7

Desmond's POV

People say that I'm heartless.

Of course, no one has actually said it to me right in front of my eyes; they think that would equal social suicide and they were damn right. But even though the words were whispered in careful confidentiality, eventually it would reach my ears. It's inevitable.

These people. These students in St. Pulkeria, they just don't know when to stop talking.

I didn't know when all of these 'heartless' rumors started. Maybe I did something that made someone upset. Maybe I did hurt someone's feelings. I didn't know, nobody ever told me anything.

When I go to school, I don't see a place to study and learn manners. I see a place full of power-hungry hyenas. I see blood-sucking leeches and ass-licking goats. The whole place is a fricking jungle, and they see me as their King because they think I'm incapable of feelings.

Except August. He's different, that boy. He's probably the only person that considers me as a friend, and not as a benefactor.

It didn't take me long to figure out that I can do or say practically anything, and I can always get away with it just fine. Before long, I don't even need to search for company. They come to me in big herds, and they're never upset. No matter what I do, they never told me anything bad and keep everything under that mask of pursed smile.

But they would talk.

Yes, they always talk. They never stop. Ever.

Of course, they never bother to invite me to join their late-night phone calls or secret hangouts after the parties. They will smile and fawn over me at school. They will text me unnecessary things, and ask me to come to their parties. But they would always talk to each other, to everyone, aside from me. And these talks, these secrets, they matter the most.

It used to pain me; it used to keep me up all night. But my throat clenches whenever I try to confront them about it, and none of them ever attempted to talk to me. So, I figured, this is it. This is my place, and below me are theirs.

It's not like I should complain about it. Sure, there are all kinds of gossip and nasty rumors, but there are also adorations and envy. It's fair trade.

Being Desmond Arrington isn't so bad once you can manage to endure ever-constant pressure and solitude.

People say that I'm heartless, and they make me think that they are right.

Whatever.

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NORMAL POV

Cassie's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she stared at the big door that loomed over her. The sign said 'Ping-Pong Room', but she never knew that St. Pulkeria has a Ping-Pong club, or students who would sacrifice their social standing by joining it.

"It's the Ping-Pong room," she said to her new companion Lucas Montgomery, a shady guy with ever-present smile that always looked like he's planning something mischievous.

"It's the Ping-Pong room," he confirmed.

Cassie's eyes got even smaller. She had every reason to distrust Lucas this time, and he knew that. Just about ten minutes ago he cornered her in front of the counselor's office and led her here. Up until now, she never knew that the school had this room, or an unused adjoined building on the west.

"Are you sure?" Cassie was still suspicious about it. Lucas' eyes had this twinkle that never went away. She hated looking at it.

Lucas went behind her and put both his hands on her shoulders. It made a loud thump. "I'm sure. I've texted everyone on our way here, so you can meet the fellow haters right away."

Cassie's upper lip curled, but she held her protest. At least she should see if whatever he was saying was true. She reached for the doorknob, but Lucas' hand caught it first.

"Let me see you first for a second," he said as he twirled her so that she was facing him. "Hmm..." Lucas' fingers probed on his chin as he stared at her intently. It had been going for half a minute already.

Cassie had the urge to squirm, after all she had never been comfortable around boys, especially the ones who invade her personal space, but she squared her shoulders and tried to appear nonchalant.

Sadly, though, her actions didn't go unnoticed by Lucas' trained eyes.

"Are you always blushing this easily?" he said, his gaze still gored to her.

"Believe me, it's not my favorite trait," Cassie said curtly.

"Well, you have to work on it, though," Much to her relief, Lucas straightened up and averted his gaze somewhere else. "Anyway, do you know that you have the potential to be, you know, super hot?"

Yet another crude question. She had never pondered if she was pretty. It was never her concern before. Sure, sometimes her girlfriends would compliment her, but Cassie knew that they weren't sincere, that they secretly hoped that she would compliment them back.

"I don't know... I never thought about it."

"I think you do," Lucas grinned. "You might need to lose some pounds and get loads of treatments here and there, but it's definitely possible."

It's probably the nicest thing a boy had said to her. Strange, though, Cassie's heart didn't start racing like she thought it would. Maybe it's the way he said it, like he had no ulterior motive behind his words.

"Now that you pass my inspection, let's meet the guys." Lucas opened the door in an exaggerated slow motion. He got in first, the people inside welcomed him gallantly, like he was a lost soldier who found his way back to his camp.

It was hard for Cassie to keep her composure. She drew a sharp breath, and then mustered her courage to take the first step inside. She'd seen some kids, but their faces were blurred because of the distance. Now that she could see them clearly, her heart took a sharp twinge.

There were a few nameless people that Cassie didn't know, probably some of them were 'Unseen, Unheard of', just like her. They huddled in the corner, most of them looked shy and harmless. But Cassie knew better, though. Never mess with nerds; their anger was the most lethal.

Some B-lister raised their eyebrows in acknowledgement upon seeing her. Most of them were guys. Probably these were the guys that felt bullied and humiliated by the school's King.

But then, there were also the Elites in this little secret club.

Cassie herself couldn't believe her eyes and had to take a double take. But her mind wasn't deceiving her. She did see Tyra van Gilder, aka Desmond's certified girlfriend for three months, sitting elegantly on a Ping-Pong table. Like always, she looked breathtaking. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her shoulder, her neck craned high, and a Manolo Blahnik was dangling on the tip of her amazingly long feet. Surrounding her were the pretty girls that belonged to her exclusive all-female gang.

Now, these were the people that she'd never expected to meet here.

"Guys, welcome our newest member, Cassie," Lucas did the deed and introduced her to everyone.

"And Cassie, these are the Haters. Not everyone is here, though." They all smiled and nodded at her, even Tyra. Cassie's mouth parted in surprise, this kind of social phenomenon hadn't happened before. These were all the people from all social statuses; all gathered here in this room and all only had one united purpose.

"The first rule, Cassie," Lucas gave her a sideline glance, "is we're not bound by the Social Pyramid in this room."

Suddenly, a strange sense of giddiness crept inside her.

This, Cassie decided instantly, was the place she knew she would belong.