The Prank

CHAPTER 3

SELENA POV.

Here I am, sweating profusely. I probably already missed the first class.

Western Elite University. Parked with rich spoiled kids, bullies, bitches, and of course, victims like me.

NYU, as it’s fondly referred to, is renowned across the country for three things.

The first is football. NYU gives the University of Alabama a run for its money in the sheer number of conference championships and players drafted to the NFL each year. If you don’t play, then you better be a fan, because you’re inundated with football twenty-four seven. Even when we’re not in season, everyone talks about next year’s prospects, which high school players are getting recruited, who’s turning pro, who ended up on the injury list, and who’s the winner.

Secondly, it's a top-notch university. One of the best in the country. If you earn a degree from this school, you have a promising future ahead of you. That's a well-known fact.

The third is the elites, the stars the school has produced.

And Var? He's NYU’s most sought-after tight end. He's the total package. A pretty face that goes along with all those sculpted muscles and tattoos — check.

And All-American, double check. A guaranteed one-way ticket to the NFL after graduation — triple check.

He's considered a god when it comes to NYU. He's like a celebrity around here. It's totally ridiculous.

All he has to do is smile, and girls just fall right onto their backs before spreading their legs nice and wide. I've heard that he's already plowed his way through half the female population here at NYU. I'm sure he'll work his way through the second half before he gets drafted to the NFL later this year.

Var is nothing more than a conceited player. You know the type — a steroid-infused meathead jock coasting through college on his football prowess. Ugh.

I have three words for you: avoid, avoid, avoid. Need I say more? I don't think so. I've had the sad misfortune of being his foster sister. He's been my nightmare. A victim to his torture. Why me, Lord? I kept asking this, but no answer came.

Running into campus and into the hallway. In a hurry, I collided with Ivy. One of Var's exes.

Jesus. Just what I needed to make my day worse. What's with my luck today anyway?

“You stupid freak!” She screeched as she fell to the ground from the collision. Her minions quickly rushed to help her up, and a few remaining students in the hall began to gather.

"I-I'm sor—"

Before I could finish, her hand lashed out.

Smack!

My head snapped to the side. My cheeks burned.

"Are you blind?" Ivy hissed. "You knocked me to the floor!" Her blonde hair and fake blue lenses made her even more frightening. How the heck did Var manage to date her in the past?

“I told you—” I sucked in a harsh breath. Okay, calm down. It's my fault, and they're a group, but it's just me.

“I am sorry.”

“Fuck that! Fuck it, damn it!” She pushed me to the ground.

I looked up at her, seething. “What's your problem with me, Ivy? Var broke up with you, so why are you venting it out on me?”

“Oh, shut up, slut's daughter.”

“Ivy,” I got back on my feet. “Don't cross the line.”

“Or what?” She folded her hands across her chest with a daring look.

“I already told you I'm sorry. What's the big deal?!”

She let out a humorless laugh. "The big deal?" she repeated with a mocking smile. "Girls, grab her. Maybe she'll learn to watch where she's going."

"What?" I gasped. "No! Let go of me!"

Two of her friends seized my arms before I could pull away.

Ivy smiled, looking entirely too pleased with herself.

Panic seized my chest. This won't end well. “Are you all just going to watch?” I gasped at the audience.

Someone in the crowd scoffed. "Why should we?"

“Cut that. No one's gonna help a homewrecker’s daughter.”

“Ivy!” I snapped. “Don't call my mom names.”

“Or what?” She closed the distance between us. My throat suddenly felt dry. “Hold her tight. Let's see what she does after I disfigure her with my slap.”

Her hand rose. Instinctively, I ducked.

"Ah!"

A ear-piercing shriek.

I stared at the volleyball as it bounced once. Right before Ivy could land her slap, the ball had flown out of nowhere and smacked her square in the nose.

She stumbled back with a cry, clutching her face.

"V-Var?" she stammered as blood trickled from her nose.

Var?

