CHAPTER 5
(Annie stepped out of Ms. Jess office, still admiring her new uniform and the items she'd been given. She was so focused on everything in her hands that she didn't immediately notice someone standing in her way, she walked forward only to stop abruptly when something blocked her path. Thinking it was just someone passing by, she casually moved to the side to pass, but the person shifted too, blocking her. Confused she finally lifted her head and her breath caught. A tall guy with striking green eyes, his dark, wavy hair fell perfectly across his forehead, his cheekbones were high and defined giving him that model kind of attractiveness stood in front of her, staring directly at her as if he had all the time In the world. She tried to step around him once more, but he mirrored her move perfectly, like he was doing it on purpose.)
Annie: Excuse me, you're standing in my way (she snapped, giving him a sharp look, but the boy didn't move. He kept staring at her with a small, annoying, amused smile tugging at his lips)
Bryan: Not bad( He said, still staring at her, the mischievous grin never leaving his face)
Annie: What? (she frowned, confused by what he meant, glaring at him with clear disgust)
Bryan: Hey, newbie!( He flashed a wide smile) You're probably wondering who l am, right?
Annie: (Scoffs) I wasn't wondering who you are, I was wondering why you're standing in my way .(She fixed him with a cold stare)
Bryan: Relax, girls. You'll get through soon enough. Anyways, l should probably introduce myself. I'm Bryan Stark, the director's son. (he said it with a smug, boastful tone)
Annie: (Folded her arms, nodding sarcastically) Wow, Fascinating. (she said sarcastically) So…. are you done, can l go now? ( She said casually, completely unimpressed)
Bryan: (Chuckles) Of course. Still, you're kind of the feisty type. Hope that keeps you here longer, I'm rooting for you. (He laughed again, stepping aside and gesturing dramatically) Go ahead.
( Annie walked past him, shooting him a glare and ignoring every word that came out of his mouth.)
Annie:(Muttering to herself) " Feisty type"? "Rooting for me"? (She smirked) He's the one who needs to be rooted straight into a psychiatrist's hospital, not wandering around acting like a lunatic toward strangers ( She swiped her new ID to enter the classroom, stuffed the supplies Ms. Jess had given her into her backpack, grabbed her lunchbox, and headed for the cafeteria. As she walked, she took in the school, the size, the noise, the people staring at her like she was some kind of attraction. In the cafeteria, students served themselves from long rows of food. No lunchbox down, and began eating. She didn't notice anyone approach until a voice broke the silence, She was fair-skinned, with short blonde hair and an average height, her uniform looked ridiculously perfect on her like she was modeling it instead of just wearing it.)
Diana: Hey! Do you mind if I sit here? (Her voice was soft and polite)
Annie: Not at all (She looked up as the girl set her tray down and pulled out the chair across from her. Annie's eyes flicked to the food) Wow…. they eat this kind of food here? Lobster mac & cheese? Stuff that can only be found in expensive restaurants. Annie! focus. Mom's cooking is still the best especially her pancakes.( She thought to herself)
Diana: Hi, I'm Diana Harper. ( Her voice snapped Annie out of her thoughts) It's nice to meet you, Annie Dawson. We're in the same class.
Annie: Really? Nice to meet you too. (She smiles, and thought to herself) At least there's someone who actually seems sensible here.
Diana: And… Welcome to Diamond High School. (She said with a warm smile on her face) I heard you're on a scholarship, right?
Annie: Seems like things l haven't said travel fast. A particular girl in the class said same thing and asked if I was something L…(she said looking confused)
Diana: (cuts in) LPF
Annie: Yeah, that's it. What does it mean?
Diana: It means Less Privilege family?
Annie: What!, Why would they think I'd be from the Less Privilege family!!(she said almost at the top of her voice)
Diana: Hey Girl, lower your voice, they think so cuz you were the first student who got in here under a scholarship. Just Ignore them, that how they are. I bet the students are acting off towards you.
Annie: Don't even get me started. What exactly are they like?
Diana: Well…because you're a transfer student. (Shovels a spoonful of food in her mouth) But I'm absolutely not one of them.
Annie: I can tell. But… what do you mean, "because I'm a transfer student"?
