Jake's Pov
An hour had gone by since math class began.We were in a 750 capacity sitting hall. Laura, Bella & I were sitted a few seats to the back while Rebecca & her crew were sitted on the 2nd row.

It was about a few minutes to the end of the class when Kristen walked in in a wine jacket, over a white singlet & ripped jeans. Her straight brownish black hair spread across her back. There was something about her beautiful brown eyes that showed her innocence.

"Stop right there Garcia" Mrs Hart said and Kristen made a halt. 

"Good morning, Mrs Hart" Kristen greeted, wearing the same bland, moody look she had everyday. She was really gorgeous, but she didn't smile much.

"Where have you been, Kristen? Why are you just getting to school now?" She looked at her watch "It's past 11"

"I'm sorry. Garcia corp had a charity event for orphan kids at a small province. I had to be there"

"Kristen, I know you're the heiress of a multi million company, but you're also a student. I know also that your parents go on business trips often so you're left to handle your family business, but you have to be in school on time. You may have good grades already but attendance is a plus"

"It won't happen again"

"I do hope so"

"Just look at her shoes all covered in mud. Does your multi million company breed pigs Kristen?" Rebecca mocked, throwing the entire class in laughter.

"Do you maybe have a problem with your ears, Rebecca?" I heard Ray say from behind us.

He had a thing for Kristen.

"Excuse me?" Rebecca questioned

"If your ears were any good then you would have heard when she said she was at a province, so the mud on her shoes obviously came from the messy province roads. How would you know the state of the rural areas? All your father does is sit in the white house eating the country's revenue. His stomach just keeps getting bigger" The class rumbled in laughter

"How dare you?" she sprouted angrily "You be quiet, Ray. I wasn't talking to you son of a mafia"

Ray was the son of Don Paolo Dermot, a well known mafia Lord, so he was pretty feared - but with Rebecca she didn't give a damn who anyone was.

"Rebecca's so mean. Why does she always pick on Kristen?" Laura said, softly

"She picks on anyone she feels obliged to pick on, but she sure enjoys making Kristen miserable. Does she think she's some goddess. Hundreds of students here have equal status as she does" Bella contined

"She probably feels superior being the only child of the president of our country, & the captain of Nevaeh's cheerleading quad" I stated.

"She sure has some guts. Kristen has always given her a befiting answer for every time she mistreated her, but she still never learns" Laura whispered

"Move aside tramp" I almost stood to my feet as Kristen staggered from Rebecca's push "The smell coming from you is choking me"

"That's enough fun now, behave" Mrs Hart snapped "Kristen you can have a seat"
    
As Kristen made her way to her seat I observed her white sneakers bearing traces of mud at the sides. She gave Rebecca one final fiery glare before taking the seat next to me.

"Don't pay attention to her. She must feel threatened by you & that's why she's doing all of those things to y......"

"Could you be quiet?" She cut me short "Your endless talking's irritating me" she grunted & I chuckled softly. 

"Sorry. I didn't realize I was talking too much. I could lend you my books to catch up on all you missed out on"

"No thanks" Her cold, but sweet voice snapped "I don't need any favors from you. I'll be just fine"

I leaned closer to her. 

"Are you sure? You should receive favors from people more often. It won't bite"

"Could you move away, Jake?"

I fake gasped, opening my mouth dramatically "Wow, she knows my name. That's cool since you treat me like I don't exist"

"Could you not talk to me? You're making me lose my concentration"

"Why? Is my very handsome face too much to handle?" I winked at her, propping my chin up. I was thrown off balance when she raised her voice.

"You're so damn annoying!"
   
The eyes of Mrs Hart and the students gazed at us in surprise

"Is everything okay?" Mrs Hart questioned. 

"Yes" Kristen replied. I turned to Laura & Bella, mouthing

"What did I do?"

"You're so troublesome" Laura chuckled "Just let her be"

"She doesn't seem to be a huge fan of your jokes" Bella laughed under her breath. 
     
*****
Math class had ended. I proceeded to finish my physics assignment.

"Why are you & your cheap self here?" Rebecca echoed. I lifted my head to see Kristen in Rebecca's seat. Her right hand was clenched tightly. I caught a glimpse of something underneath her clenched hand "I can't stand you for even a second so get lost"

Rebecca stood to leave and Kristen grabbed her hand.