I swung my head in his direction to see him walk over, his eyes cold enough to freeze the hallway. Somehow, that's bad.

"Var, what was that for?" she cried.

He reached toward my face, but I instinctively leaned away. His jaw tightened before he turned to Ivy.

"Why did you hit her?"

"She made me fall," Ivy protested.

"What's her label?"

She frowned. "What?"

"I said, what's her label?"

She swallowed. "She's… yours to bully."

"Var," I cut in. "It was my fault. Just let it go." Besides, I didn't want to create even more animosity with them.

“You are mine to bully.” His lips curled into his playful, infuriating smile. “And if you try to bully yourself too, you'll answer to me.”

Hold on a minute.

My mouth opened and closed. Is he insane? His to bully? I can't even bully myself. I mean, who bullies herself? But then… “You are insane.”

He snorted coldly, then turned back to her. “Slap yourself.”

She laughed. "No."

A dangerous smile crossed his face. That smile. I knew what it meant. Var was about to do the unpredictable. "I gave you a chance."

Smack.

Whoops.

Gasps and yelps came from the crowd.

"Did Var just hit Ivy?"

"She's done for."

My eyes nearly popped out. Did Var Robert just—

Ivy collapsed on the ground from the sheer force of the slap — or shock.

“Ahhhh!” She shrieked in realization, covering her face. Drama doll. But wait, did Var actually hit her for my sake?

“You hit a woman! You are inhumane!”

I blinked. Did… did Var really just slap her? For me? No, Var just landed me in more trouble! What had I done to deserve this?

“Oops. Did I mess up your blastic nose?”

Against my will, my lips twitched. Really? Blastic? Not even plastic — blastic.

A snort escaped someone in the crowd. Then another. Within seconds, laughter spread through the hallway.

Ivy's face burned crimson.

"Jesus, Ivy," Var drawled. "Go get that nose checked. It already looks fake. Imagine if it shifted."

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.

"You'll pay for this!" Ivy snapped, scrambling to her feet. She shot us one last glare before storming down the hallway with her friends hurrying after her.

The moment she disappeared, I slowly turned toward Var.

I wanted to scream. Seriously. Someone please tell me screaming isn't a crime. Tell me there's some secret law that says I can lose it at Var Robert without going to jail.

He had just made my relationship with Ivy ten times worse.

"You're sweating, four eyes." He reached toward my neck, probably aiming for the beads of sweat clinging to my skin.

I slapped his hand away before he could touch me.

Ow.

Was his hand made of iron? I resisted the urge to rub my palm. There's no way I'm letting him know I got hurt from hitting him.

"Oops." His smirk widened. "That must've hurt."

I glared at him.

"How was your walk? You barely got to school before finding trouble."

"You—" I was too angry to finish the sentence.

He tilted his head, studying my face. "Are those dark circles under your eyes, stepsis?"

My face exploded, recalling why I couldn't sleep last night. This fool definitely had guts, given what he did last night.

“Were you thinking of something you saw last night, or…?”

“That’s enough!” I shouted, shivering with rage.

He lifted both hands in mock surrender and turned to leave. He'd barely taken a few steps before speaking over his shoulder.

"You'd better not lose my books."

I folded my arms. "So what? I don't care."

"Okay." He shrugged as if it meant nothing and continued walking.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach. Why was he so calm? What was Var Robert planning? Somehow, the calm Var is far more terrifying.

Halfway down the hallway, he looked back. A slow grin spread across his face as he silently mouthed two words.

‘You're doomed.’

My stomach dropped. This won't do. This is bad. When did my life become like this?

I shook the thought off and hurried to class.

The moment I stepped inside, Mrs. Clerk looked up from her desk.

"Selena, you're late."

"I'm sorry." I dropped my head.

Before she could say anything else, a voice came from the back of the room.

"Homewrecker's ugly daughter."

A few students laughed.

My jaw tightened.

Seriously?

What was wrong with Var's exes? Why had they suddenly decided I was their enemy?

