“Helena.” Bette greeted her in spite of the sarcasm. She and this Peabody girl traced way back. Ever since they were little, Peggy Peabody liked to invite her to their family occasions to play violin, basically taking her as the daughter she couldn’t have. So she understood Helena’s animosity and she always let her be.

Today was no difference. But she wasn’t in the mood because of what happened in the morning. “If you’d excuse me, I have class to attend.”

“Oh yeah, as if you actually listen.” Helena smirked, followed by a lasting burst of giggles. Who didn’t know the almighty Bette Porter slept through the whole school year last time.

The snicker had no effect on Bette because it was true and she didn’t give a shit. “Hahaha.” Putting up an obvious fake laugh, she turned away.

The bell went off. Girls scattered in the hallway, leaving a mixture of perfume. Tina followed her class teacher to the door and waited outside for the teacher to tell her to come in.

Mrs. Emerson picked up a chalk and wrote down “Christina Kennard” on the board while saying, “Girls, we have a transfer student.” She didn’t really want to waste time on this distinctively never-going-to-fit-in girl. “Come in please.”

Inside, Bette was sitting in her comfortable leather chair, her feet in her Steve Madden high up on the books that were piling up on her desk. She squinted at the unrecognizable name while listened to other students discuss which entrepreneur’s daughter that might be.

In came the blonde girl. The discussion went even louder, but this time about how any parent could let his child wear something like that, what kind of girl this Tina person could be. Bette’s eyes widened at the familiar yet strange girl. She put down her feet and stared at the blonde like she tried to stare a hole on her body. ‘Well, well, well, what a nice coincidence.’

Alice noticed the change in her friend and winced. ‘Ooh-la-la! Someone’s in trouble.’

Tina surely felt the burning stare from a particular pair of eyes. She avoided them.

“Ok now, your seat will be in the back, that empty one.” The teacher scooted her to walk down the room.