HOPE'S POV

"Look alive, honey."

I smiled at Mommy. I followed her to her office. "Mommy, does it feel weird to be the principal of your old school?"

Mommy chuckled. "At first, it was. You are the boss of your old teachers. But in time, you adapt."

As we walked, the students especially the male students seriously gawked at my Mother like she was a piece of meat. I would never get tired of watching this. What can I say? My mom is one hell of a woman.

"Close your mouth, boys, or to the office with your parents’ present." Was that my mom?! Her tone was full of power! I looked at her in disbelief. She was never that strict with me or Allesandra.

"We're sorry, Mrs. Larove."

Are Boys being polite and innocent? Damn. I must have been in Rome for too Long.

Mommy entered a section where 'Administration Office' was written on the wall.

"Ruby. I need my daughter's schedule."

This Ruby chick nodded.

Mommy turned to me and smiled. She fixed my jacket and reached for her phone.

Oh no.

"My precious's first day of school as a senior. So proud." A flashed blinded me. "I will send this to your Mom." She said excitedly.

"Mommy, I'm seventeen.” I reasoned.

She looked up from her phone and smiled. "No matter how old you are, you will always be my precious."

I smiled back.

"Here you go, Madam." Ruby handed her the schedule.

Mommy looked through the schedule and handed it to me.

Damn. I have history and math?! What is this about music theory?!

"Well, I put you in all of Zara's classes except drama. I know how you hate drama after that gala in Paris."

"Okay. But why do I have to take history and math? Can't I just skip them?"

Mommy glared. "Young lady, that's your mom's order, and no, you can't."

I sighed. "Fine. I will go now. Meeting Zara at my locker." I kissed Mommy's cheek and said my goodbyes.

"If you have any problems, just go to my office. Ruby will help. But, we will meet in English class. I am also your teacher."

My eyes widened. "You’re still teaching?"

She laughed. "No. Just observing."

Oh God. She will embarrass me in front of all the students.

I walked out of the office and proceeded to the lockers. I looked around and there were a lot of freshman kids walking around and wondering where he or she was like a lost puppy. Some of them stared at me when they noticed I was walking pass them.

I chuckled at the sight. That last TMZ moment was rough! I just had a shot of vodka, and that was it! My parents didn't like the idea, but hey, all ended well. Just 2 weeks grounded.

"Well, look who decided to come back after leaving me alone for months!" That voice. That loud voice. It was Zara. I turned to see a red head looking at me with her piercing green eyes.

"Look. I had to. Daddy's orders."

She smiled and walked towards me. We met half way and hug.

"I missed you, Hope."

"We met at my family's Christmas dinner party," I said.

"Still. It's been a lonely time for me without you here."

I chuckled. "Well from the looks of this, I must say you're not alone at all," I said while looking at all the people who just stood and stared at us. "Anyways, find my locker." I handed her the papers.

She scanned through it. "Damn. You’re in all of my classes? And, it's right here. Come with me."

"Mommy arranged everything." I followed her to the lockers.

Her heels echoed in the hallways making it look like she was on a runway show. Her wavy red hair bounced together with her rhythmic walking. "Here." She stopped in front of a locker, and I put in my combination.

I emptied the content of my bag and put it in the locker. I took only the books I would need before lunch.

"How was Rome?"

"Fun. I got to meet a lot of people."

She scoffed. "Yeah. Meeting old people and meetings and all. That fun."

I laughed. "Look. I want to help my daddy with her company when I'm ready. So, I need to be aware of the business environment." I reasoned.

"Fine. How was Paris?"

I laughed. "Fun and memorable," I told her about the old guy who fell while walking down the stairs and the gala I had to attend with my family. "Who will be our homeroom teacher?" I asked her.

"Mr. Goulding."

I nodded. Mr. Goulding was nice. He listened to Mommy. I chuckled at the thought.

"Hey, Zara." A girl greeted my Friend. Then followed a group of guys and girls.

"Wow. You have quite a reputation."

She shook her head. "I'm just a star Soccer player for the school girls team. Bella White is the queen bee."

Who? I looked at her confused.

"Bella White. She's the new girl. The cheer captain and a genius in every subject. she never dated anyone, but I know she has a lot of suitors. Trust me. The Football, Basketball and baseball captains and even the chess president want her." She finished in one breath. She needed a chill pill.

