His Heartthrob

Chapter Nine

Tiffany sat comfortably in a plush chair; her head was tilted back as a bright green facial mask covered her perfectly sculpted face.

Her eyes were closed, revelling in a moment of tranquillity.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Evan, her twin brother, walked in without knocking. He froze mid-step and frowned as he took in the sight of his sister indulging in her beauty routine.

Tiffany her eyes were still closed, and her voice laced with irritation snapped

"I told you to always knock before entering my room! Don’t you have any manners?"

Kent rolled his eyes, leaning against the doorframe in a casual stance, his arms crossed.

"Mom was just saying we’re poor, and you’re back here wearing a facial mask like nothing happened. Shouldn’t you be worried about our financial situation instead of pampering yourself?"

Kent asked.

*Tiffany sat up and pulled her hair back into a messy bun.

"What do you want me to do? “

Miss my facial routine because we’re …

she lowered her voice, emphasizing the word* "broke? That doesn’t solve our problems."

Kent stepped into the room, closing the door behind him, his face congealed with frustration.

"I mean, Mom is definitely part of the problem. Why did she have to go and cause trouble with her highest sponsor? Now they’ve withdrawn their shares. When she was living it up, didn't she think about the consequences?" Kent said

Tiffany groaned, rolling her eyes as she feigned a deep voice.

"Oh please, as if I have any say in Mom’s decisions. Besides, I need my beauty regimen. It’s not my fault if she can’t keep her mouth in check. I have enough to stress about without worrying about her mismanagement."

Evan, unfazed by her dismissive tone, sat at the edge of her bed, tapping a finger impatiently on his knee.*

"So what’s the plan, then? Are we just going to pretend everything’s fine while living in financial ruin? Maybe we should consider applying for scholarships in Montana?" Kent asked

*This time, Tiffany’s eyes snapped open, shock mingling with disdain.

"Whose going as a scholarship student with you? Did you know how scholarship students are treated at that school? Wretched low-lives! Do you want me to be treated as one of them?" Tiffany snapped.

*She stood, placing her hands on her hips.

"Okay, so that means you’re considering a low-budget college instead? Is that it?"

Tiffany rolled her eyes dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder.*

"Ugh, stop annoying me, Evan! I have bigger things to worry about. What do you think I’m going to do? Give up my dreams?"

*Kent shrugged, pushing himself off the bed to stand next to her

“And that includes chasing your dream guy right?”

"You were bragging to your friends that you’re going to Montana College. They’ll be shocked to see you showing up at some low-budget school, living off ramen noodles. How do you think that’s going to look?" Kent taunted.

Tiffany shot him a venomous glare.*

"Evan, will you just shut up? Your comments are not helpful!"

*Turning away to avoid his gaze, she ran her fingers through her hair, trying to regain her composure. Kent smirked, sensing he’d struck a nerve.*

"Suit yourself! I’m just trying to help." Kent said.

*As Kent walked out, the door clicking shut behind him, Tiffany clenched her fists, biting her nails in frustration.*

“What will I do now?"

*Just then, her phone dinged, breaking the silence like a shooting star piercing the night sky. She reached for it, her eyebrows raising as she read the message:*

**Text message:** "Are you in for a ride tonight?"

With a scoff, Tiffany flung her phone onto the bed, her mind racing as she continued gnawing at her nails. After a moment of contemplation, a sudden idea hit her like a bolt of lightning.

She rushed back to the bed, snatched her phone, and typed a response with determination.

"From now on, it will be under my terms and conditions!" She typed.

Another notification pinged with an almost immediate reply.

**Text message:** "Meet me at the regular spot; let’s discuss!"

Tiffany held her breath for a second, anxiety and excitement washing over her. A smile crested her lips; this could be her way out of the mess.

At the Club

Later that night, Tiffany stood outside an upscale club, her heart racing as she gazed at the lavish entrance. The exterior glimmered with neon lights, music pulsed through the air, and the energy was intoxicating. She wore a form-fitting short gown that hugged her curves, her confidence mixing with nerves as she inhaled deeply. Before walking in, she ran her fingers through her hair, ensuring she looked perfect.

Tiffany pushed through the doors, the noise of laughter and music crashing over her like an exhilarating wave. She felt the eyes of onlookers drinking her in, their whispers igniting her ambition. She scanned the room, spotting a familiar face in the crowd, a smug grin spreading across his lips.