"Wait a minute Rebecca" she smirked, raising a corner of her lips & I knew it wasn't gonna end well "I got you a nice gift that suits your taste perfectly"

Rebecca & her minions let out a ridiculous laughter.

"Did you hear that girls? Little Kristen got me a gift"
    
Before I could say Jack robinson Kristen unclenched her fist, smearing Rebecca's face with the mud stained handkerchief that hid under her fist. The entire hall roared in laughter. I felt my stomach compress as I laughed hard

"Have you gone crazy?!" Rebecca screamed.

"This is just a little payback for the sick joke you pulled back there. Who the hell do you think you are treating me like you did earlier?!"

"Kristen!" She screeched

"That mud on your face from underneath my shoes is your place, Rebecca!"

"How dare you!" Rebecca yelled throwing her hand towards Kristen's face, but she grabbed her hand, suspending it mid air.

"Don't you even dare hit me, Rebecca" she threw her hands down.
    
Tension was in the air as they glared angrily at eachother. Now the hall was dead silent. Everyone knew better than to get involved in a fight between Kristen & Rebecca.

"Didn't your parents teach you any manners?" Rebecca scolded.

"Your mom didn't do a good job grooming you either" Kristen shot back. Their glare got even colder now, & there was an eerie silence for a minute "What happened? Cat caught your tongue?"

"You don't know what I'm capable of Kristen"

"What will you do, huh? What can you do miss high and mighty?"

"You bitch!" Bianca growled, gripping Kristen's jacket. She gave her a look that sent shivers even down my spine. I bet she almost peed on her pants looking at how quickly she released her grip from Kristen.

"I'm warning you three to stay clear of me. I am no bluffer & you're well aware of that fact by now" She moved closer to Rebecca, their head in eachothers faces "I do not live off my parents wealth like you three because life isn't all about luxury & status"

"Are you kidding me?" Rebecca jeered "You! The arrogant & self-centered Kristen Garcia is saying this to me. Oh stop this charade!"

"Think whatever you wish, but the reality's that I don't flaunt about wearing expensive things & driving in different million worth cars like you & your so called circus friends. That's the difference between you & I"
      
I smiled knowing that that was the truth. Kristen was hot headed & proud, but she never went around looking for trouble, unless she was messed with first.
   
"You'll pay for this humiliation, Kristen"

"I'm not scared of anyone. I don't care who you think you are,  because you have nothing compared to what I own. Your wealth & status is not even half of mine. You're like the floor I walk on. That's how low you are, Shawn" she held up a finger, warning Rebecca sternly "Stay away or you'll be sorry. Move aside" she ordered, pushing Rebecca aside.

My eyes kept a tab on her as she walked out gracefully. Yea, that's the Kristen Garcia I've always known. 

"She sure is proud, but she knows just how to shake that ego of Rebeccas' " Laura muttered.

"Both of them need a character check. Their attitude & manners sucks. I can't tell who's worse between the two" Bella stated, shaking her head.

"The nerve of that twart" Rebecca screamed, her face red with rage.

"Wow Rebecca" Ray laughed, clapping loudly as he moved towards her "Once again kristen has given you a big blow to the face. That must have hurt your pride"

"Just shut the hell up Ray" she snapped "You have also being insulted by Kristen Mr great & handsome. If I remember clearly you couldn't do a thing about it either"

"Just ignore him" Chloe echoed "Let's go wash your face & put on some makeup" Rebecca stormed out of the hall, while Bianca & Chloe followed suit.
     
*****
Lunch time was my favorite - An all you can eat buffet. We were having key lime pie & banana split on a round table made for four people

"I still can't get the image off my head" Laura laughed excitedly "I don't think I'll ever get use to Kristen's audacity"

"Everyone knows how audacious she is. She's stood up to every bully in Nevaeh. I like her guts, even if she's super rude" I added

My eyes wondered around the room and there was no sign of Kristen. As usual, she wasn't here. She never ate lunch here.

"I find her strange. She has been so cold since she came into Nevaeh. How can a person be in a school for more than a year, yet no friends?" Bella said, taking a scoop out of her split "I heard she also attended Nevaeh high, and she has always been like this"

Kristen was always to her self. Calm when alone, but arrogant & grumpy when she spoke. She yelled at anyone who approched her & always kept a straight do-not-talk-to-me face, so no one really liked her. I couldn't understand her at all. She was a real puzzle to crack.

"I would like her as a friend though" laura said.

