PRETTY REVENGE : The secret she hunts.

It was supposed to be her first date. Instead, Lisa heard everything. Her hands shook against the splintered wood of the shed. Her back pressed so hard to it she was sure she'd leave a mark. Behind the gate, Drew's voice carried through the night air, casual and cruel: “We'll keep her talking till the deal goes through. Once we have the drive, drop her. She's nobody.” Mrs. Wilson laughed. Like it was a joke. Lisa's world tilted. _How could he?_ He was the only person she had ever trusted. The only one who looked at her like she wasn't trash. Her knees gave out. She slid down to the dirt, tears burning tracks down her face. The sounds of the party blurred into static. “All of it was fake,” she whispered. “Every smile. Every ‘I like you, Lisa.’” She clenched her fists until her nails bit her palms. “They'll pay.” **months before** “*LISA!*” Her stepmother's voice cracked through the house like a whip. Mrs. Clara stood in the doorway, face twisted in irritation. Behind her, Phoebe and Annabel snickered. “Stop daydreaming and get my dress ironed. Now.” Lisa wiped her face fast and stood. That was her life. Jump when they snapped. Breathe when they allowed it. What were they afraid of? Lisa asked herself that every day. But helplessness never gave her an answer. She was fifteen when her father disappeared. When the police declared him dead, Mrs. Clara moved in with her two daughters like she'd been waiting for the funeral to end. Lisa's mother died first. Her father married again. And Lisa became a ghost in her own home. “At least I get to go to school,” Lisa told herself every morning as she made their breakfast and ironed their uniforms. “Lisa, help me with my hair!” “Lisa, my shoes!” “Lisa, you're slow!” By the time she was done, the school bus was already honking. “Eww, Lisa, you stink,” Phoebe said in the hallway, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Couldn't you wear something else?” Lisa clutched the hem of her old pale dress—the last one her father bought her—and stared at the floor. That night, Mrs. Clara dabbed on makeup like Lisa wasn’t in the room. “You’re nineteen now. It’s time you got a job. The Wilsons need help. You’ll work for them.” “Wait, Mom, are you sure she won’t try to seduce William?” Annabel said, looking at Lisa like she was a stain on a white carpet. “Please,” Phoebe snorted. “What would William see in this piece of trash?” Lisa swallowed the humiliation. “It’s okay, ma’am. I’ll do it.” “You don’t have a choice, girlie,” Mrs. Clara snapped. That night, Lisa almost ran. But then she remembered. Her mother’s last moments in her arms. The gunshots. The blood pooling on the floor. Her whisper: _“Remember everything I taught you… so you may live.”_ And her mother, fighting for air, voice breaking: _"I love you, Nana."_ Her words echoed louder than the gunfire: _"A time will come when you won’t be mommy's little girl. You’ll have to fight for what’s yours. On your own."_ Lisa's hands trembled. Her eyes burned. She couldn't give up. Not for herself. For her. *Meanwhile, at the Wilson Mansion* “William, if you fail these exams, I’m cutting your allowance and sending you to live with your uncle in the village,” Mr. Wilson slammed his fist on the desk. William didn’t blink. The textbook in front of him was a blur. His father was serious this time. “Honey, he’s trying his best,” Mrs. Wilson said softly, worry tightening her eyes. “Trying isn’t enough!” Mr. Wilson snapped. “Who’s going to take over my business if he can’t even pass high school? Me? I won’t be around forever!” He collapsed into the chair, breathing hard. “Enough.” Mrs. Wilson said, pulling at his arm. “Let him study.” The door clicked shut behind them. Silence. William shoved the textbook aside. “I have to pass,” he muttered. “I’m not living with cows and donkeys.” Hiring someone to take the exam was easy. Getting caught would ruin him. His phone buzzed. *Drew:* _You free tonight? We’ve got plans._ William stared at the message. Then he typed back: _Yeah. I’m in._ --- *The Next Day – School Cafeteria* The cafeteria buzzed like a beehive. Lisa balanced her tray, wearing the same blue dress, the same worn sneakers. “Eww, she’s wearing that again?” “I don’t want her sitting near me.” She kept her head down and moved fast. “Hey, you!” The voice cut through the noise. Loud. Confident. Lisa froze. William stood at the popular table, waving her over like it was normal. “Dude, what are you doing?” Drew hissed. “We can’t be seen with her. It’ll ruin our status.” “I know what I’m doing,” William smirked. “Relax.” Lisa’s heart pounded. It couldn’t be her. The most popular guy in school didn’t talk to girls like her. “Hey, Missy! I’m talking to you.” Before she could move, William was in front of her, blocking her path. Everyone stared. “Me?” Lisa whispered. “Yeah, you,” William said, tilting his head as he studied her face. “Why were you ignoring me? I asked you to join me and my friends.” Lisa swallowed hard. Her cheeks burned. “I didn’t think you meant me,” she said quietly. “Sorry.” Nobody had ever spoken to her like that. Not nicely. "wait," Annabel's voice sliced through the cafeteria. " Is that Lisa and William?" All eyes turned to Lisa.