IVORY'S POV

"leprechaun!" a rude voice called from behind me.

I turned slowly knowing fully well who it was, and what they wanted. "hi, Vicki." in my usual shy voice I replied.

"It's Victoria to you!" She hissed. "Peasants don't call me by my nickname."

"Sorry, I..." I started.

"I shouldn't be surprised," She interrupted. "I didn't come here for you, anyway, where's my homework?"

"It's here." I scrambled for her notes under mIVORY'S POV

"leprechaun!" a rude voice called from behind me.

I turned slowly knowing fully well who it was, and what they wanted. "hi, Vicki." in my usual shy voice I replied.

"It's Victoria to you!" She hissed. "Peasants don't call me by my nickname."

"Sorry, I..." I started.

"I shouldn't be surprised," She interrupted. "I didn't come here for you, anyway, where's my homework?"

"It's here." I scrambled for her notes under my desk and found what I was looking for.

"Did you expect me to come looking for you?" She asked, glaring at me.

Or at least I thought she was glaring, that's all she does so it's ok to assume so. I wasn't even looking at this girl, my eyes were glued to the floor.

She must had taken my silence as my defeat because she proceeded to say more.

"It doesn't matter anyways. I have another homework for you"

I sighed. But louder than intended.

"Oh, are you tired? Ugh, ugly Betty." she grabbed a handful of my hair, tugging at it.

"Just remember who you are and where you stand in this school."

Everyone else in the class had turned to watch. Some had their phones out and were recording.

"YOU. ARE. A. FUCKING. CHARITY. CASE" she said drawing out the words more than necessary.

It took everything I had not to roll my eyes for this girl was by far the most pitiful human being I'd ever set my eyes on. Her insane beauty was wasted on her and it was actually amusing to me, make no mistake, I'm not the only one she treats like dirt since she's a rich spoilt brat and her father basically sponsors the activities of the school.

I must have been staring at her for a while now because I felt a blow to my left cheek. This bitch slapped me. And all I did was stare at her ugly mug.

"Don't look at me. We don't live in the same world." She spat.

No because this fucking bitch actually spat on my face. I lowered my head and looked around for someone to step out and save me. Not a soul seemed like they were going to help the poor girl being bullied by the rich girl. Fucking cowards.

Now I couldn't stand up for myself because this Victoria creature could send me packing from the school and I need to graduate here for my fucking resume. I'd spent two months already in the school without drama but this human being standing in front of me just had to pick me as her next victim.

I'm sure I'd been staring again for I felt another slap across my face. I hurriedly looked back down to my feet.

"I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you look for me. It won't happen again I promise" I said in my most gentle tone.

I mean I have no choice but to suck up to this bitch. I have to suck up to every freaking student in this goddamn school. Being a scholarship student sucks.

I was still looking at my feet when she snatched the pieces of paper containing her homework from my hands. She looked through it, scoffed then turned to look at me.

"The only thing making up for your foul stench is your intelligence, stupid bitch. Come over to my seat by closing hours for the other homework." She turned back, about to leave when she paused and looked back at me. In her most disgusted tone she said, "Don't make me look for you again." And she stormed out of the class.

At least she didn't hurt my hair.

The drama was over but some dumb bastards sure didn't put their phones away. I would've yelled at them if only I wasn't a poor bum who was only able to enter the school because of my brains.

I kept looking at my feet and went over to my desk to sit. I plugged my headphones in and pretended to listen to music. My useless classmates were making a fuss over that little incident. They act like Victoria isn't a bitch by nature, something like this happens at least once everyday. It was just my turn today.

I was so pissed. I'd been in this school for two months and everything had been going smoothly but that lazy waste of nine months just happened to be looking for an intelligent "nerd" to help her with her homeworks. And she just happened to choose me.

I closed my eyes and wanted to drown the noise with some music. And that's exactly what I did.

I was already getting comfortable on my seat when someone tapped my shoulders. As an introverted introvert, I did not acknowledge the person seeking my attention as I didn't even attempt to open my eyes. The person that was tapping me sure was persistent because the tapping was continuous without rest and that sure as hell was pissing me off.

I would've yelled "what" if only I wasn't so out of place here. I sighed inaudibly and slowly removed my headphones however, I did not open my eyes yet.

"Ivory? Are you ok?", the person whispered into my ears.

Oh for the love of Jesus Christ, it's this dummy.

I opened my eyes and turned to him, "James, I'm so happy to see you", I gave him a big smile.

