I finally pushed my head up after drowning in my thoughts, heading to the cafeteria. I hadn't even carried my tray when someone rushed to me with what looked like her tray, "Here," she said handing her tray to me. "I already picked out your lunch for you."
I felt bad I didn't have a chance to thank her before she ran off to meet a group of her friends in the corner with their eyes on me.
Not just them, everyone's eyes were on me and I wondered if it was because of the misunderstanding I refuse to acknowledge.
I barely had time to take a sip of water before a tray slammed onto my table, rattling my fork.
"Stephanie Porter," the girl sneered, letting my name drag like it tasted sour.
I blinked up at her. She had glossy hair, sharp eyeliner, and three shadows behind her like she was some queen bee. I didn't recognize her, but I didn't need to. The type was obvious.
"Hi," I said simply, my tone polite but flat.
Her glare deepened. "Don't 'hi' me. I heard the rumor—you, of all people, throwing yourself at Hayden Hewitt?"
A ripple of whispers spread around the cafeteria. I could feel eyes digging into my back.
She leaned forward. "You think someone like Hayden would waste his time on trash from Class F? You must be really stupid. Or just shameless." Her friends snickered like it was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.
I set my water bottle down, slowly. "Are you done?"
That only made her scoff. "Done? I haven't even started. You think getting a pity tutor session means you're special? Let me guess—you went to write the Class Elite exam, right? Newsflash—you're never going to pass. Dumb girls like you don't belong there."
Her words were meant to sting, but they didn't. Not really. I'd already died twice. Insults couldn't kill me.
So I smiled. "You talk too much for someone who's so insecure."
Her smirk faltered. "What did you just say?"
I tilted my head, my voice even softer. "If Hayden wouldn't waste his time on me, then why are you wasting yours?"
Her friends gasped, covering their mouths. The girl's face twisted in rage. She grabbed her water bottle and raised it like she was going to pour it over me.
I moved first. One firm push, and she stumbled back into her chair with a loud thud. The entire cafeteria fell silent.
For a second, I thought she'd lunge at me, but then—
"Stephanie Porter, please report to the principal's office immediately."
The announcement echoed through the speakers. I stood, brushing imaginary dust off my skirt. "Looks like I passed." I gave her one last smile. "Better luck next time."
Gasps and murmurs followed me all the way out the cafeteria doors.
They always tested me and when I reacted Stephanie is seen as a bad seed...