Diana: Long story. Basically, this school has a thing against transfers. Nobody lasts more than two days without some chaos.
Annie: (Eating pancakes, unbothered) Really?
Diana: (Stops, staring at Annie, amazed) You know, I love that about you. I knew you were going to be different.
Annie: (Takes a sip of water before speaking) Not surprised. Heard it before. So.. nothing new. But… why did you think I'd be different? (Fixes her gaze on Diana)
Diana: Your smile
Annie: My smile? That's it? Now you're acting like everyone else here.(They both laughed)
Diana: (chuckles) No, really. When you introduced yourself in class this morning… your smile was different. Totally different, Not like the usual "I'm terrified to be here" look transfer give.
Annie: I thought you were going to say l had a cute smile.(Make Diana laugh, other students start staring)
Diana: See? You've got funny side too.
Annie: Honestly, I know nothing about this school… expect that everyone seems kind of…terrifying.
Diana: Yeah…( Opens a can of Coke, takes a sip) Diamond High is famous in New York. But let's just say… It's got it's shady corners. Yet somehow, people still flock here.
Annie: (Muttering) Guess that explains why Dad's obsessed with me attending.
Diana: What was that?
Annie: Nothing (smiles)
Diana: Okay, real talk. There are a few students you definitely want to steer clear of.
Annie: (Leans in, curious) Oh really? Who?
Diana: ( Slides her chair closer, voice dropping like a secret) First, Lana Morgan she's in 12th grade. Absolute psycho, Tons of students left because of her some even worse not only transfer students. She deals with anybody, but some shady stuff has happened like students who committed sucide.We all know it's her doing but no one dares to point a finger at her.
Annie: (Astounded) OMG! That's creepy, but why is she still walking free after everything she's done?
Diana: She's the daughter of one of the richest and, yeah, most notorious families around here. Next, Malia and her friends. She's in our class, totally spoiled, and pampered by her dad another rich, influential guy keeping this school on top. And she's engaged to the director's son, I'd say she's the one who's mainly focused on kicking out the transferred students along with Claudia and Tony.
Annie: What's her full name?
Diana: Malia Harrington
Annie: (Gasp) Oh My God! You mean Charles Harrington who owns the biggest Luxury fashion company and also Harrington Art Gallery is her Dad? (She said as she was surprised)
Diana: (nods) Yeah, he's her Dad.
Annie: Wow(she said as she was still amazed)
Diana: And there are two other students in our class who aren't bullies but they really prefer to keep to themselves, they really dislike people crossing their boundaries. They value privacy and hate being disturbed. They like moving on their own. One of them is your seatmate, Ji Han-na.
Annie: You mean the girl I sit next to? That Korean girl?
Diana: Yeah, She's very much a "mind-your-business" kind of person. And then there's Jackson. He's really good-looking, he's actually known for his looks. He hasn't been in school for a while now, though. He's kind of crazy and only has one friend he still hangs out with and that Frederick. That's literally his only friend. And lastly, there's Bryan, the director's son the guy Malia is engaged with. He has this angelic look, and he seems friendly, but you have to be careful around him. He's known to be really manipulative in his ways.
Annie: Bryan Stark? That name sounds familiar…(she muttered to herself, trying to remember. Suddenly, her memory flashed back to a moment when a guy had approached her on her way back from Ms. Jess's office after collecting her items) Oh, him. (she said, nodding as she finally remembered)
Diana: So yeah…those students are the top students of Diamond High School.
Annie: Interesting group of students.(she said jokingly)
Diana: (chuckles) I know, right? It's been nice chatting with you, Annie.( smiles)
Annie: The pleasure's mine. (she said, placing her hand on her chest jokingly, making Diana laugh)
Diana: So… where do you stay? Here in Queens?
Annie: No, I live in Midtown East , Manhattan and you?
Diana: Not far away from here, in Long Island City.(She opened her mouth to say something else when the school alarm rang, signaling the end of lunch break) Lunch break is over (she added, they both stood up as Annie packed her plates into her lunch box.) You go on without me, I need to dispose of these(she said, holding out the plates and drink can)
Annie: Alright. See you later.(Annie replied before heading off to class)
(By the time Annie entered the classroom, almost everyone was already seated. The moment she stepped inside, heads turned. Whispers followed her path, mixed with quiet giggles. She ignored them and walked straight toward her desk then she stopped, her chair, her desk, and even her backpack were gone. Confusion settled in as she scanned the room, her eyes searching every corner.)
