Trouble In Paradise?

Alarm clocks suck.

And I mean, they really suck.

Why? Because they wake you up. Especially when you don't want to be woken up.

I groaned, blindly grabbing at my bedside table, trying to locate my stupid alarm clock so I can throw it into the burning pits of Hell.

This is why I'm not a morning person.

I finally turned the infuriating thing off, getting out of bed and stretching, while making some really unattractive groans. I feel sorry for the guy who has to wake up to my animal mating calls in the morning.

I grumbled and headed into my bathroom to have a quick shower. I looked at myself in the mirror, taking in my appearance.

I had gained weight since last year, but that was a good thing. I had been scarily skinny and underweight, due to my... condition.

My auburn hair came to just above my shoulders, looking messy at the moment.

I stepped into the shower, enjoying the feel of the hot water and the silence around it. I could think to myself in the shower, which was great.

I stepped out of the shower, picking out some of my clothes. I decided on an easy black sweater with some shorts since it was getting hot here. I mean, I wasn't pale but I could use some tan.

I gathered my books and things and stuffed it all into my bag, slinging it over my shoulder and going downstairs.

My mother and father were out working, as usual. They owned a huge law firm, making them busy a lot. They earned a lot of money though, enabling to buy this huge house that we had recently moved into.

I wish I could spend more time with them though. They barely have time for me anymore. The only time that they were actually there for me was when I was in hospital.

I grabbed some fruit and put it all in the blender, adding some milk, to make a smoothie. I poured it into my black bottle and grabbed my phone, sticking it into my pocket. I left the house, sipping on my smoothie.

I had to walk to the bus stop. Groan.

It took me about ten minutes to walk, but I was still five minutes early. Other kids had already been sitting there, giving me stares as I stood next to them, trying to ignore them as I waited for the bus.

When it pulled up, I was pushed to the very back of the line when people were getting on. I was the last to get on the bus.

When I stepped on, all of the teens that were my age gave me stares, as if warning me. I quickly sat down in an empty seat at the front, too lazy to actually pick a fight with anyone when I wasn't even at school yet.204

The bus drive took about twenty minutes. I listened to music the whole time, ignoring the loud conversations that were thrown around the bus.

When we arrived at school, I was the first one off, glad to be off that stinking bus.

People were standing by their cars or sitting on the grass outside, talking to their friends. I walked past them, earning me stares.

I headed to the school building, eventually finding my way to the office.

There was a lady sitting at the desk. "Um, excuse me?" I asked.

"Yes?" she replied in a bored tone.

"I'm Stephanie Arnolds, the new girl? I just needed my schedule," I said.

She typed on her computer for a second and then the small printer next to her whirred and printed a piece of paper. She handed it to me, not saying anything else.

I rolled my eyes and kept walking. There was a map on the back, thank god.

I had English first, then Food Technology. At least that would be fun. After a short break, I had Gym. After lunch, I had Biology.

I looked at the bottom of the sheet that said my locker number. 1194. I looked around, seeing the locker numbers around me.

Thankfully, I was in the right area since I found my new locker just down the hall. I opened it, dumping my bag and things in there. I grabbed my books, ready for English. I took my schedule and map with me too.

This all happened while students around me were staring and whispering, entranced by the idea of a new girl. I rolled my eyes and ignored them, shutting my locker.

Around ten seconds later, the bell rang, signalling the start of my first class. I checked my map, starting to walk in the direction of my English class.

Thankfully, I wasn't too late. People were still walking in when I arrived.11

The teacher was sitting at his desk. He was quite young, obviously attractive, and he was reading some files that he had kept on his desk.

"Um, hi I'm Stephanie. I'm new in your class," I said to him.

"Ah! Of course, they told me about you. Take a seat anywhere you like," he said.

I nodded and headed to the back right corner of the room. I sat there alone, no one bothering me as class went on. I got a few stares and whispers, but that was normal I suppose. I listened in for half of the lesson but then zoned out, my tutor already having taught me all of this.

