━━━+*:ꔫ:*+ﾟ━━━

They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it 'til you make it"
And I did

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart (Taylor Swift)

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I pulled up my white socks that almost reached my knees. After I put on my shoes as well I took a glance at myself in the mirror. A light gray skirt was covering my thighs and a snow white shirt was tucked in it. And on top of that was a pink blazer with the logo of my new school. My dark hair that someone could describe as raven black was in a neat ponytail. The makeup was nothing too brave – used were only eyeliner, a mascara, a concealer and a lip balm. A pair of elegant earrings was hanging from my ears which was my newest gift from my biological father. That was what my life had been filled with for the past couple of weeks. New clothes, jewelry, house and a brand new lifestyle.

While I was in the hospital after the accident, news broke out about me being the daughter of Mortimer Beaufort who was the head of one of the most famous companies. I didn't even know who gave the anonymous tip to the press because not even I knew my biological father's identity. But that article with pictures of my mom and him brought so much attention that he couldn't leave it to be solved on its own and once the results of a DNA test came to public, chaos exploded. Suddenly, my face was on every cover of magazines. Reporters tried to earn themselves an exclusive interview with me but my father stepped in immediately. To keep the scandal that splashed out at the news of his cheating past at bay, he went to gather together everything he could to fix his reputation. And one of them was generously taking me in, accepting me as his blood. Without him I'd probably end up in an orphanage till my eighteenth birthday which would take only a little while. Without him, I'd be officially an orphan.

Some might think that Mortimer Beaufort was so kind for welcoming me. But they didn't know what was happening behind closed doors.

My first days at the Beaufort mansion I spent rarely alone. My father hired multiple people who taught me everything I needed for my new life. One of them was a woman who instructed me about how to act around the press and paparazzi because my shocking appearance was definitely something that drew a lot of attention. I was told the topics I should automatically avoid and topics that were absolutely forbidden and classified. Of course, whenever I would get the chance to speak about my new family life, I should be choosing my words very carefully and keep up the good image, even though my experience with them was as cold as ice. The Beaufort twins kept their distance from me and it was as clear as sky that their mom wasn't fond of my presence either. But I didn't blame her for it. I was the living proof of the fact that her husband cheated on her. And my father? Well, our every conversation contained instructions about how I shouldn't dare to disrespect and disappoint his family.

Next, I was encircled by my personal tutor because I had also discovered that I would be changing schools for the new year. Beauforts didn't go to regular schools. No. I was set to attend the most prestigious high school in England.

Maxton Hall.

A school where teachers that graduated in Oxford performed. A school that was a one way ticket to the most famous universities. A school which the kids of rich and well known people from all over the world attended.

And I was going to be a regular student there. That was also the reason why I was buried in school papers to keep up with my new classmates. Right now, I was grateful that at my old school I belonged to the group of smarter students because without that I had no idea how I'd deal with everything.

But no matter how much I prepared beforehand for it, my confidence was far below the clouds unlike my new half siblings'. They radiated old money energy and James's head was always held high. It was clear that he and Lydia, his twin sister, were very close. And they made it obvious that there wasn't any space for me among them. At home, I tried to avoid them while I was hiding in my room with my notebook which was now my most loyal companion when I felt down.

For one last time I checked my appearance. A completely different Beatrice was standing there. I wasn't Beatrice Pearson anymore. I was Beatrice Beaufort and the changes weren't only in my name. It was in my clothing too.

I grabbed my satchel and left my room. Outside our car was already waiting with Percy, our personal driver. Surprisingly, I was the first one to arrive and Percy was quick to open the door for me.

"Miss Betty," he greeted me.

"Thank you."

I had never been fond of my full name. Even my mom used to use it in situations when she was angry with me. Even right before her life came to an end... I couldn't even recall when was the last time she called me Betty...

I flinched when the car door opened once again and James got in with Lydia on the other side. As always, I was in the passenger's seat in the front while the siblings had their privacy in the back.

Once we arrived at Maxton Hall, I could only stare at the place for a couple of seconds. Maxton Hall wasn't ordinary. It looked like a castle where royalty lived and that description wasn't even very out of place knowing who was part of it.

James and Lydia were the first ones to get out of the car and soon enough I followed.

