Lucy's POV Everything would have worked, the principal announced about the missing funds, everything went out as planned. She sent staffs to search all lockers, and they found the money in Barbie's locker, but.... __________________________________ I was at my locker, so was everyone. The principal along with some staffs began the search, my locker was clean, but they found it in her locker. "I didn't put it in there principal Valencia" Barbie began explaining. "we would discuss this in my office" the principal said. Then a video was played on our notice screen. It showed how Barbie and Jasper was putting the money in Barbie's locker, I wonder who made that video. "to my office now!" But then something else happened, Tracy came out with Julie and Julia and knelt down in front of the principal. "Miss Valencia, Barbie is innocent, it was Lucy who stole the money, and blackmailed me to Halo her create that fake video" Tracy began. "yes, she wanted to pay Barbie back for
After school I went to my locker to put my books back along with Dolly. While we were there Tracy walked up to us along with Julia and Julie smiling. "hi Barbie, I think you need to thank me for helping you today" I rolled my eyes at her, so dramatic. "don't you have anything to do rather than being a bitch?" "no! isn't that what you want me to say? look, I just want us to be friends, let's start afresh. I'm sorry for everything I have done to you" she pleaded. "really?" she nodded. "cool, but I'll pass, I don't want to be back stabbed like Lucy. I'll catch up with you later, come on Dolly" I closed my locker and walked away with Dolly. "that girl has no limits" Dolly said as we were both walking out of the school building. "OMG, I just got an idea, I think we should throw a party, we would use your house for it" "okay, what led to this?" "I have always dreamt of throwing one, I'll freshen up and come over, bye" she walked away. I sighed and walked over to my car. When I
After Ethan had left the restroom, I felt bad. "what's the problem?" Jasper asked me because I wanted to leave the restroom after Ethan had left. "I need to go home, I'm really tired" I opened the door and left. He held my arm "I will come with you to get your car from the school, what kind of guy would I be if I just let you go by yourself" "thanks, but I know my way there, it isn't that far" I left the party, went to get my car, then went home. __________________________________ "what do you mean by you kissed Jasper?" Dolly asked. Right now I was by my locker telling Dolly about what happened last night. "I was drunk" I replied blankly. "you shouldn't have gone to that party. But did you explain to him what happened?" "he left, and I didn't see him at home this morning" "ugh! come on let's get to class, we would discuss this later" As I turned to leave I bumped into someone's chest, with the cologne I already knew who it was. "watch where you are going miss" Liam
Ethan took me back to school after the date, at least that's what I call it. I had history for last period, so I met Dolly by her locker. Her face brightened up when she saw me "this school is so boring without you" "don't flatter me" we both chuckled. I got my books and we both left for class. "so how was your date?" Dolly asked me. See it's not only me who sees it as a date. "it w..." I wanted to say but I stopped when u saw Jasmine walking inside the class frowning. Normally I wouldn't care, cus that's the kind of person I am, but some would say that Dolly had really changed me for the best. "hey Jas" She looked at me and smiled small "hey" she then took a sit next to me. "you must be the famous Dolly" she referred to Dolly. Dolly looked puzzled "famous?" I was also going to ask the same question. "never mind" she said as the teacher walked inside the class. The class was boring like every other history classes, I can't just wait to be done with this hell. After class,
The next day I rushed to school, I just wanted the day to be over, so that I can go out for that date. I have been thinking about it since last night. Time moves in slow motion when you're waiting for something exciting. And right now, sitting in the back row of my History and Culture lecture, it felt like the clock was actively mocking me. I tapped my pen against my notebook, not taking in a single word the lecturer was saying. My mind was far away—specifically, 7:00 p.m. far away, when Ethan and I would finally go on our first real date. I have always hated history, and the fact that they put it in the morning today. As soon as the lecture ended, I made a beeline for the maths class. That was my best subject, so at least it wouldn't be boring. “Barbie!” Dolly waved the moment I stepped in. I smiled and dropped my bag next to her. “Hey, I kinda ditched history class, I had to do my maths homework, so rather than doze off in class, why not do it" she explained. I didn't real
I woke up not really wanting to go to school today, I sighed and stood up from the bed to start preparing so as not to get late. Monday mornings usually felt like a punishment. The kind of punishment that came with cold air, tight schedules, and the unbearable weight of Advanced Physics at 8 a.m. But not today. Today, I felt like sunshine. I felt happy, kinda, because of Ethan. Ethan showed up at my door right when I was done with dressing up. He wore a grey hoodie layered under a denim jacket, his curls slightly tousled like he’d run his hands through them one too many times. And when I opened the door, he smiled like I was the only thing that made sense in the world. “good morning angel" he handed me a flower which I happily accepted. "I'll bring you one of this everyday" I blushed, he was so romantic. He drove me to school today, so I didn't need to share a ride with Liam-the jerk. I felt that today wouldn't be so bad, like I had thought. I was having two tests today, math
Maths class was next. At least I'm sure I'd Ace this one too, cus I'm pretty good in maths out of all others. I walked with Dolly through the hallway to get to maths class. She was ranting about our teacher being mean for giving us a test "I mean he is going to ask us to find his x again,, why is he so obsessed with her" she kept on ranting. We were halfway to the math block when I heard someone call my name. “Barbie.” I turned. Jasper. He stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, eyes intense. There was always something about Jasper that felt like trouble wrapped in charm—sharp jawline, perfectly messy hair, and a gaze that made girls second-guess everything. Why does he always show up in my life? “Can we talk?” he said, glancing quickly at Dolly. "it's urgent" Dolly raised an eyebrow. “You okay? You don't have to go with him if you don't want to" I nodded slowly. “I’ll be right back.” Jasper rolled his eyes and pulled me away from her and into an empty classroom.
