Today was Monday morning. Gosh I hate Mondays. It is a buzz killer. I hurriedly got ready for school, put on my uniform and hung my bag. I had breakfast when I went to and was ready for school. The scent of fresh notebooks and coffee lingered in the hallways as I walked into school that morning. Even though my steps were steady and my face wore the practiced mask of calm, my thoughts were all over the place. I sighed as I went to my locker, praying I wouldn't bump into any miserable being- Zoe. Dolly waved at me from our locker area, already chatting with two girls from her literature club. I smiled and made my way to her. Her presence always made things easier, lighter. Kind of. “Morning, superstar,” she greeted, bumping her shoulder into mine. “You know that title belongs to you, cus you are always giddy on Mondays, not me.” I teased. We chatted about upcoming assignments, the school fair, and how the cafeteria desperately needed better muffins. The rhythm of the school da
It was Tuesday morning and I have fine arts firstly. I walked towards the art room, and the art room was already buzzing with excitement before I even stepped in. The scent of acrylic paint and graphite filled the air, and the soft hum of chatter and creative tension vibrated through the space. Mr. Hewitt stood at the front of the class with his usual crooked smile and paint-splattered jeans, holding a large folder and a clipboard."Today, I want each of you to create something from the heart," he announced, his voice echoing against the high ceiling. "You have until the bell rings at the end of the day. The most compelling piece will be sponsored by the school for a feature in the Andover City Museum. The winner will be announced tomorrow morning."A low gasp rippled across the room. I blinked, my heart flipping.A feature in the city museum?This was the kind of opportunity that could shape a career. Or at least give it a mighty boost. I wasn't really good in art, but I'd give it my
The morning sun filtered softly through my bedroom window, a golden sheen casting over my sketchpad as I flipped it shut and packed it away. Today didn’t feel like any ordinary school day. It was calmer—less about grades or awkward glances across the hallway, and more about something new. Something unexpected. I had received a message the night before from Lucy. Just a short one. “Can we talk?” No context. No explanations. But it didn’t matter. My heart had leapt at the notification. Now, walking through the school gates with Dolly at my side, I scanned the crowd for her. I didn’t have to wait long. There she was, standing beneath the old elm tree near the garden—the place where we used to sit every break before things fell apart. She looked different somehow. Calmer. Stronger, maybe. Her usually hidden curls were out and bouncing gently in the morning breeze, and she was hugging a notebook tightly against her chest like it held her whole world inside. “Hey,” she said so
Barbara "Barbie" Jones POV I am Barbara Jones, I have been dreaming of going to Harvard college for architecture. They are very selective when it comes to admission process, and you can't even buy your way in. I am smart, don't get me wrong but I applied a month ago and my application is still pending. Two weeks ago, one of my Uncles that works there contacted us and told us about a private school, Philips Academy (Andover) that is linked with Harvard and if I'm able to get good grades that I would be given admission in Harvard. So I am transferring there for my senior year I stared at my reflection, smoothing out the wrinkles on my dress. My mom, dad, and Uncle Stanley were all smiles, but I could sense the underlying tension. Today was the day I'd leave for Phillips Academy in Massachusetts. "Barbie, sweetie, you're going to do great things," my mom said, her voice trembling. I forced a smile, trying to reassure her. "I'll be fine, Mom. I promise." My dad cleared his thro
When I entered the dorm room, I was greeted by three guys lounging on the couch, engrossed in a heated gaming session. I cleared my throat, trying to get their attention. "Excuse me," I said, trying to sound assertive, but I couldn't get any of their attention. I then walked over to the TV and unplugged it, they then screamed "what the f**k" I succeeded in getting their attention "can you please get out of this place, and where are my roommates?" "roommates? this is our room, I think you were roomed with us" one of them said. "what! I was roomed with boys!!" I yelled. The guys exchanged skeptical glances, and one of them muttered under his breath, "Great, just what we need." I stood frozen in the doorway, my eyes scanning the room in horror. How could they do this to me? how can they room me with... boys. One of them, a tall, dark-haired guy with piercing blue eyes, stood up from the couch and walked towards me, a charming smile plastered on his face. "Hi, I'm Ethan," he
"won't you guys introduce yourselves to me?" I asked politely. "you've already lost your chance, cute face" the other guy said, and then went upstairs, to his room I guess. "I'm Ethan, and the guy said just left is Jasper, and the other rude one is Liam" the third guy introduced himself and his friends. I smiled at him " I am Barbara, you can call me Barbie" I also gave an introduction. "sure, let me show you to your room" he helped me with my luggages and led the way to my room, he also helped me to place them inside the room. Isn't he a gentleman? "if you need anything I'm just over there" he pointed at the door opposite mine. "sure, and thanks for helping" he smiled and then finally left, while I shut the door. I looked around my room, it was large I wouldn't lie, even though it isn't as large as mine back in LA. I arranged my things and took a shower, because I was feeling sticky. When I was done with taking a shower, I decided to take a little nap. I woke up to t