"James!" a boy exclaimed as a group of his friends approached him, patting him on his back.

I looked around and noticed that many students' eyes were glued on me which could have been expected. But I had decided that I wouldn't let them take over my emotions. Instead of scurrying shyly away, I held my head high because if there was one thing my mom taught me it was not to let people make me feel bad about myself. Whether it was because of the lack of money or my likes, they had no right to make me feel bad about them.

"After school. My house," one of James's friends said.

"I'll be there," James promised.

"Hey, hey, isn't that the newest addition to the Beaufort family? She looks better in real life than in the pictures. I would've sworn her boobs looked bigger though..."

I stopped walking at the sound of his words. I would've ignored him but the last sentence snapped the control in me in half.

I could see the moment when he realized I was walking toward him. He was casually laughing with his friends until his eyes landed on my nearing figure and he quieted down.

"Would you care to repeat that to my face?" I asked calmly when I finally stopped in front of him.

"What?"

"I don't think I was stammering," I said. "Or have you lost your bravery now that I am standing in front of you?"

He dryly chuckled and glanced at his friends who only shrugged. Even James was just looking at me without uttering a word. The boy straightened out even more and took a step forward, towering over me. I had to raise my head to keep looking in his eyes because he was more than half a head taller than me. But I wasn't about to let him intimidate me.

"Maybe I like girls like you," he noted with a playful smirk.

"From the tone of your voice it was clear you meant it as an insult," I told him to let him know that I wasn't so easy to fool. "And now you cover it with your lies to seem like a cool person but news flash, you're not special at all. Just another spoiled daddy's son."

A muscle twitched by his mouth. "Little miss extraordinary I see."

"Definitely more extraordinary than you."

"I doubt that."

"Maybe you'll be surprised."

"Don't think so."

He followed my example as his eyes buried into mine. I didn't back up and it looked like he wasn't planning on it either. This way I had the chance to inspect the color of his eyes. It was a lighter shade of brown and they'd definitely match a nicer person than he was. This boy was far too cold-hearted to bear such pretty eyes.

"Cyril!" a new person joined us and patted him on his back but all the words disappeared from my brain when I saw his face and I froze. "Is the houseparty after school still on?"

The boy in front of me – Cyril – then transferred his attention to him as if I wasn't even there. But I was too busy staring at the newest addition to the group to even realize it.

"Certainly, Paul."

His friend excitedly nodded and then his eyes landed on me and his expression lost its spark when he recognized me. Truthfully, I wasn't even shocked he didn't notice me in the very first moment because my school uniform and makeup did their magic on me.

"Betty."

Cyril leaned toward him. "You know her?"

Paul didn't answer him. Neither did I clarify it.

"Hold up," another boy spoke up. "Isn't it the girl that stormed into our party a couple of months ago? When the police busted us?"

"You're saying something, Alistair," another one confirmed, scrunching his eyes.

"Your sister is wild, James," Alistair nudged my half brother. "Definitely knows how to make a scene."

I let his words slide as I clenched my fist and looked at Paul. "Fuck you."

I spun on my heel and started walking away from them as I ignored the sound of footsteps behind me.

"Betty, wait!"

His words were accompanied by the amused laughter coming from James and his crew. I'd bet everything on the fact that Cyril was one of them, if not the loudest one.

"I have a class to attend," I dismissed him.

"What class?"

"Philosophy course."

"We're in the same class then! Betty, please."

"No, you don't get to say that to me," I snapped at him and pointed at his chest. "You have no right to talk to me."

"I'm sorry, Betty. I tried calling you after that night but you were ignoring my calls. I just wanted to apologize for what I said that night. I was drunk and–"

"Of course you men always blame it on alcohol, don't you?" I shook my head in disbelief.

I resumed walking to the class but Paul was still on my tail. "Let's talk about this somewhere private."

It took me one glance to understand his words because now we had drawn many people's attention as they were whispering among themselves. It was only my first day and I knew I was going to be an interesting topic for a series of gossip.

"Don't you have your own business?" I called after our observers but instead of politely turning away they only chuckled as they kept talking to each other in whispers.

If the world had as much kindness and generosity as this school had pride then peace would be ruling without a doubt.

Paul followed me to class. I was glad I had already studied the plan of the school along with my timetable so I had no trouble with locating where I ought to go.