Barbie's POV I went to my maths class after the incident, which you already know about. My mind wasn’t even in the class, to be honest. Everything felt like a blur. I was late, and if not for the fact that I was actually friends with the teacher—Miss Clara—I would have gotten an F. My very first fail. Just imagining that sent a chill down my spine. Miss Clara gave me one of those looks that said, “You better explain later,” and handed me the test paper without a word. I mumbled a soft thank-you and took my seat. The test itself felt like a punishment. I kept glancing at the clock, watching the seconds drag by like molasses. My brain was swimming with everything but formulas and numbers. Somehow, I managed to finish, though I was sure my answers looked like a scrambled egg breakfast. After the test, I and Dolly walked to the cafeteria together. The hallway buzzed with other students, some chatting, some rushing like their lives depended on getting to their next class on time. "S
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
The reason why I like it here at home, is because of the peace and quiet. I get to wake up when ever I want to. I don't have to worry about not getting late for school. I got up from the bed, in other to prepare for the day. I and Jake are going out today. Surprisingly, he asked if he could take me out, and since I would be bored if I stay here, so who I'm I not to agree for something fun.___I wasn’t sure when Jake decided that today was the day, but he practically kicked my door open before noon, grinning like a lunatic and holding up a pair of sunglasses I was pretty sure he stole from Dad.“Get dressed, and wake up you sleepy head." he said. “We’re going out.”Still half-asleep, I blinked at him. “Out? Where?”He smirked. “Wherever the wind takes us.”I stared.“Okay, okay. First, a movie. Then we’ll wing the rest. But dress cute. Or don’t. You always look fine.”He was already gone before I could throw a pillow at him.I wore a pale blue sundress and white sneakers. It was sim
I’d barely gotten home from school when I saw the text from Mom flashing across my screen in bold enthusiasm. MOM: Sweetheart! Can’t wait to see you! Your room is ready, and guess what? Gracie’s red velvet cake is in the fridge! ME: You had me at “cake”. It was weird—this warm little pit that formed in my stomach at the idea of going home. My birthday was on Tuesday, but the school had shut down for a four-day maintenance break. Everyone else was either heading for mini-vacations or binge-watching shows with popcorn in their dorms. Me? I was being picked up by my uncle and driven six hours back to Los Angeles to my childhood home. I should have been excited. But all I could feel was… uncertain. Packing didn’t take long. I didn’t need much: two pairs of jeans, a few t-shirts, a dress I hadn’t worn since middle school that I knew Mom would fawn over, and my most worn hoodie that still smelled like faint lavender detergent and a little bit like Ethan—because I’d accidentally worn
Lunch time was over, so I had to go back for Julia's play. How I despise it so much. I wonder why it had to be me to play Zoe’s best friend, always smiling, always nodding along. Ugh. I walked into the auditorium and instantly regretted it. The place was buzzing with nerves and hairspray. Costumes rustled, voices rose and fell in anxious excitement, and someone had knocked over the tray of glitter backstage. Chaos sparkled. “Barbie! There you are!” Julia waved me over, clipboard in hand and a headset askew on her head like she was trying too hard to be important. I managed a half-smile. “here I am" She walked up to me “Nothing’s okay. Zoe can’t find her earrings, Max forgot his lines again, and someone glued the wrong set piece. This play is a disaster. Even Simon is not yet familiar with his lines. I don't know what to do.” She looked like she might cry. Or murder someone. Possibly both. Why is she telling me? We aren't even friends, so what's her deal? Can't they all just go to
Morning light crept through the blinds, casting thin golden lines across my wall. I hadn’t slept much, but for once, I didn’t feel like a total wreck. Maybe it was Liam’s words from last night, or maybe it was just the calm after the emotional storm. Either way, I sat up in bed, stretching slowly, feeling the stiffness in my bones from tossing and turning all night. I checked my phone. No new messages. Not from Ethan, not from Jasper. Just a text from Dolly. I opened the text message "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, do you need me?"I quickly replied "not really, heart break doesn't work on me"She replied back too "don't believe you. We would meet at school tomorrow""sure" I turned off my phone. Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way to the kitchen. The apartment smelled faintly of paint and lavender dish soap. Liam’s doing, probably. There was a small plate of pancakes wrapped in foil on the counter, a sticky note on top: Don’t say I never do anything for you. Eat before you