Chapter 1

I was drowned in a beautiful dream when I heard someone banging at my door loudly. “Stella!” Debra, my step sister shouted, her palm repeatedly slamming at the wooden door of my room. “Stella, wake up! You have to iron my clothes! I’m going to be late for school!”

I yawned, taking time to stretch my limbs before I set my foot on the ground and walked slowly towards the door. When I opened it, I was met by Debra’s frowning face and knitted eyebrows.

“What took you so long to open your door! Didn’t you hear me?” she yelled, her index finger pointed at my forehead.

I swat her hand away and she gasped. “Mommy!” She then called for Aunt Lucy. “You’re fucking dead, bitch!” she smirked and once again called for my stepmother. “Mommy!”

“Debra, what’s your problem shouting at five in the morning! Everyone is still sleeping!” Aunt Lucy yelled back, irritably. Her eyes, half-open, her hair messy and a half –dry saliva was seen from the corner of her lips down to her chin. Gross!

“Stella, she hit me!” Debra dramatically said and my eyes widened in disbelief.

“Debra, that’s not true!” I told her but Aunt Lucy already attacked me and grabbed my hair, pulling it so hard making me wince in pain. “Auntie, that’s not true. She was the one who—“

“Shut up! Are you telling me that my daughter is lying! You don’t have the right to hurt my princess, do you understand?” she said, slapping me then gripping my hair tightly but I stayed silent. “Do you understand me?” she asked again and I nodded.

“Good. Now, iron my clothes! Hurry!” Debra smirked as she leaned on the jamb, her arms crossed over her chest.

I swiftly ran to Debra’s room and quickly ironed her uniform when I saw my cat follow me. “Luna, get back in my room. If Debra sees you, she might hurt you again.” I whispered into her as I watched Debra grab her towel and enter inside her bathroom.

As if Luna understood me, she turned around, walking back into my room.

After I finished ironing Debra’s clothes, I hung it in front of her closet and was about to get back to my room and get ready for school, but Debra stepped out from the bathroom and stopped me from leaving.

“Uh-oh! Not so fast, Stella, my dear.” She said, removing the towel that was wrapped around her body.

I looked down and couldn’t help but felt jealous of her flawless skin. Her skin was as white as snow and as soft as Naples silk while mine was covered with bruises. By the stinging sensation on my cheek that Auntie slapped earlier, I could tell it’s bright red against my creamy complexion.

“Clean my shoes and then you can leave.” Debra declared as she put Dior lotion all over her body making me inhale the sweet scent of it. “Faster, Stella! I don’t want to get late for school!”

I followed what she said because it might cause trouble if I was going to protest.

After I finished everything she ordered, I went back to my room and quickly took a shower and put on my tank top and denim jeans, and a black cardigan to cover the bruises in my arms.

Ignoring the bruises on my body, I was definitely a pretty girl. But I didn't really care much about my appearance, which brought me nothing but Debra's jealousy and hatred.

To reduce that, I had to disguise myself in the school. I tied my beautiful natural red hair with a rubber band and put on a curly black wig. I even painted some freckles on my flawless face. My round glasses slightly covered my forest green eyes. And a loose shirt helped me to hide my curved body.

Looking into the mirror, I now look like a complete nerd, just like the image of a nerd in people's minds. That gave me a sense of security.

I saw Luna still lying on my bed watching me. I smiled at her and carried her as I walked down the stairs to eat breakfast but to my dismay, nothing left for me again.

“Stella, you wash the dishes before going to school. I’m already late for work.” Auntie told me before she exited the kitchen and out of the house in a hurry.

I heaved a heavy sigh and walked towards the counter and reached on the upper shelf to get Luna’s cat food and poured some on her plate and a bowl of water beside it before I walked out of the kitchen and exited the house.

I started running like crazy, like running for my life. My heart was pumping so fast as I felt my skin cold as ice and sweat ran down my spine. I felt my wig move so I stopped to fix it and catch my breath for a while.