It turned out Paul wasn't bluffing when he claimed we had the same class and I was definitely not thrilled to discover that. I watched him take one of the seats once he finally realized I wouldn't be a pleasant company for him. Soon enough, people started coming in and they sat down. Eventually I also chose a chair for myself in the second row which was on the opposite side of Paul.

But when amused laughter filled the silence in the room I didn't even have to turn around to see who made their presence known. It was James and his crew – Cyril, Alistair and another boy whose name I didn't know. James and Alistair sat down in the second row but on the right side. However, Cyril confidently walked down the aisle and slumped down on the chair behind me with his friend following him. I paid him no mind as I turned my back on him.

When the classroom was finally full of students, a teacher walked inside and everyone quieted down. He didn't seem very old, he could have been still in his late twenties or early thirties at first sight. He casually opened the lesson and then his eyes landed on me which wasn't surprising because I was a new face in the crowd.

"Miss Beaufort, I'm glad to have you in my class."

"Thank you."

"Do you have any favorite philosopher by any chance?"

"Uhm... Not really."

"What an interesting name!" Cyril's laughter sounded from behind me.

I gritted my teeth.

"Mr. Vega, please," Mr. Sutton warned him.

"Yes, professor?"

"You know you're welcome to release that energy of yours on the field but here we respect each other and their opinions."

"Of course, professor!" There was another round of stifled chuckles.

I couldn't hold myself back anymore as I spun on my chair and faced the amused boy there. "And who is your favorite philosopher? I mean, a mind as shallow as yours needs to be filled up with someone else's opinions because you are too simple-minded to form your own."

That finally made his smile vanish.

"Hey, hey, hey, we don't insult each other in this class," Mr. Sutton stepped in.

Cyril waved around. "See? See?"

Mr. Sutton gave him a side eye. "And we don't make unnecessary comments either."

Thankfully, the professor returned to the original topic and the class went on. We talked about Kant's philosophy and I mostly stayed in the back of the conversation. Surprisingly, even Cyril remained quiet for the rest of the class and I heard only occasional whispers from his table behind me.

Finally, I was saved by the bell and the classroom emptied out as soon as possible – I wasn't an exception either. Right when we exited, Cyril returned to his wild self again and he walked away with his group of friends, including my half brother. I went my own way and of course was given a lot of curious looks from all over the field but I ignored them, putting them in the back of my mind. If they wanted to gossip, I didn't care. They grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth and this was the result of it which wasn't shocking at all. They had no touch with the reality of this world.

Somehow, I managed to survive all the classes for the day and thankfully no one spoke to me either. It seemed like first they wanted to fully inspect me today before approaching me and I had no doubt that it would happen. People like them, they didn't take ignorance easily and they needed to have their last word no matter what. But they could come because I was prepared.

However, my presence at school hadn't come to its end yet because here it was unacceptable to study without any extracurricular activities. Everyone who graduated here went for the most prestigious universities and their resumes were immaculate. And this school would make sure I wouldn't be an exception either. Since the more popular clubs had already been filled and they didn't accept new students I had to choose from the one that still had a spot available. And that was none other than the Committee that organized every party or other events at Maxton Hall. I was informed that the next meeting would be today after school so I had no other choice but to attend like a perfect little student.

I was the last one to arrive since everyone was already there and the meeting was just about to start. The head of the committee was a girl named Ruby Bell. Despite the fact that her mind seemed to be a little occupied by something else, I could tell from the way she introduced herself to me that she wasn't playing anything. She didn't think of herself as higher or more worthy unlike the other girls in the group. Then the discussion about the welcome party opened. For a few minutes we talked about that. Soon enough, I was also assigned a task and I was to help Lin who was the main photographer at the lacrosse match with taking pictures since Professor Lexington, the director of Maxton Hall asked her to. Of course, some girls couldn't hold back their comments about the lacrosse players – and most of them were about James.

But everyone got quiet when another person entered the room. And that person was none other than my half brother.

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Hello!

Well, how did you like the first chapter? Did you like Betty and Cyril's first meeting? They have a long way ahead of them... And what do you think will happen between her and Paul?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to leave a comment or a vote :)

Have a nice day/night <3

Sincerely, writingmagic 🤍