Liana River's POV.
Ben Damon was at the front of the class when I entered.
"Everyone knows," Ben Damon said in a tone dripping with false authority. "That Liana didn't deserve to be here in the first place. My cousin worked in the school office, and she told me that Liana's mother had bribed those in charge of the scholarship program to get her name sneaked in. And don't be fooled by her innocent look, I had seen her cheating during the exam. "
Gasps erupted inside the class. Ben Damon has chosen his lies carefully, weaving gossip and fabricated authority into a net designed to trap me. He seemed to have succeeded for a moment as students shifted uneasily as they stared at me.
"Do you have proof of all these accusations, Ben?" I asked in a calm voice. "Lies have a way of revealing themselves, you know."
"Lies?" Ben asked with a sarcastic look. "What will I gain by lying against a poor charity case?"
My classmates burst into uncontrollable laughter, pointing at me and then whispering to each other.
Something stirred in me. I knew this was Ben's way of paying me back for slapping him a few days ago. "You will speak the truth, Ben."
My words carried a more strange than usual vibration, bulbs flickered, and I noticed some students shivering and looking at me with awe.
"Tell us the name of your cousin working in the school office, and if you saw me cheat, show your evidence," I mumbled as I stepped towards Ben Damon and then stopped in front of him.
An overwhelming silence descended, and I saw Ben opening his mouth, but no words came out. His face suddenly goes pale, and sweats emerge on his forehead.
"I...I was lying," Ben said at last, sighed, and then slumped into his chair.
I smiled, turned, and went to my chair at the back of the class.
"You don't need my help in handling Ben Damon, " Jace whispered after dragging his chair to my side.
"He is nothing but a lying son of a gun."
Jace nodded and then reduced the volume of his whispering, "I swear, Liana. I felt a strange smell in the air and saw your eyes glowing when you ordered Ben to speak the truth."
"I know, " I muttered back. "Something strange is happening to me. Everything started after that kiss."
Jace shrugged, and his next words were silenced when our literature teacher stepped into the class.
"I will be announcing each student's score for my previous test," Mr. Halvorsen said in his usual trumpet-like voice. "Alec Thorn was the highest-scoring student as usual, leading with 98 marks. Lyra Vane; 90 marks, Ben Damon; 60 marks, Jace Calder; 67, and as usual, Liana River scores the fewest marks. She was at the bottom of the class with 28 marks."
Halvorsen waited until the laughter died down. "I'll resign from this school the day Miss River scores above 60 marks."
Laughter erupted again. Some students banged their tables, while some whistled loudly.
"Now, let's open our textbook to page 104..."
Mr. Halvorsen had a way of chasing my mind away from his teaching, and I was soon lost in thought as he scribbled on the writing board.
"He is such a nasty man, " Jace whispered.
I smiled back and then noticed my shivering hand as I put my book away after Mr. Halvorsen left the class. Jace had left for the restroom when I left the class. Outside, the afternoon sun shone with vengeance, but it didn't warm me. All I seek is the comfort of the car waiting for me at the parking lot. I wanted to be alone. That was why I left without informing Jace.
"Liana."
My breath froze in my lungs. This is the first time I would be hearing my name in Alec Thorn's mouth. I was scared to turn back, scared my heart was playing a prank on me.
"Wait, Liana. "
Alec suddenly emerged at my side. He had his literature textbook tucked under one arm.
"I am not here to mock you," he said, held out the notebook, and then mumbled, "I just want to give you this."
I blinked thrice, and only one word emerged out of my mouth, "Why?"
Alec's tone was calm, "Because you are better than Halvorsen makes you believe. "See, I am sorry things are awkward between us and would like to be your friend. "
My heart suddenly stopped working... Alec Thorn wanted to be my friend!
Didn't he just say some people just dont know their worth some days ago?
Seeing the hesitation on my face made him add, "This is just a start. If you allow me, I would love to tutor you until you are more than average in every subject."
I turned towards Alec to search for mockery or a kind of prank but found none. All I saw was sincerity. I sighed as I took the notebook from his outstretched hand and then muttered half to myself, "Mr. Halvorsen vowed to resign if I score more than sixty in his test or exam, eh!"
Alec's eyes glinted. "I recorded it on my phone. Let's make him regret every saying it, Liana. "
Alec winked, turned, and then disappeared. Far off, I saw a black Lincoln Navigator Jeep waiting for me, but before I could reach it, three boys suddenly emerged out of nowhere and then blocked my path.
"Well, if it isn't the River girl." One of the boys sneered. "How is life as the Anderson maid?"
Another chimed in. "I heard your mother gold-digged her way to the Anderson mansion. She is desperate, just like her daughter. "
"Desperate, eh!" The third exclaimed and then spat out. "I say she is a cheap slut like her daughter. Brook Anderson would soon toss her out of his life after fucking the hell out of her golden pot."
My throat tightened as the insult stuck like stones. Then, without warning, one of the boys pushed me on the shoulder, and the force sent me stumbling. My knees buckled, and Alec's notebook slipped from my hand and skidded across the pavement.