Suddenly, I feel something light hit my head. I look down and see a small ball of paper. I look up to see a guy sitting at the far left side of the room at the back, smirking at me.

I itch to give him a good view of my middle finger, but instead I give him a faker-than-fake smile and turn back around.

Throughout the lesson, all that asshole did was throw paper balls at me. I clenched my fist, getting annoyed.

You're supposed to be resting, calm down Stef.

I took a deep breath and ignored him for the rest of the class.

When the bell rang, the first thing I did was gather up my books and bolt out of the class, trying to get away from Asshole #1. I know that there are going to be more of them. I internally groan.

What happened to all the nice guys?

Where did the good boys go to hi-

Shut up me. Now is not the time.

I had Food Technology now, and I didn't need any books for that. I grabbed my map and made my way to the Food room.

When I walked in, the smells were amazing. The last class must've cooked something good. On the bench up the front, I noticed flour, sugar and eggs had been put out. We must be baking today.

I barely had a breakfast so I'm anxious to eat.

Always thinking about food.

Hell yeah.

The teacher walked in and explained what we were going to be doing, after introducing me of course. Everyone went to grab their ingredients.

I mixed them all together, adding the chocolate chips since today we would be making cookies. I rolled them into little balls, purposely leaving a little batter in the bowl so I could snack on it while we were cooking.198

I was walking towards the oven when some guy crashed into me, making me drop my tray of cookie batter on the floor. None of them could be saved, they had already touched the dirty floor.

I looked up with a glare on my face. "Watch where you're going bitch," the guy said.

He was holding a bowl of freshly mixed batter, it not having been rolled up yet.

I gave him another fake smile. "I don't know what crawled up your ass and died, but here's something to make you feel better." I grabbed the bowl out of his hand and poured it all over his head, a smirk on my face the whole time.

The cooking room was silent, staring at me as if I was crazy. The guy looked ready to kill.

Thankfully, the teacher spoke first. "Mr. Grey, you had that coming. Go and get cleaned up."

He stormed out of the room and I gave the teacher a thankful look. The look on the guy's face was so furious and angry, I'm glad she sent him out before I was made into cookie dough myself.

I had nothing to do since my cookies were ruined so I just sat there, on my phone, eating cookie batter.

When the bell rang, I cleaned up and walked out of the room.

"You must have a death wish. Did you just pour cookie dough all over Ethan's head?" some girl asked. I briefly recognised her from my cooking class, she must have seen the whole thing.

"He deserved it. He was being an ass," I replied, shrugging.

"Watch your back." was all she said before walking off. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion but kept walking to my locker.

When I was walking there however, some idiot walked right into me, causing me to fall on my ass.

I looked up, a glare on my face. I just can't catch a freaking break?

There was an insanely hot guy staring back at me, although he was glaring too.

"Jesus, are you blind? Look out next time, bitch," the guy said, making me glare even more.

I noticed that everyone had cleared a path for them as they had walked down the hallway, well everyone except me.

I noticed that there were three other guys standing behind this asshole, one was the one who was throwing paper balls at me in English and the other the one who made me ruin my precious cookies. Another that I didn't recognise. To say that they were all hot would be an understatement, they could all be freaking models.

I noticed that the hallway had gotten silent, everyone watching to see what would happen.

They started to walk away. I stood up and turned around.3

"Hey! Doorknob dick! Has anyone ever told you that you shouldn't be a rude asshole to people you've just met?" The whole hallway gasped and went silent.

Hey! Doorknob dick! Has anyone ever told you that you shouldn't be a rude asshole to people you've just met?" The whole hallway gasped and went silent.

The four boys turned around, two of them stifling a laugh while the other two looked murderous. The two murderous ones was indeed the one I had just bumped into and the one who I spilled cookie batter on. Looks like he got a clean shirt. What was his name? Ethan, that's right.

