p of her secondhand backpack. Her father's words echoed in her mind: "Keep your head h

epped

oors shined under the bright lights. Students walked by in expensive shoes and perfect m

ll, lean figure walking past the lockers, hi

en S

better in real life, with smooth brown skin, sharp cheekbones, and dreadlocks that moved as he w

er gaze just a

la

, maybe interest or curiosity. She was not sure.

ey

ered guy leaning casually against the l

day?" h

no

suffocate in here' look," he joked, offering a

ed, then sho

ike someone who's not going to fit

. "Thanks..

You'll be fine. Stick

ents began to walk back in

g toward a nearby door. "I'll

ria sat by the window with her legs crossed, one arm resting on her fancy ba

and Hope walked in, fo

d, voice sweet but firm. "We have a new stu

head t

ir stares. She could feel them judging her clothes, he

ust like sta

from head to toe. Then she gave a soft, unrea

next to you, Aria,"

g with a hint of pride. "Of cours

ir around her i

e, packed tables, and the occasional flying fry. Hope stood uncert

op

d nearly drop

as wavin

else. But he was walking toward her now

t? From Miss West'

.. y

Cool. Come s

sitted. Hope felt like she had stepped into another world. People laugh

tling in oka

while being a little bit shy. "

wood's a circus. Just w

ant you should avoid

ed nervousl

she could feel it. Someone was wat

as A

She hated her for being to close to Jayden. Bella leaned closer and whispered to her. Tina gave a small la

t towar

. new

herself cornered by

rcus was busy joking with Zayne at the other sid

ce was swe

ht? That's such a

. tha

ndly heads-up. You see Jayden, he's not someone you

ot... standards." And you aren't his kind

want people to think

wned. "I

ning. "We're just being nice. This school c

ng dramatically over her shoulder

in stunne

ead of her girls, holding her phone in one hand and a drink in the other. Her school outfi

d which made her stepped on it with her heels, In a second, the Queen Bee flew thr

d, hitting her back

cking to take some shot. And from the center of th

en. Not laughing. Not

irst time, Ar

the stor