Reluctantly, Damon Felix drove his Rolls Royce to school. It used to be his favorite but since it was now, officially, a year old, it needed to be replaced. He could usually ask his father when he wanted new things but he knew that was out of the question after his false car robbery with the cops.

Within ten minutes of driving, he was at Alabaster Preparatory School, or as his sister referred to it, the kingdom.

The school could be mistaken for an English-styled castle that screamed 'old money'. Alabaster Prep, with its towering circular halls with single, white bold letters indicating the school's very own cafe, classes organized by grade, and the many offices. Beyond the wide parking lot full of Priuses and Lambos was the Lacrosse field that covered acres and the indoor gym set aside for sports like Cheer and Basketball.

Damon spotted the usual group by one of the large white pillars, lounging around the grand stairs that led to one of the halls; Brett Richers, Seth Montador, and Chris Edwards. To the school, they were the most gorgeous, well endowed Sophomores in the school. Girls wanted to take them home to daddy and guys wanted to push them down the grand staircase they stood upon.

However, to Damon, they were just a bunch of retards that had nothing better to do.

"What happened to the corvette you were talkin' about?" Brett Richers asked lazily and from the red flecks in his unusually green eyes - that girls usually fawned over - Damon could tell he was high off of who knows what.

"Yeah, I thought that was your new ride." Seth said.

Chris snickered. "Yet you're still running around in last year's ride."

"Look at your damn car, Chris," Damon said brusquely. "You're driving  a jeep in January." Although, Chris was his friend, he was starting to become very irritable. Damon suspected it had something to do with the game against East Preparatory Scool - their biggest rival - that was fast approaching.

The game was important. Not only were they against their most hated rival but scouts were going to be there and Juniors snagging a spot at Harvard or Dalton wasn't entirely unheard of.

"I got up late." Chris grimaced.

"And apparently chose a fucked up car." Damon snorted.

There was a stare down between the two boys; Chris smirking profoundly and Damon glaring. There was just something about Chris that gave him the urge to punch him in the face.

"Damon!" A squeal interrupted them, causing Chris to tear his eyes away. Damon got little pride from winning that stare down. Veronica Conrad, the tall Russian beauty from a boarding school in New York, who made quite a splash with the guys of Alabaster after a scandalous Victoria's Secret spread. "I knew I'd find you here."

"I'm always here." Damon shrugged.

"Well, me and my friend Addie," She gestured to the pink-haired cheerleader behind her who was so silent that none of the boys realized she was even there. "wanted to take a look at your corvette."

"I-I heard its,uh, its..."With a frustrated sigh, Addie just stopped talking.

Veronica sighed, obviously flustered with Addie's inability to talk and stepped in front of her. "We heard you're the first person who has it since its not available to buy yet."

"Really?" Chris asked mockingly. "Well thats too bad because Damon brought his crappy Rolls Royce today."

The girls' faces fell and Damon silently cursed himself for getting caught. That Corvette was his ticket to having a one up on every guy at school - not that his looks didn't give him that. "Don't worry," He said coolly. "I'm giving free rides to any pretty lady that needs it."

Veronica smiled approvingly, showing her perfect pearly white teeth. "Good, just tell me the time and I can get some girls to come."

"But I thought that-" Seth started to say but Damon cut him off. "You do that."

His gaze with Veronica lasted a little longer than it was supposed to and in that one little gaze, he realized how hot the girl really was. Her thick auburn - almost red - hair was flowing locks down her shoulders and despite the modest Madeworn top she wore, he could still see her way-too-big-for-her-own-good chest.

Veronica sauntered off, Addie Anderson hurrying after her.

"Bro, you don't have the car." Seth exclaimed.

"Not to mention you have a girlfriend." Chris snickered.

"And you've already cheated like how many times?" Brett asked sluggishly, obviously in his own little high world.

Damon knew they were all right. He had no business going around giving girls joy rides when he didn't have access to the car to begin with and he was nowhere near single. However, Damon liked fun and where was the fun in following the rules.

"Jac could come along too." He said dismissively.