"Look who finally decided to join the party! You clean up pretty well, Tiffany!" A voice said.

At school***

***

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawns of Crestwood College. River, lost in thought, strolled along the pathway, textbooks clutched in her arms. The campus was lively with the chatter of students and the rustle of leaves.

Suddenly, a sleek, crimson sports car, a beast of polished chrome and a roaring engine tore onto the pathway, its tires screeching against the pavement. It was moving fast towards her. River's eyes widened in alarm. The driver, clearly not paying attention, was barreling straight towards her.

Reacting purely on instinct, River leaped to the side.

She stumbled, her foot catching on the uneven edge of the pathway. A sharp, searing pain shot through her knee as she tumbled headfirst into the murky depths of a drainage ditch. She landed hard, the rough concrete scraped her skin.

"Ouch!" she gasped, pushing herself up. Her knee throbbed with a fiery intensity. Blood, bright red and glistening, welled up from a deep scrape. She winced, clutching at the wound, her face contorted in pain.

Then, the car door opened.

Diva stepped out

The crowd of students that had been milling around nearby erupted in a chorus of cheers. Diva, the college's resident It-Girl, a social media sensation, and the daughter of a prominent senator, the queen bee of Montana.

"Diva! We love you!" the students chanted, their voices a mix of admiration and sycophancy.

Diva, basking in the attention, flashed a dazzling smile, her perfect teeth gleamed in the sunlight. Her eyes, however, held a cold, calculating glint. She surveyed the scene, her gaze landing on River, who was now sitting on the edge of the ditch, clutching her bleeding knee. A slow, deliberate smirk curled her lips.

River was angry and furious, clenching her fists.

Just then, a girl pushed her way through the crowd. She had fiery red hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and a scattering of freckles across her nose.

"Are you okay? Oh my gosh, are you hurt?" She rushed to River's side, her voice was filled with concern. She knelt down, taking in the extent of the wound. "That looks nasty."

Chloe then straightened up, her eyes blazed with indignation. She turned towards Diva, her hands on her hips. "Hey! What's your problem? Is that how you drive? Haven't you seen what you've caused?"

Diva, who had been preening and accepting the admiration of her followers, turned her head and looked at Chloe with undisguised disdain. Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched in a look of utter contempt.

" And what in the world do you think you are?" she drawled, her voice dripping with condescension.

"Someone who's not afraid to call out a reckless driver," Chloe retorted

"And someone who cares about people who are hurt, unlike some people like you."

Diva's face hardened. The smirk vanished, replaced by a look of pure, fury. Without warning, she raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap across Chloe's face. The sound echoed through the stunned silence.

Chloe stumbled back, her cheek reddening. She glared at Diva, her eyes blazing with a mixture of shock and anger.

"Who are you calling 'someone'?" Diva spat, her voice dangerously low. "Do you have any idea who I am, huh?"

"Like I care!" Chloe retorted, her hand flying up to her reddened cheek. " Whatever you think you are, and this your stupid fancy car, do you think it gives you the right to hurt people and get away with it?"

Diva's eyes narrowed. She lunged forward, grabbing a handful of Chloe's fiery red hair and yanking her head back. "You little..."

"Diva! Stop it!"

River, adrenaline coursing through her veins, scrambled to her feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in her knee. She pushed her way through the gawking crowd.

"Leave her alone, Diva! It's not her fault you can't drive!"

Diva, momentarily startled by River's intervention, loosened her grip on Chloe's hair. She turned, her eyes locked with River's.

“Gosh, it's the gut you have to think you can order me around” Diva snorted

"Stay out of this, River," Diva hissed.

Diva scoffed. "Like, what is it to you? This is between me and her"

"No, it's not," River retorted,

"It's about you being a bully and a danger to everyone around you. You almost *killed* me!"

She gestured to her bleeding knee. "And now you're attacking her for standing up for me."

Diva's face twisted in a sneer.

"Oh, boo hoo. Get over it. It's just a scratch." Diva gestured dismissively at River's wound.

Chloe, recovering from the initial shock, seized the opportunity. She pulled free from Diva's grasp.

"You know what, Diva? You're nothing but a spoiled brat who thinks the rules don't apply to her."

"Oh, I think the rules apply just fine," Diva purred, her eyes narrowed.

"Especially when it comes to dealing with people who get in my way." She took a step towards River, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "And you, River, seem to be doing just that."