and every time I wished to knock the air off Billie and make her feel bad he was always there helping her out and always saying he was her friend Which isn't normal, a normal guy wouldn't be nice to Billie out of the blue. She is fat, with an ugly birthmark that makes her look ugly that she is herself. And she is somehow irritating as Blake said always eating nonstop and visiting the toilet many times. I just can't see why Nate is gluing to her. Except he wants something. Maybe he also heard how I had used her for my grade and dumped her, maybe he is also trying the same thing.
Billie POV Traveling to Grandma's place kept me under control. It was a holiday I thought would never happen. I found out that I was the only one Grandma had invited; she left Blake out of it. I know everyone is aware that Grandma has the least spot for Blake. She always says he takes after Daddy, especially when she first met him years ago the day he came home with my mom. He was arrogant and always looked down on people, though I hadn't seen Dad act that way myself. However, he usually sides with Blake whenever we fight, and I can't be shocked because Blake is his favorite, and looks like him. I knew I had to be gone for Christmas, but I couldn't stop thinking about leaving Ann alone, even though she said her parents would come to spend the holiday at her aunt's place. Still, she ranted about my trip to Grandma's when I told her. "It's just for a few weeks," I said. But she insisted on going with me, even though her parents were coming too. I had to turn her down. I needed to go
Billie pov I tried to calm myself down as we drove home, staying silent the entire time. Even Nate seemed tense; he knew something had happened, but I wasn't in the mood to fill him in on what Alice had said. Honestly, I didn't care whether she liked him or not, but she shouldn’t have overstepped her bounds. I didn't have any feelings for Nate, and I wasn't sure I ever would. Just because he had been a nice guy and friendly with me for a few days didn't mean anything significant. It felt like he was after something, and I didn’t think I had whatever it was. I looked at myself. If he wanted a girl to hook up with, he could have gone for someone attractive like Alice. So why come to me? I couldn't stop wondering what his mission was, and why he was trying so hard to befriend me. He knew I was overweight, yet he still chose to hang out with me and defended me when someone insulted me. I knew he was nice and a good person, and I could see he was a better guy than John. John was crazy
Nate POV "And who is the girl for you to defend?" The tall, grumpy man with big black eyes seemed important—he was one of the few customers who usually patronized my aunt. Despite his significance, he was very rude to Billie, calling her names when she was already disliked by others. I had no choice but to stand up to him, and now he was questioning my connection to her. His arrogance was evident; he was proud of his status. I could boast about my father being the heir to one of the most profitable businesses in New York before his demise, but I wasn't raised that way. I despised the idea of acting tough, especially not in front of Billie. “She is my…” I noticed the entire room freeze at my confession, even Alice seemed interested. “She is my friend,” I said, locking eyes with the man. “Close friend.” His expression brightened for a moment. “Close friend, you say?” I nodded, knowing I had to tread carefully; I couldn't afford to offend my aunt's VIP customer. I invited her
Billie POV "You have to look really good, Billie," Ann said as she tried on various outfits for me. I sat by the mirror, watching her select the clothes I was supposed to wear for my date. It was she who had made me wear that strange dress that caught everyone's attention. While I was cornered by John, Nate came to my rescue, but then he also went a bit crazy and asked me out on a date. I couldn’t believe it. How could I go on a date with the most handsome boy in our year? I felt a mix of emotions—half happy, half amazed, and also half sad. I knew I’d been on the girls' red list since the beginning, and now it seemed they had a real reason to disturb my peace. "I think this one suits you," Ann said, pulling me back from my thoughts as she held up a long pink dress with short sleeves. I recognized it right away; she had bought it for me the day we went shopping together. I shot her a concerned look, trying to make her feel guilty. "Ann, don't forget that you were against this date