BEL AND THE FOUR OF HEARTS

Six

I walked through the school courtyard, feeling a bit awkward and out of place. It was bustling with different activities, but I didn't feel in the right mood or place to join in on the fun.

So, I convinced myself that I wasn't bothered by being alone. Yeah, right.

As I made my way further, I slowly halted raising my eyes to meet the grey and white hues of the storage building. The same one that collapsed last year.

I was surprised to see that it had been renovated to look exactly the same as it used to be. The bricks had been replaced, the walls freshly painted, and the windows replaced. It looked like nothing had ever happened to it.

Despite the repairs, I couldn't help but feel a shiver down my spine as I stared at the building. The sight of it reminded me of the terror and fear that had been etched into my mind on that fateful day. I couldn't believe they had actually managed to repair it so quickly.

Anyone who was a stranger to the news wouldn't even know what had happened if they saw the building.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, Mark appeared beside me with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face.

"There you are," he said.

Mark's tie was a little more loosened than earlier in the morning. It hung a bit crookedly on his chest as if it had been tugged at a bit. The knot wasn't as tight, and the fabric was creased from where it had been pulled.

Still a little too preppy for my taste, but then again, who was I to judge?

Did he loosen it himself or did someone else do it for him? Maybe he had even done it subconsciously.

Snap out of it, Bel!

I mumbled a half-hearted "Oh hey" as I turned and headed towards the school building.

Mark fell into step beside me.

"You don't seem to have made any friends, new girl."

I rolled my eyes at his attempt to make conversation, then raised my eyebrows briefly as I responded, "Well, new in a sense."

He asked, "What other sense is there to it?"

I sighed, "Much as I'm embarrassed to say this, I'd rather you heard it from me than anyone else. I was expelled from this school last year. You know, the storage building that collapsed if you heard the story."

Mark's eyes widened as he dramatically put his long slender fingers over his mouth.

"You're 'that' Bel?"

I stopped and shot him a glare.

He chuckled,

“Sorry, just that the news has been flying around like crazy since I got here.”

He added, "Come to think of it, I never asked for your name. Is it Bella or...?"

"It's Belinda," I snapped. "And let me add, I wasn't even responsible for the--"

"Mark!" We suddenly heard a group of boys standing at the far end of the courtyard call.

I scoffed as they called out, "The rich squad, huh? Good for you."

The rich squad was made up of ugly boys with hair perfectly styled, and their noses turned up to anyone they deemed unworthy. I thought they were a stupid group of a bunch of condescending showoffs. They were the kind of people who thought they were better than everyone else just because they had money. And honestly, I wasn't going to be surprised if Mark was pulled into the group as well.

I mean, he was always dressed sharply, although his ruffled curls were not perfectly styled, he still had that same air of superiority about him. I mean, he was from a wealthy family and attended the same private school as they did.

Mark barely waved as they called, but they seemed to be beckoning him over. He was a little hesitant, but I slapped his arm and said sarcastically,

"Run along, you don't want to keep them waiting."

He said a quick "Bye, I'll see you later" and jogged towards them.

I merely shrugged and headed towards the main building, kicking at a random uprooted shrub as I climbed the short steps.

Approaching, I met Keisha, Pauline, and their squad, bracing myself for whatever snarky comment they had in store for me.

And of course, Pauline didn't disappoint.

"Why, if it isn't the one who has her eyes on another's boyfriend," she said, with a smirk on her face. I rolled my eyes and tried to act like I didn't care, but deep down, her words stung.

Her words cut me like a knife, not because they were true, but because they were insulting.

I tried to push past the group of girls, but Paulina grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back as she scowled,

"I'm not done talking."

I shot her a glare, trying to make my way through again.

This time, the girls, except Keisha banded together to stop me. It was like being caught in a spider's web, with arms and bodies pressing in on me from all sides, struggling and pushing as I croaked,

"Let go of me,” but it was like trying to break free from a steel cage.

Their grip was firm and unyielding, and it felt like they were using all their strength to keep me in place.

"Stay away from Key's boyfriend," she threatened, her face coming inches closer to mine, I caught whiff of the overpowering scent of her lipgloss. It was a sickeningly sweet aroma that made my nose itch. Her lips were plump and glistening, and the light caught on them, making them seem almost hypnotic.

Paulina's face was close enough for me to see every little detail. Her skin was smooth and unblemished, and her eyebrows were perfectly arched. Her eyes were an icy blue, and they glinted with malice as she spoke.

I tried to focus on anything other than her face. I looked around at the other girls, who were holding me back. Their hands were like vices on my arms, and I could feel their nails digging into my skin.

Her breath was minty, and it washed over me in hot waves as she spoke. I felt her breath on my face, and it made me recoil slightly.

"Or you'll regret it."

She stroked my jaw with her fingers, and I felt a tingle run through my body.

She was a Voltinari.

The Voltinari clan were known for their mastery of Static Charge - a magical ability that allowed them to control electricity at will. And here she was, just a few inches away from me, practically sparking with energy.

I wasn't about to let her intimidate me, though.

"I'd like Keisha to say that to my face," I shot back.

I didn't even care about the fact that I had no interest in her boyfriend, or anyone's for that matter. The more the threats came, the more I wanted to dare them.

Keisha frowned at me and said, "Paulina's just looking out for me, Belinda."

I scoffed at that.

"Looking out for you? More like trying to start something."

The girls tightened their grip on me, but I refused to back down.

"Let go of me," I demanded. "I'm done with this conversation."

Paulina rolled her eyes, nodding for her minions to leave me be. And like the actual minions they were, they let go immediately.

I could feel the heat rise up to my cheeks as I straightened my uniform, my hands trembling with anger.

The girls had really done it this time.

I pushed past them, my eyes set on ahead at nothing in particular. I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I walked away.