I was drowned in a beautiful dream when I heard someone banging at my door loudly. “Stella!” Debra, my step sister shouted, her palm repeatedly slamming at the wooden door of my room. “Stella, wake up! You have to iron my clothes! I’m going to be late for school!”

I yawned, taking time to stretch my limbs before I set my foot on the ground and walked slowly towards the door. When I opened it, I was met by Debra’s frowning face and knitted eyebrows.

“What took you so long to open your door! Didn’t you hear me?” she yelled, her index finger pointed at my forehead.

I swat her hand away and she gasped. “Mommy!” She then called for Aunt Lucy. “You’re f*cking dead, bitch!” she smirked and once again called for my stepmother. “Mommy!”

“Debra, what’s your problem shouting at five in the morning! Everyone is still sleeping!” Aunt Lucy yelled back, irritably. Her eyes, half-open, her hair messy and a half –dry saliva was seen from the corner of her lips down to her chin. Gross!

“Stella, she hit me!” Debra dramatically said and my eyes widened in disbelief.

“Debra, that’s not true!” I told her but Aunt Lucy already attacked me and grabbed my hair, pulling it so hard making me wince in pain. “Auntie, that’s not true. She was the one who—“

“Shut up! Are you telling me that my daughter is lying! You don’t have the right to hurt my princess, do you understand?” she said, slapping me then gripping my hair tightly but I stayed silent. “Do you understand me?” she asked again and I nodded.

“Good. Now, iron my clothes! Hurry!” Debra smirked as she leaned on the jamb, her arms crossed over her chest.

I swiftly ran to Debra’s room and quickly ironed her uniform when I saw my cat follow me. “Luna, get back in my room. If Debra sees you, she might hurt you again.” I whispered into her as I watched Debra grab her towel and enter inside her bathroom.

As if Luna understood me, she turned around, walking back into my room.

After I finished ironing Debra’s clothes, I hung it in front of her closet and was about to get back to my room and get ready for school, but Debra stepped out from the bathroom and stopped me from leaving.

“Uh-oh! Not so fast ,Stella my dear".

She said, removing the towel that was wrapped around her body.

I looked down and couldn’t help but felt jealous of her flawless skin. Her skin was as white as snow and as soft as Naples silk while mine was covered with bruises. By the stinging sensation on my cheek that Auntie slapped earlier, I could tell it’s bright red against my creamy complexion.

“Clean my shoes and then you can leave.” Debra declared as she put Dior lotion all over her body making me inhale the sweet scent of it. “Faster, Stella! I don’t want to get late for school!”

I followed what she said because it might cause trouble if I was going to protest.

After I finished everything she ordered, I went back to my room and quickly took a shower and put on my tank top and denim jeans, and a black cardigan to cover the bruises in my arms.

Ignoring the bruises on my body, I was definitely a pretty girl. But I didn't really care much about my appearance, which brought me nothing but Debra's jealousy and hatred.

To reduce that, I had to disguise myself in the school. I tied my beautiful natural red hair with a rubber band and put on a curly black wig. I even painted some freckles on my flawless face. My round glasses slightly covered my forest green eyes. And a loose shirt helped me to hide my curved body.

Looking into the mirror, I now look like a complete nerd, just like the image of a nerd in people's minds. That gave me a sense of security.

I saw Luna still lying on my bed watching me. I smiled at her and carried her as I walked down the stairs to eat breakfast but to my dismay, nothing left for me again.

“Stella, you wash the dishes before going to school. I’m already late for work.” Auntie told me before she exited the kitchen and out of the house in a hurry.

I heaved a heavy sigh and walked towards the counter and reached on the upper shelf to get Luna’s cat food and poured some on her plate and a bowl of water beside it before I walked out of the kitchen and exited the house.

I started running like crazy, like running for my life. My heart was pumping so fast as I felt my skin cold as ice and sweat ran down my spine. I felt my wig move so I stopped to fix it and catch my breath for a while.

I couldn’t miss the school bus. I had a long quiz on my first subject today which was Math. It was our last year in high school and I was aiming to get good grades in all my subjects, so I would qualify for the Illinois University Scholarship Program. Being someone who had no one to support me financially was hard, and the scholarship was my only hope of getting into the University.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead then checked the time on my wristwatch. Oh no! I started running again towards the bus stop when I heard a loud horn behind me and when I turned around, it was Debra.

Debra was my stepsister. When mom died, my dad got married again with Aunt Lucy and she gave birth to Debra after a year.

Everything was good and perfect when we were younger. We were the best of friends and we loved each other so much that no one could separate us. But everything changed when dad died from a heart attack.

