Virgin Shirley

Shirley's POV 

The classroom door clicked shut behind. Every head turned in my direction, the chatter died down, and I felt the weight of twenty-something pairs of eyes sizing me up.

“Oh, the chick finally decided to enter, I heard a boy in the front row mutter loud enough for half the class to catch. I thought she was gonna apply another round of makeup before coming in just to make us notice her.”

A few snickers rippled through the room. One of the guys in the back nudged Brad’s arm. Brad, sprawled lazily in his seat like he owned the place, slowly lifted his gaze from his phone. His expression remained bored, almost indifferent.

“She’s wasting her time, I only care about my team and my girl.” His words made Stacey, his girlfriend who I found out about while I stalked his I*******m weeks ago, who was sitting next to him smile.

I kept my face neutral and walked forward as the homeroom teacher, Ms. Sandy, according to the nameplate on her desk, stood up with a warm smile.

“Alright, everyone, settle down. We have a new student joining us today.” She gestured for me to come closer. “Shirley, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

Before I could even open my mouth, one of the loudmouths in the back leaned forward with a smirk. “If Brad is not into her, she's free for the taking.”

The boys around him burst into laughter. I felt my cheeks burn but refused to let it show. Ms. Sandy shot Jason a sharp look. “Jason, that’s enough. Listen, Shirley, don’t mind these silly boys. They like making trouble. If any of them give you a hard time, feel free to report it. I’ll happily put them in detention.” She glared at the back row, especially at Jason, who dramatically clutched his chest and mouthed, “I’m scared, I’m scared.”

The class chuckled again, but I simply nodded at the teacher. She seemed genuinely kind. That was something, at least.

Ms. Sandy clapped her hands together, trying to reclaim the energy in the room. “Well then! Go ahead, Shirley. Introduce yourself. Let the class get to know you.”

I took a deep breath and walked to the center front of the room, shoulders back, chin up, just like I’d practiced in the mirror a hundred times before coming back here.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Shirley Virginia Patterson. I just moved back to the area and I’m really looking forward to—”

The boys in the back immediately started drumming their desks in a mock fanfare.

“Ooh, she’s a virgin!” one of them crowed.

Laughter exploded across the room. My stomach dropped.

“Hey, Virgin Shirley,” another guy called out boldly, “if you want, I can take you straight to cloud nine. What do you say?” Jason jumped in before I could even respond. “Buzz off, man. I had eyes on her first!”

They were talking about me like I was a piece of meat at an auction. My jaw tightened.

“Hey, Jason,” I shot back, voice calm but edged with ice, “I don’t think anyone would want your ugly ass anyway.”

The entire class went dead silent. For the first time since I’d walked in, Brad actually looked at me, really looked. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, like he was seeing me for the first time. “Okay, that’s enough!” Ms. Sandy intervened, her voice sharp as she clapped her hands again. “I will not tolerate this kind of disrespect on the first day. Jason, Marcus, detention after school. The rest of you, zip it. Shirley, you can take the empty seat next to Mia, in the third row.” 

I nodded and moved toward the desk, ignoring the lingering stares and whispers. The math teacher, walked in right on schedule, briefcase in hand. The class quieted down as he launched straight into a review of logarithms like it was the most thrilling topic in the world. I tried to focus on my notebook, but I could feel it, Brad’s gaze burning into the side of my head from the back row.

I turned slowly, meeting his eyes head-on. Instead of looking away like the old me would have, I flashed him a small, confident smile, proactively .His expression didn’t change much, but his jaw tightened just a fraction. Another gaze pierced me from across the room, sharper, full of venom. A stunning girl with perfectly highlighted hair and a cheer jacket was glaring daggers at me. If looks could kill, I’d have died a thousand times already. I recognized her immediately: the girl from the bathroom. Brad’s little plaything. It gave me a twisted sense of satisfaction. Lunch arrived faster than I expected. The cafeteria was a zoo, packed with bodies, loud voices, and the clatter of trays. I stood at the entrance for a moment, heart hammering against my ribs.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. They’re all coconuts. Just coconuts.”

I repeated the silly mantra under my breath until the anxiety loosened its grip. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my chin and walked in like I owned the place. Some people turned towards me, their eyes filled with curiosity being the new girl came with a spotlight I didn't want.

I scanned for an empty table, but a group of girls suddenly stepped into my path, blocking me no matter which way I tried to move. The leader in the middle, tall, blonde, and radiating mean-girl energy, looked me up and down with pure contempt. “Excuse me,” I said coolly. “Please get out of my way. I learned Taekwondo, and I don’t mind getting violent on my first day.”

One of her minions chuckled. The leader’s eyes narrowed.

“Do you know who you’re talking to?” she snapped. I tilted my head, studying her more closely. Yeah. Definitely the girl from the restroom. The one Brad had pressed against the sink.

“Hello, Stacey Carter,” I replied sweetly, reading the vibe. “Head cheerleader and girlfriend of Brad Walker, right? I’ll think twice before ‘seducing’ him.”

Stacey’s face flickered with surprise that I knew her name, but she recovered quickly, stepping closer. “Exactly. So back off. He’s mine.”

My mind reeled for two seconds as the full picture clicked. Brad was cheating on her… with one of her own friends in the bathroom. Poor Stacey. All that cocky attitude, and her boyfriend couldn’t even keep it in his pants for one lunch period.

I almost felt bad for her. Almost.

“I suggest you and your girls find another target,” I said calmly. “I’m not interested in your golden boy.” Stacey smirked, thinking she’d won.

“But…” I continued, letting a sly smile curve my lips, “the way you guys are so ridiculously protective of him? It’s almost tempting. Maybe I will stick around him after all.” Stacey’s face twisted in fury. She stomped her foot like a child, spun on her heel, and stormed off. Her squad followed like obedient ducklings.

I let out a slow breath. Finally. “Hey, virgin chick!” Jason’s obnoxious voice rang out from a nearby table. “Why don’t you come sit with us? We’ll be gentle!”

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt and kept walking, sliding my tray down at the end of an inconspicuous corner table. I hadn’t come back to Hawthorne to play popularity games or destroy Brad by becoming one of the crowd. That wasn’t really my style.

“Patterson!” I recognized the voice instantly. Kayla dropped her tray across from me with a bright grin and plopped down.

“Why don’t I join you today?” I blinked, a little shocked at how easily she inserted herself, but I didn’t protest. I stuffed a piece of bread into my mouth instead, chewing slowly.

“Don’t mind Jason,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “He’s a total douchebag. And that virgin joke? So last season. Super outdated.” I gave a low hum, swallowing. “I’m not affected. It’s not worth my energy.”

Kayla smiled approvingly. “Good. You’re tougher than you look.” She took a bite of her salad, then leaned in. “So, have you decided what you’re wearing to the game tomorrow? And I need your number, or at least your I*******m, so I can text you. Or you can send me your address if you want a ride.”

I hesitated for half a second. Being rude after she’d been nothing but nice felt wrong. “Sure.”

I pulled out my phone and added her on I*******m, sending a quick follow request. She accepted immediately, grinning like we’d just sealed a friendship pact. “How do you know Stacey Carter?”