Seth, as if reading his thoughts, shook his head. "Are you high too? Because no way in hell would Jac ever agree to that."

"Sure, she will. I know her better than any of you guys."

"You just have to look for trouble." His friend said sorrowfully.

At that moment,  Alabaster's strict bell rang, startling all the designer-wearing kids as if they'd forgotten the bell even existed. Damon was thankful for the bell because he knew his friends were talking reason and he didn't like reason.

So what if he did stupid things? If he flirted too much for his own good. If maybe, just a little, he took Jac's feelings for him for granted. She'd taken him back way too many times and it wasn't like he was forcing her to stay. It wasn't like she had to put up with the forever fucked up Damon Felix.

Damon justified everything he did with that reason. 'If I'm acting shitty, then don't stick around.' However, in the back of his mind, he was still thinking about the party and how devastated Jac would be if she found out. She practically lost her mind when she'd caught him freshman year giving Tara Fitzgerald a drunk kiss during Spin The Bottle - and that had been a quick peck on the cheek.

First period was Pre-Calculus and only the smartest of the smartest got into this class especially considering it was Advanced Placement. The teacher, Miss Mession, was a dainty woman with Harry Potter glasses and was a little too friendly with some of the guys. Not that they minded. Brett Richers was constantly referring to her as a 'Dynamite Gal'.

Damon slid into his seat, drowning out the chatter of Lindsey Wells as she went on about Chris Brown performing at Paisely's party. He didn't give any fucks about the fact that the his brush with the law caused the cops to raid the party and ruined Paisely's little concert.

The last bell rang, signaling for class to begin.

Damon didn't even bother concentrating on the lectures. He was too busy hearing the whispers of his peers who were abuzz about his business.

"No, trust me, it was loud. Everyone heard them over the music."

He focused hard on the power point as Miss Mession tried to instruct a class that didn't care. Education wasn't important at this school, everyone was focused on whose parents were who and how much they were all worth.

"Did you hear about Erika at Barneys? I heard she was selling drugs right in front of the store."

"Drugs? Doesn't sound like Erika. That girl is fabulous."

He identified those voices as Lindsey Wells and her ever so gossiping friends. Giving up on the power point, Damon pulled out his phone and went into his Facebook app.

"So is Jac and Damon done?"

"What?"

"Done? D-O-N-E stupid bitch."

"Well, he did hook up with Emma Carmicheal at Paige's party."

That was it. Damon couldn't have people running around talking about ithe party It would definitely get back to Jac that way. So as Miss Mession turned her back to the class, he turned around. "Shut up," He hissed and then pointed to the projector. "Get your education."

One of the sophomores in the back threw his hands up, practically shaking.

Damon rolled his eyes and turned back around. 'Idiots'.

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Jacqueline Lexington sat in her assigned seat inside the Disciplinary Committee hall. As a credential to her valedictorian qualification, she had to do something of great importance to the school. However, the DC was more intent on expelling dead weight and cutting slack on those who donated he most. It was hardly a democracy.

The DC table consisted of nine students - mostly seniors and juniors - along with the Headmaster himself; Mr. Vanderbit who was as old as money could be. He was a frail, balding man with glasses that were always sliding down his nose and wore cashmere sweater suits like it was the new trend.

While the DC table was a long, wooden oak table, decorated by a gold cloth, the defendant table was nothing but two arm chairs in front of them, a painting of the first headmaster - all the way from 1856 - staring into the DC members' souls.

Jac's place was next to Benny Costa; the spunky, jet-black haired girl whose half native american features struck out firmly on her fair skin. Besides Jac, she was the only sophomore on the Disciplinary Committee and luckily - for Jac - wasn't vying for the Valedictorian spot.

The defendants' chairs were empty and while Mr. Vanderbit shuffled his papers for the next victim, Benny turned to Jac. "Mr. Vanderbit says we're not allowed to expel the next guy."

"Why?"

"Apparently he donated two million dollars to the school library the day before he was caught smoking a cigarette on school property." Benny rolled her eyes and laughed and so did Jac. There were always crazy stories of what kids would do to stay at Alabaster.

