Chapter 2
Truth be told, I could barely even see the words on that settlement agreement clearly.
But someone quickly took my hand and pressed my finger down, making me sign and seal it.
Once the Rankins got what they wanted, they stood up to leave. On their way out, they acted like they were being generous, telling me there was a gift they had bought for me on the floor.
Cora smugly tapped my cheek.
"Georgia," she said, "you're just a hick from the sticks—born trash. Me? I was born a princess. Someone like you isn't even fit to lick my boots."
I endured it all numbly until the hospital room finally fell silent again.
*****
Three months later, I went back to school.
The prestigious university's early admission spot that should have been mine had been taken by the Rankins and given to Cora.
I was a total wreck—mentally and physically. On the first exam, I got a disastrous grade.
Cora was the class monitor—when she handed me my paper, she called out, drawing out her voice on purpose.
She said, "Hey, everyone, check this out. This is supposed to be the number one in our class, the teacher's star pupil!"
Her lackeys swarmed over to look, bursting into mocking laughter.
"Holy crap, a D-minus? Even I got a D-plus this time—loser!" one said.
"Wasn't she supposed to be super smart? How'd she end up like this in just three months?" another chimed in.
"This is hilarious. Hicks have dumb brains—even if she crammed her way to the top for a minute, what's the point?" someone added.
"Well, I feel better. If Georgia almost failed, the teachers can't hold her up as a shining example to shame me anymore," another voice said.
Cora rolled the paper into a tube and jabbed it hard into my chest.
She sneered. "Georgia, looks like you suck at studying now, too. So what's your big plan? Gonna turn to hooking—"
I had always been the class doormat, so a bunch of people gathered to watch, expecting to see Cora bully me like usual.
But this time, I completely lost it. I snatched the test paper from her hand, grabbed her hair, and slammed her to the floor.
I had nothing left, and that meant I had nothing left to fear.
Cries of shock erupted all around. Some classmates tried to drag me off, but I pinned Cora down with every ounce of strength I had.
I scratched and hit her like a wild animal, her terrified face reflected in my eyes.
"Go get a teacher! Georgia's gone crazy!" someone shouted.
"She failed her test and now takes it out on Cora? The school needs to expel her!" another yelled.
I felt a cold laugh bubble up inside. Expel me? Fine. I was done with this place anyway.
Suddenly, a sharp pain ripped through my scalp.
Someone hauled me up by the hair and tossed me aside.
"Georgia, have you lost your mind?" someone said.
It was Maurice Robles—the guy I liked. He helped Cora up gently.
He glared at me, fury blazing in his eyes.
He was furious. With one sweep of his arm, he flipped my desk over.
Books and pens were scattered everywhere, and everyone nearby backed off, faces twisted with disgust.
I sat there on the floor, hair wild and tangled, and in that moment, it felt like the world had split in two.
Just me—and everyone who hated me.
Actually, I wasn't like this before.
Back then, when I first started school, I had been full of hope—I had studied hard, respected my teachers, and got along with my classmates.
But Cora had shown up and shattered every good thing in my life.
It all started because she had failed a French exam, and I happened to be the top scorer in our year.
So Glen Price—our teacher—had used me as a shining example when she chewed her out. After that, Cora had made me her target.
"Maurice." Cora buried her face against his chest, bursting into tears.
"Thanks for standing up for me, but Georgia really likes you, I think. This'll break her heart," Cora said.
Cora knew exactly what to say to humiliate me most.
The whole class erupted in laughter, throwing out lines like, "Seriously, does she think she stands a chance?" and "He's way out of her league."
Maurice coldly spat out a few words, "A girl like that? The very sight of her makes me sick."