Chapter 3: Noble High

Nadia’s POV

I quickly shoved the magazine back under Daisy's bed as fast as I could, my hands still shaking a little. I wanted to pretend I hadn't seen anything, to save Daisy from the embarrassment of explaining herself. She hadn’t told me, and maybe she didn’t want me to know. As she came back into the room with the drinks, I forced a smile, trying to act normal.

“So,” I said, taking a soda from her, “I’ve been thinking… I need to get out of Aiden’s house. Maybe pick up a few more part-time jobs, and save up enough money. Once I turn eighteen, I could move out and finally have my own place.”

Daisy raised an eyebrow, concern crossing her face. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, you’re already juggling a lot. Maybe focus on school? You’re at Noble High now, Nadia. It could be your ticket to Oxford. Think about it—a year of good grades, and you’re out of here. It’s the best springboard you could have.”

I sighed, considering her words. She wasn’t wrong. If I could just get through this year, get into Oxford, I could finally get away from my mom’s mess and take care of Dad better. “Yeah, maybe you’re right,” I agreed, sipping my soda. “If I get into Oxford, I’m gone. And maybe… just maybe, I can finally start fresh.”

Daisy nodded, giving me a reassuring smile. “You’ve got this, Nadia. One year. Just one year, and you’ll be out of here.”

When I returned to Aiden's house, the tension still hung in the air like a thick fog, but I pushed it aside. Aiden, ever the picture of politeness, greeted me warmly. “Nadia, welcome back. I hope you had a good time at Daisy’s.”

I nodded. “Yeah, it was nice to get out for a bit.” I tried to sound neutral, polite.

Aiden smiled, seemingly relieved. “Good. I wanted to let you know that I’ve taken care of your transfer to Noble High School. All the arrangements have been made, and you can start a few days early, this Wednesday.”

I didn’t let my surprise show. “Alright,” I said, keeping my tone even. “That’s fine.”

He blinked, clearly not expecting me to agree so quickly. “Well, that’s… wonderful. Noble High is an excellent school, Nadia. It offers many opportunities—academic and otherwise.”

I just nodded, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d convinced me. But inside, I was already thinking about what Daisy had said. If this school could get me to Oxford, then I’d do whatever it took.

Wednesday came faster than I wanted it to, and my first day at Noble High started off with a bang—literally. I was walking down the street, already nervous about being the new girl, when a sleek, black luxury car sped past, splashing muddy water all over me. I stood there, drenched and shocked, staring at the car as it slowed to a stop. And then I saw him—Mason. Of course, it was Mason.

I couldn’t tell if he did it on purpose, but he didn’t even glance in my direction. He just got out of the car, like it was the most natural thing in the world, and walked away. No apology, no acknowledgment, nothing. Jasper, who had been walking a few steps behind me, saw the whole thing. His face flushed with anger, and he lunged forward, ready to take a swing at Mason.

“Jasper, stop!” I shouted, grabbing his arm. “It’s not worth it.”

Jasper glared at Mason’s retreating, his fists still clenched, but he didn’t push forward. “He can’t just get away with that,” Jasper muttered, his voice low with frustration.

I shook my head. “We’re not starting anything on our first day. Just let it go.”

He grumbled under his breath but didn’t argue. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I wasn’t about to let Mason get under my skin, not today.

When I finally made it inside and found my locker, I was still dripping wet, trying to wring out my shirt and salvage what I could of my appearance. I was fumbling with my books when I heard the sharp slam of metal, startling me. Mason's fist was hammering into the locker next to mine, the sound echoing down the empty corridor.

I turned, heart racing, to see him draw back for another hit. This time, his target was a smaller boy, pressed against the lockers with a look of pure fear in his eyes. Mason's friends stood nearby, jeering and laughing, fuelling the hostility. A surge of anger welled up inside me, mingled with a sharp stab of fear. But as I watched the boy cower, something inside me hardened. Before I could second-guess myself, I shouted, "Hey! Knock it off!"

Mason paused, his fist mid-air, and turned to face me. His eyes darkened with surprise and then quickly narrowed into slits of annoyance. "Stay out of it, Nadia," he warned, his voice dangerously soft.

I felt my knees tremble, but I planted my feet firmly, drawing on a reservoir of courage I didn’t know I had. "What’s your problem? You think bullying makes you look tough?" I challenged, my voice stronger than I felt.

Mason's expression remained cold, but a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth revealed a crack in his facade. "You don’t know what you’re talking about," he retorted icily. "This isn’t your fight."

“Yeah, well, maybe it is now,” I shot back, stepping closer, my initial fear transforming into a defiant resolve. “Leave him alone.”

One of Mason's larger friends, a tall guy with a cocky grin, stepped towards me. "Big mistake, new girl. You don’t mess with us."

“Or what?” I scoffed, the adrenaline now drowning out my fear. “You’ll splash me with another puddle?”

Mason glanced at his friend and held up a hand, signaling him to stop. “Enough,” he said quietly, but his voice carried an edge of command that halted everyone in their tracks. He turned to leave, but not without throwing me a lingering, menacing look. “You’re going to regret that,” he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.

I watched him walk away, my heart still pounding, unsure what I’d just gotten myself into.

