Possessive Rich Bully

Chapter 3

Playlist - Royals by Lorde

Astoria

almost thirteen

The day had come, finally. I was waiting for this day since the moment I got the news from my grandparents that I'll be studying in a private prep school. Tomorrow would be my first day at Scottish Wilson Prep. Still, the best part was, Axel and I will be in the same school, possibly in the same class.

Over the few months, since I've known Axel, he has somehow become a very good friend of mine. I could definitely call him my best friend too. We had so much in common, and this summer was the most memorable summer for me.

Yes, we didn't start off great at first, but slowly, our bond had cultivated much stronger than I could ever imagine it to be. We spent most of our time together, watching anime, reading manga and attempting our best at cosplay.

He sucked at it, I didn't.

I chuckled at memory of his poor attempt to dress up as Rock Lee from Naruto. He failed so miserably and I enjoyed goading him to pick up a duel with his dad, who he often dubbed to be, orochimaru

Orochimaru would kick his ass if he ever challenged him for a duel.

“What are you laughing at?” Axel pulled my almost shoulder length hair. “There are people trying to sleep peacefully at night.”

I made an annoyed face and pulled the duvet covers around my neck.

“Answer me, help,” Axel goaded to get a response out of me. He knew how much I hated that term. “You cannot fall asleep in a minute.”

“Shut up,” I groaned. “Don’t you have a bedroom of your own? You're practically covering my entire bed, you giant.”

“Piss off.” He made a psst sound. “Technically, this is my bedroom.” I kicked him and he groaned in return. “Have you started PMSing already?”

I gasped, mortified at his question. “Oh, God, Axel.” I threw a pillow at him. “I have school tomorrow and it'll be my first day. Let me get my beauty sleep.”

“Whatever.” I heard him say.

I tried to fall asleep a lot- counted sheeps in my head, numbers etc. It still eluded me. I think it was because of the nervous-excited jitters I was feeling in my belly since the last two days. I was eager to go to a new school, make new friends and hopefully redeem myself to not be an outcast.

Axel would be there with me so that was a relief, or else I would be as clueless as Sousuke Sagara was when it came to love.

Twisting and turning in my spot, I finally gave up the battle to fall in a deep sleep. I jabbed my finger into Axel’s back to check whether he was sleeping.

“Hey,” I said, softly. “Are you awake?” No response. “I was talking to you, idiot.” Still, no response. “You better not be sulking.” I pulled on his arm.

“Let me get some sleep, toots,” he cried. “I have an early day tomorrow, just like you.” Axel had given me a nickname of his own after learning what my grandparents called me.

“I am scared,” I said, truthfully. “Not entirely, but I am excited too.” He turned to face me, eyes closed. “Things will be okay, right?”

“Queen of over thinking, don't stress too much. No one's gonna eat you there. I mean… they can, only if you give them the power to step on you.” He yawned, lazily.

“I just want to make friends. I don't have any.”

Axel tutted. “What am I to you, then? Potato?”

I chuckled and rested my palms on his cheek. “You’re my best friend, but I need to have friends besides you. I can't be a loner all my life.”

“Come here.” I scooted near him. “More.” He raised his leg to rest on my hip bone. “How about you ride with me to school tomorrow? You know, I'll be your moral support.”

“That will never happen. Papa has already paid the bus fee in advance.”

He gave me a glimpse of his electric blue eyes, opening them ever so slightly. “So?”

“It’s a matter of pride for him, he doesn't like accepting charity. I know how hard it was for him to even take this job offer in the first place. He won't allow and going by school bus would mean, I'll make bus friends.”

“Huh. Bus friends.” He stretched the words, giving the idea a thought. “Fine. Do it your way.”

“You're not mad at me, are you?” I hugged him, resting my face in the crook of his neck.

“Nope, toots.” He kissed the top of my head. “C'mon, let me sleep now. Tomorrow is the first day of school.”

***

“Let me look at you again.” Grandma ran her eyes over my face, checking me from head to toe. “You let me know if someone gives you a hard time, okay?”

“Yes, ma,” I sing-songed the words. “Why do you always have to assume the worst? It can be a wonderful day too, you know.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Forgive me for caring. I'll make a note to act all cold and distant from now onwards.” Grandma was always the melodramatic one.

“Let her be, Paige.” Grandpa’s rough voice called from behind me. “I can’t believe your school bus is late.”

