Chapter 2 0002

"We're here," Dad said as I looked up from my phone and stared at the huge, beautiful building in front of me.

My stomach flipped. "Dad, I'm scared," I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around me gently. "You don't have to be, Bella. You'll be just fine. Make some friends, and before you know it, this place will start to feel like home."

I gave a small nod and managed a shy smile. Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened the car door and stepped out.

"Take care of yourself, sweetheart," Dad said, handing me my water bottle. "And don't forget-wait for me after school. I'll come pick you up myself."

"I will," I said, remembering his words. I waved at him as he smiled back.

I stood there, watching as Dad drove out of the school gate, his car disappearing into the distance.

I looked around, completely lost. There were students everywhere, dressed in perfectly ironed uniforms, chatting and laughing like they'd known each other forever.

I was nervous. So nervous, I couldn't even feel my legs. I didn't know why, but it felt like I had just stepped into the hell.

"Hey," a voice called from behind me.

I quickly turned around to see who it was.

"H...hey," I replied with a nervous smile.

Two girls stood in front of me-one tall, the other short. The short one shot me a cold, irritated look, hissed, and walked away without saying a word. I stood there, shocked.

"Don't mind her," the taller girl said kindly. "I'm Abigail. You're new here, right?" She smiled, revealing two slightly broken front teeth.

"My name is Annabelle. Yeah, I'm new," I said, feeling a little more at ease.

"Well, welcome to Royal Kids High School! Do you know your class?" she asked.

I shook my head. "I got an email saying I'm in Class A, but I can't find it."

"That's my class too! Come on, I'll take you there," Abigail said, grabbing my hand gently.

I smiled as we walked together. I think I like her already-she seems really friendly.

We walked into the classroom, and I quietly chose a seat next to Abigail.

I slipped my phone into my backpack and brought out a novel.

"I guess you love reading," Abigail said with a smile.

"Yeah, I do," I replied softly.

A few minutes later, the bell rang for the first period. The teacher entered the classroom right on time.

I quickly put my novel away and brought out my textbook. I was about to open it when the teacher spotted me.

"Hey, are you a new student?" he asked, his voice firm but not unkind.

"Yes, sir," I replied, feeling the eyes of the entire class suddenly on me.

"Please come to the front and introduce yourself," he said.

My stomach flipped, and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I glanced nervously at Abigail.

"It's alright, just go," she whispered encouragingly, giving me a small nod and a warm smile.

I slowly walked to the front of the class, my legs shaking slightly. I froze for a second when I saw all the faces staring at me.

The truth is-I'm a really shy person.

Just as I took a deep breath to calm myself, the classroom suddenly erupted in screams-mostly from the girls.

Three guys strolled in casually. I must admit-they were ridiculously handsome.

"Enough!" the teacher snapped. "You three will never change. Always late. Just go to your seats!"

The boys smirked as they walked past me, not even caring about the disruption they caused.

"Go on, miss," the teacher said, turning his attention back to me with a small smile.

"My name is Annabelle Smith. I'm happy to be here," I said quietly, keeping my eyes on the floor.

"I guess you've got an ugly face-that's why you're looking down!" someone shouted from the back.

The whole class burst into laughter-everyone except Abigail and the teacher.

I felt my face burn with embarrassment as I slowly walked back to my seat and sat down, my head still low.

"Don't let that get to you. They're just being stupid," Abigail whispered gently.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"No thanks, no sorry in friendship," she said with a cheerful grin.

"We're friends now?" I asked, surprised and happy.

"Of course we are," Abigail said.

I smiled, feeling a little better. Then I leaned closer and whispered, "Who were those guys? And why did the whole class scream when they walked in?"

"Oh, those three?" she whispered back. "They're the most handsome guys in the entire school. They come from super rich families-but trust me, they're rude and love to bully people."

"Okay," I said quietly.

"One more thing-try to stay away from them," she warned.

"Yeah," I nodded, then opened my book and started writing.

After two more classes, the bell rang for lunch. All the students stood up from their seats and headed out.

Abigail and I were the last ones to leave the classroom. We walked together to the cafeteria.

We grabbed our food and looked for a place to sit. A short girl the same girl with Abigail this morning was already sitting at a table, eating. As soon as she saw me, she quickly stood up and moved to another table. Abigail called out to her, but she didn't respond.

"Is she okay? I don't think she likes me," I said as I picked up my fork.

"Ava's just like that sometimes," Abigail replied with a shrug. "I think she's a little jealous because I'm spending time with you."

"Ooh. Why don't you go talk to her?" I asked. "You two are friends, right?"

"Haha, I will. I'll talk to her later, once she cools down," Abigail said and started eating.

At another table, James sat with his two best friends, Demien and Philip.

The three of them had been close since childhood, and everyone at school knew them as the three handsome guys.

"Guys, my dad cut off my monthly allowance," Philip said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"What? Why?" Demien asked, surprised.

"He said I'm not serious about my life," Philip sighed.

"Man, that's harsh," Demien said, shaking his head.

James didn't say anything. He just kept eating, focused on his plate.

Philip turned to him. "James, why aren't you saying anything?"

James glanced up and shrugged. "What do you want me to say? You're still daddy's boy."

Demien burst out laughing, even though he tried to hold it in.

"Cut it out!" Philip snapped. "You're the baddest boy among us, but your dad still treats you way better than mine treats me."

"Sorry, buddy," James said casually and went back to eating.

"My real problem now is getting my girlfriend that designer bag she wants. Her birthday's next week," Philip added with a frustrated hiss.

James looked up and shook his head. "Honestly, if you weren't my friend, I'd say you're a fool. Wait-sorry, a big fool."

"James!" Philip shouted angrily.

"Instead of figuring out how to get back on your dad's good side, you're stressing over a girl. Love really does make people blind."

"I don't blame you! You've never been in love before," Philip snapped.

"And if love makes me act stupid, then I'll pass," James said coldly. "Those girls only know how to spend our money. There's no real love out there. If you don't believe me, let me go hand Ava some cash and see if she doesn't open her legs."

"Don't you dare!" Philip growled and jumped to his feet, ready to throw a punch.

Demien quickly held him back. "Hey! Chill! Remember-no fighting in school."

Philip glared at James. "Mark my words, one day you'll fall so hard for a girl, you won't even recognize yourself."

He stormed off angrily.

Demien looked at James. "Why do you always get under his skin when it's about his girlfriend?"

"I'm just trying to save a friend from falling deeper into a trap," James said, sipping his juice.

"One day, you'll fall too-and you'll fall hard," Demien said.

James smirked and shook his head. "That's never happening. Not in this life, or the next. Bad boys like me don't believe in that crap called love."

"Do you remember that today is Richard birthday, we were invited" Demien said.

"Sure I do, and I'm going don't want to miss those sexy bitch" James said and Demien laughed.