Bad girl, Celine.

Celine’s POV

My eyes fluttered open. For a moment, I had no idea where I was.

The low hum beneath me and the familiar surroundings slowly registered in my mind. I was sitting in a plane.

My eyes widened.

I immediately sat upright and looked around in confusion. Through the small window beside me, I could see the runway outside.

The thought of being kidnapped threw me into a frenzy.

I quickly unfastened my seat belt and tried to stand. A hand grabbed my wrist immediately.

“We’re taking off now. You need to sit down.” Jeff’s voice stopped me.

I turned sharply and found him sitting beside me.

“What am I doing here?” I demanded quickly.

He sighed, looking uncomfortable. “This is Boss’s order,” he replied.

My heart dropped. I clenched my fists shakily.

“Where is he sending me to now?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“He prepared for you to attend college in Atlantic City,” Jeff replied calmly.

I stared at him in disbelief. So, this was it, Dave Montessori? You’re abandoning me, just like everyone had said.

I felt my anger rising inside me. The angrier I felt, the more it hurt.

“That bastard!” My tears fell.

I clenched my fists as more tears poured down my cheeks. Slowly, I settled back in my seat and turned toward the window.

He couldn’t even tell me himself. That’s how much he hates me now, that’s how much I irritate him now.

The more I thought about it, the more my eyes burned and my tears fell. Jeff offered me a handkerchief, but I threw it away, not needing any comfort.

I remembered Sabrina’s words and imagined her smirk seeing me now.

Jeff moved beside me. I didn’t lift my eyes but stared hard at the space.

“Boss also left a message,” he said, and I stiffened.

What else did he have to say to me? I scoffed hard.

“Boss said he’s married to Sabrina now. So, you should get rid of any feelings you have for him,” Jeff spoke.

I swallowed painfully.

“He also said you are not allowed to return to Besley until you finish college,” he added.

I scoffed again.

He was still controlling my life. How shameless. First, he made me believe he would protect me forever, then he abandoned me, and now he was controlling and dictating my life.

I ignored Jeff and closed my eyes. The plane lifted into the sky, and I said my final goodbye to the one who still lingered in my heart.

-

TWO YEARS LATER…

The professor’s voice faded into the background as I leaned back in my chair, twirling my pen between my fingers.

I glanced at the clock as it struck.

“Class dismissed.” Finally.

The moment the professor walked out, I pulled out my phone. A text had just come in. My lips curved into a mischievous smile.

“I’m outside,” it read.

I grabbed my purse and stood.

A few students glanced at me as I walked through the classroom, but I didn’t care.

My purple hair fell over my shoulders as I walked across campus, the dark makeup around my eyes making me look nothing like the girl everyone remembered.

I found him leaning against his car near the parking lot. My boyfriend, Max.

He was dressed in black, his messy hair falling over his forehead, a chain hanging around his neck. He’s a bad, rebellious boy. The kind mums do not want their good girls to be friends with.

He noticed me immediately. “There she is.”

I walked straight toward him and kissed him hard without caring about the people passing by. When I pulled away, he grinned.

“Ready for the party?” he asked.

I nodded. “Completely.”

“Good.” He opened the passenger door for me.

Before I could get in, I heard a familiar voice. “Celine!”

Tyra and Stephen rushed toward me.

I turned with an annoyed sigh. These two just wouldn’t give it a rest. I crossed my arms and waited with a roll of my eyes.

Tyra’s judging eyes glared at Max from head to toe before looking at me. “Where is he taking you now?” she asked.

I raised a brow. “Why? You want to come with?” I asked.

She pointed at Max. “Do you even know he’s not a student?” Tyra asked. I could feel her restrained anger.

I moved closer to Max and coiled my arms around his neck, pulling him for a kiss on the lips. I turned back to Tyra with a smirk.

“Of course, I know that. He’s a dropout,” I answered.

The shock on Tyra and Stephen’s faces made me even more exhilarated.

Tyra grabbed my arm and pulled me close. “He’s got you having tattoos,” she gritted, pointing at the tattoo on my back. I had the word BAD written in big letters.

It’s obvious, I know. But it’s what I am now.

“I didn’t force her into anything. She loves it,” Max replied.

I smiled and pulled away from Tyra, relaxing into his arm. “You should also get one, it’s beautiful.”

Tyra scoffed. I was getting to her, I know. This makes me feel better; it makes me forget all about Dave and whatever feelings I had for him.

Stephen stepped forward. “She’s not going to listen to us. Just leave it,” he said.

I turned with a glare at him. Always trying to be the cool, reasonable one, so irritating.

A sad look settled on Tyra’s face. She folded her arms while staring at me. I looked away immediately, not letting her get through to me.

“You’re ruining yourself because of him. You don’t deserve this. I need my best friend back,” she let out, her voice softened.

My fists clenched as I tried not to let my emotions slip.

I want to erase the old Celine, the one who got her heartbroken and hurt. I want a Celine who doesn’t care, who doesn’t have feelings. And I am not backing out.

For the past two years, Dave had not visited. He has totally forgotten about me, but I haven’t.

I tried to, hating him, but it seemed impossible.

he even brought my two best friends to keep me company in a foreign country.

how could he say he doesn't care?

but what he did, made me lose my confidence.

I lost my pride the moment he shut his eyes at me. I was broken, and I didn’t want to heal. Rather, I want him to regret it, to blame himself for what I’ve become.

And maybe, just maybe, when he sees me like this, when he couldn’t take it anymore, he will come back to find me.

I gulped down slowly and turned to Tyra, who was still waiting for my response.

“I like the new me,” I told her.

Stephen exchanged a look with Tyra. I ignored them and opened the car door.

“Are you two coming or not?”

Tyra gave a strained grunt. She had no choice; there was no way she was letting me go to a party without coming with me, and Stephen would follow as long as Tyra was.

“You really… are the worst,” she breathed.

I smirked and climbed into the car.

Max started the engine, and I settled into the passenger seat. As we pulled away, I glanced through the window and saw Tyra and Stephen standing beside their cars.

“Are we really going after them?” Stephen asked, unsure.

Tyra didn’t wait. She rushed to the car, and Stephen hurried after her. Their car followed behind us.