The first few periods weren't so bad.
The cafeteria was loud. I grabbed my lunch, scanned for an empty table and found a corner by the window. Safe, I thought.
I set my tray down and started picking at my food, while keeping my eyes down.
A shadow fell over the table.
"Oh look," a voice said sweetly. "She's sitting all by herself."
My stomach dropped.
I looked up.
Three girls stood there.
Designer outfits. Perfect hair. Sunglasses pushed up, like they were posing for pictures, instead of a standing in a high school cafeteria.
The brunette from earlier…the one who'd kissed Drew, stood in the middle, smirking. Her two friends hovered behind her like loyal bodyguards.
I stiffened.
"You just moved?" the taller one asked, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Who exactly are you?"
I said nothing.
The brunette tilted her head slightly.
"Aw…" she mocked softly. "She doesn't talk."
Her finger slid through a strand of my hair.
My stomach twisted.
I wanted to say stop. But of course, I couldn't.
"So," she continued, scanning me slowly from head to toe. "What exactly are you to the Coles?"
Her smile widened.
"Neighbor? Charity case? Distant cousin?"
"Wait." She snapped her fingers. "Are you their maid?"
For a second I just stared at her.
Did she seriously just say that?
I glared.
The girls exchanged amused looks.
"I mean…" she continued lazily, "Drew drove you here this morning. That has to mean something."
I crossed my arms and pushed my hands outward.
Really?
The taller girl scoffed.
"Wow. She's got attitude."
Then she leaned closer to me.
"Just so we're clear… Gabby here is Drew's girlfriend."
I blinked.
Good for her. She can keep him. For all I care.
The thought slipped through my head before I could stop it…..and suddenly I laughed.
Gabby's expression froze.
"What's so funny?"
I shrugged.
"Did she just laugh at me?"
I held her stare.
"Why is she not saying anything? Are you dumb or something." Her voice rose slightly.
And suddenly I realized something.
My silence bothered her. More than words ever could.
"Gabby chill," the third girl who had been silent the whole time, said out loud.
"Ugh… whatever," she muttered. "She's… weird."
My hands were shaking under the table.
Then a voice cut through the noise.
"Hey. Back off."
The cafeteria quieted instantly.
Everyone turned.
A blonde girl stood a few feet away, arms folded across her chest. Sharp blue eyes locked directly onto Gabby.
"You seriously think this is okay?" she said, stepping forward. "Ganging up on the new girl?"
Gabby scoffed.
"Oh please. Are you her babysitter now?"
"Try me," the blonde replied coldly. "One more comment and I'll personally make sure the principal hears every word of it."
The girls hesitated.
For the first time… they actually looked unsure.
Gabby shoved her sunglasses higher on her nose.
"Whatever," she muttered. "She's not worth it, anyways."
They turned and walked away
The tension drained from my chest and I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
The blonde girl turned back to me.
Her expression softened instantly.
She pulled out the chair across from me and sat down, nudging her tray closer.
"Hi," she said with a small smile. "I'm Alia."
I blinked.
"Don't worry about them," she added casually. "Bullies get territorial when someone new shows up."
She leaned slightly closer.
"And since you arrived with Drew this morning?" she whispered with a wink. "Yeah… that definitely got their attention."
I tried to process everything.
"If they bother you again," she continued, cutting into her food, "just tell me."
She shrugged.
"I know the principal."
My lips twitched into the smallest smile.
"I saw you in class earlier," she continued. "We're in the same grade. Pretty sure we've got history next period too."
I nodded slowly.
For the first time today, my chest felt lighter.
"You don't have to talk," Alia added gently. "Seriously. People always underestimate quiet girls."
She smiled.
"They usually regret it later."
A quiet laugh escaped me.
"Good," she said, leaning back in her chair.
Then she grinned.
"Anyway… welcome to Blackwell."