CHAPTER 5

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. **************************************************

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but notice Jasper trying to avoid a girl. The girl was beautiful, I wouldn't lie.

I watched with amusement as Jasper dodged and weaved around students, trying to lose her in the crowd. But she was relentless, following him everywhere. I was watching intently, cus I wanted to know what would happen next.

Just as Jasper thought he had finally shaken the girl off, he collided with me, almost knocking me over. "Oh, sorry Barbara!" he exclaimed, grabbing my arms to steady me.

The girl appeared out of nowhere, a scowl on her face. "Jasper, why are you avoiding me?" she demanded.

Jasper's eyes locked onto mine ignoring her completely, and I could see the desperation in them. Without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed me.

I was taken aback, but as Jasper's lips touched mine, I felt a spark of electricity. The kiss was soft and gentle, but it sent shivers down my spine. I wanted to push him away but instead my body leaned into the kiss, and I kissed him back.

The girl's face turned bright red with rage. "Jasper, you're going to regret this!" she spat, before storming off. I saw her from my peripheral view.

Jasper pulled back, a mischievous grin on his face. "Thanks for the distraction, Barbara," he whispered.

I was stunned, what just happened, why did I kiss him back? what is wrong with my body? stupid hormones!

As we stood there, locked in a gaze, I couldn't help but wonder if Jasper was really interested in me, or was it just a ploy to avoid that girl?

Whatever the reason, I couldn't deny the chemistry between us. And as he walked off with a smirk playing on his lips to wherever, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.

After what happened I went to class, I was having maths first, Lucy was here with me too. I told her all that transpired earlier, and she told me that the girl was Tracy, and that Tracy is in love with Jasper but he isn't in love with her.

I walked into the girls' restroom, looking forward to a few minutes of peace and quiet, after my math class was over. But as I approached the sink, I saw Tracy standing by the mirror, her eyes fixed on me with a menacing glare.

"Well, well, well, look who's here," Tracy sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "Barbie, the transfer student who thinks she can steal Jasper away from me. Yes I did some research about the stupid bitch who is trying to compete with me".

I rolled my eyes, not intimidated by Tracy's aggressive tone. "I don't know what you're talking about, Tracy," I said calmly.

Tracy took a step closer to me, her eyes blazing with anger. "Don't play dumb, Barbie," she spat. "I saw Jasper kiss you in the hallway. You think you're special, don't you?"

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Jasper kissed me, but that doesn't mean anything," I said.

Tracy's face turned red with rage. "You're just a stupid f**king c**t who doesn't know the rules," she snarled. "Jasper is mine, and if you stay away from him, I might let you live."

I raised an eyebrow, amused by Tracy's dramatics. "Or what, Tracy?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You'll hurt me?"

Tracy's eyes flashed with anger, but she seemed to regain control of herself. "Just stay away from Jasper, Barbie," she repeated, before turning and storming out of the restroom.

I watched her go, feeling a sense of unease. Tracy seemed unstable, and I wondered what she was capable of. But I was determined not to let her intimidate me. I was Barbie Jones, and I can't be intimidated by a stupid f**king bitch.

l decided to go for my next class, advanced maths. I entered inside the class and sat at the back staring blankly at the teacher as she droned on about fractions. But my mind wasn't on math - it was on Jasper.

I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss we shared in the hallway. It was impulsive and unexpected, but it left me breathless. I felt a flutter in my chest as I recalled the way Jasper's lips touched mine, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief.

'what did it mean?' I wondered. 'Was it just a ploy to avoid Tracy, or did Jasper really feel something for me?'

Just as I was getting lost in thought, Mrs. Johnson's voice cut through the air. "Miss Jones are you paying attention?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

I snapped back to reality, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. "Y-yes, Mrs. Johnson," I stuttered.

Mrs. Johnson raised an eyebrow. "Good. Because it seems like you're a million miles away. Let's try to focus on fractions, shall we?"

I nodded hastily, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. I glanced around the classroom, noticing that a few of my classmates were staring at me. I looked down at my notes, trying to compose myself.

But my mind kept wandering back to Jasper...

After school, I went to the principal's office, because she asked me to meet her after school when I went to meet her in the morning.