Liam and Ethan both went upstairs to get changed for the party while Jasper remained downstairs with me, as much as I hate to be. "so you coming beauty? but before you can come with me, you would have to put on a bikini" I glared at him, while he only laughed "what, I'm sure that there is a curve under those clothes of yours". He then came close to me an put my loose hair behind my ear and bent his ear to whisper in my ear "you have the most beautiful eyes, I want to drown myself in them" We heard someone clear their throat, then he pulled his face from my ear and smirked "I would've loved to spend more time with you beautiful, but I can't" "can you stop that Jasper, you're making me feel uncomfortable" Liam said putting on an irritated look, while Jasper only rolled his eyes. "let's go" Ethan said and then the rest followed him to leave the house. After they had left, I released the breath that I didn't know I was holding and sighed. My phone then started ringing, I picked
When I got outside I saw my chaffeur standing close to my car holding the door for me, as I was about to enter inside the car Liam got in and the chaffeur opened the other side of the car for me to get in. What the heck! "miss Jones can you please share your ride with mr Edwards here, until his ride is ready, that is within the week?" the chaffeur said politely. Now I remembered where I saw Liam from, his dad was my dad's friend, and he attended my father's birthday party with his dad. I smiled and said "of course". I then got inside the car. Liam looked at me and then frowned, "you should've asked Jasper for a ride, rather than staining my car seat, you jerk" I glared at him. "jerk? you are a hypocrite in that aspect, and did you think if I could I wouldn't?" he answered me while I scoffed. "a**hole" "jerk" "f**king idiot" "stupid bitch" I then decided not to reply him again, and the rest of the ride was silent. ************************************************** A
The morning sun filtered softly through my bedroom window, a golden sheen casting over my sketchpad as I flipped it shut and packed it away. Today didn’t feel like any ordinary school day. It was calmer—less about grades or awkward glances across the hallway, and more about something new. Something unexpected. I had received a message the night before from Lucy. Just a short one. “Can we talk?” No context. No explanations. But it didn’t matter. My heart had leapt at the notification. Now, walking through the school gates with Dolly at my side, I scanned the crowd for her. I didn’t have to wait long. There she was, standing beneath the old elm tree near the garden—the place where we used to sit every break before things fell apart. She looked different somehow. Calmer. Stronger, maybe. Her usually hidden curls were out and bouncing gently in the morning breeze, and she was hugging a notebook tightly against her chest like it held her whole world inside. “Hey,” she said so
It was Tuesday morning and I have fine arts firstly. I walked towards the art room, and the art room was already buzzing with excitement before I even stepped in. The scent of acrylic paint and graphite filled the air, and the soft hum of chatter and creative tension vibrated through the space. Mr. Hewitt stood at the front of the class with his usual crooked smile and paint-splattered jeans, holding a large folder and a clipboard."Today, I want each of you to create something from the heart," he announced, his voice echoing against the high ceiling. "You have until the bell rings at the end of the day. The most compelling piece will be sponsored by the school for a feature in the Andover City Museum. The winner will be announced tomorrow morning."A low gasp rippled across the room. I blinked, my heart flipping.A feature in the city museum?This was the kind of opportunity that could shape a career. Or at least give it a mighty boost. I wasn't really good in art, but I'd give it my
Today was Monday morning. Gosh I hate Mondays. It is a buzz killer. I hurriedly got ready for school, put on my uniform and hung my bag. I had breakfast when I went to and was ready for school. The scent of fresh notebooks and coffee lingered in the hallways as I walked into school that morning. Even though my steps were steady and my face wore the practiced mask of calm, my thoughts were all over the place. I sighed as I went to my locker, praying I wouldn't bump into any miserable being- Zoe. Dolly waved at me from our locker area, already chatting with two girls from her literature club. I smiled and made my way to her. Her presence always made things easier, lighter. Kind of. “Morning, superstar,” she greeted, bumping her shoulder into mine. “You know that title belongs to you, cus you are always giddy on Mondays, not me.” I teased. We chatted about upcoming assignments, the school fair, and how the cafeteria desperately needed better muffins. The rhythm of the school da