Tony: Hey, girl (she called out lazily, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger) Looking for something?
Annie: I can't find my desk or my backpack (she replied, her voice steady) What happened? (She said,and suddenly everyone burst into laughter.) I don't think I've said anything funny.(she said with a serious look)
Malia: (legs crossed, voice dripping with sarcasm) That's right. Why are you all laughing? She hasn't said anything funny. (smirks) Hey, Annie don't mind them and for your desk, it was trashed.
Annie: What?! What do you mean you guys trashed my desk?
Malia: (scoffs) Your desk? That desk doesn't belong to anyone. We trashed it 'cause we figured no needed it. It was useless.(She said as she stood up and slowly moved closer to Annie)
Annie: (Scoffs Loudly) And you trashed it because of that?
Malia: Yeah (leans closer and whispers) And just like that desk, you'll be trashed out very soon.
Annie: Interesting. I can't wait to see how you'll do that (she tilted her head) But do yourself a favor, stop leaning so close or whispering in my ear, the weird smell of your cologne honestly makes me want to throw up. ( The classroom erupted)
Students: Whooo!!
Malia: (She shot them a sharp glare before turning back to Annie) Really? That just proves you're from the LPF, someone who's never smelled an expensive cologne before and feels weird when they finally do.
Annie: (annoyed) LPF?
Malia: Too bad. You'll be smelling it every day you step into this school.( Just then, the classroom door slide open. A teacher walked in, Malia gave Annie a wicked smile and returned to her seat)
Ms. Lia: (she eyes immediately found Annie standing alone) New student ( she said) can you find yourself a seat?
Annie: I can't ma'am.( she replied calmly) They trashed my desk and my belongings.
Bella: We trashed it? (she scoffed) Maybe instead of blaming people, you should try actually looking for it.( she said as she rolled eyes)
Annie: They admitted doing it
Ms. Lia: (Frowned) Annie or whatever your name is, if you don't have a desk, you may leave. That means you're not part of this class.
Annie: (she let out a short laugh) Really? That's it?
Ms. Lia: What were expecting? ( she snapped) That I punish everyone for you?
Annie: (shook her head) I shouldn't have expected anything else (she said and walked out of the classroom, as she did, Han- na entered the room. Their eyes met briefly before Han-na continued to her seat.)
Ms.Lia: Class President, why are you arriving late when class has already begun?
Han-na: I had a meeting with the Director(she replied bluntly, she noticed Annie's desk was missing but ignored it completely)
(As Ms.Lia began teaching, Diana rushed into the classroom)
Ms. Lia: And you? What is going on with you students today? (she said feeling frustrated)
Diana: Sorry, ma'am (she said and hurried to her seat, glancing around but Annie was nowhere to be seen)
( Annie sat on the lobby stairs, exhausted from searching around for desk and her backpack)
Annie: Thanks to them, I get to miss a class. (yawns)Not that l mind, classes are boring anyway.
Bryan: I know, right? ( Annie quickly turned, Bryan was walking down the stairs, she looked away, pretending not to care.) Need some help?( He asked already standing next to her)
Annie: No, thanks.
Bryan: This is just the beginning. You'll face a lot more problems here.( He said as he sat beside her)
Annie: I know.
Bryan: So… do you want to be my friend?
Annie: (irritated) Why would l want to be your friend? Of course not.
Bryan: (chuckles) I expected that answer. Alright, if not friend, why don't we strike a deal? ( he asked looking straight at Annie)
Annie: A deal? (sighs) What kind of deal?
Bryan: A deal where we'd both benefit from it (he said with a smile on his face) So here is it ( he said adjusting the way he sat) I'd help you get rid of the people trying to kick you out of this school. You stay longer, and have fun (he said excitedly)
Annie: (nods) Sounds interesting. And what do you get in return?
Bryan: What I want in return? (pauses, then smiles widely) You become my girlfriend.
Annie: What?! Your girlfriend?
To Be Continued