She was laughing out loud and her boyfriend Dave who was driving the car gave me a smirk as he rolled down the window and Debra yelled at me. “Run faster, Stella!” her loud laughter echoed in the air. She still had the nerve to laugh at me when she was the reason why I was hurrying right now.

I was just in time when the school bus arrived at the bus station. Feeling relieved, I entered the bus and took my usual spot at the back.

My heart skipped a beat when I got out of the school bus because I saw a familiar car turn around the curb, heading towards the school’s main entrance.

A black convertible BMW with a plate number 17-ABS. Yes, I knew it was his plate number because it matched his age and a part of his body that I couldn’t forget even in my dreams.

I stopped at the side of the road, waiting for his car to pass by. And by the second he passed by me, he gave me his signature smirk. A smirk that screamed, “I will ruin your entire day.”

Tyler Lewis was inside the black convertible car. He was the most popular guy in school, a heartthrob. Tall and handsome with a beautiful and lean muscular body that countless girls admired him and sought for his attention.

He walked with confidence and grace. I liked him, too. And at the same time, I hate him because he was a spoiled snobby kid born with a silver spoon who thought he could do anything he wanted and bully whoever he wanted because his family was rich.

He parked his car at the parking area and went out, with his black backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked so fresh with his dark brown hair glistening, obviously wet from the shower. He didn’t remove the dark shades that covered his deep azure eyes making him more handsome as he walked down the hallway and was greeted by his best friends Justin Miller and Kevin Torres.The three of them were inseparable since pre-school, and they played together in the football team.

I continued walking in the lobby and turned the opposite direction to avoid them hoping they wouldn’t notice me.

I sighed in relief when I managed to walk away from them unnoticed. But then I heard another group of boys called me and was now standing in front of me, blocking my way.

‘Oh no…not now please. I have an exam in my first subject.’

“Mark, your favourite student has finally arrived.” I heard Harry whisper into Mark’s ear, loud enough for the student in the hallway to hear.

I lowered down my gaze and continued walking, ignoring them.

Mark smirked and I felt his hand o“Mark, your favourite student has finally arrived.” I heard Harry whisper into Mark’s ear, loud enough for the student in the hallway to hear.

I lowered down my gaze and continued walking, ignoring them.

Mark smirked and I felt his hand on my elbow.

“Hey hey hey! Are you in a hurry?” he asked and I nodded. “Not so fast my dear…”

“Please…not today.” I whispered and he frowned.

“What, what?! I can’t hear you!”

I yanked his hand away from my elbow and tried to run but someone tripped me and I fell down on the ground, dropping my books along the way. My round glasses were thrown somewhere and I heard them laughing out loud.

I looked up from the Nike shoes who tripped me and I saw Dave, Debra’s boyfriend and his gang laughing like they saw something funny. He high-fived with Mark and Harry as I glared at him, thinking of ways to murder him in my head.

Dave’s eyes travelled from me to the person beside me who handed me my glasses. I reached for it and I felt an electricity when my hand touched his fingertip. Out of curiosity, I looked up and saw those deep blue eyes that pierced inside my soul. “T-tyler..?”

“Get up and go!” he ordered me.

“W-what?”

“I said, get up! Now!”

I quickly put my glasses on and picked all the books that scattered on the floor and got up, scared that he might change his mind and join Mark and his friends in bullying me.

“What the hell, Tyler?” Mark suddenly grabbed Tyler’s collar and held up his fist causing a shocking gasp to escaped my mouth.

I watched as Tyler looked between Mark and his fist. “Hit me. I dare you.” Tyler challenged him, smirking.

My eyes widened when Kevin and Justin lunged into Mark’s friends and before I could get myself into trouble with them. I scurried fast and left. I just slowed down when I got out of their sight.

What the hell happened just now? Why did Tyler defend me when I was bullied by his friend? I mean, how could the Prince Charming have something to do with me, a nerd with thick round glasses?

God knows that.

I entered the classroom panting and out of breath. I looked around to check if Mr. Twain had arrived and I felt relieved when I saw that he’s not inside the room, yet.

I walked to my seat and put down my stuff on my desk when I heard Violet, Debra’s friend whispered into her. “Your sister has arrived. Look at her, so gross. Eeewww!”

“Stepsister!” she corrected Violet and rolled her eyes. “And what do you expect? She’s a lazy ass bitch always waking up late.”

I heard them talking about me but I didn’t pay attention to them and flipped some pages of my book to read.

I was two years older than Debra but we’re classmates. Debra’s 16 and I was already 18 and we’re both seniors here at Horizon Institute. We looked totally different. She was curly blonde while my hair was straight red but covered with a black curly wig. Her body was curvy and I considered myself skinny but not too much. She was short as in 5 feet tall while I was 5 feet 7 inches.

