Chapter 1

Darkness

Pure darkness was all I saw.

I opened my eyes slowly as to adjust to the bright sunlight coming in from the window.

I woke up with a pounding headache. My temples were throbbing and my head felt like it was going to explode any minute.

''Oww!'' I exclaimed holding my forehead.

I looked around the room in utter confusion.

Where am I?

Wow. A headache plus a blank memory. Not the best combination.

''Hey baby'' a voice whispered beside me. He kissed my shoulder.

Oh, now I remember. I went for a party last night and got laid.

''Hi" I said "I would really love to stay but I have school''

I got up and started wearing my clothes. When I was done, I quickly used my phone to text one of my best friends.

Me: Hey, can you come pick me up where the party was held?

''You said you were in college'' he raised his eyebrows

I smiled sweetly at him and batted my eyelashes

''I lied''

He laughed shaking his head.

''High school girls''

Bestie: Yes ma'am

Me: Thank you!

I grabbed all my belongings in preparation to leave as soon as I could. I desperately tried to remember everything I came here with; my phone, sneakers and jacket. Yeah, that's it.

''I had fun last night'' he said

''I'm not surprised''

''You wanna do it again? Maybe you could give me your number''

''Sorry honey but I don't go back to lick my own vomit. A one night stand is a one night stand''

I blew him a kiss before leaving the room. I made my way out of the house, carefully walking past the hungover people on the living room floor. Gross!

I spotted a pink car at the corner of the street. I squinted my eyes to see who was inside the car but the glasses were tinted. Could she have gotten here so fast? She put down the windows and waved at me.

''Thank goodness'' I sighed

I crossed the road and got into her car as quickly as I could.

"Thank you so much for coming" I said as I strapped my seat belt

"You're welcome. I was waiting for you anyway"

"Aww"

"You ready to go?"

"Yup"

She started the engine and we were off with full speed.

''So, how was the party?' she asked

''Great, you missed out''

''Living the life I see''

''You said it''

''I got some spare clothes for you at the back. You could change in the restroom at school''

I put my hand on my chest.

''Bless the day I met you''

We arrived at school in less than fifteen minutes.

''Thanks again'' I told her as I got down

''You're welcome''

I closed the door and made my way into the building. A group of cheerleaders were passing my way.

"Hey Bella" they said, smiling in admiration

''Hi girls'' I waved to them

Accidentally I bumped into someone with a very hard chest

"I am so sorry" I said.

I instantly regretted apologizing when I saw it was my ex boyfriend; Eric

''I'm so sorry...hey Bella''

I rolled my eyes

''Bye Eric''

I was about to walk away but he pulled me back.

''Just because of what happened, it doesn't mean we can't at least be cordial''

''Oh what's the matter? You got tired of Leslie?'' I teased

Leslie was my best friend. Note the word 'was'. That's a story for another day.

''No. I mean, our fathers are business partners. We're gonna be seeing each other at every party, every private flight'' he explained

''I'm gonna be fine as long as you stay away from me''

He sighed running his hands through his hair.

''What can I do to fix this?'' He asked

''Nothing" I shrugged "Just ignore me. I'll ignore you"

I pushed him and entered the crowd of students passing through the corridors. Fortunately, I managed to make it to my locker in one piece.

I opened it and fluffed my hair while looking in my mirror, then applied my favorite red lipstick along with some powder and mascara to make myself appear brighter.

''Perfect'' I thought to myself

The room suddenly became silent which meant only one thing; The Beast had arrived

Yup I'm right. The crowd of students had parted, making space for him to pass. Nobody wanted to get close to him.

The hallway that was formerly filled with noise became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It's all because Drew Parker was passing. He was our school psycho

Students gave him the nickname 'The Beast' for four reasons

1)He has a scar that cut through his right eye down to his cheek

2)Rumours say he killed his parents

3)He's very mean with a bad temper

4) He was anti-social

I don't get the reason why everyone's scared of the guy? He's human just like the rest of us

I didn't like him because people gave him too much attention which is supposed to be for me. Call me spoiled or whatever but it's the fact.

I've never talked to him in my entire ten years of being in this school and I'd like to keep it that way

After he passed, the hallway came back to normal.

