Chapter 1

Almost eighteen

Looking at the fake smile my beautiful mother had on her face, only if the Jefferson came five minutes earlier they would have known what happened. The tension was still in the room. She didn't want anything to ruin her perfect image.

I could feel my father's eyes on me as I stuff the salmon down my throat aggressively. I was missing the most important night of my life(not really, just being a dramatic teenager) because of them. I knew I couldn't tell them what plans I had. My mother would go into a coma if she knew. I had given them a lame excuse that there was a party happening at one of my friends.

Which of course she said no, hence the place I sat. She thought we should thank the Jefferson for helping her get into her dream college for me, yes her dreams not mine. Harvard. My senior year starts in a few days but of course, I had enough credit already. My parents like to be ahead; already securing my place in Harvard.

You see the Jefferson are part of the Harvard board not that I didn't deserve Harvard but I would have loved to get in without them pulling strings. I had a 4.5 GPA thanks to all the extra tutors I had. They didn't even ask if that was the school of my dreams, they always assume.

"Elizabeth, this dinner was lovely" Mrs Jefferson says trying to smile with her botox face.

"Your welcome, it's wasn't much trouble" my mom replies making me scoff. I don't remember the last time she even uses the kettle herself. Ignoring the stink eyes she gave me, looking down at the million messages Sun was sending me.

Sun was one of my best friends l, we first met in ballet class when we were 9, other mothers, though it was the proper thing to do but of course we spent five years of ballet class hiding out in the broom closet watching the reruns of a full house.

"Bella" I hear my dad say a little too loud. Shit I didn't realise I zoned out

"Peter was just asking you a question," my mom says pointing to Mr Jefferson before taking a sip for her white wine that cost more than some people's rent.

"Kids these days, all they know is how to do is to look down at their phone" my dad chuckles

"I was saying if we will be expecting you tomorrow at the club," he says with his deep scratchy voice

I open my mouth to tell him no, no way in hell, but my mother cut me off saying yes. The club was filled with rich with people who love the idea of eating brunch and talking about how much they made the other night. Of course, it comes with a spa, a tennis court (that I use ones in a while), a gym, a swimming pool, steam room and even a salon.

"I think I have plans with Sun," I tell her "so I can't make it"

There was an awkward silence for a second I could see my mother face turning a dark shade of red. Technically I didn't have any plans tomorrow expect to stay in bed and eat my weight.

"That's a shame darling, hopefully, you can make it before school" Mrs Jefferson smiles sweetly at me. Only if my mother was this sweet.

"We should get going, we have to be up early tomorrow," she says to my mother who was still fuming at me

"Of course we'll see you out" they get up and I stayed seated

Finally! After two hours of torture, I couldn't leave even if I already missed half the match, I could make it in time before the mine one. Knight had a match tonight, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be going. All of them were going to be there, I can't miss it.

I knew Sun was parked out at the side of my house waiting like always. I just have to excuse myself to my room and change out of this dress. Thank god for this unnecessary big house for just the three of us, I could easily seek out without them finding out.

I watch as the escorted them to the foyer, my mom laughing at something they said. Picking up my phone so I could text Sun back.

Sun: Bitch!! Pick up where r u? If we miss this because of you. I WILL KILL U xx

I smile, thinking of her face when she was writing this. I made her wait for an hour, she will for sure kill me if I make her wait any longer. Looking back at the door, this was my chance to escape. They were having a conversation, if I leave now they will think I just went upstairs.

Getting up quickly before they head back. Ignoring the looks the waitstaff were giving me as they cleared the table. I took the stairs two at a time making sure not to lose my foot. My room was one the second floor giving me the privacy I needed from my parents. Running into my room looking for the bag I packed with my outfit for the night.

The dress I was wearing didn't go well with the place I was going. The fighting ring in the north side. The fights weren't legal of course, if my parents found out that was where I was going they would have a fit. For one the neighbourhood wasn't the best place, all types of shit go down. This was my first time being there if I said I wasn't shitting myself that would be a lie. But I was loving the feeling of being scared, it's been a while. It's been 4 years. Since that evening at the ballet studio.

Taking my bag, I opened the window. The stones were easy for me to climb. I have been doing this for years now. Picking up the bag the second my feet touched the pavement. I saw Sun's black jeep flashing lights at me. I ran towards the car hearing the loud music when the door opened.

"Bitch we late! The guys are gonna freak" she yelled over the music

"Shh!" I said getting into the back seat.

"What the fuck are you going here!" I yelled at Ariel who was at the front seat.

Ariel was like my other half, I knew him like that back of my hands. But I was surprised when I found his tongue in some bitches mouth this summer. He was cheating on me, for months. I expected it to be honest, I wasn't exactly the best girlfriend, I lied to him when I knew I loved another. I was trying my best to avoid him but it was hard as we run in the same group.

"Sorry Bells, my car got fucked up last night." He mumbled

"Yeah he bullied me into giving him a ride" she looks at me apologetic

"Whatever let's just go," I said feeling betrayed by Sun

"Don't look back until I say so, I need to change?" I tell him.

"Oh good, I was scared you were wearing that," Sun says looking at me in horror through the mirror

"Nothing that I haven't seen before, but fine" Ariel rolled his eyes looking annoyed.

Looking at Sun's cotton pink hair that I was still getting used to. It looked amazing on her, but I'm sure her parents lost their mind. She got it done on the last week, a way of saying goodbye to her old self. Which I didn't get. She increased the volume and started singing loudly.

Taking off my dressmaking sure Ariel wasn't looking. He wasn't, he was too busy texting on his phone. I quickly pulled on my black mini skirt(that would give my poor dad a heart attack). And a tank top, that was too tight on me but it worked.

"Do you know who Knight is fighting tonight?" I asked them when I was done moving around.

"Yeah Tyler," Ariel says not looking up from his phone.

"Tyler?" I asked confused, Sun turns down the music.

"Does he come to our school?" I have never heard of him. And trust me I know every senior that goes to our high school.

"Nah, he's from the north side. He is too broke to even smell our air" Ariel laughs making me shake my head.

The north side was the poorer, it was two towns over. Filled with criminals and what my mom calls 'white trash'. Like her grandmother wasn't from there before she got knocked up by some rich city man.

"Is he good?" I asked worried if Knight would be in trouble, I know people from the north side are ruthless.

"Word is he is the best, even good enough for the real deal. But I have hopes from Knight, he's been training all summer. I put a lot of money on him, he better knock that Tyler Carter into the ground" Ariel finally says looking down at my outfit, his eyes stop at my breast as he licks his lips.

"Pig!" I yelled at him, making him laugh. But he still hasn't taken his eyes off me.

"Your tits grew" he laughs making me turn red. Although he was right they did grow a cup bigger. I was now a C cup.

"Shut the fuck up" I gave him the finger. Dick.