The Bad Boy & The New Girl

First Day Part 4

Chapter 6

First Day (Part 4)

(Ivy’s POV)

After lunch, things took a turn for the worse. I couldn’t get into my locker, and April and Jayce weren’t in my next two classes. Instead, Lilliana was. She spent the entire history class whispering with her friends in the corner, snickering and shooting glances my way. When the class ended, she purposely bumped into me, causing me to fall and scrape my knee. It was obvious she was trying to make a scene, but no one intervened to stop her.

Finally, when I located my German class—ten minutes late, of course—the only empty seat was next to her.

“Ugh, you again,” Lilliana muttered under her breath. “I wish you would just disappear.”

I glanced over at her, then back at the workbook I pulled from my bag, determined to ignore her. I told myself to get through this class, and then I could go home.

If this had been a few months ago, I would have had plenty to say back, but now… even the thought of confronting this wicked witch felt like too much work. All I wanted was to get through the year quickly and return to the life I once knew.

To make matters worse, Mrs. Fischer decided to partner Lilliana and me together for the last fifteen minutes of class.

Instead of focusing on the translation exercises we were supposed to complete, Lilliana seized this opportunity to make things clear.

“You better stay away from Jayce. If you don’t, I’ll make your life unbearable here,” she whispered with an icy edge.

I looked at her. “I’m sorry you feel like I’m a threat, but I’m not interested in Jayce. I’m here to focus on school and nothing else.”

“That better be true,” she shot back. “Then it should be no problem for you to tell him you don’t need his help. You have April anyway, so why should Jayce waste his time looking after you?”

I shrugged, trying to appear indifferent, but it clearly wasn’t enough for her.

“Did you hear me? I don’t want to see Jayce near you. Do you understand, or are you missing something up there?” she asked, her tone dripping with condescension. “You have no idea who my father is. I could get you kicked out of this school with a single text. I wouldn’t test me.”

Come on, Ivy—say something! You can do this. Just tell her to mind her own damn business. It didn’t matter who the hell she was; I could hang out with whoever I wanted. Her social status meant nothing to me. I was an internationally ranked student who could attend any university I wanted without the financial backing her family provided.

But instead, I nodded my head and stayed quiet.

When class finally ended, I grabbed my things and practically bolted from the room. I hurried off campus and started the long walk home.

What I had forgotten in my rush was that I was supposed to take the bus home. In my eagerness to escape that dreadful place, I walked away without thinking, leaving me with a 65-minute trek ahead of me.

As I entered the house, I wiped away the tears that had gathered in my eyes.

I missed home even more than I had that morning.

It felt like one of the longest days of my life.

“Ivy! Is that you?”

I heard my sister call from the kitchen.

“Your home a bit later than I thought you would be. Did you make some friends? You should have called me; you could have hung out with them longer,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.

I walked into the kitchen to find Bella covered in flour and other baking ingredients.

“What are you doing, Bella?” I asked, ignoring her earlier comment and taking a seat on a stool by the counter.

“I told my boss I was an expert on pastries, and now I have to make pies for tomorrow,” she replied, grinning proudly.

I tilted my head, curious. “What are you talking about? I thought you couldn’t find a job. What job requires you to bake?”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s a good job, and it’ll help me get a position as an architect if I play my cards right,” she said, a spark of determination in her eyes.

Bella seemed to be doing better; the stress and sadness from the past few weeks were starting to lift. I knew she had been worried about me and how to care for me. I couldn’t help but wish I were older so I could shoulder some of her burdens. I wanted to help her so much, but I felt utterly useless.

I was resolved to find a part-time job without telling Bella. I needed to contribute.

“Ivy?”

I looked back at my sister. “Mmm?”

“How was school? Made many friends?” she asked, pouring flour directly onto the counter. “I know it’s not the same as Bergmont, but it’s a great school.”

I smiled at her, hoping to ease her worries. “I made a few friends. Don’t worry about me; I like the school.”

I didn’t want to stress Bella out. She deserved to relax and not worry about my troubles.

“Can I help?” I asked, eager to lend a hand.

“No, I’ve got this. Why don’t you go change and get started on your schoolwork? I bet you have tons to catch up on,” she suggested.

I didn’t argue; I just nodded and headed upstairs to do as she said. I needed to sleep off this day and start fresh tomorrow.

I had to stay away from Jayce and his circle of friends, especially Lilliana. I was already on her bad side for merely talking to her boyfriend.

I didn’t realize how challenging that would be.