Chapter 3

• Capital_boring. Revenue preservation and distribution_more boring. Is the professor hot, young, and every girl's wet dream_fuck yeah!. I grinned at him anytime he looked in my direction. He turned to write something on the board, his shirt riding up a bit. I see the other girls blatantly ogling him and almost screaming in their seats.
• No drooling. I warned myself trying to listen to what he was explaining. He was distracting. But I also already knew half of what he was saying, so I didn't need to force my brain to concentrate. The lecture finished just in time for lunch hour, and Mr hotness decided to assign us to research ways on how to maximize our resources. I mean ok like school isn't stressful enough, we have to take more work home. We all trooped outside, friends moving off in pairs while I stood alone. I'm minding my business when someone knocked my textbook out of my hands. I whirled to face the culprits, then took a suffering breath as they turned out to be who I thought they would be. They just never got tired of bullying me, right from high school until now. The three villainous bitches_Arielle, Jenny and Nicole. Sometimes I wonder if they applied to this college on purpose just to bother me. Ok, that might not be true. I'm here on scholarship, and this is pretty much the college where the rich kid goes. So I might simply be the one who set up myself for this.
• "Are you all blind or what?" I asked my fist clenching, eyes hardening. I was not afraid of them anymore, because if there's one thing I've learned the hard way, it was that if you act weak, or show just even an ounce of being scared, they become a million times worse and more daring. Fighting back made our exchange more on the verbal side, not like in the old days when I had to try to cover a black eye or a broken nose. Yup, the good old days.
• They all look amused like I was some green-eyed frog that crawled out of a pond. Apt description cause my baggy shorts is a glaring green. Yup, green and orange are not a good combo.
• "Nope, I didn't see you dirtbag. I only see people who are on my level. You are not, so I'll watch my tone of voice if I were you. What the hell are you even wearing".
• She contradicted herself so much, that it made me want to pull out my hair, or hers.
• "I believe they're called clothes. I also know that I'm pulling off this look, while you can't. Not surprising with that figure of yours" I pointed out sweetly and she glared Hades at me. She was elegant but too insecure, so of course, my jab hurts. I had teeth, and I tend to bite hard when I'm shoved off a corner.
• "Watch your trashy mouth" Jenny jerked a finger in my face like she wanted to pluck out my eyes. Arielle, who was the leader stopped her.
• "Don't waste your breath on her Jenny. She's not worth our attention" she got out, looking straight at me. Jenny calmed down, a smirk replacing the scowl. Such a fucking puppet.
• "Yeah you're right. You're just a pathetic lowlife nobody".
• I've heard enough of their nonsense. I moved closer to her, asking for trouble. My scholarship pleaded in my subconscious, but for once I refused its request.
• "You're the pathetic one, Jenny. You couldn't learn shit even if you were paid to. What? You're going to run crying to daddy to have me expelled for pointing out how such a dumb brain piece of shit you are" I sneered. She grabbed at my shirt, yanking me forward.
• "How dare you" she yelled in my face, spit flying. Yuck. Like does she not realize the concept of brushing one's teeth as Ryan said. I did not sign up for this.
• Nicole pulled her away, subtly hinting at the CCTV. She might as well have been pointing at it. I adjusted my shirt, a perpetual frown on my face.
• "Don't ever talk to Jenny like that," Nicole warned, her expression manic. "You're the laundry woman's daughter right" she stated, and I felt the hollow at the pit of my stomach widen. I glared at her as she smiled, then adjusted my glasses on my face.
• "I'd be more respectful if I were you, or someone could suddenly lose their job. We'll be seeing you around" she whispered, tapping at my cheek. I fought myself from roaring like an animal and ripping her pink hair out. They giggled as they left. When will they ever grow up?
• Everything was fucking upsetting. A continuous tapping sound seemed to be ringing in my head with every step I took. I never wish to come across them again. They ruined my day just by breathing in the same vicinity as me. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh . Could I just pull out my hair now? I stopped myself just in time from face planting on the floor, as I tripped for the second time in the same day.
