Chapter 3 Head Held High.

The bell for break rang, but I didn’t move. My stomach twisted, and my hands fidgeted with the edges of my uniform. The memory of class—Mr. Hale’s glare, Adrian’s sneer, the snickering students—was still burning in my chest. I couldn’t face the cafeteria yet, couldn’t face people.

“Hey… you’re not going?” a familiar voice asked.

I looked up to see Asher, his hands tucked casually in his pockets, eyes soft with concern. “I… I don’t know,” I muttered. “I just… want to stay here for a minute.”

He crouched slightly to meet my eyes, a small, reassuring smile tugging at his lips. “Come on, it’s break. Let’s get something to eat. Trust me, you’ll feel better.”

I hesitated, my pride warring with my stomach growling. Finally, I nodded, letting him lead me down the quiet hallway. Even without the usual swarm of students, the school felt huge and intimidating. Every step reminded me that I didn’t belong here.

The cafeteria smelled warm and familiar—fried eggs, toast, coffee—but the sight of dozens of students laughing and chatting made my stomach flip. I tried to shrink behind Asher as he guided me to the lunch line.

I reached for my meal card, only to realize it hadn’t been activated yet. Panic rose. “I… I don’t have—”

“I’ve got you,” Asher interrupted, pulling out his own card. “Don’t worry about it.”

Relief washed over me as he tapped the card and grabbed a tray for me. I barely got a chance to thank him before he handed me a sandwich and a juice box. My hands shook slightly as I took them.

We found a quiet corner to sit, away from the chatter of our classmates. I picked at my sandwich, stealing glances at him. He had a calm presence, but I could feel him watching me—careful, steady. Every so often, our eyes met, and I quickly looked down, cheeks heating.

“So…” he said finally, breaking the silence. “First day… rough?”

“You could say that,” I muttered, trying to sound casual but failing. My voice was small, timid. “I didn’t expect… all that.”

“I know,” he said softly. “People can be jerks sometimes. Don’t let it get to you.” 

I nodded, grateful for his words but unable to shake the anger bubbling inside me. “I just… can’t believe that guy in class. He… embarrassed me so much,” I muttered, biting my lip.

Asher frowned, eyes narrowing slightly. “What happened?”

I hesitated, then shook my head. “It’s… a long story. I got splashed by an Audi silver car this morning, can we just… move on?”

He gave a small, understanding nod. “I’m here if you want to talk about it,” he said.

When we were done eating, I glanced around nervously, then said, “Can you… can you show me the school? I don’t even know half the place yet.”

“Sure,” he said, standing. “Come on.”

As we walked, I noticed a group of students loitering near the side entrance. And there he was—Adrian. Leaning against a silver Audi, cigarette in hand, puffing smoke casually. My stomach twisted. My hands clenched into fists.

“You… you smoke on school grounds?” I hissed under my breath.

Asher’s eyes followed mine, and his lips pressed into a thin line. “Yeah… that’s him. And the car?”

I nodded, unable to stop the anger from rising. “The same one. That damn Audi.”

He leaned back, a slow smirk curling on his lips. “That car? Mine,” he said casually, flicking ash to the ground.

I froze. His car… the one that splashed me this morning… Rage bubbled hotter than ever. Without thinking, I marched over.

“Hey! You! That’s the car that splashed me this morning!” I yelled, pointing at him. “And what you did in class? Completely unacceptable!”

Adrian looked me up and down, mockery dripping from his voice. “Oh, it’s the scholarship kid. Thought you could just waltz in here, get special treatment, huh? This isn’t your world, newbie.”

I felt the blood drain from my face, but my fury overpowered the sting of embarrassment.

“I—” I began, but he cut me off, laughing.

Asher stepped in immediately, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder. “Adrian! Enough. Apologize. Now.”

Adrian rolled his eyes, ignoring me completely. “Why would I apologize to a riffraff like you? You’re nothing here,” he sneered.

Before I could respond, a sharp voice interrupted. “Adrian!”

Chloe, his girlfriend, appeared beside him, arms crossed facing Asher. “Why on earth would he apologize to some scholarship nobody?” Her tone was harsh, protective.

I clenched my fists, heat rising to my face. My voice shook, but I refused to step back. “You think being rich gives you the right to ruin someone’s day? To humiliate them?”

Chloe gave me a cold glare. I clenched my fists, heat rising to my face, and my jaw tightened. I couldn’t let them walk all over me.

Asher fell into step beside me. “Don’t let them get to you,” he murmured. “You did the right thing.”

I swallowed hard, fists still tight. My thoughts spun—revenge, humiliation, making sure Adrian got what was coming to him.

On my way back through the school hall, I ran into Zoe. My anger flared again, thinking she might have had something to do with the locker incident.

“Zoe… why did you do that?” I demanded, my voice trembling with frustration. My mind was racing, my chest still hot with anger, and I jabbed a finger at her. “You! This is your fault! The locker… the uniform… being stuck in there—it was a setup, wasn’t it?!”

She froze, eyes wide, hands half-raised. “Ivy, wait! I didn’t—”

But I didn’t listen. I stormed past her, leaving her words hanging in the air.

I stormed away from Zoe, my anger still flaring. My fists were tight, my heart pounding, but I couldn’t ignore the plan forming in my mind. I marched straight to the principal’s office and reported everything—Adrian splashing my car that morning and humiliating me in class. I left the office feeling tense but relieved, knowing the situation was now in the principal’s hands.

I walked out of the principal’s office, head held high, a small, victorious smirk tugged at my lips. Whatever came next, I knew I’d made my move—and now, it was only a matter of time before Adrian realized he’d messed with the wrong girl.