"Her? No way" Bella blurted defensively "She's way out of our league. She's spiteful & obnoxious. She considers everyone inferior, and she talks to Rebecca like she's the most horrible person, but yet she has zero regard for anyone. At every chance she gets she kills ones self-esteem by bragging about her family's enormous riches. I would pick Rebecca a thousand times over Kristen. Even Ray in all his bullying donates money to at least four orphanages every quarter of the year - Kristen, she's just the worse. Her tongue's a killing machine"

"Sure she brags, but she still lives her life like an average teenage girl. She's simple & smart" I stated.

"For a person of her callibar she should be on the front cover of every magazine. Why doesn't she & her parents ever feature in any magazine or business tv programs. After all she's already an acting CEO of Garcia Corp. Are they feigning modesty?"

"They are busy people, and perhaps, not everyone loves publicity" I voiced out.

"With a daughter like Kristen, Clark & Rose Garcia must also be character depraved. Being their only child, they must have spoilt her a lot & that's why she feels she's God all of a sudden"

"Don't say that Bella" Laura said, gesticulating with her spoon "I heard the Garcia's are great philanthropists. Garcia Corp has a lot of foundations established to help the less privileged. I think they're admirable people"

"Come on guys" Bella continued, shoving a huge chunk of pie in her mouth "People only pretend to do these things to receive praises. They don't really feel remorse whatsoever for the poor. That's exactly what Rebecca's father does & that's why he still hasn't been impeached. Eachtime he's involved in an embezzlement case he just makes it go away by doing charity"

"Bella, not all rich people have that mentality" Laura chuckled.

"True, but one thing's for sure. Kristen's a mean, horrible person. I don't want her as a friend"

"Come on Bell. Let's give her a chance" I said, hitting my shoulder against hers "I think she's not so bad once we get to know her"

"Jake's right, Bella. Maybe she's longing for affection. Look at it this way; her parents travel a lot so they barely have time for her. She's already an acting CEO at such a young age, so don't you think she grew up rather lonely. It's not her fault if she's the way she is"

"Don't you guys get it? Kristen would never accept us; we're not the first to try. You do remember how even Ray was humiliated when he asked her out" she exhaled "With Rebecca's riches & status Kristen considers her a floor she walks on. Our families own just half as much as the Shawns own. What will she call us then, weeds? She'll just belittle us since she's so mighty"

"Please Bella" Laura said, pouting her lips "We could give it a try. We could help her overcome her arrogance"

"Say yes Bella" I urged, giving her puppy eyes

"Gosh! You two are so stubborn" she huffed "Alright then, let's give it our best" she grinned.

"You're the best" Laura smiled happily, giving her a hug.

"Of course I am" We all laughed.

*****
 School had ended for the day. I played with the stones on the floor, kicking them with my legs as I waited for Kristen at the entrance of the gym.

"Sup Garcia" I said, waving at her as she walked out of the gym. She ignored me, blocking her ears with her headphone. I stood in front of her, taking it off her ears.

"Are you lost or something?" She questioned.

"You have a lovely sense of humour" I chuckled "You should smile more often, you'll look more human"

"If you have so much jokes to tell then you should join the circus. Why are you rotting in school?"

"Ouch!" I laughed "That was harsh"

She rolled her eyes, walking away, and I grabbed her hands softly

"Hey, why are you walking away without hearing me out?"

"Take your hands off me" she demanded, looking at my hands.

"Oh, sorry" I apologised, dropping her hands gently "Hmmn.....there's a study group at my house tonight"

"So?" She raised her eyebrows.

"I was wondering if you wanted to join in"

she scoffed, giving me a bland look.

"You amuse me, Jake. Why would I leave the comfort of my home to yours? You should really stop trying so hard.......How do I put this nicely?"

She moved closer to me, our eyes meeting each other

"Like a stairs with 20 steps. I am on the the 20th step; Rebecca on the 12th & you on the 6th" she paused before continuing "We're worlds apart, and it would take a long time for you to reach Rebecca's level, more or less mine" she turned around, her back facing me "You're smart so I'm sure you understood"

she walked away, leaving me in a pool of hurt. I felt a hand on my shoulder & turned to see Laura & Bella.

"What did she say?" Laura asked, smiling "Will she be our friend?"

"Why do you look so sad?" Bella asked, sensing my sudden mood change "Did she say something awful to you?"

"Let's just go home" Is all I could whisper