However, Jac only laughed halfheartedly. Her mind was still wandering off to the secret kept within her. That morning, her mother and father had made up. They were chuckling softly at breakfast and Eve had even kissed Jeffrey on her way out to the salon.  Eve thought everything was fine but J ac was being forced to keep a horrible secret.

"Hey, are you okay?" Benny asked, her naturally red lips turned into a pout. For a moment, Jac envied the girls' careless appearance; a Marcelo Burlon vintage sweatshirt and ripped Sevens jeans with Nike high tops. The girl wasn't dressed to impress yet she still looked fashion forward.

"Yeah, of course." Jac straightened up in her seat, adjusting her Ralph Lauren camisole. "I'm just out of it."

"I know," Benny chuckled softly, twirling a curly strand of black hair. "That party took everything out of me too. Did you know I was almost arrested?"

Jac grimaced. "Ugh, so was I."

"Yeah, I heard."

Of course, she heard. The school was in an uproar about all of the events of Paisely's party from the police to the red lipstick smeared all over Paisely's living room walls.

The girls were interrupted by the defendant coming in; a floppy-haired boy in a Versace polo and an expensive Armani watch shining against the sunlight streaming into the room. He sheepishly sat down.

Mr. Vanderbit went over the story, putting on his best I'm-going-to-eat-you-like-caviar face. The boy's nonchalant look however showed he looked right through their headmaster.

"So, I have to ask," Benny whispered as Mr. Vanderbit went on through the charges. "Is Brett Richers into anybody? I mean, did he hook up with anyone at the party?"

Jac gave her friend a reassuring smile. Benny and Brett had gone out last year and had a pretty bad breakup which consisted of spunky - and drunk - Benny throwing a champagne bottle that just barely missed Brett's head.  "He wasn't even at the party but theres rumors Veronica Conrad likes him."

Benny's face only slightly fell and then she shrugged. "Oh, please, she has nothing on me."

"All in vote to give Mister Reynolds a three-day suspension, say I." Mr.Vanderbit said sternly, locking eyes with the freshman across from them.

Barely interested, the other side of the headmaster all raised their hands and said 'I'. Benny and Jac did the same. Obviously pleased, the boy got up - a smirk on his features - and left without saying another word.

It wasn't the first time someone had got off with a very generous donation to the school.

Mr. Vanderbit quickly dismissed them, taking a sip of his coffee and collecting his paperwork. Everyone was immediately out of their seats, the committee only talking in hushed whispers.

Jac packed up her Gucci school bag.

"Um, I should probably tell you something," Benny bit her lip, slinging her Prada backpack on her shoulder. "Y'know, since you told me about Brett."

"What?" Jac looked at her now although she was still going over everything her father had told her.

"Well, I don't know if its true but," then Benny sighed. "Gosh, it could just be gossip. I mean, gossip is all the rage here."

Jac laughed at this. Alabaster Prep was full of gossip loving teenagers and Jac was one of them at times. However, gossip was a bad thing when it was about her. "Tell me now I have to know."

Benny ran a black painted hand through her curly hair. "Well, I heard that Damon hooked up with some girl at Paisely's party."

Jac's heart maxed out like a mastercard at Saks. She could already remember Erika's little scoff that night as she said, "You really trust my brother?" Jac knew that despite the strappy platforms she wore she was about to literally fall on her face. Sucking in a deep breath, she forced a laugh that was nowhere near real. "Oh."

Benny laughed too although there was a sympathetic glint in her brown eyes. "Yeah, sometimes these rumors are pathetic right?"

However, Jac knew from experience that the rumors that floated around Alabaster Preparatory School always had some truth to them.

"Girls, you better leave or you're going to miss your third period." Mr. Vanderbit said. He was at the door now and almost everyone had cleared out.

"Ugh, I have to go to Trigonometry," Benny rolled her eyes with disdain. "Yeah, so not in the mood for that."

"At least the teacher is cute." Jac offered but inside she was crying.

"Theres that," Benny shrugged and then hugged Jac. "I might not see you at lunch. My mom is trying to drag me to some fashion show in Milan today." With that, she sauntered out of the room.

