Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
I glare at the girl, but she’s already waltzed away with her friends. I rush to the bathroom and try to scrub off the coffee, but it only makes the stain bigger.
“Here, let me help you.” A girl appears beside me, unusually petite and beautiful. She has huge, thick glasses on and she’s wearing braces. “I know what they’re like. That was Adrianna’s work, wasn’t it?”
I nod miserably, eyeing her. “How did you know?”
“I’ve been their prime target for a year now,” she sighs heavily. “Fortunately for me, it looks like they’re going to pick on you now. Sorry about that.”
I shrug. “It’s okay. I guess I deserve it.”
She doesn’t say a word to that, and my lips press together painfully. The threat of tears burns my eyes but I force myself not to cry. I have to stay strong. I can get through this.
“My name is Luciana,” the girl says, awkwardly shaking my hand.
“Francesca,” I reply, managing a weak smile. It’s nice to have at least one ally here.
“Let’s check if we have some classes together,” the girl suggests timidly, and I’m quick to nod, eager for a friend in this place. We soon realize our classes overlap and I’m relieved as hell to see we’re in the first class together.
“Crap,” I mutter. “We’re already late. Are we going to get in trouble?”
“I won’t,” she mutters.
“How come?”
“Don’t you know who I am?” She raises her eyes at me in surprise.
“No,” I shrug. “What’s your last name?”
“Fernandi,” she says softly. “My dad is the principal here.”
“Oh?” I don’t know what to make of that. It seems like her father’s position has not exactly made
Luciana popular around here. “Do they bully you because of it?”
“No.” She laughs weakly. “Everyone likes my dad. But I’m younger than most people here. I’m just fifteen. I got accepted early because of Dad. I guess people just don’t like me.”
“Well, you have me now.”
“I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse.” She must notice my expression falling as she quickly coughs and adds, “Sorry. But your family isn’t exactly popular around these parts.”
“I figured.” I run a hand through my light brown hair, finally giving up on the stain spread all over my white blouse. “Come on, we should get going.”
We walk down the hallway together and come to a stop in front of the classroom. Suddenly, I feel really weird. A heavy weight shifts in my stomach, my feet glued to the floor. Panic rises inside me, reaching dangerous heights, and I feel like I’ll never be able to take a breath again.
“On second thought,” I say. “We’re already so late, we’re bound to get in trouble. Do you want to just skip the class?”
“S-Skip it?” Luciana nervously pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “I don’t know... I’ve never done that before.”
“It’ll be fine, I used to do it all the time in high school.” I tug on her hand, feeling slightly guilty I’m taking advantage of her like this. But I can’t walk in that classroom late. Everyone will be staring and judging me. The panic alone is making me dizzy. I don’t even want to know how bad it would be in that stuffy room. “Come on. We can go hang out in the school library. There’s a big one here, right?” She instantly perks up at the mention of the library, nodding vigorously.
“There is, and it’s amazing,” she gushes. “I have to show you around. The librarian is super nice as well. She orders any book we request.”
“Great,” I smile, relieved. I’ve gotten her attention on something else, and even though she hesitates, Luciana strides down the hallway. I exhale a breath of relief and follow her to the library she clearly adores.
At least I got myself out of this mess...
But there’s a sinking feeling in my stomach telling me this isn’t even the worst out of everything I’ll have to endure here. And as the day goes on, my suspicion only grows stronger and stronger.
The ghost of my ex-boyfriend, Leonardo, haunts these halls, and I know I have nowhere to run.
3
JULIAN
Two years ago, none of these people knew my name. I was just another face in the crowd. I had nothing but my drunken father.
Bruno Bernardi kick-started my life, and now nothing will be the same again. I’m someone now. Being the mafia capo’s son means I have more control over the people in these hallways than the teachers do.
At the snap of my fingers, I could have someone’s life changed forever.
It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s true. I came out of the gutter and fought my way to the top. Now, there’s no stopping me.
Sometimes, I still think of the girl I met at that party. After all, she’s the one who started all of this – my obsession with making people bow to me.