Chapter 2 THE NEW Girl

Hope Davies stood frozen at the front gates of Rosewood Elite, clutching the worn strap of her secondhand backpack. Her father's words echoed in her mind: "Keep your head high, sweetheart and don't let anyone make you feel less of yourself. You earned this."

She stepped forward.

The difference between her old school and Rosewood was like night and day. The marble floors shined under the bright lights. Students walked by in expensive shoes and perfect makeup. Laughter and gossip filled the air which were sweet and sharp and hard to ignore.

Hope paused her breath when she spotted a tall, lean figure walking past the lockers, his jersey tied around his waist, books in hand.

Jayden Stone.

She knew him right away. He was the boy from the news and Rosewood's social media. He looked even better in real life, with smooth brown skin, sharp cheekbones, and dreadlocks that moved as he walked. Students moved aside when he came close. He didn't ask for space, but people gave it to him.

Hope lowered her gaze just as he looked up.

Too late.

Their eyes met for a moment. Something was there, maybe interest or curiosity. She was not sure. Then he disappeared into the crowd of students.

"Hey."

Hope turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered guy leaning casually against the lockers. He grinned with easy confidence.

"First day?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Thought so. You've got that 'help me, I might suffocate in here' look," he joked, offering a hand. "I'm Marcus. Marcus Jameson. MJ for short."

Hope hesitated, then shook it. "Hope."

"Nice to meet you, Hope. You look like someone who's not going to fit in and I mean that in the best way."

She blinked. "Thanks... I think?"

He chuckled. "Relax. You'll be fine. Stick with the real ones."

A bell rang overhead. Students began to walk back into their various classrooms.

"Come on," Marcus said, nodding toward a nearby door. "I'll walk you to your first class."

Inside Miss Carolina West's classroom, students were talking and laughing. Aria sat by the window with her legs crossed, one arm resting on her fancy bag while she gisted with Tina on the other side was Bella applying her makeup.

Then the door opened, and Hope walked in, followed by Miss Carolina.

"Good morning, everyone," the teacher called, voice sweet but firm. "We have a new student joining us. Please welcome Hope Davies."

Every head turned.

Hope stood still, resisting the urge to fall under their stares. She could feel them judging her clothes, her shoes, her hair.Then her gaze accidentally met Aria's.

And it was just like staring into ice.

Aria tilted her head, her eyes scanning Hope from head to toe. Then she gave a soft, unreadable smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"She'll be sitting next to you, Aria," Miss Carolina added.

Aria's smile widened, lips curling with a hint of pride. "Of course, Miss Carolina. Happy to help."

Hope sat, the air around her instantly colder.

Lunchtime arrived like a wave. The cafeteria was a stadium of noise, packed tables, and the occasional flying fry. Hope stood uncertainty near the entrance, tray in hand, scanning for a place to sit.

"Hope!"

She turned and nearly dropped her tray.

Jayden was waving at her.

She blinked, thinking it must be someone else. But he was walking toward her now, that same effortless walk in his step.

"You're Hope, right? From Miss West's class?" he asked.

"Uh... yeah."

He smiled. "Cool. Come sit with us."

She walked with him to a table where Marcus, Zayne, and some others were sitted. Hope felt like she had stepped into another world. People laughed loudly, shared jokes, and Jayden, calm and kind, actually noticed her.

"Are you settling in okay?" he asked.

"I think so," she said quietly while being a little bit shy. "It's a little... overwhelming."

He laughed. "Yeah, Rosewood's a circus. Just watch out for the lions."

Marcus smirked. He meant you should avoid Aria and her minions."

Hope chuckled nervously. "Noted."

Even while she laughed with them, she could feel it. Someone was watching her from across the cafeteria.

It was Aria.

Sitting at the center of her popular group, Aria stared at Jayden and Hope, she was filled with jealousy. She hated her for being to close to Jayden. Bella leaned closer and whispered to her. Tina gave a small laugh. But Aria's face stayed the same She slowly stood up, fixed her light blue blazer, and started walking.

Straight toward them.

"Hey... new girl."

Hope turned to find herself cornered by Aria, Bella, and Tina.

Jayden had gone to throw out some thrash, and Marcus was busy joking with Zayne at the other side of the cafeteria leaving her momentarily alone.

Aria's voice was sweet as syrup.

"You're Hope, right? That's such a... hopeful name."

"Um... thanks?"

Aria's eyes narrowed slightly. "Listen, just a friendly heads-up. You see Jayden, he's not someone you want to get close to. Not unless you want trouble."

Bella crossed her arms. "Seriously. He's got... standards." And you aren't his kind of girl so try to stay off now it's early.

Tina nodded. "Wouldn't want people to think you're trying too hard."

Hope frowned. "I didn't"

"Relax," Aria interrupted, her voice tightening. "We're just being nice. This school can be brutal if you don't know your place."

With that, she turned, hair flipping dramatically over her shoulder as she walked off with her clique.

Hope sat in stunned silence.

Later that day, as students entered into the courtyard for the final break, Aria walked ahead of her girls, holding her phone in one hand and a drink in the other. Her school outfit clung flawlessly to her curvy slim body giving every step calculated with full confident.

She turned to say something to Bella, but didn't see the spilled soda on the ground which made her stepped on it with her heels, In a second, the Queen Bee flew through the air with her arms waving, her drink spilling, and her sunglasses falling.

And then she crashed, hitting her back against the ground.

Student began laughing with some phone cameras clicking to take some shot. And from the center of the chaos, Aria lay sprawled on the ground with Shame.

Hope stood nearby frozen. Not laughing. Not smirking. Just watching.

And for the first time, Aria looked up...

And saw the storm coming.