• If I had fallen, well that would be the nail in my none existent coffin. Even now the second-hand embarrassment at the noise I made had me cringing. I tried not to look around to see who noticed.
• I breathe a sigh of relief once I stepped out of the department. Thank God I only had one lecture on Fridays... The night was for the party animals, and as you might have noticed, I'm not. Bookworm, lazy ass procrastinator will be a more apt description. Self-shaming must be a thing now.
• A nice ride was in Andrianna's spot. The door opened, drawing people's attention as Michele Morrone stepped out of the automobile... You fell for that, didn't you? It's not Michele Morrone duh, but he might as well be his younger brother.
• Tall, tan skin, long mane of light gold, or was that brown... He even put Mr hotness_aka my professor to shame. He had that lean athlete built that made you just want to drool all over him, then there was his handsome out-of-this-world face. Darn, those pink lips should not even be real. He had striking long lashes, thick eyebrows, and green expressive eyes. Is he real? Like for real. I looked around and yes, everyone was suddenly zombies and he happened to be the only human specimen remaining. Can I just feel up his chest please, because, I'm already hooked on them?
• Earth to vega. Snap out of your foolishness. You've already had enough rejection to last you a lifetime. Thank you self, much.
• He stared around, taking in the appreciative stares. A smirk ghosted across his lip, his eyes trained on a pretty girl. He winked, making the girl blush into ashes. Playboy alert goes off in my brain. Of course, he'd be a playboy. You can't be that fine, fine, and be nice, nice.
• I gave him another look, then glanced at myself on the large glass double doors. I definitely could not pull him, I couldn't even pull his pants.
• "Lost cause. No need to even try" I sighed, walking away but not before I noticed the three villains approaching him. If he wasn't off-limits before, he was now.
• Oh well. Not like I stood a chance in the first place."You shat it out, but I can't hear a word you say. Screaming loud, not saying much" I giggled as I sang the wrong lyrics again, I watched it on Facebook, and it was so funny that it popped into my head at random times throughout the day. It was so fun to do, so sue me. No one was innocent in this aspect.
• I'm in a fair mood this morning cause it's day one of my covert operation. I parked my hair up as I stepped out the front door.
• Andria stood beside her car, waiting for me. She managed to look impressed with my new outfit. I was pretty satisfied myself as I stared at myself in the mirror. I wore a black loose top with jeans and black boots.
• "What's the occasion. You look better than most days". She complimented but pointed at my outfit dismissively.
• "Can you be nice just for two minutes? Gahhh. Not that you asked, but it's day one of operation get Zach Dante. I shouldn't look too bad right?" I batted my lashes prettily. Andrianna faked gag
• "I don't have the stomach for this. We're getting late so get in the car. You're fighting a losing battle, Vega. And when you lose, that chunk of money will never come back"
• We both got into her car. She helped me with my seatbelt like I couldn't get it done myself. She proceeded to fix my hair, holding my gaze.
• "I don't want you to get hurt Vega," she said softly, hands trailing my hairline. It was moments like this that got me confused. I don't know if I should hate or worship at her feet.
• "I'll be ok. I promise" I assured, squeezing her hand. She settled in her seat, turning the ignition.
• "You better be. Or I'll beat your ass. Don't come crying to me when you lose" she added and I frowned at her. She just ruined my puppy eyes moment. Ugh. She chuckled, pulling out of the driveway.
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• I watched Zach_ looking edible in his white tees and smug-looking trousers. He seemed to be in a deep conversation with Arielle, who was blushing so hard, that I thought I was staring at a tomato on display.
• "That darn witch beat me to it. So frustrating" I murmured to myself, turning to get to my morning class. I jerked in shock, almost screaming as I saw Jake. He was my coursemate, but I do not appreciate people trying to give me a heart attack in the wee hours of the morning.
• I clutched at my chest. Trying to still its gallops.