Jac didn't have the strength to follow, her platforms planted on the sea blue carpet. She was just sympathizing with her mother's failed marriage of infidelity but had no idea she was the real victim - again.

Jac was so distraught that she ended up being late to her third period Drama class and was given a demerit for being tardy. She still wasn't able to focus on her studies and was made to look like a total fool when she was called on for a question she didn't know the answer to. She was acting very much like a drunk Paisely then a Valedictorian nominee.

Lunch boasted the usual "Meatless Monday" menu that was praised by health inspectors all over the city. It was also Jac's favorite menu as she didn't have to be tempted by the school's usual delicious Brazilian meats and dishes. However, not even a salad could cheer her up today.

Erika Felix was, as usual, sitting at one of the big circular tables in the broad courtyard of Alabaster. The grass was a pretty green and nicely cut. The air smelled like a mix of Dior perfume, Calvin Klein cologne and the lavish food being cooked inside the school cafe'.

Their table always consisted of Erika, Jac, Paisely, Benny and the occasional Veronica Conrad whenever she felt tired of the company of boys. Together, they were the most popular talked about girls in school but who everyone was smitten by the most was Erika Felix. With her leadership attitude and no-nonsense reign, girls envied her and boys wanted her - or they were just intimidated.

Erika sat at the table alone, completely ignoring those staring at her - the ones who dreamed to sit at that table like Lindsey Wells and her wannabe friends.

Jac stopped at the school's very own Starbucks stand, grabbing a Chocolate Caramel latte before joining Erika. "I think I'm going to be sick." Jac said, referring to her heart,.

Erika looked up, flipping a long, straight lock of brown hair over her shoulder. The Queen was as sexy as ever in a black Akris Punto wool tank and Adam Lippes printed shorts. Her black Chloe drawstring hobo bag was slung lazily on to the table, her French textbook just barely peeking out.

"Ew, well go to the bathroom then." Erika pulled her bag closer to her now.

"No," Jac looked down at her french nails, her eyes feeling up with tears. She was so happy at that moment that she'd decided to wear waterproof mascara. "Have you been listening to the rumor mill lately?"

Erika sighed. "Yes, apparently I made out with a drug dealer in front of Barneys and Paisely punched me in the face two times....oh and Veronica is a skank," then she smirked. "Which is nothing new."

Jac was too devastated to scold Erika for dissing their friend. She felt like a complete idiot. She felt like one of those stupid girls in the movies that had a guy playing them the whole time while they were out shopping for dresses.

"But you probably don't care about those rumors," Erika said, holding her dainty hand out to the sun to get a good look at her new manicure. "I did hear one about my brother."

"Yeah, thats the one," Jac said glumly, feeling a pang in her chest. "Benny told me.....do you think its true?"

"Honestly, yeah I do."

To stop her eyes from watering up again, Jac laid her head on the desk - after dusting it off, of course - and let the tears spill down her cheeks. In seconds, she was bawling her eyes out. 'Why? Why am I never enough? He tells me I'm this beautiful girl but I'm never enough!' The thought only made her cry harder until her  cries turned to silent sobs that shook her thin body.

She felt Erika's hands on her back, patting it gently. Jac was slightly surprised at her friend's soft gesture as it was just not Erika. However., it felt good to have someone who cared.

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Erika Felix was an expert when it came to shopping. Put her in Saks Fifth Avenue or BCBG and she could pick a whole wardrobe. Put her in front of a group of No-Don't-Even-Trys and she could kindly - and cleverly - remind them what their place is. Put her with a sobbing friend? She didn't know what to do.

So she patted her back awkwardly, all the while looking for someone who could take over. However, all her disdain disappeared when Jac looked up again to reveal her emerald eyes gleaming with tears. She felt sympathy which was startling because she never really felt sympathy for anyone.

"Don't worry," Erika found herself saying. "He's an asshole and we're gonna make him regret that he ever laid eyes on another girl."