"I heard.... about Tori", he started

"Omg, I was so scared. I thought I was done for. She was so intimidating, I thought she was going to eat me alive", I put on my scared face.

"I heard she slapped you", he continued

Well no shit Sherlock, you can obviously see her filthy hand marks. Or I guess you can't since you're wearing that oversized glasses making your already big head bigger.

"It was my fault", I sniffled trying to hold back a tear, "I shouldn't have stared at her. But she's just so pretty I didn't know what else to do. I just look up to her, she's just super outgoing and I want to be just like her someday"

"No, she's a monster", he yelled.

Well his words attracted a crowd because some heads turned into our direction. Now I've been keeping a low profile since my time in this school because I don't want drama but this idiot and the rich dumb girl have managed to attract crowds in my direction two times in a day.

Surely they would know who we were talking about since the earlier chaos had taken place not up to ten minutes now. I knew this was the perfect opportunity to put my "skills" to use.

"N...no, she's not", I let tears fall, "She might be acting up right now but I'm sure it's because she's just confused. I'm sure something is going on with her, I mean she wouldn't just take pleasure in other people's misery. So please don't say bad things about her"

And of course the idiots that were staring were completely moved by my tears. Freaking fools. I was sure with my little act, they'd see me as a naive nice girl who has brains and that's a reputation I can live with.

"You're literally the sweetest person I've ever met, Ivory. You care so much about others", James said.

Ugh, please shut up and let someone else compliment my character. Preferably, someone rich. I look at James and get disgusted immediately.

He has a cute face overall, with his glasses and small lips. The only problem I have with him is his frickin reputation, this boy is a big nerd, his looks compliment his nerdy nature. I don't know how a teenager would see it fit to wear daddy pants and shoulder straps to school. Sure this guy is poor, like me, he's also way financially stable than me, he is literally middle-class and is not on a scholarship like me.

And then with all these, I dress better than he could ever hope to. Now I wouldn't mind if he was stinking rich, but he's not and that's an issue.

"I'm not that sweet", I say in a gentle voice looking at my feet and blushing slightly. "I just know that there's good in her"

I literally glance around after my last word and catch people looking at me with looks of approval. I sink my head further, blushing insanely. James must've thought I was uncomfortable with all the stares so he took my hand and led me out of the class.

We went to the school playground and sat on the swing in the middle of the playground.

"That was quite the crowd, huh?", he said while chuckling. "It must've been too much for you since you hate attention"

Yes I hate attention, I hate attention when I'm not scheming something but I absolutely need attention when I scheme to have it and this four-eyed nerd ruined everything. I was hoping to get one of my classmates to talk and compliment me for being so sweet. I was literally waiting for it and this madman took my hands and led me out of the classroom.

I look at him and figured out he was staring at his phone and then proceeded to glare. I felt like punching him so had he stays hospitalized for two weeks.

"James dear, do you feel out of place in this school?", I asked putting on an innocent face and a sweet voice.

He put his phone away.

"Well I'm not that wealthy but at least my parents aren't begging for money. We're financially stable and happy so I don't care about my social status here", he smiled at me.

Spoken like a true fool. In this world, only the rich can truly enjoy life and I plan to be one of those people. If I ever want to be one of those people, I need to ditch this loser and find new friends. But given my good girl act, I couldn't just tell him to stay away from me as I needed to keep everyone in my good books. Even this fool, unfortunately.

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"Well this was one hell of a day", I muttered to myself as the last bell of the day rang. Not one classmate approached me to make me feel good about the statement I made earlier in the afternoon. I guess they didn't want to be seen with the ginger haired girl from the boonies. I was hoping to make friends with them ~their money~

I hurriedly packed my bags and went over to Victoria's seat so she could give me her homework. I certainly didn't want another drama to stir up and I needed to get to my part-time job.

"Hey Victoria ", I greeted sweetly and she glared at me

Does she ever not glare?

"I'm here for the homework you want me to do. I promise I'll give it to you early first thing tomorrow morning", I continued.

I was being so nice and this bitch didn't stop glaring at me. I tried to ease her off by smiling but she just frowned at me. Like bitch I'm trying my best to put on a show for y'all rich kids so you can like me so stop glaring at me and hand me the damn homework. Of course I was still smiling sweetly while these thought were going through my head.

She scowled, apparently glaring and frowning at me was not enough for her. I'm sure her face hurts with the frequent stretching it has to bear with. I hope her ace freezes and she looks like a freak.

She looked away from me to the direction of her school bag. She searches for something which I was hoping was her homework. She turns back to me, I'm still smiling, and she hands me some notes.

