CHAPTE ONE

Reina

Summer was over. Another semester had begun at school and no matter how academically driven I am, resumption never excited me. Not with the sun beating down on me while I rushed to my next class, sweat causing my glasses to slide down my nose bridge even after I constantly sit it down. It was definitely not after all I'd been made to endure during my first ever semester as a fresher in the Buckings College.

No, I didn't want to roll out of bed at five in the morning, pick out the best outfit from other ten similar ones, and start my cardio while running to catch up. I didn't want to stare at my lecturer teaching me about the basics of things I was already way ahead of while I struggled not to doze of in class. I didn't want to count the clouds through the window while a perverted male lecturer continued to flirt with female students that everyone considered pretty. I was never part of them. I could never be.

As I dropped my things in the locker, ready to relax for the day at the school cafe, someone slammed the door shut, startling me.

I flinched and took a step back, immediately holding my glasses in place as I took in whoever was stupid enough to do this.

A sigh escaped my lips as I raised my head to look at my worst nemesis in Buckings College. Right. I forgot to mention the major reason why I hated going back to school was because Austin Reed, student King of Buckings absolutely hated me.

"What is it now, Austin?" I asked, almost breathlessly as I glared at him from behind my glasses.

Austin Reed leaned against the lockers, his two friends flailing on each side with a grin on their faces.

"Aw. Did you miss me that much, dorkie?" His voice too. I hated how much they made a mockery of my very being.

Austin was the school's heartthrob. Final year student, many times award winning scholar, dedicated and talented athletes, quarterback and insanely attractive. Honestly, I could see why anyone would die to get his attention. With his often tousled dark hair, stormy grey eyes and towering figure, even I couldn't resist the Austin Reed pull, no matter how much I tried to deny it.

"I would rather bite the ass of a horse?" I muttered to myself but Austin was already grabbing my shirt and leaning in, eyes glaring.

"What the fuck did you just say to me?" Austin's voice was a cocky rumble, his eyes narrowing to slits as he stepped closer.

"Nothing you're not used to hearing," I retorted, trying to keep the tremble from my voice. I had my back to the locker now, my books a barricade between us. The metal was cold through my shirt, but it was the only comfort I had against his overwhelming presence.

One of his friends snickered, but I kept my gaze on Austin. He was the one who always had to have the last word, the one who had to make me feel like shit on a daily basis. It was his sick little game, and I was so tired of playing it.

As if on cue, my glasses slipped down my nose again.

"Say a word there again, and you're going to regret ever existing, Reina Grimes." His voice had dropped to a lower octave, causing fear to crawl up my spine. "You're not even worth my worry or my effort. Why do you think you can speak in my presence?"

Because I'm human? I wanted to say, but my mouth snapped shut. Austin and his father had a really strong hold on the school and I wouldn't want to cross the Reed family for anything. So I just stared as Austin stepped to the side, rummaging through my locker while all the contents began clattering to the floor.

Everyone had started staring at us. I wished the ground would open up and swallow me.

Austin pulled out a book, his arms spread wide as a grin appeared on his face. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the pink bow on the cover.

My diary!

"Hey! Give it back!" I yelled, trying to reach for it. But he was way taller than I was, so all he had to do was ensured his arm stayed up with the diary in his hand.

"Aww. What little secret is Reina hiding in her little book? Let's find out, shall we?" His friends came around and held me, while I thrashed and kicked.

Other students had gathered around us, anticipation gleaming in their eyes as they giggled and whispered under their breaths. My eyes stung with tears as Austin flipped the pages open, a devilish smirk curling his lips.

"Oh, look at that. Reina hates Ms. Marina's teaching because it's basic and she is wrong half the time." Gasps rippled through the crowd and across the room, I could see Ms. Marina standing amidst the crowd, embarrassment and hurt colouring her cheeks.

"There's more. Dear diary," he began to read. "I think I found a crush..."

That triggered me so bad, I turned around, kicked his friends in the nut and jumped so high, Austin and I fell on the ground. For a second, we lay there, bodies pressed and faces inches away. That was until my eyes caught the book and I snatched it immediately, running out of the hallway after.

When I got home, all I wanted was a pot of chicken soup and a warm hug from my own mother. I couldn't bear the look of disgust from my classmates over what I said about Marina. So I came home.

However, I was met with a sparse living room and the smell of heavy cologne.

"Mum?"

A middle aged woman with short brown hair appeared, her face moderately touched with makeup. She was dressed in a sequin blue dress that barely grazed her knees and her heels were tall and thin.

"What is the occasion?"

"Oh. Hey, darling!" She squealed excitedly as she fixed her jewelries and grabbed her car keys. "You're home early. Gotta go. If you're hungry, there's food in the refrigerator."

"Where are you going?"

She turned around, exhaled slowly before speaking. "It's a business dinner." Then she left before I could respond.

Business dinner?