''Teenagers are so stupid'' I mumbled still looking in the mirror

''Aren't you one?''

I didn't even notice my friend, Stephanie beside me.

''Yeah but I'm not immature''

''Keep telling yourself that sweetie'

"Shut up''

I continued doing my make up.

''How was the party?'' She questioned leaning on the locker beside mine

''Great'' I replied. I smacked my lips but it didn't look right "matte or gloss?" I asked her

"Matte suits you better"

"Matte it is"

I brought out a matte lipstick and applied it.

''Heard you hooked up with Carter Reynolds'' she said

''Oh, so that's his name?''

"You don't even know the name of the guy you slept with?"

"Nope. I don't care"

"It was all over 'The Eye' blog"

''I wonder who that person is and how he or she gets information"

''It's better to be anonymous in my opinion''

''I won't be surprised if its you. Nosey ass''

''Fool''

The bell rang.

''Gotta head to class''

''Let's go"

We closed our lockers then walked to our first period; Economics

''I'm tired'' she cried as we walked through the corridor

''Me too. Guess what?''

''What?"

''We have a get together to attend tonight''

''I know, my dad told me''

''My problem is that Eric and Leslie will be there to annoy the crap out of me''

''Sucks to be you''

''Sometimes I get tired of being rich''

''You prefer to be poor?''

We entered class and went to our usual seat at the back where the rest of the elites were. The only seat available was the one next to Leslie.

Not wanting to cause a scene, I quietly sat down

She scoffed

''What's the problem?'' I asked

''Nothing'' she fake smiled

"Better be"

The room was silent again as Drew came in. He sits next to the window. Nobody in their right senses dares to move near him.

' FREAK!'' someone screamed

Everyone started laughing. Drew just looked outside

The teacher; Ms Nora came in

''Good day class''

''Good morning Miss Nora''

She proceeded with the lesson. After explaining, she started writing notes on the board while we took down notes. I tried so hard to concentrate but Leslie's continuous tapping on the desk won't let me.

''Can you stop'' I literally begged

She smiled sweetly

''Why should i?''

"I'm trying to focus. You're distracting me"

''Hmm too bad''

I sighed loudly. It continued like that till the end of class. When the bell rang, I was ecstatic.

''Finally''

I packed all my materials in a rush to get out.

''I guess I'll see you at the Grand Ball tonight'' Leslie said

I know she was only trying to annoy me so I acted casual.

"Yeah. I guess you will"

''I can't wait to show off my new Dolce & Gabbana dress''

What the? I opened my mouth in shock. There's no way....

''You mean the black cropped one with feathers?'' I questioned in disbelief

"Yes"

"How did you get it? I tried to buy one but it was out of stock"

"My loving boyfriend bought it for me. I wonder what cheap outfit you'll be wearing; not like I care anyways''

She flipped her hair at me then left class

Wow...just wow. I shook my head and continued packing up my stuff.

I was walking out when I saw Drew picking some books on the floor after some jocks purposely knocked him over. It was kind of hard for him to see cause of his scar. He struggled to see the rest.

For once in my life I decided to help him. I bent down and picked some up for him

''Here'' I said handing them over to him

His deep blue eyes met mine. He didn't reply. He just stared at me intensely

''Um, are you okay?'' I asked him

''Why did you help me?''

I shrugged

"I just felt like"

I stood up then dusted the back of my shorts before leaving.

*

I laid on my bed and sent texts to my friends until I heard a knock on my door.

''Enter''

The head maid of our house; Maria came in.

''Good day miss Martins'' she curtsied

''What do you want?''

''I'm here to prepare you for the ball''

''What about my brother?''

''Your mom grounded him; he's not going''

I got up and sat in the chair in front of my vanity mirror. Two other maids came in to prepare me.

I stayed still as they pampered me. One styled my hair, one did my make up while the other did my nails.

In an hour and Forty-five minutes later, they were done. Maria brought out my gown from my closet.

It was a maxi white gown adorned with gold designs with a sweetheart neckline. I smiled as they helped me put it on. To crown it all, my matching designer gold heels.

I looked in the mirror and smiled happily, completely satisfied with my look.

''Thank you'' they said

I waved my hand dismissing them. It's a privilege to work for me. They should be thanking me, not the reverse case.