I couldn’t miss the school bus. I had a long quiz on my first subject today which was Math. It was our last year in high school and I was aiming to get good grades in all my subjects, so I would qualify for the Illinois University Scholarship Program. Being someone who had no one to support me financially was hard, and the scholarship was my only hope of getting into the University.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead then checked the time on my wristwatch. Oh no! I started running again towards the bus stop when I heard a loud horn behind me and when I turned around, it was Debra.

Debra was my stepsister. When mom died, my dad got married again with Aunt Lucy and she gave birth to Debra after a year. Everything was good and perfect when we were younger. We were the best of friends and we loved each other so much that no one could separate us. But everything changed when dad died from a heart attack.

She was laughing out loud and her boyfriend Dave who was driving the car gave me a smirk as he rolled down the window and Debra yelled at me. “Run faster, Stella!” her loud laughter echoed in the air. She still had the nerve to laugh at me when she was the reason why I was hurrying right now.

I was just in time when the school bus arrived at the bus station. Feeling relieved, I entered the bus and took my usual spot at the back.

My heart skipped a beat when I got out of the school bus because I saw a familiar car turn around the curb, heading towards the school’s main entrance. A black convertible BMW with a plate number 17-ABS. Yes, I knew it was his plate number because it matched his age and a part of his body that I couldn’t forget even in my dreams.

I stopped at the side of the road, waiting for his car to pass by. And by the second he passed by me, he gave me his signature smirk. A smirk that screamed, “I will ruin your entire day.”

Chapter 2

Tyler Lewis was inside the black convertible car. He was the most popular guy in school, a heartthrob. Tall and handsome with a beautiful and lean muscular body that countless girls admired him and sought for his attention. He walked with confidence and grace. I liked him, too. And at the same time, I hate him because he was a spoiled snobby kid born with a silver spoon who thought he could do anything he wanted and bully whoever he wanted because his family was rich.

He parked his car at the parking area and went out, with his black backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked so fresh with his dark brown hair glistening, obviously wet from the shower. He didn’t remove the dark shades that covered his deep azure eyes making him more handsome as he walked down the hallway and was greeted by his best friends Justin Miller and Kevin Torres. The three of them were inseparable since pre-school, and they played together in the football team.

I continued walking in the lobby and turned the opposite direction to avoid them hoping they wouldn’t notice me.

I sighed in relief when I managed to walk away from them unnoticed. But then I heard another group of boys called me and was now standing in front of me, blocking my way.

‘Oh no…not now please. I have an exam in my first subject.’

“Mark, your favourite student has finally arrived.” I heard Harry whisper into Mark’s ear, loud enough for the student in the hallway to hear.

I lowered down my gaze and continued walking, ignoring them.

Mark smirked and I felt his hand on my elbow. “Hey hey hey! Are you in a hurry?” he asked and I nodded. “Not so fast my dear…”

“Please…not today.” I whispered and he frowned.

“What, what?! I can’t hear you!”

I yanked his hand away from my elbow and tried to run but someone tripped me and I fell down on the ground, dropping my books along the way. My round glasses were thrown somewhere and I heard them laughing out loud.

I looked up from the Nike shoes who tripped me and I saw Dave, Debra’s boyfriend and his gang laughing like they saw something funny. He high-fived with Mark and Harry as I glared at him, thinking of ways to murder him in my head.

Dave’s eyes travelled from me to the person beside me who handed me my glasses. I reached for it and I felt an electricity when my hand touched his fingertip. Out of curiosity, I looked up and saw those deep blue eyes that pierced inside my soul. “T-tyler..?”

“Get up and go!” he ordered me.

“W-what?”

“I said, get up! Now!”

I quickly put my glasses on and picked all the books that scattered on the floor and got up, scared that he might change his mind and join Mark and his friends in bullying me.

“What the hell, Tyler?” Mark suddenly grabbed Tyler’s collar and held up his fist causing a shocking gasp to escaped my mouth.

I watched as Tyler looked between Mark and his fist. “Hit me. I dare you.” Tyler challenged him, smirking.

My eyes widened when Kevin and Justin lunged into Mark’s friends and before I could get myself into trouble with them. I scurried fast and left. I just slowed down when I got out of their sight.

What the hell happened just now? Why did Tyler defend me when I was bullied by his friend? I mean, how could the Prince Charming have something to do with me, a nerd with thick round glasses?

