Chapter 3

3

Tiffany's predictions started coming true right away.

Chad's bullying started sooner than I thought.

Some guys were dunking my head into a freaking toilet, laughing like hyenas.

Just as I was about to pass out, someone yanked me up by the hair. Chad was smirking.

"You want our money so bad?"

"Drink the water from the toilet, and I'll give you a hundred grand a gulp. How's that sound?"

His cronies were cheering.

I just stared at Chad.

The guy who'd whispered sweet nothings and promises of love was now using me as his personal punching bag.

But Chad wasn't even looking at me.

His eyes were fixed on something behind me.

I knew what it was. Tiffany was scrubbing the floor.

"Isn't that Tiffany Miller?"

"Why's she cleaning?"

One of Chad's friends told him, "Her mom’s a custodian here. She goes to school during the day and helps her mom out at night."

Chad's face changed. Shock, then a hint of something like...pity?

He yelled at Tiffany, "Hey! It's freezing out here. You don't need to clean that."

Tiffany stood up, her dark hair falling over her shoulders, her face a picture of determination.

She shook her head. "I have to."

"If the floor isn't clean, Mom will get docked a hundred bucks. I know that's nothing to you, but it's my family’s food for a week."

And she went back to scrubbing.

Tiffany was so obvious. All those floors, and she just happened to pick the one in front of Chad.

She even let her hair down and struck a pose.

And Chad ate it right up.

He rushed over, grabbed the rag from her hands, and tossed it to his friends.

"You guys, finish the floor."

He glanced at Tiffany's red hands, then took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders.

"How are you getting home?

"Bike."

"In this weather?" Chad was stunned. "Wait for me downstairs, and I'll get my driver to take you home."

Chad led Tiffany away.

Before she left, she looked back at me and smirked.

A few minutes later, everyone was gone. I was alone by the toilet.

I struggled to my feet and wiped the water from my face.

"Here."

A quiet voice spoke behind me.

I turned around. It was Sophie Baker, the valedictorian.

She was the quiet type. She worked hard and always wore long sleeves, no matter the weather.

Last time, she tried to help Tiffany when she was being bullied.

She gave Tiffany a towel and tried to convince her to expose Chad's abuse.

But Tiffany slapped her hand away.

"He's my brother!"

Tiffany was too busy dreaming of Chad falling in love with her.

Sophie just gave up on her and went back to being alone.

Then, near graduation, she killed herself.

We found out her family was dirt poor. Her grandma was sick, and her dad was a gambling addict who abused her and tried to sell her to pay off his debts.

Now, she was standing next to me with a clean towel.

I took it, surprised.

She didn't say anything, just turned to leave.

She probably didn't think she had anything in common with a rich girl like me.

As she walked away, I called out.

"Sophie!"

She stopped.

I shrugged. "Uh, I'm new here, and I'm lost."

"Where's the cafeteria? Can you show me?"