They walked towards me, murderous looks on their faces. "What the fuck did you just say?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I said, Mr. Asshole, that you should try being considerate and nice once in a while. It might get you somewhere in life. Let me take a wild guess and say that you four find it difficult to not stick your you-know-what in girls so therefore you are branded as 'players'. You've never had a girlfriend and you think you can get any girl you want, resulting in a cocky attitude. You get pissed over things easily and have no respect for anyone but yourselves. Now, let's get this straight," I said all in one bunch, not allowing any to interrupt. "You walked into me. Of course, your stupid jerk facade stops you from apologising and I'm going to be the bigger person and walk away."

To say everyone was shocked would be an understatement. People's jaws were hanging open, not believing all that I had said. The boys were no longer laughing, but two of them wore amused looks. The other two looked even more murderous.

"Shit she's right," one of the amused ones said. I gave them a fake smile.

"Enjoy trying to understand all that I just said, it might actually get your brains working!" I said, turning around and walking away. The whole hallway stood still, staring as if they couldn't believe what had just happened.

I walked to my locker, grabbing out an apple and munching on it. By now, people had started to disperse, my whole speech being the talk of the school. People talked, whispered and gossiped throughout the whole day.

I couldn't do Gym because well.. I just couldn't do it. My mother explained my condition to the school thankfully, but it was being kept a secret from the students.

All day, I didn't see any of the boys.

I suppose I was a little harsh on them, but they had it coming. I had guessed that they had probably broken many hearts before, hurting girls deeply. Not only were they rude to me, but that was for every girl who was innocent and had been really hurt by those assholes.

I seem to be using the word 'asshole' a lot today.

The final bell rang. After eating lunch in the bathroom since all of the cafeteria seats were taken, I was glad to leave.

People in the hallways looked at me with confused and scared expressions. I wore a confused look.

Until... "HEY!" I heard the leader of the assholes yell out from behind me, followed by footsteps.

"Oh shit!" I yelled. "Gotta go!" People in the hallway watched and stared as I started sprinting out of the building, the four boys running behind me.

"Piss off will ya! I know I'm irresistible but c'mon!" I tried to joke but it only made them angrier.

I ran through the hallways and sprinted out of the exit. My breathing was ragged and my legs were starting to burn. I couldn't run for much longer, I might pass out.

Unfortunately, they followed and being the fit guys that they are, caught up to me pretty quick.

They grabbed me by my arms and legs and hoisted me into the air.

"Put me down you shitty version of One Direction!" My insults are great. I know.

They either didn't notice how unnaturally light I was or didn't care. It would've been awkward to explain why I was weirdly light.

They took me back into the building, walking through the hallways that I had just sprinted through.

The people stared and whispered again, for the millionth time today.

"Oh so no ones gonna help me? Nice school," I said loud enough so everyone could hear.

Ethan yanked on my leg, hard. It wouldn't have hurt me if I had been healthy some months ago. I'm still a little weak though, making it hurt.

"Shut up."

I groaned and struggled, kicking my legs and pulling my arms.1

"Fucking stop or we'll throw you off a cliff," one of them muttered.

"I would rather that than on your grubby hands. Seriously, do you ever wash them?" I glanced at one of the hands that was holding my left arm.

None of them answered. I sighed.

Then, I started to panic when they headed into the door that said 'Swimming Pool'.

No no no!1

I can swim, but I haven't swum since before I was diagnosed. I'm still weaker than I should be, I won't be able to!

"Now let's talk about this!" I said as they approached the pool. They ignored me too.

"Have fun taking a din. Don't be too late, don't wanna be locked in," the leader grinned. They all chuckled, evilly I might add, and threw me in.51

The cold water hit me immediately. My feet hit the bottom of the deep end of the pool.

I panicked, and nearly opened my mouth. That wouldn't be good, I don't need my lungs to fill up with water, thanks.

