CHAPTER 4

AVA’S POV.

I arrived at school the next day, and people began whispering and giggling as I walked past, but I tried to ignore it. I noticed they were slowly following me, and when I stopped at my locker, the whispering intensified, and they started recording on their phones. I knew something was up so, I carefully opened my locker, standing behind the door, but everything inside was untouched.

“Hey, There is no drama here, just shush and move along,” I gestured, hoping they would leave.

But then, as I reached for my books in the locker, it was as if an invisible trigger was set off, and suddenly, I was completely drenched in green paint from head to toe. This caused a big laugh and I had to endure my walk of shame to the bathroom. I tried to clean as best as I could but my red hair was a wild mess, impossible to tame with just water and my fingers. I sighed and headed to the classroom, feeling quite flustered.

I don't know why I thought the classroom was going to be any better but as soon as I walked in someone yelled out, “What happened to your hair, never heard of combing?”

“Don't be mean, she is too poor to afford to buy one? Maybe I could do a little charity and lend you one of mine,” the girl with glossy lips said, waving her comb in front of me while chewing gum.

“I'm good,” I responded through tight lips. I knew for a fact that she was anything but nice.

“If you say so,” she said, tucking her comb away. “Come sit here my friend.”

I looked around and I noticed that that was the only chair available, if this was like in the movies. I know not to sit on it because there's no reason why this rich spoiled girl would be nice to me.

“Ava Piper, find your seat and stop disrupting my class,” the teacher interrupted.

I cautiously tested the chair, ensuring it wouldn’t fall apart. I was not about to make a mockery of myself the second time. The spoiled girl smiled sweetly at me, “Don't worry, it's safe.”

The rest of the class went smoothly, thankfully. However, during lunchtime, the spoiled girl invited me to join her. I tried to get up but found myself stuck. It dawned on me that I had sat on glue.

“What did you do?” I asked accusingly.

“That is for disrespecting my boyfriend,” she hissed, dropping the fake smile she had been wearing.

"Dante is your boyfriend?" I scoffed. "You must have really bad taste in men."

"Who are you to judge?" she hissed. "You're so ugly, no one would want to be with an ugly pig like you."

I rolled my eyes. "At least I'm not as ugly as your personality."

She hissed back, "Good luck trying to get off that chair," and then she left, leaving me alone in the classroom.

I struggled to free myself from the chair but I was making little effort. Suddenly, the door swung open, and in walked Kris. Among his triplet brothers, he was the only one with blue eyes. Lisa, my best friend, always described him as the perfect son, but I had my doubts about that.

"What are you looking at?" I scolded. "If you are here to start another drama, I'm not in the mood for it."

Kris glanced around, puzzled by my isolated presence. "I heard groaning as I passed by, so I thought I should check," he said innocently.

"As you can see, I'm fine. Just leave," I replied in a flat tone.

"Are you sure? You seemed to be struggling," he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, your brother’s girlfriend added glue to my chair, so now I'm stuck," I explained.

"You mean Jessica? She's not my brother's girlfriend," Kris clarified.

"I don't care either way, are you going to help me or not?" I asked.

Kris mouthed an "oh" before locking the door and leaving me alone. I was disappointed, a part of me had hoped he would help, but he simply walked away. I guess Lisa was wrong, he was exactly like his mean brothers.

I tried to call Lisa at, but her number kept going to voicemail. I was going to kill that bitch when I see her.

Kris returned after a while, holding a bottle of acetone. "Sorry I'm late, it was pretty hard to find," he apologised.

Kneeling near me, he carefully applied a small amount of acetone to the glued area. "This is going to take a while," he mentioned.

I don't know if it was because of the closeness or the way his blue eyes seemed to shine when he looked at me but I felt my cheek heating up.

"Okay," I murmured, feeling my blush intensify as I looked away from him.

After a while his mouth curled up into a small smile. “Done,”

I nodded, grateful for his help and silently acknowledging that maybe he wasn’t as bad as I thought.

I moved to leave, Kris reached out and held my hands, gently turning me to face him. I felt my heart pounding as I realised how flustered I was becoming.

“What?” I whispered, barely audible.

He carefully removed his jacket and placed it around my waist. “Your outfit is ruined. I would not want them to make fun of you when you go out,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring.

I stared at him in disbelief. “And why would you care?”

“I don’t,” he replied in a dry tone.

I mouthed an “Oh” in surprise. “Well, thanks,” I responded, attempting to maintain my composure.

“Take care of yourself, pumpkin,” he whispered near my ear, leaning in before flashing a wink.

I felt my heartbreak racing a thousand miles and I wondered if he was flirting with me or I was just being delusional.

The door opened wide again and this time revealed a group of students staring at us with shock and judgement.

One of the girls snapped, “Are you trying to seduce Kris, you bitch?”

I stumbled back pushing Kris away from me. “It’s not what you think?” I tried to explain before she lunged at me with full force.