Whispers, people pointing and talking and worst of all staring. I was subjected to all this after three years of living as if I were invisible.

"I heard, she's Davina's step sister..."

"She's blackmailing Davina about her dad..."

"She's nothing but an attention seeker..."

Most didn't affect me in the slightest but the last one kind of hit close to home. I tried shrugging it off but the voice didn't let me have a moment of peace.

"You know they're right. All you want, all you crave is attention."

The sane part of me, that was kept vigilant by the constant thought of what Davina meant, and what her next move would be, actually kept me from going completely crazy.
I still sat at the back of the class, and I still dozed off sometimes, but I came to school much earlier and left later, staying in the library during rush hour. This helped to lessen the finger pointing and the staring. Well, at least in front of me, though I doubt that they have forgotten about what had happened.

The week dragged by, with me watching out for Davina at every corner I turned, every class I entered.

I did see Drake and Stacey once. Stacey waved once from afar, and was about to come to me when Drake whispered something, dragging her away.

From the four of them, I felt Stacey was the most decent from the little I knew. She was an A student, quite smart, though her behavior suggested that she felt otherwise. She was slightly outgoing I guess, judging by how she had waved, but I knew she didn't have friends besides Davina, Drake and her twin.

Speaking of her twin, Jason was in the football team. Average grades, higher than average looks and his sense of humor, other than the fact that he was one of the Big Four, made him rather popular with the female population of the school. Too bad for them he didn't date.

Although his buddy stayed away from dating, Drake was exactly the opposite. With a new girl in his arms every month, and sometimes week, he was the ultimate playboy. And why wouldn't he be? He was, after all, captain of the football team, and to top it off,  filthy rich. He wasn't bad in the looks department either.

And finally, Davina. I knew the least about her. Like I said, her dad was the chairman of the school board. She's the only daughter. I don't really know if she has any siblings though I have a very vague memory of kindergarten where a boy, of around ten, used to come and collect Davina from school. Brother? Cousin? Random stranger? I have absolutely no idea.
What I have an idea about though, is her smartness. In fact, cunning is a better word. Honestly, that girl could get away with murder, even if she was caught red-handed. She has a way of convincing people that she was right. I don't know how she does it, but it's a mixture of terrifying and amazing.
.............................................

I was heading home after school, exhausted and gloomy. My bag was tossed over my shoulder and my hair was a mess. We had had PE that day and my feet were begging for mercy, as I dragged them on the sidewalk towards home.
Suddenly a familiar white Lamborghini stopped next to me. I froze.
I groaned, knowing my luck had run out.

"Will the universe ever be on my side?" I thought to myself.

The window of the car went down and the girl inside ordered, "Get in."

Guess not.

I didn't move a muscle.

"Look Hunter, you already pissed me off earlier. We both know it's best for you if you do as I say."

I gulped. Great, she knows my last name. Maybe now is a good time to move halfway across the world now.
I sat in the car, and slammed the door after me, with more force needed than necessary.

"Easy Zoe. I'd rather you keep my car intact," chided Davina.

"What do you want?"

"To pass time."

"Well, I don't think I have a sign board stuck on me that says, 'Get your Entertainment Here'."

Davina laughed, "Now that's a good one."

For the rest of the ride home, a thick and suffocating silence enveloped the car. As I stared at the passing scenery, I regretted going into the bathroom that day, I regretted my breakdown, I regretted following Davina to the cafeteria.

My mood darkened as we approached home. Today had been long enough without keeping up my walls in front of my family.

Dread settled in as I got out of the car, slamming the door shut. Too busy to notice Davina drive off, I approached the door, once again, dragging my feet to delay the inevitable.
I sighed as the door opened, seconds after I knocked it.

Taking in a deep breath,I called out,"I'm home."

..............................
Short chapter. Mostly a filler, though we do get to learn a tiny bit more about the Populars. Who is the boy who came to pick up Davina? And why is Davina so persistent when it comes to Zoe? Should Zoe watch her back?
Comment on what you think, and buckle up for the next chapter. Trust me, it's going to be...never mind, just read on and tell me what you think.