Chapter 6: Breaking Point

Ariana's POV

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

It started as a low hum, a soft murmur coming from behind me. But when I caught the name Ramirez, I knew exactly where this was headed.

Me. My family. My cousin, Lara, who they had no clue about.

I didn't need to look to know who was behind it. It was always the same—the same old girls who thought they could talk down about us. I heard their whispers growing louder, the sneers behind their voices more evident with every word.

"Did you see how she walked in? Like she owns the place. Just like her cousin." A high-pitched voice snickered. "What, are all the Ramirezes like this? Full of themselves?"

"Yeah, her cousin must be just as bad. What was her name? Lara? The one who's probably out there in the US making all her money. Wonder if she's just as arrogant as the rest of them." Another voice joined in, mocking.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. My heart rate quickened as I tried to keep my cool, but the words kept coming. They weren't just talking about me—they were talking about Lara.

"You can just tell, though. She's probably just as bad as the rest of them. Too much of the same thing," came a familiar voice—Vanessa Alarcon, the girl leading this little gossip session. She always had to stir up drama, and now she had picked the wrong target.

I couldn't take it anymore.

Without thinking, I stood up, grabbed my things, and slammed the door open as I walked straight into Class A.

The room went silent the moment I stepped in. Vanessa was sitting near the back, surrounded by her group, a smug expression plastered on her face as she caught my gaze. She probably thought she was untouchable.

She didn't even get a chance to finish her sentence. I crossed the room in a few long strides, and before anyone could react, I slammed my fist across her cheek.

Her head snapped to the side, the sound of the punch echoing in the room. She staggered, hands flying to her face, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Don't ever talk about me or my family like that again," I growled, my voice cold and steady. I felt the adrenaline rush through me, but I didn't let it overwhelm me.

Vanessa's friends were already moving toward her, but I didn't care. I had made my point.

The teacher, who had been frozen at the front of the room, finally snapped out of his stupor. "Ariana! What is the meaning of this?"

I didn't even glance at him. "She needed a lesson." I turned and walked out, ignoring the shocked stares from the rest of the class.

I wasn't a Ramirez for nothing.