"I didn't copy my Maths and English notes. Complete them for me. My History note is there, do the homework under it. That's all, you can leave"

"Pardon?", I mistakingly let out. I swear I was a millisecond away to giving this girl a hot slap. That she deserves, if I may add.

"What?", she smirked, "Ugly bum's got a problem?"

"No, not at all. I will leave now", I said as I proceeded to leave, fuming that I had no power to slap or talk back to her.

I was at the school gate when I heard someone call my name.

"Ivory, Ivory, wait up"

I looked back to see who was calling for me. The only people I've spoken to in my time here were James and Victoria. The person calling my name was a female and it sure as hell wasn't Victoria, she'd be yelling.

I spotted a girl from my class running towards me.

"H..hi", I said when she stopped in front of me

"Whew", she panted, obviously out of breath, "Just give me a minute, ok?"

This moron was the daughter of a judge. I decided to befriend her.

"Hi", I said again

"Hey", she replied, smiling, the lettuce she probably had for lunch was stuck in her upper teeth.

I could've gone the day without seeing that

"You called me?", I said in my usual sweet voice, blushing slightly.

"You're so cute and shy. I like you. Wanna be friends?", she said, still smiling

Either she was extremely impressed with my earlier performance in class or she's actually really stupid. This human being has never had a reason to talk to me. There's not a single human being on earth that can be as nice as I make others believe I am and this gullible fool is asking me to be friends.

Either ways, it works for me, she's stacked.

"You wanna be friends with me?", I asked with my mouth agape and tears threatening to flow.

She noticed my tears and quickly held my shoulders.

"Hey, don't cry. I think you're a cool and nice person. You always see the good in everyone and I like that. I would love to be friends with you"

This fool really said I "always" see the good in everyone when she'd only seen that scenario once. Rich people sure don't teach their kids to be wary enough.

"I would also love to be friends with you, that is if you'd allow me", I said meekly while sniffling.

"My name is Amelia", she said and stretched out her hands.

She's expecting a handshake. I shyly put my hands up to meet hers and she shakes my hands vigorously.

"I hope we can be best of friends", She smiles and hugs me.

AMELIA'S POV

I pulled back from the hug and looked at her face. There were traces of tears and she was pouting. She looked so innocent and cute that I felt the need to protect her.

"So are you heading home now? Let's go together", I suggested

"Actually", she frowned, "I have a part-time job I need to get to"

I was amused. "You're working?", I screeched. "I've always wanted to know how it felt to have a side job. You see my daddy won't allow me to have any jobs. He says I'm too young for it. But I think I'm a big girl, I'm turning 16 this year and I'm in high school. When I turn 16, I'll ask my daddy to give me space so I can do whatever I want. My brother moved to Australia for college because the house is suffocating, my daddy is too overprotective and my mommy isn't helping matters either. Did you know she...."

IVORY'S POV

I can't do it. This girl just won't shut up. She'd been talking for almost 15 minutes now. I wanted to ditch her but the money in her was screaming at me to stay. Thankfully, we were almost at the Cafe I worked. I know her house was the other way but she probably didn't realize.

We reached the front door of my Cafe and I turned to look at her.

".... and my dog barked when he saw the babies for the first time and she... What's wrong? Why'd you stop", she asked as soon as I stopped to look at her

"Um... we're here.", I pointed at the Cafe. "This is where I work"

"It's so cute. Well let's go in. I could go for a cup of hot cocoa", she said and proceeded to walk inside.

I could not believe the audacity of this human being.

"Well, come on" She gestured for me to come in. Her left hand was pushing the door to the Cafe open and her other hand was gesturing me to go in. "You don't want to be late for work, do you?"

Actually, I was already late for work, from the encounter with Victoria and meeting Amelia, two very difficult human beings to deal with. I didn't think I could survive with this Amelia girl. If I was going to spend time with her and be her friend, I'd have to get ear plugs to block whatever noise she'll cause me.

"I don't.", I said and smiled at her, following her into the Cafe.

IVORY'S POV

I woke up stressed and sore all over. I thought about skipping school. I don't want to see Amelia for another week, she is energy draining and it exhausts me. I'm an introvert, I would be perfectly happy doing introverted things if only I wasn't desperate for the money she has.

I got up from bed reluctantly and went to the bathroom to take my bath. I'm sure I'd mentioned this before but I am impossibly poor. My entire family share a small bathroom located at the end of the house. I wanted to open the door to the bathroom and it was locked. I knocked in the door telling whoever was in there that I needed to get ready for school since I was running late.

