Chapter 5: Popular

I was enrolled in a prestigious, exclusive school, one I never even dared to dream of attending before, because we used to struggle so much financially. I was overjoyed when Mom told me I would be transferring to this remarkable institution. Education means everything to me; I have consistently earned top honors, so the chance to study at a school of this caliber is incredibly meaningful.

The campus is large and sprawling, and it seems nearly every student comes from a wealthy background. The facilities are exceptional, and the faculty are without a doubt highly qualified. I might have been perfectly happy, and everything might have been going well, if I hadn't discovered that my insufferable stepbrother is also a student there.

I transferred in the second semester as a high school sophomore, while he is already in senior high. Can you believe it? With his height and broad build, I assumed he was in college, but he wasn't. I was just immensely grateful that I was provided with my own driver, so I never had to ride to school with him. Thank god, uncle Greg hired a driver to take me to and from school, and I was incredibly grateful for that. 

What surprised me even more than his annoying arrogance was how extremely popular he was at school. It seemed like every girl in our grade had a crush on him, even some from higher and lower grades too. 

I found this out myself one afternoon when I saw almost all the girls in my class had left their seats, crowded together by the classroom window. They were standing close together, leaning forward eagerly, giggling behind their hands and whispering so excitedly their voices sounded like a buzzing beehive.

I got curious, and went over to see what all the fuss was about. I pushed my chair back, walked across the room, and squeezed between two girls to look out the window. And sure enough, there he was: Theo, laughing while walking past the hallway outside our classroom with two other boys, all roughly the same height and age. 

I watched as the girls around me sighed and acted completely smitten. I rolled my eyes in disguise even though a tiny, traitorous part of me couldn't deny that I understood why they stared. 

"He's so handsome, isn't he? His name is Theo Almendarez, and his dad owns the AMC Group of Companies. They're insanely rich," I heard Cassy say.

My eyes widened the second I heard his name come out of Cassy's mouth. I had no idea she knew Theo and my stepfather, or just how wealthy they were. I guess it isn't a secret to the whole school after all.

Well, it wasn't just the girls in our classroom swooning over him. I noticed girls from other rooms leaning over railings, and girls outside were also staring and whispering among themselves as they leaned over to watch Theo and his friends walk past in the hallway.

"He used to date my sister, and I heard her say that he's a good kisser and great in bed," Sapphire said in a hushed, giggly tone.

The other girls burst into loud, delighted laughter, some clapping their hands or nudging each other playfully. Their faces looked excited, and they began chattering over one another, asking Sapphire to share more details and speculating about what else her sister might have said. It was obvious this interesting secret had made their day.

I stared at my classmates in disbelief. I am not naive about such things; even when I used to work at a coffee shop, I heard much worse vulgarities or far crasser language from my coworkers who were older than me. But hearing such things from people my age as if they were just ordinary words shocked me. 

The way they spoke made it seem like they all knew every intimate detail about sex, and some even hinted they'd already experienced it themselves.

Seriously? Am I the only 16-year-old in this entire school who's still a virgin? I suddenly felt so out of place, like I was the only one who hadn't crossed a line everyone else had already left far behind. 

"I've had a crush on him since freshman year. God, I'd die just to get one kiss from him," Cassy gushed dramatically, making me roll my eyes.

"Too bad he's a senior and graduating this year. We won't get to see him here next year," my classmate Melody sighed.

"He's so handsome, right?" Cassy suddenly asked me, catching me off guard.

I hadn't expected them to include me in their conversation. I had only been listening quietly from the side.

I frowned, considering the question. If I'm being honest, yes, he is handsome but I would never admit that to anyone. In fact, I even deny it to myself. I will never call a man with such a terrible personality good-looking.

"Hmm, I don't know. He's not really my type," I replied, my voice deliberately casual as I turned my back on them, eager to brush off the conversation before my cheeks could betray me.

I then hurried back to my seat, my heart beating a little faster than usual.

"What? You don't think he's hot? He's so attractive!" Melody protested, her voice loud enough to make me flinch.

"I just said he's not my type," I repeated, staring down at my desk and pretending to focus on my notebook, even though my eyes couldn't make out a single word on the page.