Betty and Mimi were sitting on the bench under the sprawling oak tree by the schoolyard, their notebooks open but mostly forgotten. Natalie walked by, her backpack slung loosely over one shoulder. She slowed as their cheerful chatter reached her ears.
"Hey!" Betty waved, her smile warm.
Natalie hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. "Y-yes…
Mimi leaned forward, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "I don't think we've really… talked. You should, you know, tell us a bit about yourself!"
Natalie blinked, her fingers tightening on her bag strap. She opened her mouth, then closed it. The words that should have been easy, normal, simple, wouldn't come.
"I… um…" she started, her voice barely above a whisper. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I… I'm… Natalie. Uh… Natalie Brooks."
Betty tilted her head, encouraging. "That's a nice name! But you know, like… where you're from, what you like?"
Natalie swallowed hard. Something about the way Mimi's eyes shone with expectation made her tongue feel heavy. "I… I… uh…" She forced a small laugh, but it came out shaky. "I mean… it's… it's nothing really. Just… normal stuff, I guess."
Mimi frowned slightly, sensing something unusual. "Come on, Natalie. We won't bite! Everyone here's friendly. You can tell us anything… or at least a little?"
Natalie's heart started racing. She wanted to, she wanted to say something, but every sentence seemed to twist into knots in her mouth. "I… I like… reading… and… um… music. That's… that's pretty much it."
Betty leaned back, sensing her unease but not wanting to push too hard. "That's okay… but maybe you can tell us more later? Like, when you're ready?"
Natalie nodded quickly, relief flooding her as she managed a small smile. "Y-yeah… later… maybe."
Mimi exchanged a glance with Betty, silently asking if something was off. But Natalie quickly adjusted her bag, as if ready to escape the scrutiny, and mumbled, "I should… um… go to class now."
"Sure," Betty said softly. "See you later, Natalie."
Wait! Mimi said making Natalie startled .
"Are you from a rich home ?"cause um you're not really acting like one
Are you?.
Ye...ye..yes.. tho kind of Natalie replied
Why u scared to admit that ?
No..nothing see you guys later. She left hurriedly
As Natalie walked away, her steps careful and deliberate, her chest still heaving slightly, both girls watched her go. There was something unspoken in her hesitation, a secret she wasn't ready to share… yet.
Natalie's heart was still pounding as she hurried toward the school building, trying to shake off the awkward conversation with Betty and Mimi. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the figure walking straight toward her—until it was far too late.
"Whoa—watch out!" a deep, smooth voice shouted, but Natalie couldn't stop herself in time.
Crash!
Bodies collided, sending both of them sprawling onto the polished floor. Papers scattered like startled birds. Natalie's cheeks flamed as she scrambled back, trying to gather herself.
"I-I'm so sorry!" she stammered, glancing up—and froze.
Bryan.
The boy sitting up in front of her wasn't just anyone. He was Bryan, the school's golden boy: tall, impeccably dressed even in casual clothes, with that kind of smile that made girls' hearts skip beats. The kind of guy whose name echoed through every classroom and lunch table. The kind of guy who could make or break a day with just a glance.
Bryan blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he pushed his perfectly tousled hair back and extended a hand toward her. "You okay?" His voice was calm, amused, but with a hint of curiosity.
Natalie's hands shook as she reached for his hand, barely managing to meet his gaze. "Y-yes… I'm… I'm fine. Really. I… I didn't see you there…" Her words tumbled out in a chaotic rush.
He chuckled softly, a sound that made her stomach flip. "No worries. I wasn't paying attention either." His eyes studied her for a moment, not in a judgmental way, but with that faint, teasing spark that made it impossible not to notice him.
Natalie quickly bent down to gather the scattered papers, hoping he would turn his attention away. But Bryan crouched beside her, helping without saying a word. Somehow, every movement felt loaded with tension, and Natalie's mind raced.
"Thanks…" she muttered, cheeks burning. "I… I didn't mean to… I mean…" Her voice faltered, trailing into nothing.
Bryan grinned, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "You're new, right? I don't think I've seen you around before."
Natalie's throat went dry. She wanted to answer casually, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she nodded stiffly. "Y-yes… new…"
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "New, huh? Well… I guess I'll see you around then." He stood, brushing off his pants, and gave her that unmistakable, confident smile before walking away, leaving Natalie frozen in place, her heart racing a mile a minute.
She couldn't believe it. Bryan—the guy everyone whispered about, the guy every girl in school seemed to dream about—had just seen her. And somehow… she had made a complete fool of herself self
Natalie walked down the hallway, still trying to calm her racing heart. Her thoughts were a chaotic mess.
"Oh my gosh… he was so cute," she whispered to herself, cheeks still warm from the earlier fall. "Like… seriously, wow… wow… wow…" She twirled a strand of her hair nervously and giggled, shaking her head.
Then, with a self-deprecating laugh, she slapped her forehead. "Ugh, you fool, Natalie! Stop dreaming. He will never go for you. He's… he's Bryan… and you're… you. Just… just stop it."
She burst into a laugh at her own silliness, the sound echoing faintly in the empty hallway.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she muttered, kicking at a stray paper on the floor, still smiling to herself.
And then—BAM!
She collided with someone so suddenly that she stumbled back, her arms flailing to catch herself.
"Watch where you're going!" a sharp, commanding voice snapped.
Natalie looked up—and froze.
Standing before her was a girl with icy eyes, perfectly sculpted features, and an aura that could silence a room. Her posture screamed authority, and her expensive designer bag swung dangerously close to Natalie's shoulder.
"I-I'm so sorry!" Natalie stammered, backing up a step.
"Sorry doesn't cut it, newbie," the girl said coolly, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "I'm Rachel Thompson. Remember the name. And you—don't ever bump into me again."
Natalie's mind spun. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it… until a faint murmur from a nearby student drifted past her ears.
"Did you just meet her? Rachel Thompson? Bryan's cousin?"
Natalie's eyes widened. She swallowed hard. This was bad. Very, very bad. And she had no idea how bad.
"Uh… y-yes… of course… I mean… I won't…" she stammered, her words tumbling into a mess.
Rachel's icy gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, and then she flicked her hair over her shoulder and stalked away, leaving Natalie trembling in the hallway.
Natalie exhaled shakily, muttering under her breath, "Okay… okay… first Bryan… now Rachel Thompson… why is my life already a disaster here?"
Her face twisted into a laugh, more nervous than amused. "You fool, Natalie. Keep it together. Just… keep it together."