"Are you one of the suitors?" I asked her.

She laughed at me without any humour. "No. I'm dating her Friend, Tina. But, we're not exclusive."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Care to explain?"

She sighed. "She's not from the elites. My parents love her, but her parents don’t approve of us much."

"Dude, you will get your woman. Don't give up."

She laughed. "I have to watch guys flirt with her all day long, Hope!" She seemed infuriated.

"Relax. I want to see her. I wonder what she looks like. I bet she's hot, huh? If not, you wouldn't be this possessive." I laughed at my Friend.

"Oh, she is. Her double D's really turn me on when we have our little make out sessions in the ladies room."

I stopped her. "Dude, I don't need to know what you two do behind closed doors."

She laughed.

My mind wondered to this Bella chick. Who is she?

Zara snapped her fingers in front of me and smiled. "We need to go to class now, or Mr. Goulding will kill us," Zara said and walk towards the classroom section.

I was looking forward to meeting this Bella chick who so called controlled the school...

BELLA'S POV

"BELLA!" A yell woke me from my daydreaming state.

"WHAT?" I yelled back.

"I was saying do you have any extra tampons? I need them." Tina said.

I held my finger up and asked her to wait. I searched my backpack and gave her two.

She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the ladies room. “Out of all the times I could have my period, it has to be the first day of school." She said angrily.

Why was she so angry.

”Relax. It’s just a period." I tried to calm her.

"I know, but it's the first day of school! I have needs to be fulfilled. And, it won't be happening today or this week!"

Wow, this girl and her hormones.

"Tina, Zara will understand."

She whipped her hair and looked at me straight in the eyes. "Hush! No one’s supposed to know about us."

I scoffed. "Girl, the Sex sounds coming from the girl's locker room last year were so loud. I had to sigh loudly and bang the lockers for that!"

"That was good sex!" She entered the empty stall.

I checked myself out in the mirror and fixed my hair and clothes. Damn, I look good. I added more lip gloss to my luscious lips that the boys wanted to taste so badly. Even girls were crazy for me. But, none of them had ever grabbed my heart. One did a little today. It was weird. That girl didn't even acknowledge me! Ugh. I took a deep breath and checked my makeup. Perfect! I mentally said. Just because I am poor doesn't mean I have to dress poorly. I work for God's sake.

Tina walked out looking a bit happier than before. "I just texted Zara, and she said it’s ok babe."

I looked at her waiting for her to explain it.

"She's fine with it and didn't even ask me to lick her or something!"

I was totally confused right now.

"So, that's a bad thing?" I asked, not knowing what to say.

"No. No one has ever been nice to me when I told him or her I'm on my period!"

Yup, I was totally confused. I took a glance at my watch and grabbed her hand.

We walked to class, and it was a miracle we made it in time. We took our seats, and I could see Tina was restless waiting for her Zara. It was so weird to see her this clingy.

Zara walked in and made eye contact with Tina.

I remained expressionless. That's how I act in school.

The students were busy chattering away when a girl made an appearance at the door. The chattering died down and focused on her.

I must say. When she's up close, she's even more gorgeous than before. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail showing her perfect eyebrows, piercing blue eyes, and her lips. Oh God, her lips. So pink and luscious. I can't believe I'm actually licking my lips at her sight.

"Oh, Hope. Welcome back." Mr. Goulding greeted her.

"Hello, sir. Good to be back."

Mr. Goulding smiled and asked her to sit next to Zara.

I leaned into Tina. "Don't you feel jealous?" I whispered to her.

"Not really. She’s her best friend."

I nodded in agreement.

I'm bored in class. I can answer all of the questions in seconds. It's a gift I really like.

I looked to the side and saw Hope was writing the notes in her book. That was weird. Was she actually learning? I looked around the class, and none of the elites, even cared what the teacher said. But Zara and Hope actually listened! Well, Hope Larove, are you really different from the others like everyone said?……

THIRD PERSON POV

Bella and Tina entered the cafeteria. Each table had different groups of people . From jocks to the chess club. They were all there. Bella walked to a table with Tina, and soon it was full as well. Bella, being the queen bee, always got all the attention. It showed how popular she was. Every second, there would be a guy or even a girl asking her out. Every one of them was either captains of a sports team or presidents of the school clubs.

