Chapter 3

The next day, I decided to stay far away from Bella. However, she refused to leave me alone.

After class, Bella went to the water dispenser. On her way back, she suddenly slipped. The whole cup of water poured over my head. Water soaked my hair and clothes, along with my books on the desk.

Luckily, the school dispenser only held warm water, so I was not burned.

My temper flared, and I kicked my chair aside. "Are you blind?!"

Bella hunched her shoulders and gave me an innocent look. "It was an accident. Why are you being so mean…? I know you didn't like me from the start, but I really didn't do it on purpose."

I let out an angry chuckle. "You didn't do it on purpose? Then how about I throw you into the fountain downstairs and say I didn't do it on purpose?"

Bella froze, then crouched down and started crying. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have bumped into you. I'm new here. I don't know how things work. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."

The girl in front of us tugged at my sleeve. "Pearl, let it go. She apologized and she's new here too."

Another girl chimed in. "Exactly. Look at her crying. She probably didn't mean it."

I clenched my fists, too furious to speak. I was the one who had been drenched, yet everyone acted as if I was being the bully.

I had always had a short temper. In the past, I would have slapped her by now. But the thought of the school calling Gale made me hold back.

All I could do was kick the desk as I returned to my seat, trying to wipe my clothes and books dry as I gritted my teeth. I told myself I only had to endure her until the teacher changed our seats.

That afternoon, Mrs. Smith walked into the classroom with a grim expression. Bella followed her, wiping away tears.

"Pearl, stand up," she said coldly.

I had no idea what was happening.

Even if Bella had complained about the water, my clothes were still wet. How could she possibly be in the right?

Mrs. Smith slammed a hand on her desk. "Bella's money for her tuition fees are missing. Have you seen it?"

I sneered. "Why are you asking me? She's the one who lost it."

Bella hid behind Mrs. Smith as if she were afraid of me. "I didn't say she took it. I only said I left it in my backpack, and only the person sitting next to me could have seen it..."

She glanced at me, then quickly lowered her head.

My temper immediately flared up. "What are you saying? I never even looked inside your backpack!"

Bella trembled and cried. "I never said you took it. Why are you so upset…? My mother saved for a long time to get that money. Pearl, please give it back."

The room immediately turned against me.

"Pearl is always fighting. I didn't know she was a thief either."

"No wonder she looked ready to kill Bella over a little water. Maybe she felt guilty."

"That doesn't make sense. Isn't her family rich?"

"Who knows? Maybe she just wanted to bully her."

I stared at them in disbelief. "Do you think my family needs her money? Do you really think I stole it, or have you all lost your minds?"

"Pearl! Watch your tongue and attitude!" Mrs. Smith shouted.

Between sobs, Bella kept going. "Look at her. She had a problem with me since my first day. She even insults me right in front of you..."

Another girl stepped forward. "She's right. Pearl looked terrifying just now like she was about to hit someone. Everyone knows Pearl has a bad temper. She's bullying the new student on purpose."

I shook with rage. "Lies! You bumped into me on purpose and poured water on me first!"

The suspicion and disappointment in Mrs. Smith's eyes only deepened. My reputation was so bad that no one believed me.

I stared at Bella and spoke through clenched teeth. "You say you brought the tuition money. Did anyone see it? Maybe you never had it. Maybe you came here to frame someone and make them pay your tuition."

Bella looked humiliated and cried so hard she nearly fainted. "You stole my money, and now you're calling me a liar. Will you only be happy if I'm dead?"

Mrs. Smith looked at a girl who was gasping as she sobbed then at the other girl who was filled with violent fury

The amount was too large for Mrs. Smith to settle on her own. With a frown, she said, "The amount is too big and this is beyond my pay grade. Call your parents here."