Chapter 7 In love with someone from a different background.

THE NEXT DAY

REYNA'S POV

I stood frozen in front of the school gates, my nerves crawling beneath my skin as students streamed past me, cars driving by like nothing happened yesterday. I was terrified. After everything that happened... How was I supposed to face them? What am I even supposed to do?

Taking a shaky breath, I pulled out my dark blue Burberry hoodie from my backpack and slipped it on, tugging the hood over my head to cover my face.

At least it's expensive. Three hundred dollars from the boutique. Mom gave it to me for my sweet sixteen.

I slung my bag over my shoulder, lowered my head, and stepped inside the school building, hoping praying no one would notice me.

The hallway was buzzing with voices and footsteps, but something was off. People weren't glaring like yesterday. In fact, they were smiling. Genuinely.

"Hey Reynie!"

"Hi girl!"

"Love your hoodie!"

"Hey pretty girl."

"Hi."

"Hi, baby girl!"

I blinked, stunned. Was this real? My heart lightened just a little. It... felt good. Warm, even. Not like yesterday.

I smiled and gently pushed my hood back, suddenly feeling a spark of confidence I hadn't felt in ages.

Heading to my locker, I grabbed my biology textbook and then flinched.

"Hey Reyna."

I yelped at the sound of her voice, It was Natasha.

She was leaning on the locker beside mine, all dolled up with her long curly hair, perfect glam makeup, a black cat-ear headset resting around her neck, and her signature pink Chanel backpack slung effortlessly over one shoulder.

"I like your hoodie," she said, voice soft and Polite.

"Thank you," I replied hesitantly.

"Look, I'm really sorry about yesterday... especially how I treated you on your first day. I promise I want to make it up to you," she said, her voice gentle and almost... sincere?

"It's okay," I offered a small smile. "I totally forgive you."

I shut my locker and started walking away, but she suddenly stepped in front of me.

"I swear I really want to fix this. I won't bully you again, I promise. Just..." she trailed off, unzipping her bag and pulling out a sleek blue box of chocolates. She held it out toward me. "Here. A peace offering."

I arched a brow and scoffed. "Natasha, I don't think-"

"C'mon, just take it, please," she whined.

I sighed and shrugged. "Fine." I took the chocolates.

She beamed. "Yay! Thank you."

"No, thank you." I turned and placed it inside my locker before walking off.

The fake grin vanished the moment she turned away. Ugh, my cheeks were starting to cramp from all this pretending. But it's worth it. Especially now that I found out who you really are. A broke, lying, ugly little freak. That makes everything easier.

"Um... are there actual chocolates in the box? Or poop as a prank?" Kylie asked as she walked up beside me.

I smirked. "Real chocolates."

Kylie rolled her eyes. "You're joking, right?"

"Does it look like I'm joking?"

She crossed her arms. "Okay, first you humiliated me in front of that new girl, and now you're giving her chocolates? What's your game?"

She wouldn't understand. If I told her, she'd go running to Hailey and ruin everything. Then my secrets would get out, and my plan? Destroyed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said flatly. "I'm just... being nice for once. Don't ruin it." I walked off.

I stared after her, completely baffled. What is going on with Natasha? Did she hit her head or something?

Something's definitely off. What is she really planning?

And honestly? I hate this nice version of her. It's pathetic.

---

[Bell Rings]

REYNA'S POV

I walked into the classroom and immediately saw Shay waving me over to sit with her.

But I wasn't ready to forgive her not yet. She exposed me. Lied about me. If that fake story she spread had been real, I'd be crushed. I could've spiraled. Anxiety. Therapy. Worse.

She's no better than Zeke or Kate. I needed to stay far away.

"Hey, Reyna!" Natasha called from her seat. "Come sit with us!"

"What?!" Kylie and Hailey said in unison, completely shocked.

"Yes, and get up, Hailey," Natasha said without missing a beat.

I blinked, confused. "Huh? Why?"