I thrashed around in water, not having been underwater in so long. I couldn't breathe, I was running out of air.38

Instinct finally kicked in and I pushed myself to the surface. The boys had left, I could vaguely hear there laughter outside of the door.241

I gasped for air, widely moving my limbs around so that I could stay afloat. I pushed myself through the water, managing to made it to the side of the pool.3

I hauled myself out of the pool, my arms and legs burning and exhausted. My breathing was ragged.

I was weak. I couldn't even swim anymore. I was so close to passing out, and now I was freezing.

I got up, my legs shaking from the exhaustion. I coughed into my hand, blood appearing on it.

"Fuck," I breathed out. I started walking out of the pool area, opening the door with shaky hands. I needed to calm down, take deep breaths.

They were standing down further in the hallway, laughing and obviously mimicking me. They were using girly voices and using ridiculous hand actions

I sniffled and walked past them, staring at my feet. I had dropped my bag somewhere when I was running. Luckily, I found it and slung it on my back.

When I got outside, it was thundering down with rain. The buses had left, and my parents were at work. There were little to no cars left in the parking lot and now I was even more cold.

I wrapped my soaking sweater around me more, trying to get a little warmth. It didn't work.

I was probably going to get a cold from this. It was windy and thunder boomed. Rain poured down, making me even more wet.

Not in that way, you dirty minded people.

I sniffled again, starting in the direction of my home. I think I could remember how to get there. If it took twenty minutes by driving, it would take an hour or more to get home.

I started walking.

No, I didn't get offered a ride by a really hot guy.

No, the guys didn't come back, apologise and then offer me a ride.

I just walked home, in the rain, with sore joints and a tight pain in my chest. I called my mother when I got home, shivering and coughing. I explained that I had just been caught in the rain and I had fallen over at school. I explained that I wasn't feeling well. She rushed home, calling the doctor.

The doctor came to our home, explaining that I would probably get a nasty cold and that I need rest. The doctor had been the same one who had diagnosed me all those years ago.

I stayed home for the next week, sporting a flu and some chest pains. I told the doctor that I had tripped and fallen into the pool, she probably didn't believe me to be honest, and she explained that I would still be a bit weak, but the chest pains should go away. They've gotten better since my first day.

It was now the Monday after, and I was getting ready for school. No doubt I'm the subject of every piece of gossip at the school.

Usually, I would plan a huge prank on the guys to get them back. The problem with that is, it seems like they would never stop retaliating and it would probably just keep on getting worse and worse. Plus, my heath couldn't keep up with it all. The first time they chucked me in a pool, what would they do next?

I sighed and walked to the bus stop. I made sure to pack extra clothes from now on, incase another pool incident, or something like that, happens.

I hoisted my bag further onto my back and boarded the bus, taking my seat in the front again. Instead of everyone carrying on with their usual conversations, they stared and whispered.

Jeez people, get over it. I stood up to the assholes and they got revenge. Time to move on.

I ignored them my earphones in, putting some music on. I took a deep breath and relaxed, wishing that I could just keep riding the bus to wherever it goes.

I know I sound dramatic but c'mon, who willingly wants to go to school?

When we got there, I was once again the first off the bus. I put my head down and entered the building, ignoring the snippets of gossip that I heard from my fellow students. Some of it was praising me and saying I was a 'badass'.

Others were saying that I was an attention seeking... yeah, I'd rather not repeat it.100

I went to my locker, putting my bag away. I checked my schedule, realising I had the exact same classes that I had last week. I groaned.

I started making my way to the English classroom, even though I was really early for it. The teacher was in there, reading.

I silently made my way to the farthest desk that I could find that was well away from everyone else.

A little while later, a girl came and sat next to me. "Hi, I'm Kaitlyn. You're the new girl right?" she asked.

I nodded, giving her a small smile. "Yep, that's me. I'm Stephanie, call me Stef."

She nodded. "You were the one who stood up to.. the jerks?"