I looked in the mirror one more time and grinned.

Time to kill em

***

I walked into the ballroom and caught my breath. I almost did a double take but I had to comport myself.

I'd never been in a space that made me feel so small–or so plain. Gold chandeliers hung down from the high ceiling. It perfectly illuminated the shiny golden walls and the floor was so polished it looked like you could see your reflection through it.

It wasn't just the ballroom–the women were classy. Their gowns were of the greatest designers and their skins shone like a box of jewels.

To top it all off, I spotted Leslie wearing the latest gown made by Dolce and Gabanna. A gown I tried so hard to get but failed.

My heard beat sped up. I thought I looked perfect in my gold dress that cost about a thousand dollars but I felt.... under-dressed.

I gulped. I tried breathing slowly.

Don't mess this up Bella. Mom's business partners are here. She'll kill you if you embarrass her

I could feel my anxiety coming so I took deep slow breaths to control myself. When I finally had a little relief, I decided to act as if I wasn't intimidated by any of them.

I always feel small in big social gatherings but I can't feel like this right now.

I raised my head up high and walked down with confidence. Fashion isn't just in your attire, it's in your attitude as well.

I did the best thing I knew how to do. I mingled. I talked naturally to my dad's business partners on his behalf. I laughed with my mom's friends as well and I also saw my friends from school.

I was enjoying myself until I met one of my parent's business partners; Mrs Margaret. She's a very classic woman but you know how adults are. Their conversations can be very boring.

"Your gown is lovely" she complimented

You're just noticing now?

"Thank you. Yours too" I said

"Well I do try. Its Gucci"

I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. Nobody asked you what designer you're wearing.

A cute boy who looked familiar walked up to us.

''Hey mom, hello'' he said to me

I smiled at him

'Hi' I responded

''Darling you've met my son Timmy, haven't you?'' She asked me

''I think so''

''We had dinner in your house once'' Timmy said

''Oh, I remember you''

He was the boy who poured orange juice on my expensive dress a year ago. The boy with no table etiquette. How could I forget?

''I'll leave you two for now'' Lady Margaret said before leaving our presence.

"So, what's up?" He asked, trying to start conversation

"I'm good"

"You look beautiful by the way"

''Thank you. You look good as well"

''I try"

I rolled my eyes. Like mother like son. Typical. They compliment you just so they can get a compliment back.

I took a sip of my champagne looking around for anything amusing. His presence didn't interest me. He's cute quite alright but certainly not my type.

I grinned widely when I saw something that sparked my interest; a bar.

"Excuse me, I'd like to get something to drink" I told him

''No problem''

I went straight to the bar and sat down. The bartender was busy mixing drinks so he didn't notice me.

''Excuse me. I'd like a shot of vodka''

He arranged my drink and brought it to me. I widened my eyes slightly when i recognized him.

It was Drew

'Thanks" I said casually

I did my best to hide my surprise. What is he doing here?

He nodded then went back to what he was doing. I took the shots and sighed in content.

''Ah"

The bitter-sweet taste of liquor. How refreshing.

''Slow down there'' someone said from behind me

I cringed at the sound of Eric's voice

''Go away'' I stated

''Why?''

''I want you to"

"I won't"

"Fine. I will"

I got up and rushed outside. The bastard had the nerve to follow me.

"What do you want from me Eric?" I turned around in anger. I couldn't bear it anymore

He was the one who called things off

He was the one who was fucking my best friend behind me yet he couldn't leave me alone

Why couldn't he get over it?

''I just wanna talk about what happened''

''There's nothing to talk about so leave me the fuck alone'' I shouted in anger

He held my hand but I shook it off and took a step backward. I mistakenly tripped on my gown and fell. The last thing I remember was my head hitting something hard before everything went black

********

I opened my eyes slowly. Darkness mixed with light as I tried to regain consciousness

A little while passed before my vision became crystal clear.

Where am I?

What happened?

I noticed Maria was pressing my forehead with a towel.

''What happened to me?'' I muttered

''You fell and hit your head. Fortunately, your friend brought you home"

A friend? Who could have seen what happened? It was only Eric and I.

''Who?'' I asked

''A boy. He said his name is Drew"

What?