God knows that!

I entered the classroom panting and out of breath. I looked around to check if Mr. Twain had arrived and I felt relieved when I saw that he’s not inside the room, yet.

I walked to my seat and put down my stuff on my desk when I heard Violet, Debra’s friend whispered into her. “Your sister has arrived. Look at her, so gross. Eeewww!”

“Stepsister!” she corrected Violet and rolled her eyes. “And what do you expect? She’s a lazy ass bitch always waking up late.”

I heard them talking about me but I didn’t pay attention to them and flipped some pages of my book to read.

I was two years older than Debra but we’re classmates. Debra’s 16 and I was already 18 and we’re both seniors here at Horizon Institute. We looked totally different. She was curly blonde while my hair was straight red but covered with a black curly wig. Her body was curvy and I considered myself skinny but not too much. She was short as in 5 feet tall while I was 5 feet 7 inches.

I had a hard time living when dad passed away. I had to look for a job and save money to enroll in this school. I just recently learned that they offer scholarship programs, so I tried to take an examination and luckily, I passed and got the chance to study again.

The money I was earning from my job was for my allowance and for my savings in the future because I was planning to leave them, my family. Or do they even consider me as their family?

I was interrupted by my thoughts by someone yelling from the outside and was calling for Debra. “Debra! Debra!” he called out aloud.

Debra snapped her head and frowned curiously why the boy she doesn’t know was calling her. “What?”

“Dave and his friends, they’re in trouble.” The boy was out of breath while talking to Debra and her eyes widened upon hearing her boyfriend’s name.

Who dares to trouble Dave? Curiosity moved me to follow up.

Soon, I understand what is the so-called curiosity killed the cat.

Chapter 3

I watched Debra as she swiftly ran outside the room following the boy who called her. I secretly followed them and hid myself behind the concrete wall in the hallway and there I saw how Debra slapped everyone except for Dave.

But when her hand was about to touch Tyler’s face, she froze when he looked at her murderously. “Don’t you dare lay your hand on me or you’ll regret it.” Tyler spat dangerously.

“Debra, stop it!” Dave grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Tyler. “It was Stella who started all of this.”

Debra’s brows furrowed. “That bitch!”

How could Dave say I was the one who started it when they were the one who blocked my way and stopped me from walking. I spun around and left when I saw Mr. Twain coming their way. “Miss Hemmings!” he yelled and I made a halt thinking I was the one he was referring to but when I looked up, he was looking directly at Debra. “What are you doing here? Go back inside the classroom, now! And you!” he pointed at the boys angrily who had just fought and beat each other’s faces, “Come with me in the guidance office!”

“But sir—“ Justin tried to protest.

“Shut up and follow me, now!” Mr. Twain cut him off.

I was back at my desk when Debra came back inside the room very angry, her face was red and her eyes looking at me murderously. “How dare you!” She slapped me across the face and I was shocked as I heard everyone gasping while watching us. “Because of you, Dave is in the guidance office!”

I wanted to cry but I controlled myself. I don’t want to show everyone that I was weak. “I didn’t do anything, Debra.” I whispered. “They were the ones who blocked me in the hallway.”

“Stop!” she yelled on my face. “I don’t want to hear your explanation! If I won’t see Dave for a week because of his suspension, you’re fucking dead!”

“Miss Hemmings!” We didn't notice Mr. Twain entering the room. “Detention later! Or you want to join your boyfriend in the guidance office?”

“But sir, Stella started it!” she complained.

“I said, enough! Go back to your seat!” Mr. Twain ignored Debra and motioned her to go back to her desk but before she moved away, she tapped my books that were placed on top of my desk and it all dropped on the floor.

I could still hear her and Violet giggled while watching me picking up my books. .

.

.

.

It was lunch time when I passed by the bulletin board and I stopped to check for any reminders and announcements. A poster about a free trip to Italy for top students caught my attention. I was reading it when someone stood beside me—it was Kiefer Sanchez, the President of the Student’s Council. He posted a list of Top Ten students of “Who’s hot and Who’s not,” covering the announcement I was reading.

“Oh no, not again.” I shut my eyes not wanting to see my name at the top list of who’s not. This has become my concern every school year. Tyler started bullying me because of this list.