Erika was going to make it her task to make her brother pay. Not just for Jac because that would be ridiculous.She was going to do it because being a bitch was terribly fun - and maybe, just a little, because she felt bad for Jac.

"Oh my gosh!" Paisely gasped, coming over to the table with a bag of Lays in her hand. She was dressed innocently in a Alicia + Olivia pink cotton stretch top and floral Hudson skinny jeans. Her blonde hair was in a carefully calculated messy bun on her head. "Jac, are you okay?"

Erika was suddenly annoyed with the girl being there. This was a moment between her and Jac. Sure, she had wanted someone to help with the sob fest but not Paisely. 'Where the hell is skanky Veronica when you need her?'

Jac sniffled before, hiding her face again. Students passing by, shot looks towards the girls' table, obviously trying to see what was going on.

"She doesn't want to talk right now," Erika said, not even looking up at Paisely. "And she doesn't feel like being annoyed either."

Paisely seemed unfazed by Erika's rude tone as she simply sighed. "Well, you can have some of my chips if that makes you feel better."

"No thank you." Jac's voice was shaky and muffled, her head resting on the table.

Paisely shrugged, popping a Lays chip into her mouth.

Erika couldn't help but roll her eyes. Paisely was just so.....natural. She didn't care if someone seen her underwear while she drunkenly danced around the room. She didn't care if a hot guy was watching her devour caviar like an animal. She was just so natural and down to earth - and it annoyed the hell out of Erika.

Erika was startled out of her disgruntled thoughts by Chris Edwards. He had slid into a seat next to Erika, casually putting his arm around her. "Hey babe." Before Erika could even move away, the enthusiastic red head had planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Ew!" Erika squealed, smashing into Paisely and nearly pushing her out of her seat. "In your dreams!"

"Awww, sweetheart, don't you remember the party?" Chris asked smugly.

Erika crossed her arms across her chest, examining the Lacrosse player now. He had broad shoulders and muscular arms that kind of looked sexy against his tan skin. His eyes were a dark blue that reminded Erika of a descending sky that contrasted heavily with his chestnut - almost red - hair. Chris was good looking - in fact, to most girls if Damon wasn't around he'd be a shoe in for school hottie - but Erika just didn't find herself fawning over him like everyone else.

"Ugh, I'm trying to forget." Erika shuddered.

Paisely was now studying them both enviously. Erika could practically smell the jealousy despite Paisely being soaked in heavy Cashmere perfume.

'Well then lets spice things up.' Erika thought vivaciously. She edged closer to Chris whose attention had been taken by cheerleader passing by. However, he was quickly on Erika again as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Chris, why are you always so mean to me?" She asked sweetly.

Chris chuckled lightly, licking his lips now. "You just need to loosen up, Erika. Learn how to have fun."

"And whats your idea of fun?" Erika tilted her head slightly, her auburn hair cascading down her bare shoulders. She locked eyes with his and didn't look anywhere else, a technique that always worked and Chris seemed to be no exception.

Before Chris could say anything, Damon had joined them along with Veronica Conrad. Damon leaned over to kiss Jac on the cheek who had lifted her head to use her phone. To Erika's dismay - who was expecting a spectacle - Jac smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Whats going on here?" Veronica asked slyly, eyeing Chris and Erika now.

Damon looked at them too, looking from Chris to Erika before rolling his eyes.

"So, Damon, heard any gossip lately?" Erika moved away from Chris then, staring down her brother. Just the sight of him disgusted her. He was daddy's favorite and it bothered her to no ends. Matthew Felix was always doting on Damon, whether it was to praise or destroy him. Never once did he think about his daughter.

Now staring at him, still cuddling with Jac when he was a lying cheater, irritated her greatly. She smirked. "The rumor mill has been pretty strong today."

Damon was glaring at her now and suddenly they were both in an  unspoken battle that no one at the table seemed to notice.  "Yeah, I have, and I don't think father would like whats being said about you." The look he was giving her spoke volumes; Two can play this game.

For once, Erika felt like she was dressed in knockoff brands.

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Thanks to whoever is reading >.< & feel free to comment your thoughts! It would make my day!