In the middle of lunch, Bella stood up at the same time as Hope who was sitting at the table behind her. They turned to each other. "Oh, I'm sorry," Bella said before she even saw who it was. When she saw it was the rich girl, her attitude went from apologetic to venomous.

However when Hope turned around her heart skipped a beat when she saw the beauty standing in front of her.

But she was shocked back into a rhythm by what the beauty said "Oh it's you. The rich princess of the school."

Hope looked at her confused.

"I heard your mother is the Principal. Well just so you know, I am not going to let you push me around. You can try to bring me down all you want, but I worked hard to get where I am. And I'm not about to just step aside at your will."

Hope was too surprised to even react. She smirked, "You don't even know me. Besides, what makes you think I'm going to ask anything from you." She responded.

"JUST STAY OUT OF MY WAY!" Bella yelled and walked out of the cafeteria.

Hope sat back down and turned to Zara. "Who was that?" She asked

"That was Bella White. I don't know her very well, but she is Tina's best friend. So, I guess she must not be all bad."

Hope turned thoughtful. She wondered what Bella must have gone through to cause such a reaction over nothing. Bella's reaction was so extreme. She judged Hope without even knowing anything about her. Hopes parents taught her never to judge a person without really knowing them. Her mom always said that most people who are instantly defensive usually have scars that they are trying to hide or trying to heal. They don't want people to get too close, so they push them away to eliminate the chance. There is often times something that has hurt them so deeply that they feel the need to protect themselves. Her mom said that these are the people who need the most understanding.

Hope was determined that she was going to find out Bella's secrets.

"We have English next. Let's go."

They both walked to English class and took a seat.

Moments later Bella looking as piss as ever entered with her Friend Tina.

Hope leaned in. "Is she always that feisty?"

Zara chuckled. "Yes. She is ."

Hope watched as Bella and her Friend took a seat in the middle.

The teacher, Miss Morgan entered the class looking as pale as ever.

Hope wondered what happened to her on the way here. She was so engrossed reading the notes she took that she didn't realise her Mother had entered the class with her graceful presence.

Zara nudged Hope's side, and Hope looked up to see her Mother smiling at her.

Hope smiled back.

"I'll be in the back, Miss Morgan," Larissa said and walked towards the back. She made eye contact with her Daughter and motioned Hope to focus in class.

Hope knew better than to let her Mother yell at her in class, so she nodded.

"Your mom never let it go after that one time in the library, huh?"

Hope shook her head.

"Well, I did warn you to not have sex in the library."

"Hush Zara. That’s in the past. Thank God she moved away tho."

They both chuckled.

"Miss Williams, Miss Larove, is there anything you want to share with us?" Larissa's piercing voice invaded the room.

"No ma'am." Zara and Hope said in unison.

“Miss Morgan. You may start."

The teacher started to teach, and Hope's mind wandered around to someone specific, Bella. What made her explode at her at lunch? Hope really wanted to know her better. She didn't even notice class was over until Zara and her Mom shook her.

"Does she always seem this... Clueless."

"Not really. She was like this after lunch."

Hope looked blankly at her Mother and Friend.

"Class is over. Let's go to the next one." Zara said after she noticed Hope was back to reality.

Larissa sighed and kissed her daughters head. "Take care of her Zara."

"Will do aunt Larissa."

Before Larissa got to walk away from the two teenagers, Hope grabbed her mother's hand. "Umm, Mommy," Hope got up and hugged her Mother.

Larissa hugged her back. "Okay. What is it? You need something if you're this clingy."

Hope smirked. She leaned into her mother's ear and whispered. "I need to know about someone particular, and I need your help."

Larissa pulled back from the hug. "No honey. I can't do that."

Hope pouted at her Mother. And she hoped it worked this time. "Please, Mommy." She leaned in again. "I am curious to whom just yelled at me out of nowhere and not even apologise afterward."

Larissa thought for a moment. "Name please?" Larissa finally gave in.

Hope smiled at her Mother. "Bella White."

Larissa laughed. "I'll see what I can do, honey. Go to class now."

Hope saluted her Mother and grabbed Zara's hand.

"Teenagers," Larissa said as her Daughter and Friend walked out of the room….