• "The hell Jake... Don't sneak up on me like that ever".
• "Sorry," he said, not looking sorry. " I saw you talking to yourself, so I just came over" he peered over my shoulder, noticing who I'd been stalking. "I heard you're in on the bet. It Seems Arielle is way ahead of you tho".
• I turned to study the two of them, squinting my eyes in concentration.
• "You're right, but not to worry. I have my game plan. That cash is going to be mine. If I don't win, I might as well just disappear" I pouted, making sure to give off Miserables vibes. He tapped my nose, making me squeeze my face and move back. I batted his hand away.
• "Get prepared to disappear, cause you're going to lose that money."
• "Oh, ye of little faith. I knew you were not a loyal friend".
• He grunted as if I'd hit him in the chest or something.
• "That hurts. To think that I neglect my research just to help you out with your cleaning duties".
• "Stop with the theatrics. We both know you don't have a heart. You said so yourself".
• He grinned, two cute dimples gracing his cheek, calling out to me to poke at it. I don't. Jake hated it.
• "We need to get to work. I gotta get to class early today" he told all serious. I nodded, going around him, and fixing my gaze on Zach Dante.
• "Time to put plan A into action."
• I took a steady breath, striding towards them. I'm almost close to them when I tripped on my feet. I went down gracelessly. Well, that's one hell of a way to get noticed. Both of them witnessed my embarrassing moment. I don't regret it, because Zach's green eyes are on mine once I look up. I chuckled nervously at their intensity.
• "I'm fine. Just some stupid twig" I explained even when they didn't ask. Jake helped me up, fixing my top while I durst my jeans.
• I found it hard to look back to see if he was watching me. My neck prickled. I felt like he was scrutinizing me with those intense eyes of his. It was eerie. We moved some paces away from them. I knew Arielle was glaring at me without even having to look.
• "Well? Did he watch me go" I asked whirling to face Jake, grabbing his arm? He gave a suffering sigh.
• "Sorry to burst your bubble but he didn't. He turned to face Arielle immediately you stood up.
• "He did? But how? I gave him my most soul-piercing look. Like this" I demonstrated, earning a horrified look from Jake. The little piece of shit. He grabbed my shoulders like I was a hopeless child he had to be calm to get his point across.
• "Sorry babe but if you stared at him like that. He's going to feel haunted for the rest of his life. You should call that the ghost look".
• I hit him on the shoulder, pouting furiously.
• "It doesn't matter. What's so hard in seducing a guy anyway. I'm beautiful aren't I? ".
• "Of course you are. You just need to stop wearing clothes two times your size. Get yourself something freaking nice to wear, and fix that horror on your head. Do I have to come to take a look at your wardrobe?"
• "No! My wardrobe is just fine thank you very much. And I can't afford new clothes right now" I gritted between my teeth. "They cost a fortune".
• "But you're bettering three zeros on a guy who doesn't even know you exist".
• I swear if he were not my friend, I'd have sent his ass flying. I know I know. Say no to violence.
• "That is different. First off, I don't want Arielle to win the stupid bet, and two I don't back off from a dare. He's my style. Imagine Dante's son becoming my boyfriend, and me winning that money. Do you know what I could do for my mom?
• He slowly pulled me in for a hug. I breathe in his scent just because he smells really good. I don't get the need for the hug but Is appreciated.
• "What's this for".
• "I love you, that's what this is for".
• "Awww. My cute Teddy bear" I grinned, squeezing closer against him, my hands roaming his back. "You're so buff. Did you start working out".
• He pulled me away glaring at me.
• "Here I am being nice and you start feeling me up the first chance you get".
• "Aww, is the teddy bear mad at mama bear" I poked at his side.
• "Your nasal voice is hideous" he jabbed, trying to fight my hands off as I continued to poke at him. He was fighting a losing game. He was soon giggling, running away from me. The competitive gal that I am, I give him a freaking chase, ignoring the stares. Sometimes you just gotta screw everybody else.