"Because Reyna wants to sit with us," she whispered.

"I don't get it," I muttered, looking to Kylie for backup.

"This is weird, Natash... even for you," Kylie added.

She's right. Reyna isn't one of us. She can't be.

"Hailey, get up and sit in the next seat beside you," Natasha demanded.

"No," I said firmly.

"I'll lend you my Tiffany necklace for a week."

My eyes widened. "Okay!" I jumped up and switched seats. That necklace was worth $30,000. I loved it.

I groaned and rolled my eyes. Hailey is such a dummy.

If she wants a Tiffany necklace, she can just ask her dad to buy one. But no she'd rather grovel and borrow Natasha's.

Ugh. So stupid.

Natasha smiled sweetly. "Come on, Reyna, sit with us."

I glanced at Shay. She was shaking her head slightly, mouthing no.

I didn't want to sit with any of them. Especially not with Tyler just a few feet away, his intense gaze on me.

"I'm sorry," I said politely. "But I already have a seat." I turned and walked back to where I sat yesterday.

"Hey, can we switch seats again?" I asked the brunette girl sitting next to Tyler.

"Yes," she answered quickly and moved. Probably because Tyler was sitting there, glaring at me.

I had no idea what his deal was.

Shay didn't look happy either.

I sat down just as a handsome blond man in a navy-blue suit entered the room.

"Good morning, students of 11th grade," he said in a crisp British accent. "I'm your new English teacher, Sebastian Andrew. Your previous teacher was transferred this morning and-"

---

NATASHA'S POV

The teacher paused mid-sentence. When he noticed that i wasn't even looking at him. I was applying lip gloss and blending it with my finger completely minding my own business.

"Hello, young lady."

No response.

he walked closer. "Ahem."

I looked up and glared. "What?"

"What's your name?" he asked calmly.

"Why do you wanna know?"

"Because I'm your teacher. I have the right to know."

I sighed clearly annoyed. "Natasha Benjamin."

"Well, Miss Benjamin, it would be appreciated if you stopped doing your makeup while I'm teaching and paid attention."

"Or what?" I scoffed.

"I could give you detention. Or even have you suspended for a weeks. Your choice."

God forbid a girl trying to look her best, Where the hell did they find this guy?

He turned back to the board and continued. "As time goes on, I'll get to know each and every one of you."

I glanced at Reyna. She was quietly reading a book at her desk.

Winning her trust might take longer than I thought...

---

LUNCH BREAK

REYNA'S POV

The moment class ended, I bolted. I didn't want Shay or Natasha near me.

I walked down an empty hallway, looking for somewhere quiet to hide for lunch. But before I could take another step-

"Whoa!"

Someone yanked me into an empty classroom. The lights were off. Curtains drawn.

"What the-?!" I shrieked and tried to pull away, but he pinned me to the wall, his arms wrapping around my waist.

"Shhh."

Tyler.

He pressed a finger to my lips.

"Tyler?! What the hell are you doing?!"

"Trying to figure out what you've been doing to me," he said quietly.

I shoved at his chest, but he was strong. Too strong.

"We've known each other for three days. Let me go. Someone might see-"

"Let them," he whispered.

Natasha would. Shay warned me she'd hurt me if she saw us together.

"Tyler, why are you doing this?"

"That's what I should be asking you. Why? You won't even let us be friends..."

"This isn't how friendship works! You can't just force someone to-"

"You're not even giving me a chance! You keep avoiding me like I'm some kind of dirt. Why?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

I went silent. No words came.

He's not dirt. He's perfect. That's the problem.

Being near him would ruin me. I'd get bullied even worse. Natasha would destroy me.

And I'm not in his league. His dad owns the school. He's Tyler. Every girl's fantasy. Even mine.

But what if he's just playing with me?

I can't risk heartbreak. Not now. Not again.

"Answer me!" he growled.

I have to get out of here.

"Tyler, let me go," I said firmly.

"No."

"I said LET ME GO."

"And I said no."