There was no response from the other side. I already woke up irked and I didn't need a member of my family adding to my frustrations.

"GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE, FREAKING DUMBASS. I NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL ", I assumed it was my brother in there because I never wake up to my dad at home and I'd already seen my mom in the kitchen.

The door opened and my eyes widen in surprise. I mean why wouldn't it? The person I never wake up to meet was the one in the bathroom, my dad was glaring at me, obviously angry with my earlier statement.

Before I had a chance to apologize, I felt a sharp sting in my stomach, my crazy step-dad proceeded to punch me right in the gut. I lost my balance and fell backwards, the man pounced on me and continued punching me without mercy. I screamed apologies at him but he didn't relent, my mom came out of the kitchen in a calm way, looked over at me and walked away, I certainly wasn't surprised at that reaction.

This wasn't the first time my dad would beat me or my brother, he'd physically abused us right from the moment he married my mom. My mom was a **********, a successful one, she was also a drug addict so all of her incomes were spent on drugs. She'd been dating my step-dad from her youth but she got pregnant for one of her customers, my step-dad let her keep the baby since he was infertile, that pregnancy led to me and my twin brother.

However, we were not his blood and that gets into his head sometimes as he feels it's ok to use us as punching bags. I guess we remind him that he's not our father. He and my mother have black hair but my brother and I are gingers. He hates the very sight of us and we've learned to avoid contact with him from early age.

I must've been stupid running my mouth however I liked especially since I'm so good at pretending to be meek.

"Because you've been attending the rich kids' school, you think you're hotshot, huh?", he said as he continued to beat me ignoring my cries and pleas.

Normally I wouldn't react to his beatings but I haven't had them in two months and I'd forgotten how they felt like.

After a few minutes, I guess he got tired, he stopped hitting me and he got off me. I thought he was done with me and I tried to crawl away but he pulled my hair. He pulled it so hard I thought they were going to fall off my scalp.

"Jason, honey", I heard my mom's voice from the other end of the hallway, I knew it was useless to have her defend me, I knew but there was a small place in my heart that she'd try to stop him.

"What", he spat.

"You don't want people to see her bruises and start questioning us, do you?", she said. I thought her words were going to make him leave me alone and I was about to thank her when she added something to her words.

"At least hit her where it won't be obvious so her school uniform will cover the bruises."

Ah shit, I'm dead. I get that Jason hits us because we're not his kids but I literally came out of this ***** of a woman and she's just standing there watching as her husband by name hits me with the intent to kill. Hell, these two weren't even legally married, Jason just moved in with my mom after she got pregnant and was chased out of her prostitution business.

"Davis dear, you complete me", he said while smiling at her.

I wish he'd keep on hitting me instead because I feel like puking right now. I got my wish super quick because he punched my nose- something definitely broke- and I passed out.

I get to school around 9 in the morning, I had a bandage around my broken nose and a hood over my head to hide the cuts on my forehead. Every single one of my injuries were carefully tended to by me. I'll have fun stitching up my patients in the future.

I came late so I was asked to do community service after school. I didn't have my shift today so it didn't matter to me either ways. I was just happy to get out of the house. I got to my classroom in the middle of art lecture. The teacher looked at me and asked why I was late. I gave him a typical reply.

"I overslept"

I didn't forget to use my sweet innocent tone to make it more believable. He gestured over to my desk.

"Take a seat and let's resume lecture."

I obeyed and went to sit. While searching my bag for my art note, I spotted Victoria glaring at me and my adrenaline rushed.

With the stress I had with Amelia yesterday, I'd completely forgotten all about the little tasks she gave me. Was I going to receive another hitting today? I didn't want to so I searched my bag for her notes and then it struck me.

I'd done Victoria's little tasks the previous night but I'd forgotten it at home on my desk.

I desperately needed to get out of class. Or else I'd have more bruises on my body.

JAMES' POV

I got to school this morning and didn't see Ivory. I know her to be an early riser so it was weird that she was not in school by the time I got here. When lectures started and I didn't see her, I started to get worried but that worry faded when she walked into the class. The silly girl overslept. I'd continued listening to the teacher and his lecture but when I peeked at Ivory, I saw that she was restless.

I threw a note to her... I'd asked what was wrong in the note. She read the contents of the note, looked at me, smiled and looked away. She probably didn't want to worry me. She has a nice personality and fine it hard to burden anyone with her problems.

It may have been this attitude of hers that made me fall for her.