I still remember my first year here, I was so excited to see my name in the list of who’s hot, so when I thought everyone was busy and no one was looking in the bulletin board, I excitedly went and read the list one by one and even ran my fingers over it so that I won’t miss my name. I saw Tyler Lewis name number one on the list. Well, it was expected though, he’s hot, literally hot that I would burn if I touched him. I scanned the list down until I reached number ten and I felt disappointed when I wasn’t in the list.

I was about to look for my name in the list of who’s not when I saw a big palm covering it. And when I looked up, I was met by Tyler Lewis’ signature smirk and blue eyes. “Do you really think that you’re in the list of the top ten who’s hot? Dream on nerd!” he spat out and left laughing.

Now, I was standing here again but after 4 years of thinking about it, I learned to view it in a positive way. Who cares? It was just a list made by student activists who asked the student council to post it for fun. Sarcastically speaking, I should be flattered because I went down in the ranking from first to third. Hah! So, I wasn’t at the top anymore of who’s not hot!

But still, I checked the list of who’s hot and as expected, Tyler was at the top of who’s hot, as always followed by Mark, then Tyler’s friends. Tyler’s ex-girlfriend Maxine was also included, but my stepsister Debra was gone in the list.

“As expected, dude!” I heard a familiar voice behind me and I froze. It was Tyler’s. I stepped to my side slowly to escape because I didn't want him to see me but then I was stunned when I felt a big hand on my shoulder. Shit!

Chapter 4

“Miss, you drop your pen.” A short guy told me, handing me my pen.

I gave him a small smile. “Thank you…” I said as I snatched the pen in a hurry but before I could take a step to leave, a voice stopped me.

“Hey, nerd!” Tyler called, referring to me, who else.

I turned around and I was shocked because he was too close that our faces almost collided. I could smell his scent, a combination of soap and cologne, and the warmness of his body vibrated through me, like a current. I had never been this close to him ever, and the feeling was so electrifying.

I stepped back but he grabbed my arm stopping me from moving. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “Still checking if you’re on the list of who’s hot?” he smirked, his dark eyes were sharp and assessing, holding my eyes still. But I could not continue looking at him—his stares and nearness made my knees so weak. It would be embarrassing if I fell down at his feet. “Dream on, nerd!”

He released my arm and pushed me making me stumble back a little. Then he was gone in a blink of an eye.

I saw everyone looking at my direction and I looked down, ignoring their stares as I continued walking out from the bulletin board. Suddenly, a loud sound rings throughout the whole school for a few seconds causing everyone to quickly shuffled around me. I tried to move out of their way but it’s not working out so well when I was in the middle of the hallway and everyone was rushing to class.

A boy ran towards me with determination in his eyes—determination to get to class on time. He quickly ran past me, shoveling me out of his way causing me to lose my balance which resulted in my ass landing straight on the floor along with the announcement I was holding in my hand.

A whimper escaped my mouth as the pain hit my butt. I looked around me to see if anyone saw me landing on the floor. To my luck, no one was in sight. I mean no one. Not even a single fly. The hallways were deserted and quiet. I was the only one here while everyone was in class already.

Sighing, I got on my knees and picked up the paper on the floor. Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared above me causing me to tilt my head up to see who it is.

Standing in front of me was a guy with light brown hair that looked so soft. His hazel eyes that were covered with thick glasses stared directly at me, amused.

I avoided his eye contact and before I could reach for the paper in front of me, the guy picked it up and handed it to me. “H-hi…” he stuttered.

“Hi…” I gave him a small smile and stood up then left immediately.

“Miss, wait!” he called out. “Miss, I’m new here. I just want to make friends.” with what he just said, I made a halt.

I didn’t have any friends here on the campus. I don’t want to be friends with anyone, anymore. Because the last and only friend I had, left me because they hurt him. He left me and I don’t know where’d he went, but the last time I heard was he moved out of the country with his parents. I don’t want another person to suffer because of me, resulting in leaving me.

As I walked further away from him, I could still hear him calling me. And while I continued walking, I couldn’t help but remember the past.

I was sitting at my favorite spot on the lawn under the shade of a huge tree, reading a book when I felt someone sit beside me.

