Chapter 2 - Rich Girls and Sharp Tongues
688 Words
The classroom buzzed with conversation as students filled the seats one by one.
Ophelia sat quietly near the window, fixing her uniform sleeves nervously while trying not to attract attention. Unfortunately, blending in, feel impossible.
Not when almost everyone looked like they walked straight out of luxury magazines.
"Why are you sitting alone?" a cheerful voice asked.
Ophelia looked up and saw a girl with soft curls and warm eyes smiling at her.
"I'm Elise," she said brightly. "You're the new scholarship student, right?"
Before Ophelia could answer, another girl dropped into the seat beside Elise.
"And I'm Mira," she added with a grin. "Don't worry, we don't bite."
Ophelia laughed softly for the first time that morning.
"I'm Ophelia."
"Cute name," Mira said.
The small conversation relaxed her nerves a little. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.
Then the classroom door opened.
And suddenly every girl sat straighter.
entered the room wearing the same cold expression from yesterday. His hands rested lazily in his pockets while several boys followed behind him laughing loudly.
slapped Liam's shoulder. "You skipped half the orientation yesterday."
"So?" Liam muttered.
Girls whispered excitedly as Liam walked toward the back of the classroom.
Ophelia immediately looked away.
But not before noticing his eyes briefly land on her.
Then another student entered.
This time, the atmosphere shifted completely.
"She's here..."
"Sofia Velente."
walked inside like she owned the entire university. Her long heels clicked against the floor while expensive jewelry sparkled under the classroom lights.
Two girls followed closely behind her, including .
Sofia scanned the room casually until her eyes landed on Ophelia.
Her perfect smile faded slightly.
"Wait," Sofia said loudly. "Is she the scholar student everyone's talking about?"
The room became quiet.
Ophelia felt her stomach tighten.
Mira frowned. "Ignore her."
But Sofia already walked closer.
She looked Ophelia up and down slowly.
"Oh," Sofia continued with fake sympathy. "You really are poor."
Several students laughed quietly.
Ophelia gripped her notebook harder.
"I heard the university is accepting charity cases now," Kiara added mockingly.
Elise immediately stood up. "That's enough."
Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Why? I'm just curious."
Her eyes returned to Ophelia's bag.
"That thing looks older than this university."
More laughter.
Heat rushed into Ophelia's face. She wanted to disappear.
But before she could respond, a chair suddenly scraped loudly from the back of the room.
Everyone turned.
Liam leaned back lazily in his seat, staring directly at Sofia.
The classroom instantly became tense.
For one second, Ophelia thought Liam might say something.
Maybe tell Sofia to stop.
Maybe defend her.
Instead, Liam simply looked away and pulled out his phone.
Like none of it mattered.
Something painful twisted inside Ophelia's chest.
She hated herself for expecting anything different.
The professor entered moments later, finally stopping the situation.
Sofia smirked before walking back to her seat beside Kiara.
Classes began, but Ophelia struggled to focus.
Every time she glanced toward the back of the room, she saw Liam sitting there quietly, completely unbothered.
And somehow that hurt more than Sofia's words.
-
After class, Ophelia walked alone through the hallway carrying her books tightly against her chest.
"That girl's horrible," Elise complained while catching up to her.
Mira nodded. "Sofia attacks anyone she sees as below her."
Ophelia forced a small smile. "I'm okay."
"No, you're not," Elise said gently.
For a moment, Ophelia almost cried from the kindness in her voice.
Before she could respond, loud cheers suddenly erupted outside the hallway windows.
Students rushed toward the balcony excitedly.
"What's happening?" Mira asked.
Elise peeked outside and groaned. "Of course."
Down below in the parking lot, Liam climbed onto his motorcycle while several students surrounded him like celebrities.
Girls waved at him.
Some even shouted his name.
Liam ignored all of them.
Then unexpectedly-
He looked up.
Straight toward the balcony.
Straight at Ophelia.
Her breath caught.
Even from a distance, his expression remained unreadable.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Then the engine roared loudly.
And Liam sped out of campus without another glance.
Mira blinked slowly. "Okay..."
Elise looked at Ophelia suspiciously.
"Was he looking at you?"
- Writer