The boy, still slumped against the lockers, looked up at me with a mixture of gratitude and lingering fear. “Thanks,” he mumbled, extending his hand awkwardly. “I’m Jake, by the way.”

I shook his hand, helping him to his feet. “Are you okay, Jake?”

He nodded, still looking a bit shaken. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just… I didn’t expect anyone to stand up to Mason like that. He pretty much runs the place.”

“Well, he’s not running me,” I said firmly, the words bolstering my own courage. “And he shouldn’t be running anyone else, either.”

Jake managed a small smile. “You’re braver than most,” he said, glancing down the hallway where Mason had disappeared. “But be careful. They won’t forget this.”

I nodded, watching him walk away. I knew Jake was right—I’d made myself a target now. But I wasn’t about to let Mason or anyone else push me around.

…..

The backlash from confronting Mason’s clique was immediate. By lunchtime, it felt like the whole school had turned against me. Whispers followed me down the hallways, eyes darted away when I looked up, and the seat beside me at lunch remained conspicuously empty. I was an outcast, ostracized for standing up to Mason, and no one dared bridge the gap to join me.

I sat alone, poking at the food on my tray, the hum of conversations around me seeming to accentuate my isolation. Then Jake approached, carrying an extra soda. His smile was hesitant but genuine as he held out the drink to me. “Hey, thought you could use this,” he said, his voice low, trying not to draw attention.

I took it, offering him a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it.”

He shrugged, his gaze flicking around the cafeteria before settling back on me. “No problem. Mind if I sit?”

I hesitated, my eyes scanning the cafeteria. It was clear what sitting with me could mean for him—social suicide. “You don’t have to do that, Jake. I don’t want you getting into trouble because of me.”

Jake’s smile faltered, and he nodded, understanding. “Alright, if you’re sure. Just… let me know if you need anything, okay?” With that, he walked away, leaving me to face the sea of hostile stares alone.

But not for long. Moments later, an extra plate clattered down beside mine. I looked up, surprised, as Jasper slid into the seat next to me, his tray loaded with food. He caught my eye and smirked. “Hey, sis, since when did you start allowing anyone but me to bully you?”

Relief washed over me as I managed to smile, the tension melting away. "Since never," I replied, feeling the heavy atmosphere lift with Jasper's presence. It was a silent challenge to anyone who might join Mason's quiet boycott against me.

Jasper’s banter during lunch cut through the tension, his light-hearted remarks bringing a slice of normalcy back to my chaotic day. "Just remember, Nadia, only I get to pick on you. Anyone else has to go through me," he half-joked, a playful smirk on his face, but his eyes didn’t quite match his tone; they were sharp, protective.

I chuckled, nudging his shoulder with mine. "Got it. No one messes with me unless they want to deal with my little big brother."

Jasper’s grin was triumphant, his demeanor confident. "Exactly. Let them try."

That lunch felt like a small victory, a moment that cemented the unspoken pact between us. It reminded me that Jasper would always have my back, a comforting assurance amid the standoff.

---

The following days were tense. The school corridors were charged with wary glances and hushed, hurried whispers. I moved through them quietly, finding solace only in the moments I spent chatting up Daisy on the phone. Her unwavering support became my anchor, keeping me steady amid the undercurrents of hostility.

Then, on Friday, Jasper met me at the school gates, his expression unusually serious. “Hey, there’s a party at Aiden’s tomorrow night. We should go, make an appearance, you know?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? Party with the enemy?”

He laughed, a sound that cut through the lingering tension. “Come on, it’ll be fun. Besides, we need to pick up some stuff. Let’s hit the supermarket.”

Grocery shopping with Jasper turned out to be the perfect distraction. As we walked the aisles, Jasper mocked everything from the ridiculous prices of gourmet cheeses to the latest diet trends. His impression of Mason's condescending attitude had me laughing so hard I had to lean on a shelf for support.

“Can you imagine Mason buying cheese?” Jasper said with a snooty accent, strutting past the dairy aisle. “‘This brie is beneath me.’”

I giggled, swiping at my eyes. “Stop, you’re going to get us kicked out.”

As we headed to the checkout with our cart half-full, the light mood shattered. Outside the supermarket, through the glass storefront, I saw Daisy. She wasn’t alone. She was kissing a middle-aged woman, her hands tangled in the woman’s hair, completely lost in the moment.

My steps faltered, and I felt Jasper tense beside me. “Nadia?” he asked, following my gaze.

I swallowed, my mind racing. “That’s… Daisy,” I murmured.

Jasper watched, his expression unreadable. “Do you know who she’s with?”

I shook my head, my stomach twisting. “No, but we should find out, right? For her safety?”

Jasper glanced at me, his brows knitting together. “Nadia, prying into her business like that… It’s not necessarily a good thing. We should be careful.”

I nodded, torn. Part of me wanted to rush outside, confront the scene, and protect Daisy from potential gossip and harm. But another part of me hesitated, respecting her privacy and her right to manage her own relationships.

“Let’s just go,” I finally said, pushing the cart forward. “If Daisy wants us to know, she’ll tell us.”

Jasper nodded, his expression unreadable as we pushed our cart toward the exit.