“Hi…” he greeted. “Why are you always alone?”

I looked up and saw a tall guy. Not wanting anyone to disturb me from reading, I shrugged my shoulders and continued scanning the book with my eyes when he suddenly snatched it from my hold. “Hey!”

“I am talking to you, Miss.”

“I don’t talk to strangers, I’m sorry.” I said uninterestedly, trying to get back my book from him. “Can you please give it back to me?”

“No?”

“What do you want?” I asked irritably. Why is this guy disturbing me? The worst, he snatched my favorite book. I don’t even know him.

And then he smiled. “I want us to be friends.”

“How about a no?” I told him and fixed the glasses that sat on my nose, crossing my arms over my chest.

“How about I’ll give you back your book on one condition, be my friend.” he told me and at that very moment, our almost perfect friendship started.

His name was Andrew. He loved to play basketball and football. He loved to eat and was fond of animals. He became the best friend I never thought I could have because everyone in the school hated me for no reason. I mean, they hated me because I was ugly and a complete nerd.

In the next days and months, my life turned from lonely to happy. Andrew filled my life with joy and laughter. He made my life complete.

He would drive with me to work from school, and then picked me up after my work in The Grind coffee shop as a part-time student.

All the weekends, he would come into my room through my window using a ladder. We would watch our favorite movies or play some cards or chess then eat and sleep.

But before we could do everything we had in mind, I had made sure that all of the household chores were done so that Aunt Lucy won’t disturb me in my room and would lock it in case she accidentally barged inside.

“Stella, open your window.” It was six in the morning when I heard Andrew knock on my window.

“Andrew, what are you doing here early in the morning?” I yawned and stretched my arms before opening my window.

He smiled and brought a beautiful cat in front of me. “Happy birthday, Stella.”

My mouth gaped open and immediately grabbed the cat from him and caged her in my arms. “Oh my god, Andrew it’s beautiful!” I beamed, teary-eyed. “Thank you so much.”

We named the beautiful cat, Luna. She has two beautiful grey eyes, adorably tiny paws, and two perky ears which were very sensitive to sounds. It has a tiny body covered with smooth white fur. She’s easy to love because she’s humble and loyal. She hated Debra so she always stayed in my room.

“Andrew, you want to go with me in the library?” I asked him one day after lunch.

We made our way to the library laughing while talking about Luna, on how she always snatched Andrew’s food when suddenly, Mark and his gang blocked our way.

“What do you want?” Andrew asked.

“Hey lover boy, don’t meddle into this. We only want the nerd girl.” Mark said, pushing him aside.

But Andrew didn’t budge. He stayed in front of me blocking Mark from my view. “No! You stay away from her!”

“Better leave or regret you stayed.” Dave said, smirking. His eyes trailed to my face down to my chest, then back to my face again, pervert!

“Andrew, please leave now. Don’t worry, I can handle them.” I whispered but then I felt someone grabbed my arm and dragged me away from him.

“Hey! Let her go!” Andrew yelled but Harry suddenly threw a punch on him.

“Andrew!” I shouted, looked around me, hoping someone will stop this awful fight but no one seemed to be doing anything except for watching on them.

I couldn’t get away from Dave’s hold so I just watched Harry and Mark punching on Andrew nonstop while I was crying.

“Stop! Please…Stop them!” I cried getting down on my knees. I couldn’t let a person die on my watch, especially my best friend.

I took a deep breath in and out and stood up. With final breath, I raised my hand and punched Dave on the nose. The whole crowd gasped at what I just did and then I walked closer to them and pulled them away from Andrew.

And when I thought I couldn’t stop them, I heard someone blew a whistle and in a blink, Mark’s gang were gone. I saw Andrew lying on the ground unconscious and I shook my head crying. “Andrew!”

And that was the last time I saw Andrew before they brought him to the hospital. A week has passed when I received a call from him telling me he’s leaving the country.

It's always like this. I told to myself. Anyone who comes near me will be unlucky.

Chapter 5

“Are you going to have your lunch in the cafeteria?” Valerie Lawrence, one of my classmates walked with me. She’s short, pale complexion, slim and blonde. She was one of the nerds in school but she’s not wearing thick eyeglasses like me. She was just smart and she loved books and books only.