I laughed. "Mhm. Was a bad idea though. They got revenge."

"What're you talking about?"

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. "You don't know?"

"I don't pay attention to rumors."

"Oh, well, they chucked me in a pool after school last week."

She was a little shocked. "Wow, what jerks." I nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, what you did was cool. No one has ever stood up to them," she said, grabbing out her books to get ready for class.

"I can tell by the way their faces looked," I snorted. I grabbed out my books too. Kaitlyn and I couldn't talk any further since the teacher had begun his lecture.

When Aubrey Goldstein got divorced, her life made a complete 180. Now she's 29, broke and unemployed. It seemed like her life was getting worse until she encountered her...

"Who are those boys anyway?" I asked, getting bored of the class already.

"The players, the jerks, the bad boys, whatever you wanna call them. There's Xavier, the leader and the one who bumped into you. He's the biggest asshole on this planet. There's Ethan, equally an asshole too. There's Jordan and Blake, who are kinda the nicer ones but they can be assholes," she explained, being as quiet as possible.

"The one in this class, that's Blake. He can be super annoying," she continued.

"I can tell," I snorted, pretending to write notes down by doodling on the edge of my notes. I had already learnt all of this, I just needed to read the book that was being handed out now. The teacher gave us the rest of the lesson to get started on reading it, leaving the classroom to go and sort out some work.

"Just be careful. No one messes with them. I'm sure they wouldn't hurt a girl, but still." I had to bite my tongue, stopping myself from saying too late. I winced at the memory of the bad chest pains I had that night.128

"I will," I promised.

The rest of the lesson went by, the teacher giving us very little homework that I could easily finish in an hour.

I walked out of the room, heading to my locker to put my English books away. When I turned around, however, there was Blake, standing right behind me

I didn't mean to, but I flinched as soon as I saw him. He obviously noticed it, narrowing his eyes.

"Just leave me alone, you've had your fun," I said, backing away from him. "You've done enough damage.

I walked away, leaving him standing there. I probably should have listened to see what he was trying to say, but I really didn't want to hear it. I was going to stay away from those boys.30

In cooking, I avoided Ethan as much as I could. He kept giving me evil smirks through the class, making me want to stay away from him as much as possible.

I bolted out of class, heading to my locker again.5

I had forgotten to pack lunch this morning. This sucked because now I had to buy food from the cafeteria.52

I walked in, heading straight to the lunch line. I noticed that the boys were all sitting at their own table, girls sitting around them. Xavier and Jordan both had girls on their laps, making out with them. I internally snorted, how cliche and gross. Seriously, PDA alert.455

I bought a chicken wrap and an orange juice, finding an empty table and sitting down there. Most people didn't notice me, thank god. I was sick of all the attention.35

Surprisingly, Kaitlyn came and sat next to me.79

"You sure you want to risk your reputation?" I joked, taking a bite of my chicken wrap, which tasted pretty good.14

She scoffed. "Didn't really have one to begin with."339

I chuckled. We started talking about school and stuff, comparing our schedules and seeing what classes we had together.3

After school, I said goodbye to Kaitlyn and grabbed my bag.6

Then, someone grabbed my shoulder. I flinched again. I turned around to see Blake.89

"What the hell do you want? Want to throw me in another pool?" I sneered, pushing his hand off my shoulder.3

"Why weren't you here for the past week?" he asked, ignoring my other words.485

"Maybe because I nearly fucking drowned, asshole. Maybe be more considerate next time you decide to gang up on a girl," I spat at him, turning around and walking away. I did sort of lie, I did nearly drown but that was only a part of why I was gone. I was gone because I was too sore to freaking walk, thanks to those jerks.269

I walked out of the building, getting on my bus that I didn't miss this time. I huffed and sat down in my usual seat, even though I've only sat there twice.56

When the bus was pulling out, I managed to catch a glimpse of the four boys hanging back, talking. They caught my eyes on the bus and I immediately looked away, ignoring them.