"That's enough," Mrs. Clerk warned.

I glared toward Irene.

Ever since her breakup with Var last month, she had been looking for every chance to attack me.

“No next time.”

I nodded at Mrs. Clerk's words before walking to my seat, still seething. I had barely settled when…

"VAR!"

The classroom exploded.

Several girls immediately turned toward the door, their faces lighting up as Var walked in with that signature smile of his.

I stared at him, frozen, as the ignorant females went lala over his gorgeous looks. But hold on, what was he doing here?

"Selena!"

He waved at me innocently. Too innocently. My tears nearly came. Var can't act innocent. This is very, very bad.

Everyone's attention shifted between us as he walked closer.

“Stepsis.” He pouted sadly. “Aren't you happy to see me?”

Happy, my ass. Jesus, did Var Robert just pout at me? Mummy, save me!

"Actually..." His lips curled.

Oh no.

"You forgot this in my car."

He lifted his hand.

My blood froze.

The room went silent.

Then—

"Ewww!"

The class erupted.

My eyes remained wide. No. Someone please tell me he didn't.

In his hand was my used pad.

My face burned with humiliation.

I couldn't breathe.

"I came to return it," Var said, pretending to look confused. "What is this, stepsis?"

The laughter grew louder.

My vision blurred. I ripped it from his hand and ran out in tears as the class erupted with laughter behind me.

SELENA POV.

“Damn, that's too cruel.” Sasha threw her hands up in disbelief. "How could he do that to you?"

I wiped away my tears. “This time, Var Robert is paying for this. It was so embarrassing.”

“But… what do you plan to do? I mean, if you go against him, your mom… He's daddy's boy. Remember?”

“Yes.” My fists tightened. “But I'm not letting him off this time. I actually have a good plan.”

Sasha's eyes widened. "You're pranking him back?"

"Sort of." I smirked. “Get your phone camera ready.”

"Oh my gosh." She grinned. "I already know this is going to be good."

I looked toward the cafeteria. "First, I need food."

I stood up. "Because the canteen is about to witness history.”

HALF AN HOUR LATER

“Hey! Why are you all staring and giggling? Get lost!” Sasha snarled at a group of students whispering and pointing in my direction.

“Let it be, Sasha.” I sighed, glancing around the cafeteria. “Everyone's staring. You can't yell at every single person.”

I shrugged like I didn't care. But I did. Shame was one of those things no one could simply ignore.

“No. I'm not just going to sit by and…”

“Such a loyal little dog.”

Irene's voice cut in as she strolled toward our table with a smug smile.

I glared at her. “What do you want?”

“Nothing.” She smirked before walking away to join the table behind ours with her group.

Shortly after, there was a commotion. Var, Liam, and Tyler walked in with the females screaming. I rolled my eyes in disgust.

Var's eyes met mine, and his lips curled in satisfaction at seeing my rage.

Smile all you want, Var. You're about to become even more popular.

“Hateful group,” Sasha muttered.

“Saint's daughter!” Liam called, waving at Sasha.

Her face twisted in annoyance, but she ignored him.

“Ten…” I started my countdown as Var and his group sat at their usual table.

Sasha frowned. “What's going on?”

“Get your phone ready,” I whispered, giving her a wink.

She immediately raised her phone toward Var.

“Nine… eight… seven… six… five…”

Her brows shot up, but she kept recording.

“Four… three… two…”

“VAR!”

A shrill scream echoed through the cafeteria as Trisha came charging toward him.

The corners of my lips curled upward. Without warning, she uncapped a bottle and splashed its contents all over him.

Var froze.

His expression shifted from confusion to utter disbelief.

“Var Robert!” Trisha declared dramatically, squeezing her eyes shut. “With the power invested in my urine, I command you to fall in love with me!”

For one stunned second, the cafeteria fell silent.

Then it exploded.

“What the hell?”

“Did she just throw urine on Var?”

“Oh my God!”

“This is better than a soap opera!”