To say that Zoe was getting under my nerves was an understatement.It started with a smile.Not the kind that made you feel warm or wanted—but the kind that made you feel like you were walking straight into a trap. Zoe's smile was polished, professional, and painfully perfect. Like porcelain. Like she practiced it in the mirror every morning until it could disarm a room. So dum.I first saw it Monday morning, at the lockers near the art wing."Barbie," she chirped, her voice as sugary as the strawberry glaze on the donuts Ms. Graham sometimes brought in on Fridays. "You're back!" Was I dead before?I blinked. She stood beside Ethan, fingers laced with his, dressed in her basketball outfit, and her ponytail. Looking at her right now, makes me hate basketball as a sport. I tried not to look at Ethan. Tried not to notice how his eyes flicked up at me the moment he heard my name. Or how his fingers didn't quite curl back around hers the way they used to with me."Yeah," I said slowly. "Go
The buzz around school on Monday morning felt different. People whispered in hallways, giggled over their phones, and exchanged knowing glances. I didn't need to ask why. I was back in Andover, and this is how it has always been here. I soon saw Ethan, I guess he was back. It had been weeks since he left. Weeks since the text, the abrupt goodbye, the decision his mother forced onto both of us like we were just pieces on a chessboard. I should’ve been over it by now, right? But the moment I saw him walking through the quad, hand-in-hand with Zoe, my lungs forgot how to work. I really, really, hate teenage hormones. He looked the same—messy hair, crisp uniform shirt rolled at the sleeves, that same expression like he was walking through a dream. Only now, the dream wasn’t me. It was Zoe, clinging to his side like the ending had always been written. I turned towards my locker, not wanting to see him again. My heart pounded louder than the morning bell. Get a grip, Barbie. You aren't
When our test scores got out, I got As and a B. But I want to talk about something else. I and Liam.This is how I and Liam's relationship has been, ever since last night.It started with coffee.Well, technically, it started with me standing outside the Andover library, staring at my phone, willing myself not to text him. I had returned from L.A. a day ago, and Liam had been... different. Cold but not cruel. Distant but not unreachable. Like a lighthouse on a foggy coast — flickering in and out of view but never quite gone.I told myself I was fine with that.Until I wasn’t.He found me there, leaning against the stone pillar, hugging my sketchbook like a life raft. His hair was tousled in that signature way — like he'd just rolled out of bed and hadn’t bothered to care, but still looked maddeningly perfect."Hey," he said, his voice casual, hands shoved in the pockets of his dark jeans.I glanced up. "Hey."An awkward silence settled between us, punctuated by the occasional shuffle
It was Wednesday night, so I and Dolly were heading back to school.Returning to Andover felt like being dropped back into a dream you weren’t quite ready to wake up from. The week at home had blurred by in laughter, cake, family dinners, and that strange pull toward Liam I was trying—and failing—to ignore. But now, as our car rolled past the school gates, the laughter faded, replaced with that old, tight knot curling up in my stomach.Dolly sat beside me, scrolling through her phone, her nails tapping rhythmically against the glass screen. “Back to reality,” she muttered.“Yay,” I said dryly, leaning my head against the window.The cab came to a halt in front of our dorm, and the driver helped with our bags. I hadn’t told Liam I was coming back today. Part of me wanted to surprise him. The other part was scared he wouldn’t care.Inside the dorm, everything smelled faintly of detergent and old books. My bed was exactly how I left it, a bit messy, a hint of lavender in the pillow. I to
Chapter 37The lights at Marvin's Lounge sparkled like a million captured stars, flickering against the polished gold accents of the room. Everything shimmered—glassware, chandeliers, even the manicured smiles of the guests around us. It was a space designed for royalty, and tonight, for the first time in my life, I felt a little like one.Dolly twirled next to me in her sky-blue gown, laughing as she snagged two mocktails from a passing waiter. "This place is insane! I feel like we just walked into a scene from Gossip Girl—but with better lighting."I grinned, settling into the plush velvet booth we’d claimed as our own. "My parents really went all out.""They did," she said, clinking her glass to mine. "Happy late birthday, B. Here’s to being legal, being fabulous, and forgetting every guy that made us cry.""Especially the last part." I smiled tightly, but my heart ached a little. Even surrounded by luxury and my best friend, Liam had a way of threading through my thoughts.We’d be
Chapter 36I woke up to the faint scent of strawberries and sunlight seeping through the window blinds. Something about the air felt different—lighter, warmer, almost charged with something I couldn’t quite place. Then I saw the sticky note on my nightstand.HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART! Come downstairs when you're ready. Love, Mom & Dad.Of course, it was Tuesday, the day I'd be a legal adult.I smiled sleepily, stretching out beneath the comfort of my blankets. Today was my birthday. My debut. The kind of thing I thought only happened in cheesy teen movies or old family traditions that faded with time. But trust my parents to revive it in full force.When I came downstairs in my fuzzy slippers and pajamas, the entire living room had been transformed. Twinkling lights hung from the ceiling like tiny stars, and pastel pink and silver balloons floated everywhere. A long table was set near the bay window, covered in satin cloth and tiny flower petals.My mom turned when she heard my foots