I walked into the principal's office, wondering what the meeting was about.

"Ah, Barbara, thank you for coming to see me," she said, gesturing to a chair in front of her desk.

I sat down, fidgeting slightly with my hands. "Thank you, Principal Valencia," I replied.

Principal Valencia leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with interest. "So, Barbara, I've been reviewing your file, and I noticed that you haven't joined any extracurricular activities yet."

I shook my head. "No, ma'am. I haven't really had a chance to look into it yet." well, the truth is that I'm not interested, I hate extracurricular activities.

Principal Valencia nodded. "Well, I think it's essential for students to get involved in activities outside of academics. It helps build character, teamwork, and leadership skills."

I nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt. I knew she was right.

Principal Valencia leaned back in her chair. "I think I have just the thing for you, Barbara. Our school's art club is looking for a new member, and you are good in art work, it's here in your file"

I raised an eyebrow. "Art club? I'm not sure, Principal Valencia. I don't think I will be able to join, cus I'm not that good in art work, well except from sketching buildings"

Principal Valencia smiled. "That's exactly why you should join! It'll be a great opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. Plus, it'll look excellent on your college application for Harvard"

I hesitated, weighing my options. Part of me was tempted to join, but another part didn't want to, cus I don't like competition, and I hate it.

Principal Valencia seemed to sense my uncertainty. "Barbara, I know you're capable of great things. And I'm willing to bet that you are going to love it there, I can promise you that. So, what do you say? Will you give it a try?"

I sighed, I guess I would give it a try "sure why not" I smiled widely.

She nodded at me and returned back my smile "sure, it's good that you want to try something new, if you don't like it you there, I would find somewhere else to fix you"

"of course". I left her office after sometime and went to meet Lucy.

As soon as I stepped out of the principal's office, I spotted Lucy by my car, leaning against it. I walked towards the car with a frown, I found out that Ethan wasn't there. At least something to be happy about, maybe he went with Jasper.

"Hey, girl! What's up?" Lucy asked, eyeing my frustrated expression. Yah! so good, she noticed my expression.

I let out a deep sigh. "You won't believe what just happened. I was just in the principal's office, and she told me I have to join an extracurricular activity."

Lucy's eyes widened. "What? That's so random! What did you say? I know it is important here, and I also know that you hate it"

I scowled. "I didn't have a choice, really. But here's the worst part: she specifically said I have to join the art club, since I'm so good in it" note: my sacarsm in the last part.

Lucy's face fell. "Oh no, Barbie! You're so lucky, at least she gave you something you are good at"

Good at? I am far from that. "what do you mean? I'm not that good in it, well or else it's buildings"

Lucy shook her head. "That's so not true, I've seen your paintings before, they are not just good, they are..."

I cut her off "terrible, I wonder how I would be able to cope there with all those talented people there"

Lucy placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, okay? You're not giving yourself enough credit. Good is an understatement, you are perfect"

I raised an eyebrow, yah! perfect. If that was the definition of perfect, then everyone is perfect. "What do you mean? I'm really not good at art, Lucy."

Lucy smiled. "That's not true. You're just not confident in your abilities. But I believe in you, Barbie. You're an amazing person, and I know you can do anything you set your mind to."

Barbie looked at Lucy skeptically. "Really? You think so? I mean I put my mind to get into Harvard and here I am, being roomed with not just one, but three f**king boys"

Lucy frowned, "that's not what I meant, I know that sucks but this is way different, this is art". She looked at me and then continued "absolutely! And I'm not just saying that to make you feel better. I genuinely believe you have talent, Barbie. You just need to believe in yourself."

I thought about Lucy's words for a moment. No one had ever really encouraged me to pursue art before, Maybe, just maybe, she was right. Maybe I did have hidden talents waiting to be discovered, and maybe I won't suck in art.

"Thanks, Lucy," I said, feeling a small spark of determination ignite within her. "I'll try to believe in myself, okay?" Yah! even though my life here in Andover sucks.

After that we talked about random things, on our ride. Yes, I dropped her at her dorm, it was a little bit far from the school, while I went to my own. Yah! so great! back to hell.