Chapter 2

2

"My parents are talking to you! Are you gonna sign or what?" Britney snapped.

In their eyes, a million dollars was enough to buy my dignity and my life.

Which, in a way, it was.

I was nothing but an ant under their feet.

"Fine," I croaked.

Truth was, I couldn't even see the words on that release form.

But soon enough, someone was holding my hand, pressing my finger onto the signature line.

Seeing their mission accomplished, the couple stood up, and generously informed me that there were some fruits on the floor that were bought for me.

Britney made a point of coming over and patting my cheek.

"Chloe, you're just a poor hick from the sticks. You were born trash. I was born a princess, and you'll never be worthy of shining my shoes."

I blankly endured it all until the room was silent again.

Three months later, I went back to school.

My spot for an early admissions opportunity at the university, had been snatched up by the Millers and given to Britney.

I wasn't as strong as I used to be, and my grades were a disaster.

Britney, the class secretary, dragged out the reading of my score as she passed out the test papers.

"Ooh, everyone look! Our top student, the teacher's pet!"

Her cronies piled over, bursting into laughter.

"OMG, a 68? That's only two points above me!"

"She used to be so cocky, what happened in three months?"

"LOL, small-town brains are so dumb, just good at memorizing stuff."

"Thank God Chloe almost failed, now my mom is gonna stop nagging me."

Britney rolled up the test into a tube and jabbed me in the chest with it.

"So, Chloe, your grades are in the toilet, what are you gonna do with your life, huh? Maybe sell yourself..."

As the most submissive girl in class, a lot of people gathered around to watch me get abused by Britney.

But this time, I went berserk, snatching the test from her hand, grabbing her hair, and throwing her to the ground.

I had nothing left to lose, so I didn't care about anything anymore.

The room erupted in gasps.

Someone tried to pull me off, but I put all my weight on Britney.

I was clawing and hitting her like a maniac, and I saw the fear in her eyes.

"Someone get the principal! Chloe's gone crazy!"

"She bombed her test and is taking it out on Britney, they should expel her!"

Expel me? Fine. I didn't want to be there anyway.

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through my scalp.

Someone yanked me up and threw me to the side.

"Chloe, what the hell is wrong with you?"

It was Jake, my crush.

He was gently helping Britney up.

His eyes were full of rage when he looked at me.

He was so mad, he kicked my desk over.

My books and pens scattered on the floor, and everyone stepped away from me with disgusted looks.