AMELIA'S POV

I'd never noticed Ivory until her friend's little outburst the day before. I was interested in her the moment she stood up for Victoria despite being embarrassed by her. I'd never come across someone that would do something like that.

I immediately wanted to be her friend. My other friends said I shouldn't get involved with her because of her financial status but I don't care about that. She didn't seem like the type to care about money.

Her words proved that to me.

I was still contemplating on whether to meet her and ask to he friends when she walked out the classroom door. My weak legs were shaking from excitement so I had to wait for them to calm down then I ran after her.

I've not known her for long but I know she doesn't like attention because apart from being the poor girl, literally next to nothing is known about her.

So I was surprised when I saw her coming late to class this morning. I was worried because I'd heard from my dad that poor children are often sold to men to warm their beds. I just hoped nothing of the sort was happening with Ivory.

Once the bell sounded for the end of art class, I went to Ivory's seat, beating the nerd boy to her.

"Ivory", I squealed and hugged her.

She smiled at me, I love her smile, and I noticed the bandage on her nose.

"What happened here? And your forehead too?", I asked noticing the cuts on her forehead.

"I'm fine, I just fell down the stairs", she whispered.

She probably didn't want to cause a scene. the seat next to her was empty so I dragged the chair over to her and whispered in her ears.

"You fell off the stairs in your house?", I asked

She blinked and looked at me, "I don't have stairs in my house"

"Oh, then which stairs did you fall off?"

I noticed she seemed uncomfortable. I thought I was trespassing and I wanted to tell her it was ok if she didn't want to tell me when she spoke.

"There are stairs on the way to school, I tripped and fell then I had to go home to change and wash my wounds"

"Don't they hurt though?", I asked

I was worried about her. They looked like they hurt and I didn't want to inconvenience her.

She smiled at me yet again and assured me she'd go to the infirmary during lunch break. I was about to tell her about my day after I don't home when I heard someone yell her name in a not so happy tone...

IVORY'S POV

The art teacher left the class and Amelia rushed over to my side. It was either her or James and I swear I wish it was none.

"Ivory", she practically screamed begging for eyes to fall on us and then she hugged me as if she was trying to squeeze the life out of me. Weird girl.

I didn't mind her company until she started touching my face and asking where I got my injuries from. Like bitch, mind your own goddamn business. If she was a little smarter, I'd have sworn she was mocking me when she asked about my house having stairs. When I ran out of things to say to her I smile and let my innocent face do the rest. I was still smiling when I heard a familiar voice tell my name.

"IVORY!", an obviously pissed Victoria walks over to my seat, eyeing Amelia.

"What the fuck, peasant? I thought you said I wouldn't have to look for you today?"

I honestly had no interest in dealing with this loud mouth today but she's rich and I'm poor and hierarchy, blah, blah. So I got ready to put on a show.

I turned my face to a red and angry Victoria. Here we go again.

"Tori, I'm so sorry, I.... "

This bitch didn't even let me finish. Listen to my lies, that's all I asked.

"Shut the fuck up, you outsider. I don't have your time today, I just want my notes, whether they're complete or not so hand them over", she yelled.

I mean when she's not glaring, she's yelling. A good repetitive hobby befitting someone with an ugly character.

I start to cry. Vying for attention, someone definitely had to save me or else I might actually die in Victoria's hands.

"Why the frick are you crying", she seemed confused.

Oh look, the bully is confused when her victim starts to cry.

"I encountered a little accident this morning on my way to school and I had to go back home", I said between tears, "I'm sorry, I left your notes at home"

I bowed my head the moment I finished saying those words, hoping she would let it go and ask me to bring it the following day.

Silence ensues, I couldn't hear anything, the entire class was watching us and no one made a sound. That made my stomach feel queasy, I attempted to look up and Victoria did not miss that chance to slap my face yet again.

"YOU DID WHAT?", she growled

Hope is a cruel thing, I thought as I staggered and fell to the floor

"IVORY!", James and Amelia yelled my name, rushing to my side. They're so loud, not helping the loud noises I was starting to hear in my left ear.a

So long, my peaceful days, I will never see you again.

I wanted to pretend to faint when I heard Victoria's voice.

"What the fuck did you just say to me, Amelia?"

I looked to my side where Amelia was moments ago and she wasn't there anymore. She was now standing in front of Victoria and apparently she said something that pissed Victoria off. I wanted to know what that was but the ringing in my ear didn't allow me to hear it.

I could only hope that Amelia would repeat her words and she did.

"I said, Apologize to Ivory, Victoria, or one of us won't be going home with their body parts complete"

This should be fun.