“She must be one of his exes!”

“Was she planning on using it to perform magic on him?”

“Hahaha!”

Laughter echoed throughout the cafeteria.

Var sat rooted, stunned. His face drained.

“I poured my urine on you,” Trisha announced again, pointing at him. “Now start loving me!”

I couldn't hold it in anymore. Laughter burst from my lips. Beside me, Sasha doubled over, laughing just as hard.

Okay, this might be a bit out of line or cruel, but it serves him right for months of bullying.

“Ewww!”

Liam and Tyler sprang to their feet, nearly knocking over their chairs.

“Dude, don't even come near me,” Liam grimaced, waving him away. “That's disgusting. I'm a clean freak, okay? I'm not breaking our friendship, but damn, it's filthy.”

The look on Liam's face made him look like he was fainting any moment from disgust.

“You bitch!”

Suddenly, Var was up on his seat, strangling her neck, his eyes bloodshot.

My eyes widened in shock as I watched Trisha struggle to breathe.

Everyone stilled.

The canteen became frighteningly silent.

“BRO!” Liam and Tyler cried out in shock. “You can't!”

“You poured your urine on me?” He snarled, his grip tightening. His gaze was bloodthirsty. “Are you crazy?!”

Her eyes almost rolled out of their sockets as she struggled to speak and pull off his wrist.

I stared, mortified. Then an alarm went off in my head. He's going to kill her. No, he can't. I pulled this prank off. She can't lose her life over it.

I rushed over, trembling with dread. “VAR ROBERT, YOU ARE GOING TO KILL HER!”

His deadly cold eyes lifted to mine before he took his hand off her neck. Trisha collapsed on the ground, coughing and struggling to catch her breath.

I stilled, swallowing hard as I watched her struggle to breathe. Damn, Var isn't just hateful. He's a monster.

I looked back at him, still mortified. What if I hadn't stepped up?

“What?” He let out a cold chuckle. “Are you scared of me now?”

I swallowed again. "N-No."

The corner of my mouth lifted. "But you definitely..." I wrinkled my nose. "...smell like urine now."

His face darkened before flushing a deep shade of red. My grin widened. Well, dreams really do come true.

"You should go take a bath."

His jaw clenched, and his eyes turned even colder. For a second, I thought he was about to snap my neck. Instead, he spun on his heel and stormed away.

"Hurry up," Sasha called after Liam and Tyler. "What kind of friends abandon their bro in a situation like this?"

They both shot her murderous glares but didn't say a word. Instead, they hurried after Var.

“Watch out, Liam!” Sasha screamed after him. “Urine might get splashed on you too!”

Liam tripped and fell on the ground. I bit my lips hard, shaking with restrained laughter.

Sasha laughed out loud. Liam glared at her as he got to his feet. If only eyes could kill…

The moment they were gone, Sasha whirled toward me, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Selena!" she squealed. "That was amazing!"

I coughed into my fist and subtly flicked my gaze around the cafeteria. We were still surrounded by people.

Understanding flashed across her face. She cleared her throat and straightened. "Right. Show's over, everyone. Go back to eating."

She paused before a mischievous smile spread across her face. "Oh — and obviously..." She rubbed her hands together. “That video's getting uploaded.”

A smirk tugged at my lips. No doubt about it. Today's lunch break is going down in history.

"W-Why didn't the spell work?" Trisha muttered from the floor, her brows knitting together.

Oh. Right.

We still have one more problem.

Sasha and I instinctively lowered our gazes to her.

Trisha slowly lifted her head, and our eyes met.

Uh-oh. Her eyes were bloodshot.

She rose to her feet. "Selena..." Her eyes narrowed. “Did you trick me?”

I gulped hard. Behold a storm.

I glanced at Sasha.

Sasha glanced at me.

“…”

“Run!”

We took off at the same time, bursting into laughter as we sprinted out of the cafeteria.

“SELENA!” Trisha screamed behind us.

Yep. Definitely a lunch break to remember.