On cue, a yellow colored bus arrived at the bus stop.

“A minute late,” I said. I turned to hug them both. “Wish me luck.” The school bus screeched to a halt.

“Good luck, biscuit.” Both of them yelled as the bus doors opened.

“Wish it.” I was already embarrassed and I hadn't even stepped inside the bus. “Bye, now.”

Climbing inside, I inhaled a deep breath. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but I'll make it work. The bus moved and I lurched forward, landing on the nearest seat. Real smooth, Astoria.

My eyes scanned everyone present inside the bus. All of the people looked all too familiar to me. I don’t why, but I could feel they were just like me: the less privileged slot, geeky, loners, outcast.

I could fit well in this clique.

“Hey.” A voice startled me. “Oops… I didn't mean to scare you.” It belonged to a boy near my age. I think we'll be classmates.

“Hi.” I waved at him. “I am Astoria.”

“Peter.” He offered me his hands and I shook it. “You’re new around here?” I nodded. “I thought so.”

“You're in seventh?” I asked, hoping to get to know him better.

“Yeah, I suppose you're too?”

“Yep,” I confirmed.

“You must be nervous, right? New school, new faces, strange hallways and so much more.”

“Not really. I have a friend here already.”

His eyebrows rose. “Who is it?”

“Axel Trent. I don't know if you know him.”

Peter drew in a deep inhale, letting out a laugh. “That’s funny.” He continued laughing and I glared at him. He concealed his obvious laughter with a cough. “Seriously, don't lie on your first day. Some might not like it.”

“He is my friend. Why would I lie about it?”

Peter scratched his head. “It’s hard to believe that you’re Axel Trent’s friend and riding on a school bus on your first day. I mean how do you know him?”

I remained silent. I wouldn't divulge to anyone on how I knew Axel. I know for a fact that rich kids waited to humiliate the less fortunate ones about their financial conditions. No, it would remain a secret with me.

“That’s not for you to know.” I flipped him off.

“Okay, no need to get angry. I'll help you through your first day around in the school.”

“No, thank you. Axel will do it.”

Peter smiled slightly, his metal teeth visible. “You can find me at the help desk if your friend…” I glared at him. “I mean, if-f you want-t any help, you'll find me there.”

***

I was stumped when I stepped inside the metal gate of my grand new school. It looked like a British castle more than a school. I couldn't believe my luck. s**t, this was amazing.

Awestruck. That's how I felt taking in my new school.

“Get out of my way.” A car honked at me and I quickly stepped aside and let it pass by. It was a maserati and the boy who got out of the car stole my breath away.

Oh. My. God.

He was bloody perfect with copper hair that looked almost blonde, his striking cobalt eyes could see right through anybody and he was just so awesome. I didn't know how someone could look that good at such a young age.

“Chase, we are here.” The perfect boy heard his name being called out and turned his eyes towards me. Even his name was perfect.

He started to walk in my direction and I froze on my spot. My heart nearly jumped out of it's cage as he walked past me and over to his friends. So close.

I shook my head, smiling to myself and went in search of Axel. It didn't take me long to find him, because he was right there chatting with none other than Chase. Oh, God. There were friends. Sweet.

I happily took long strides to where he was hanging around with his group of friends.

“See you later, guys.” Most of his friends had left by the time I reached with the exception of Chase and a few girls.

“Axel.” I waved at him. “Hi, dude. I am finally here.” A few chuckled at me, but I didn’t let it waver me off. They didn't know we were friends yet. Axel had a blank expression on his face, he appeared almost confused.

“Uhm… hi, I guess.” He turned to chat with one of his friends. I just stood there, taken aback at his strange behaviour. He noticed I was still standing there. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Why are you acting so strange all of a sudden? Hit your head on the pavement or something?”

“Do I know you?” My stomach shook at his words. “You have me mistaken for someone else.”

“Huh?”

He chuckled at my raised brows, the sound of it abrasive. It caught me off guard. “Who's this?” He asked his friends. “Such a strange girl.”

“Very rich.” I laughed to hide the mortification that was bubbling inside of me. I was sure my face had reddened too. “Never speak to me again.”

With that, I left and stumbled into someone only after a few strides.

“I am sorry,” I mumbled. “I wasn’t looking straight.”

“Astoria?” It was Peter. He took in my mortified state and offered a sympathetic smile. “Need help,”

“Yes,” I answered, swallowing up my pride.

***

next update- 25th march