I had a hard time living when dad passed away. I had to look for a job and save money to enroll in this school. I just recently learned that they offer scholarship programs, so I tried to take an examination and luckily, I passed and got the chance to study again.

The money I was earning from my job was for my allowance and for my savings in the future because I was planning to leave them, my family. Or do they even consider me as their family?

I was interrupted by my thoughts by someone yelling from the outside and was calling for Debra. “Debra! Debra!” he called out aloud.

Debra snapped her head and frowned curiously why the boy she doesn’t know was calling her. “What?”

“Dave and his friends, they’re in trouble.” The boy was out of breath while talking to Debra and her eyes widened upon hearing her boyfriend’s name.

Who dares to trouble Dave? Curiosity moved me to follow up.

Soon, I understand what is the so-called curiosity killed the cat.

I watched Debra as she swiftly ran outside the room following the boy who called her. I secretly followed them and hid myself behind the concrete wall in the hallway and there I saw how Debra slapped everyone except for Dave.

But when her hand was about to touch Tyler’s face, she froze when he looked at her murderously. “Don’t you dare lay your hand on me or you’ll regret it.” Tyler spat dangerously.

“Debra, stop it!” Dave grabbed her hand and pulled her away from Tyler. “It was Stella who started all of this.”

Debra’s brows furrowed. “That bitch!”

How could Dave say I was the one who started it when they were the one who blocked my way and stopped me from walking. I spun around and left when I saw Mr. Twain coming their way. “Miss Hemmings!” he yelled and I made a halt thinking I was the one he was referring to but when I looked up, he was looking directly at Debra.

“What are you doing here? Go back inside the classroom, now! And you!” he pointed at the boys angrily who had just fought and beat each other’s faces, “Come with me in the guidance office!”

“But sir—“ Justin tried to protest.

“Shut up and follow me, now!” Mr. Twain cut him off.

I was back at my desk when Debra came back inside the room very angry, her face was red and her eyes looking at me murderously.

“How dare you!” She slapped me across the face and I was shocked as I heard everyone gasping while watching us. “Because of you, Dave is in the guidance office!”

I wanted to cry but I controlled myself. I don’t want to show everyone that I was weak. “I didn’t do anything, Debra.” I whispered. “They were the ones who blocked me in the hallway.”

“Stop!” she yelled on my face. “I don’t want to hear your explanation! If I won’t see Dave for a week because of his suspension, you’re fucking dead!"

“Miss Hemmings!” We didn't notice Mr. Twain entering the room. “Detention later! Or you want to join your boyfriend in the guidance office?”

“But sir, Stella started it!” she complained.

“I said, enough! Go back to your seat!” Mr. Twain ignored Debra and motioned her to go back to her desk but before she moved away, she tapped my books that were placed on top of my desk and it all dropped on the floor.

I could still hear her and Violet giggled while watching me picking up my books. .

.

.

.

It was lunch time when I passed by the bulletin board and I stopped to check for any reminders and announcements. A poster about a free trip to Italy for top students caught my attention. I was reading it when someone stood beside me—it was Kiefer Sanchez, the President of the Student’s Council. He posted a list of Top Ten students of “Who’s hot and Who’s not,” covering the announcement I was reading.

“Oh no, not again.” I shut my eyes not wanting to see my name at the top list of who’s not.

This has become my concern every school year. Tyler started bullying me because of this list.

Well, it was expected though, he’s hot, literally hot that I would burn if I touched him. I scanned the list down until I reached number ten and I felt disappointed when I wasn’t in the list.

I was about to look for my name in the list of who’s not when I saw a big palm covering it. And when I looked up, I was met by Tyler Lewis’ signature smirk and blue eyes. “Do you really think that you’re in the list of the top ten who’s hot? Dream on nerd!” he spat out and left laughing.

Now, I was standing here again but after 4 years of thinking about it, I learned to view it in a positive way. Who cares? It was just a list made by student activists who asked the student council to post it for fun.

Sarcastically speaking, I should be flattered because I went down in the ranking from first to third. Hah! So, I wasn’t at the top anymore of who’s not hot!

But still, I checked the list of who’s hot and as expected, Tyler was at the top of who’s hot, as always followed by Mark, then Tyler’s friends. Tyler’s ex-girlfriend Maxine was also included, but my stepsister Debra was gone in the list.

“As expected, dude!” I heard a familiar voice behind me and I froze. It was Tyler’s. I stepped to my side slowly to escape because I didn't want him to see me but then I was stunned when I felt a big hand on my shoulder. Shit!