The day they met

That was Nadine. Nadine Carter, the 'rebel kid' she met when she was thirteen. The girl who always had her back.

After being adopted by the Winter family, Vivienne was treated really well, with attention and care. She had always behaved as an obedient, well-mannered child which pleased the Winters.

In return, they gave her everything — the best food and clothing, top-tier resources; everything that met the high standards of the Winter household.

Vivienne appreciated and valued their efforts. She worked hard, excelling in her studies until she earned admission to one of the best high schools in Rontrix.

She still remembered the first day of high school vividly.

Vivienne was afraid.

Because of the memory loss incident in childhood, she was traumatized for years. Socializing terrified her, so Winters let her complete her elementary school at home, and she rarely attended her middle school either.

High school was the first place where she truly stepped into the outside world — the place where she'd seen so many people gathered in one place, for the first time!

And, it startled her!

Standing at the main gate of the high school, she watched everyone — the laughter and chatter of the girls, the rush toward classrooms, the boys darting across the basketball court. It was all new to her. And — it was too much.

She stood nervously, clutching her bag so tightly that her knuckles went white. Vivienne kept her head down while walking through the alleys with hesitant steps. She tried to find her classroom without drawing attention, but her silence and timid demeanor seemed to offend some people.

"Hey!" Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out, and with that, a group of girls blocked her path.

"Newbie?" One of them said. The girl seemed to be a senior.

Vivienne nodded in agreement. She was afraid, her heart pounded in her chest heavily; the girls in front of her didn't seem to be friendly at all!

She'd heard a lot of stories about high school bullying. She really didn't want to get bullied on the very first day of high school.

The girl stood in front of him, then held her chin with the index finger of her right hand, tilting her face up.

"Pretty face; name?"

"Vivienne Winter." She uttered in a low tone, then took a couple of steps backward.

But the girl didn't like her attitude at all. She crossed her hands. "What's with that attitude? Don't you know how to behave with seniors?"

Vivienne flinched. "I... I'm sorry."

"She's got the rich-girl look, doesn't she?" One of them sneered, snatching her bag off her shoulder.

"Give it back!" Vivienne gasped, panicked.

"You're ordering us!" The girl stepped forward, "Think you've got an upper hand?"

Vivienne shook her head quickly, "Nnno! I... I didn't..." She stuttered.

The girl didn't let her complete the sentence, "I think your fancy parents forget to teach you manners."

The girl reached out again, this time grabbing a strand of Vivienne's hair and twirling it between her fingers mockingly. "You know, maybe we need to give you a proper welcome to Rontrix High."

Vivienne closed her eyes tightly; just as she was waiting for something to happen, a sharp-toned voice cut through the air.

"Touch her again and I'll break your fingers."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was sharp enough to turn anyone's head.

The girl in front of her froze, then slowly turned to the source. Vivienne's gaze followed her.

There she stood. Leaning against the lockers, with one leg crossed over another, with hands tucked inside the pockets of her short skirt. The sleek chin-length bob defined her heart-shaped face's sharp jawline, her gaze revealed her sharp wit.

"Nadine..." Annoyed, the girl said. "What are you doing here?"

Nadine stood straight; her boots clicking the floor of the hallway as she strolled forward, standing in front of them.

"I go wherever I want." She stopped in front of Vivienne, who still stood frozen there.

Her sharp eyes checked out her, then she turned to the girl. "Especially when someone tries to mess with newbies."

The senior scoffed. "Since when you've started babysitting lost puppies?"

Nadine replied with a smirk, "Since the day some bullies started playing queens."

The senior girl's jaw tightened. "Nadine, don't cross limits. Don't forget, you're a junior, too."

Nadine stared at her with amusement. "Well, and Lucy, you too don't forget that you are a senior with worse grades, a student who received threats of expulsion from the principal a few days ago for bullying."

"Do you want me to do you a favor and tell the principal that you're bullying a new student again? I don't think you wanna stay here any longer."

A tense silence followed.

Lucy gritted her teeth. "I'll deal with you later. Don't think you can get away with this."

Then, with a frustrated flick of her hair, the senior spun on her heel and walked away, her friends trailing behind her like a scattering pack.

The hallways became quieter again. Vivienne exhaled deeply from relief, her knees felt weaker.

The girl now turned at her. "You okay?" She asked, her voice laced with concern.

Vivienne nodded. "Yeah", though her voice came out shaky.

Nadine studied her for a moment, then slightly bent over to pick up her backpack which they threw on the ground before leaving. She stretched it to her. "Your bag."

"Thank you," Vivienne replied as she slung it over her shoulder.

"Hi, I'm Nadine Carter." She smiled at her.

"Vivienne Winter."

Nadine stood silent for a few seconds and then spoke up. "You know, you looked like a frightened deer just now? Don't act weak all the time. Everyone will take advantage of you."

Vivienne gave a small, embarrassed smile. "It's my first day, I was a little nervous."

"Yeah, I figured." Nadine flashed a bright smile at her. "Welcome to Rontrix High! Come on. I'll show you to your class."

She started walking, and Vivienne followed her, clutching the strap of her bag. "Thank you... I didn't know what to do."

Nadine shrugged. "You don't have to worry. Not when I'm around."

That's how Vivienne met her, and from that day onwards, Nadine Carter's name had long been linked to hers.