Chapter 1

The boys in my class had a nickname for me, Olivia Bennett. They whispered it behind my back, "Bimbo."

When my two childhood friends found out, they nearly got suspended, teaching those guys a lesson.

After that, no one dared look at me with those disgusting eyes again.

At least, not until Chloe Sinclair showed up. Sweet, pretty, and new to our school, Chloe had everyone wrapped around her finger, especially Ryan Carter, the school's resident bad boy.

Trying to impress her, he scowled in my direction and announced, "Olivia and I aren't close. She's the one who's always been clingy. Honestly, she makes me sick."

Even gentle Lucas Reed, who'd once been kind to me, smirked and added, "How could someone like Olivia ever compare to you, Chloe? You're the real beauty here."

Chloe beamed, glowing under their attention.

As laughter roared around the classroom, I wiped my eyes, dry by now, and made a decision.

Quietly, I changed all my college applications to schools a thousand miles away.

*****

"So who's the real beauty, Olivia or Chloe?" some guy asked.

Another voice jumped in, "Olivia, hands down. Have you seen her? She's a total knockout."

The class erupted in knowing laughter.

I stood frozen at the door, hand hovering, too mortified to push it open.

Ryan suddenly kicked the guy's desk. Everyone thought he was defending me.

"Ryan, man, I was just talking crap. I'm sorry," the guy stammered, hands up.

Ryan cut him off, voice cold. "The real beauty is Chloe. Don't lump her in with random girls."

Lucas leaned in, grinning. "I'm voting Chloe, too. Seriously, your taste is trash. You're into girls built like that?"

My whole body went cold, like I'd been drenched in ice water.

Then Chloe's voice, sweet but sharp, cut through. "So Olivia was your childhood crush, huh?

"You even fought for her. Now you're just buttering me up. Typical. Guys only care about one thing."

She paused, tilting her head. "Did she let you cop a feel as a thank you?" A fake shudder. "Honestly, how does a normal girl even get a body like that? She must've been... practicing."

She scrunched up her face in disgust. "Was it you two who did it? Ugh, keep your filthy hands away from me."

Ryan swore loudly. "Olivia and I? Nothing's going on. Just looking at her makes me wanna puke. She won't leave me alone."

Lucas made a gagging sound. "I wouldn't touch her if she paid me. Chloe, I've been saving myself for you."

The class roared again.

I stood there, shame strangling the air from my lungs, eyes burning, whole body trembling.

"Olivia? Why are you standing there? Get inside," a teacher called from behind me.

The laughter died.

Ryan and Lucas looked up, and for a split second, I saw it: the shock in their eyes when they realized I'd heard everything.

Under the weight of the whole class staring, I forced my feet forward.

I told myself not to care.

But the second my eyes met theirs, the dam broke. Tears I couldn't hold back spilled over.

I stumbled to my seat, buried my face in my arms, and with it, buried every last shred of pride.

I bit down hard on my lip, choking back every cry.

I just couldn't understand it. Why would Ryan and Lucas say something so cruel?

We grew up together. They knew. They knew how much the whispers hurt.

This all started back in middle school, when my body decided to change without my permission. Overnight, I became a walking target for stares and sneers.

Ryan was always tall for his age, but next to older guys, he still looked like a kid.

That never stopped him. He'd come home with black eyes and bloody lips, but he'd always make them apologize.