“I’ll just buy myself some food.” I answered shortly and continued walking until I reached the long line to the counter.

“Can I eat with you?” she asked again and I just shrugged my shoulders.

As I waited for the queue to move, I heard laughter from the table near me and I didn’t need to turn my head and check on them to know who they are because I knew very well that it was Mark’s gang and my stepsister Debra’s friends who were in there, laughing out loud like they owned the place.

Valerie who was standing behind me poked my shoulder. “I saw your name on the list.” She told me, probably talking about the list of who’s hot and who’s not. “You were at third place and I was second. Congrats to us!” she said sarcastically.

I smiled at her knowing that she wasn’t feeling bad about it. It’s nice to know that aside from me, there’s someone who’s not affected, too. I guess she was also into focusing to her studies to excel in academics instead of feeling bullied because of that stupid list.

“I understand myself being in the list because I’m really a nerd. But you, Stella? Seriously? I know this bitch stepsister of yours is the reason why you’re always on that list.” She whispered into my ear as we moved from the line.

“Maybe because I am ugly.” I shrugged my shoulders. “And I don’t attend parties and outings outside school.”

“Oh my god! Who said you’re ugly?” she exclaimed. “I know you’re beautiful, Stella. Even more beautiful than your sister. If you remove those thick glasses of yours and your hair—“ she tried to touch my hair but I swat her hand away.

“Please, don’t!” I snapped and she was shocked by my behaviour. “I’m sorry.” I lowered down my gaze and proceeded to buy a bread and banana and then left Valerie dumbfounded.

I walked into the hallway of the school and turned left at the far corner to where the staircase going to the rooftop was located.

When I reached the top, I inhaled the fresh air and exhaled softly. I felt like I was free from any problem in the world. Whenever I was here, I felt safe, peaceful, and quiet. That's why I loved it here being alone, because it helped me focus. I don’t like distractions or unnecessary noise when thinking or other people around me irritates me every time they whispered to each other then looked at me and laughed.

Being alone helped me rearrange my thoughts and makes it easier to see what I really needed and wanted. I just loved being here because the silence was calming and allowed me to be able to concentrate on my thoughts or to be able to meditate about everything that’s happening in my life.

I folded my arms to wrap the cardigan tighter around me to protect myself from the cold breeze as I sat on the bench and started eating the bread and banana I bought in the cafeteria.

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I was walking back to my classroom when I saw Tyler from the other end of the hallway. And he was smiling wide and waving at me…what? My heart jolted, and my pulse pounded foolishly. Why was he smiling at me all of a sudden? He’d been bullying me for years now and I thought he hates me? What happened?

I felt like I was in a dream, everything turned blurry, like magic. Suddenly, there was only Tyler and me, staring at each other as we moved closer together. He gave me a breathtaking smile that sent my pulses racing, and I returned his smile shyly.

But I was woken up in reality when someone accidentally nudged me on the shoulder. It was Maxine Cooper, the school’s Miss Perfect sexy cheerleader. She has everything a teenage girl could ever wish for. She has a pretty face, perfect figure, popularity, fame, and fortune. Plus a boyfriend who’s madly in love with her. And did I mention that she ranked second in the list of who’s hot and who’s not?

“Oops…Sorry, nerd!” she said and continued walking towards Tyler.

Reality set in. It was Maxine he was waving at, not me.

Maxine Cooper had been ruling this school in almost forever. The moment I stepped into this school, her name was always everywhere. From the school buildings that were commemorated to her father’s name up to the school’s paper wherein she has her own section.

You will always notice whenever she arrived. Everything went in slow motion. Everyone would step aside once she set her feet on the ground. The crowded hallway split into two so that she and her minions could walk in.

Everyone watched her in amusement and awe as if she was a true royalty or a Hollywood celebrity. But in reality, she’s just some kind of a replica in some teen movies.

I turned my heels and walked in the other direction to avoid them. I could always handle Tyler’s bullying me but the way he unintentionally broke my heart whenever he’s with Maxine felt so different. I felt pain and my heart felt like it was bleeding, literally.