Chapter 3

3.

The chatter in the classroom stopped the moment I walked in.

Every gaze was filled with disgust and contempt, as if I had committed some unforgivable sin.

But with the soul of an adult, why would I care about a bunch of teenagers?

I reached my desk and found it covered in aggressive scribbles.

"Gold digger! Side-chick supporter! Shameless!"

"Betrayer! You chose money over your own mother and sister! Bitch!"

"Fake princess!"

The words were meant to sting. Everyone was waiting for me to lose it or burst into tears.

They were probably taking bets on my reaction.

I simply wiped the desk clean and opened my textbook before the teacher arrived.

During class, no one was paying attention. As soon as the bell rang, the teacher left.

I marched over to Savannah's desk. She was about to head out for a smoke with her gang of mean girls.

I grabbed her arm and, before she could react, I slapped her hard across the face.

"Slap!!"

The sound echoed through the silent room.

She clutched her red cheek, her voice trembling.

"You bitch! How dare you hit me!"

I slapped her again.

The thugs around her stepped forward. They were the school's worst―smokers, drinkers, and fighters.

Usually, everyone stayed away from Savannah because of them.

The students were frozen in shock. I had spent my original teenage years in fear of these people.

But as an adult, I had taken up Krav Maga and kickboxing for self-defense.

One of the girls stepped into my personal space, looking up at me.

"Are you looking to die? You think you're tough?"

I looked down at her and whispered three words.

"Restroom. Right now."

I turned and walked away, leaving them fuming.

They couldn't let a public challenge go unanswered if they wanted to keep their 'reputation.'

They rushed after me. A few minutes later, the screams from the girl's restroom were loud enough to reach the principal's office.

By the time they were hauled out, bruised and limping, Dad was already waiting in the office.

He checked me for injuries and then slammed his hand on the desk, demanding the school take action.

Elena was there too, crying actual tears of concern.

"Our Sera has been raised with love! How could she be subjected to this kind of violence?"

The bullies were stunned. They couldn't believe I had taken them all down alone.

They also couldn't understand why I was being treated as the victim.

They were too young to realize how much power and money could influence a situation.

Savannah and her gang were suspended after they got back from the clinic.

They had to read a public apology in front of the entire school. It was a total humiliation.

I, the 'quiet' girl, became the new legend on campus.

Every day after class, I would find Savannah and take whatever money she had.

After a few times, Mom went nuclear.

She cut off Savannah's allowance and started tracking her every move.

Savannah's arrogance vanished, replaced by a gaze of pure fear and regret.

Now you regret it? Too late.