CHAPTER 1 THIS IS HOW IT STARTED

[JAZ AMANDA]

At precisely six in the morning, the flag ceremony concluded. I made my way to class, the rhythmic, loud click-clack of my heels drawing the gaze of numerous boys who watched me as if I were a celebrity strutting down the runway.

What a wonderful day to be me.

"Good morning, Baby Jaz! Did you sleep well?" a stranger called out. I didn't know him, but it wasn't surprising he knew me—word travels fast when you're the top contender for valedictorian. Not to brag, but I had been an ace student since grade school and was quite popular.

I simply offered a polite nod and kept walking. When I stepped inside my classroom, only a few students had arrived, and our professor was nowhere to be seen. As usual, my classmates greeted me warmly.

Maintaining my flawless facade, I walked to my desk, sat down, and closed my eyes to soak in the peaceful morning atmosphere. I wanted to absorb all the good vibes to start my day right. But when I opened my eyes, the tranquility vanished. A guy was standing right in front of me. He didn’t even belong to our section.

"Hi, Ms. Gorgeous! I finally caught up to you. Do you remember me?"

My eyebrows knit together in confusion. Were we close? Was he someone important enough for me to remember? I try not to be rude, but pests are everywhere, and I never understood why they wasted their time bugging me.

"I’m sorry, but I don’t recall meeting you," I said, putting on my best disinterested expression.

"Don't be like that," he said, sounding entirely too familiar. "I was at the library the other day when you dropped your book. I picked it up and handed it back to you."

My forehead creased again. No such scenario had ever happened. I wasn't old enough to be senile, so I knew exactly what this was—a desperate attempt to hit on me. How absurd.

"I beg your pardon, but I have much more important things to attend to. If you'll excuse me, you should probably find your way out. Our professor will be here any minute," I replied. I tried to keep my voice polite, but my internal irritation was boiling over. Why do they always resort to cheap fiction just to get a chance to speak to me? How pathetic.

"What if I don't want to leave? I'm actually having fun talking to you."

Annoyance flashed across my face, but I forced it down, keeping the volcano from erupting. I had a stellar image to maintain, especially in public. I refused to let some random guy tarnish my family's reputation.

[ANIKA HODGENS POV]

Today marked my first day at this new school. I was a serial transferee, kicked out of my last university after getting into a massive brawl. I used to bully weak people—sometimes they provoked me, but mostly I just directed the anger from my messy personal life onto them.

Deep down, I knew I wouldn't last long here either. I had almost been late, but luckily I made it just before the flag ceremony started. The strictness of this place already sucked. If you aren't inside the gates before the ceremony begins, you are locked out until the next class period.

Honestly, I didn't give a damn about missing class, but I needed to finish this year to get into college. Misbehaving wasn't an option if I wanted to graduate, get a job, and finally cut ties with my parents.

After the morning routine, I wandered the hallways trying to find my classroom, easily getting lost in the massive campus. By the time I stumbled inside, the room was empty except for three other people. Moments later, a girl walked in, instantly commanding the attention of the room. The guys practically tripped over themselves to welcome her.

I had to admit she was attractive, but there was nothing unique enough about her to warrant that kind of obsession. What was wrong with the creatures in this school?

I sat at my desk, my attention drifting back to the popular girl. A guy was standing over her, clearly getting on her nerves. I watched them play out their little drama. Because they were right in front of me, I could hear every word of their exchange.

I wondered if the girl was an idiot. It was glaringly obvious that she was disgusted, so why didn't she just tell him to get the hell out of her face? Eventually, the noise started grating on my nerves. I couldn't take it anymore.

I stood up and marched over to them. "Hey! Can't you see she doesn't like you? You're being annoying. Do you even belong in this class? If not, get out."

Predictably, the guy couldn't handle being challenged and immediately barked back. A sudden wave of regret hit me. Great, now I'm involved in this drama.

"Who the hell are you to interfere? Are you crazy?!" He paused, scanning my face. "Wait, I haven't seen you around. Are you new? You're pretty cute too. What, are you jealous? Do you want me to tease you instead?"

A smirk crept onto my face. He had no idea he was playing with dynamite. He reached out to touch my hand, but before his fingers could make contact, I grabbed his arm and twisted it hard.

He groaned in pain, struggling against my grip until he finally managed to wrench himself free.

"Fuck! Mark my words, newbie... I'll get back at you!" he yelled, his face flushed with rage.

"I'll be waiting," I replied coolly, shooting him a lethal look.

Once he slunk out of the room, I walked back to my desk, popped my earbuds in, and turned on some music. For a school that claimed to be so strict, the teacher was ridiculously late.

"Um, hi!"

I looked up. It was the girl from earlier. I gave her a curt nod and immediately looked back down, messing with my phone. The sheer boredom of this place was starting to suffocate me, so I decided to ditch the classroom. But as I stood up, she grabbed my arm.

I pulled an earbud out, facing her with a heavy frown.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.

I arched an eyebrow. Did I seriously need to report my movements to her? "Why do you care? Are you my mother?!" I snapped sarcastically.

Apparently, this princess liked to stick her nose where it didn't belong, too. I had just saved her from a creep, and this was the thanks I got? If she thought she was going to stop me from walking out that door, she was sorely mistaken. Nobody dictates what I can and cannot do.

"Where are you going? There are rules in this section."

A dark smile spread across my face. Rules? Oh, give me a break. Who came up with this garbage?

"What the hell, miss? Do you not value your life? Are you trying to die early?" I threatened, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"I'm Jaz. Jaz Amanda. The class president." She extended her hand, offering a polished, formal introduction.

Oh, I see. It all makes sense now. She was just like all the other self-righteous hall monitors I’d met before. She wore an angelic, caring mask, but I wasn't easily fooled. I could read people's real intentions perfectly.

So hell no. Not on my watch.

I absolutely loathed students who thought a silly title gave them the right to control everyone around them.

"And so? Who cares? Because I don't," I snapped, arching my left eyebrow as I turned my back on her to leave.