HER BULLY

Chapter one.M

I woke up to the loud ringing of my alarm and quickly jumped out of bed. I always liked getting to school early, and I didn’t want today to be an exception. I didn’t want to be a bad student, so I tried my best to stay focused on my studies.

I rushed into the bathroom and quickly got ready before grabbing a tank top and a denim skirt. I always felt too lazy to put makeup on, so I simply checked myself in the mirror.

I stared at my reflection. I had brunette hair, blue eyes inherited from my mother, creamy pale skin, and freckles scattered across my face.

I hurried downstairs and met the housemaid in the kitchen. My parents were rarely home because of work. My mom was a doctor, and my dad was a lawyer, so they barely had time for me.

“Good morning, Mrs. Madeline,” I said as I sat on the counter.

“Morning, princess. How was your night?” she asked while placing breakfast on the table and ruffling my hair.

I giggled as the smell of bacon filled my nose.

“So good. And now it’s about to get even better,” I said, staring hungrily at the plate of bacon and coffee.

“I know how much you love bacon,” she said with a smile. “Your mom has a night shift, and your dad won’t be home because of a case. Can you stay home alone, or should—”

“No problem. I can stay alone. I’m seventeen already. I’ll soon be an adult,” I interrupted.

She simply smiled and nodded.

“I’m gonna go now. See you later,” I said after checking my watch. I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the house.

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By the time I arrived at school, I was struggling to catch my breath because I had run all the way after missing the bus. I only missed it because I stopped to help an old man cross the road.

As I walked toward the school gate, a BMW sped past me and splashed mud all over my clothes.

I sighed heavily and headed to a public restroom to clean myself up.

My parents could easily afford a car for me, but they never wanted me driving after what happened in our family.

After cleaning up, I walked to my locker and grabbed my books.

That was when I noticed a group of boys approaching me.

As you can probably tell, I got bullied a lot—to the point where I nearly fainted whenever my bully got angry.

“Hey, weirdo.”

I turned toward the brown-haired boy named Julian.

“Was this what we talked about last week, huh?” he asked coldly.

I gulped nervously.

“Grab her,” Reed said before walking away.

The boys grabbed me and dragged me to the rooftop.

I knew today was going to be terrible.

This was exactly why I liked arriving at school early. They usually weren’t around yet.

My head slammed against the wall, and I collapsed to the ground. Blood trickled from my nose as I stared up at the three boys standing over me.

Reed smoked heavily while watching me. The smoke filled my lungs and made me cough.

“What do you guys want?” I managed to ask.

The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them.

Chase poured cold water over me, soaking my clothes completely.

“One more word,” Julian warned with disgust.

“What the hell do you guys want? Ryan isn’t even here, so maybe he sent you guys to do this to me—”

A sharp kick landed against my ribs, cutting me off.

I groaned painfully and looked up to see Reed glaring down at me.

My heart sank.

I couldn’t believe I actually had feelings for someone like him.

But honestly, who could blame me? They were all ridiculously attractive.

“Tell him I don’t care what he does,” I choked out while clutching my bruised ribs.

Reed knelt in front of me, and my heartbeat sped up instantly.

His eyes burned with rage, yet for a brief second, I thought his expression softened.

Then he kicked my knee.

“Ahh!” I cried, grabbing my leg.

For a moment, I thought I saw concern flash across his eyes, but it disappeared immediately.

I tried to stand but collapsed again.

Julian laughed at me while tears filled my eyes, though I refused to let them fall.

Then I heard slow footsteps approaching.

A pair of black shoes stopped in front of me.

I slowly looked up and froze.

Ryan Hartley.

His face was cold and emotionless as he stared down at me.

Before I could react, he punched me hard across the face.

I didn’t even see him move.

Pain exploded through my cheek, and tears rolled down my face as I stared at him in shock.

“Next time you say my name,” he muttered coldly, “you’ll end up in the hospital.”

Then he walked away.

I collapsed onto the floor, my entire body aching.

I didn’t understand why Ryan hated me so much.

I had never done anything to him.

Yet somehow, he always managed to make me feel small.

All I wanted was a peaceful life.

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I ditched school after that.

When I got home, I cleaned myself up before Mrs. Madeline returned to prepare dinner.

I stared at my bruised face in the mirror, wondering what lie I would tell her this time.

Eventually, I lay down on my bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

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I woke up when someone tapped me gently.

Mrs. Madeline stood beside my bed.

I winced when her hand brushed against my ribs.

“What happened to your face?” she asked worriedly.

“I fell on my way to school,” I lied.

Thankfully, she believed me.

“Your parents called. They’re bringing family friends over tonight, so hurry and get dressed. Cover the bruises too—they’ll be here soon.”

“I thought Mom had a night shift,” I murmured while standing up.

“She asked someone to cover for her. The Hartleys just arrived from Miami yesterday and wanted to visit.”

She headed toward the door.

“I need to check the food. Get dressed and cover the bruises, okay?”

“Okay,” I replied softly.

A few moments later, my mom entered my room and hugged me tightly.

“Darling, how was school?” she asked.

“It was fine,” I muttered, avoiding her gaze.

I was still upset with her for a lot of things.

“What’s with that look?” she asked before noticing my bruised face.

“Honey, what happened?”

“Nothing,” I said quietly.

She kept staring at me.

“I fell on my way to school,” I whispered.

“Oh, let me clean it—”

“I already did,” I interrupted.

“Alright. Just cover it with makeup and come downstairs. They want to meet you,” she said excitedly.

I laughed softly at her behavior.

“Oh, my cute baby. You look adorable when you smile,” she teased, pinching my cheek before leaving.

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I walked downstairs wearing a blue dress that reached my knees.

Dad had just returned from work, looking exhausted as usual.

“Princess,” he smiled.

I ran into his arms, wincing slightly when he touched my ribs.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s meet our guests.”

As we entered the dining room, my eyes landed on a familiar pair of green eyes.

Ryan Hartley.

What was he doing here?

Then realization hit me.

I completely forgot his last name.

He stared at me intensely before looking back at his phone.

“You must be Maven,” Mrs. Hartley said warmly. “You’re so beautiful, just like your mother.”

I smiled politely.

She had dark brown hair—the same shade Ryan had inherited.

Mr. Hartley was handsome too.

No wonder Ryan looked unfairly attractive.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hartley,” I said quietly while sitting across from Ryan.

“Our son is the same age as you,” Mrs. Hartley continued happily. “Since you’re going to be neighbors, you two should get along.”

My heart nearly stopped.

My bully was about to become my next-door neighbor.

“Yes, Mrs. Hartley,” I muttered.

Dinner continued quietly while I avoided looking at Ryan.

I could feel his eyes on me the entire time.

When I finished eating, I gently placed my spoon down.

“Mav dear, why don’t you show Ryan around the house?” my mom suggested.

My heart dropped instantly.

God, please help me.

Maybe he’ll murder me tonight.

“Okay,” I forced out weakly.

We both stood up.

“Follow me,” I whispered softly.

With the way he was glaring at me, I already felt terrified.

I made sure not to say his name.

For goodness’ sake, all I wanted was a peaceful life.