He pulled me closer, mouth just inches from mine. I couldn't stop staring at his soft pink lips. They were so intoxicating, i could feel the heat of his body, smelling every inch of him, his closeness was nosiating.

No. I resisted.

"Until you answer me... why won't you give me a chance?" he asked gently.

"We just met THREE DAYS AGO so LEAVE ME ALONE!" I screamed and kicked him in the groin.

"ARGH!!" he groaned, dropping to his knees in pain.

I flung open the door and bolted.

Avoiding him is going to be a lot harder now.

"So, what do you think of these glittery pom-poms? They cost 700 dollars," Kylie said, scrolling through her pink Apple Pro Pad as we walked down the hallway.

I shrugged. "Cute. But not really my style. Anyway, stop looking at pom-poms. We need a new girl Jessie broke her arm."

"Maybe we hold tryouts and pick the best dancer?" Kylie suggested.

I nodded. "Good ide-"

My voice caught as I saw Reyna sprinting out of a classroom.

Why?

Then Tyler walked out after her, looking furious.

What. The. Hell.

"What was she doing with Tyler, alone?!" Kylie gasped. "Do you think-?"

No. No, no, no. He's mine. He loves me. He's just confused.

Reyna... she's trying to take him from me.

I forced a smile. "They probably just bumped into each other. Nothing major. No way they'd do anything stupid."

"Are you kidding me?! That nerd? With Tyler? You better do something before she steals what's yours," Kylie snapped.

She wouldn't dare. I'll make sure of it.

"Come on, Kylie. Don't accuse Reyna of things she's not capable of," I said sweetly.

Kylie grabbed my hand. "Natash?"

"Yeah?"

"I think we need to take you to the nurse."

I blinked. "Why?"

She glared. "Because you've clearly lost your damn mind."

I rolled my eyes. "Let's just announce the tryouts," I muttered, storming off before she could say more.

Something's seriously wrong with Natasha.

And I'm going to find out what.

AFTERNOON – PIZZA CLUB

When I walked into the Pizza Club, I froze. Everyone Mom, Mr. Francis, the staff was gathered and celebrating.

"What's going on?" I asked, stepping closer.

"Sweetie!" Mom hugged me, beaming.

"What happened?"

"How was school?"

"Fine... why is everyone so happy?"

"You remember how Mr. Francis said we didn't have enough for pizza ingredients? It was almost five thousand dollars," Mom said.

I nodded. "Yeah?"

"Well, someone donated a full supply of everything we needed. And gave eight thousand dollars extra," she said.

My jaw dropped. "What?! No way!"

"Now I can pay everyone their full salaries-and bonuses," Mr. Francis grinned.

I laughed. "That's amazing! Who... who did it?"

"I did," a voice said behind me.

I froze.

Natasha.

She was leaning by the door, arms folded, smiling.

Why?

Why is she still being nice to me?

"I'm glad you two are friends from school," Mom chimed in.

I forced a smile. "Yeah..."

"Um, can I talk to you for a sec?" I asked Natasha quietly.

She nodded, and we stepped outside.

"Why are you doing this?"

She blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Why are you being so... nice? What do you want from me?"

She sighed. "Look, I'm still sorry about your first day. I just want to make things right."

"You don't have to pretend. Shay already told me everything. You and your friends are the worst bullies in school. And how you treated me proves it."

She scoffed. "What? Shay? You mean the girl who lied about you being rich? Why would she do that?"

"How do you even know I work here?" I asked.

"Your uniform. The day we met. I recognized it. I'm sorry about that too."

I looked down, heart pounding. Please don't tell anyone.

"I won't," she said, almost reading my thoughts. "I promise. Please... just let me fix this."

"Thank you for helping the restaurant... and keeping my secret. I think that's enough. I forgive you," I said, hoping she'd take the hint.

"I wanna be your friend," she beamed.

Oh no.

I glanced back at the building. "Yes? Mom? Coming!" I fake-called and hurried back inside.