*Jessica's P.O.V.*

I listened carefully and realized it was some noises. Maybe a girl was crying? Or maybe I was overhearing? I needed to checked it out.

Don't go there, my inner voice screamed.

But I obviously ignored it and took a step in that direction.

Stop, right now.

I couldn't . . .

I followed those strange voices and peeped inside the room, which was at the end of the corridor. My eyes widened when I saw a Blonde girl crying on the floor.

I heard it correct!

A red-haired girl, who was wearing a strapless golden dress, was shouting at her. There were 4 more girls who stood making a circle around the Blondie. They were laughing and making fun of that girl. It looked like the redhead was their leader.

I was getting confused, what was happening here?

Then, it hit me.

Bullying.

A gasp escaped from my mouth before I realized it. The redhead stopped and looked towards the door, before I even had the chance to run, she saw me through her big hazel eyes.

"Hey, you, come inside!" she shouted.

Damn! I got myself in big trouble.

Cursing to myself, I went inside. They all turned around and stared at me with a scowl on their faces, like I had interrupted some kind of fun activity.

I looked at the girl who was still crying. She had light brown hair and her complexion was milky white. She lifted her face and looked at me with her pleading eyes. Her eyes were puffy and red.

I had to help her, but I couldn't. I was no super hero; neither do I want to be. I was a normal girl who had some dreams of her own. I came here to fulfill them. I can't get into trouble with anyone.

"What are you doing here?" the redhead asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"I was going to my room and lost my way. It's my first day here," I lied, still looking at the girl who was crying.

"What's your name?"

Now, I looked at her and said, "Jessica Kapoor."

She nodded her head at my confession.

"India?" she asked as she looked at me.

I nodded. She took a step in my direction and I panicked. I could see the anger in her eyes. I took a few steps back and she smiled devilishly. She stood in front of me, with her arms crossed.

"I'm Tiffany, and I'm the head girl here. As you are new here, I would suggest you to stay away from us. Otherwise, it won't be good for you, sweetie," she said and smirked.

I nodded, dumbfounded at her threat and looked at the poor girl.

"Don't," Tiffany hissed catching my looks. "She needs a lesson. You just stay out of this, and if you even dare to mention this to anyone-" she added, lifting her eyebrow.

She didn't have to finish. I could understand the hidden threat.

I nodded again. "Please, let her go. I think she has learned her lesson. Just look at her... she is so pale and-"

"Enough," she shouted, shooting death glares at me.

She lifted her hand to stop me from saying any more. Nervously, I took a step backwards, which makes her chuckle.

She then signaled to the other girl, who was standing next to her, to escort me out. The girl glared at me, taking steps in my direction. She was also wearing those sluty clothes, just to get the attention of boys. Her face was also caked with make-up.

"Hey, please let her go. I won't say anything, I promise," I tried to convince them but she pushed me outside the room and closed the door.

Damn! I couldn't let them torture her. She looked so vulnerable. I needed to do something.

But how?

Then an idea hit me.

I stood there for few minutes and then knocked on the door.

Tiffany, opened the door and hissed, "I think you also want a lesson."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

"No, wait," I said taking a step back. "I came here to help you."

"What help?" Tiffany stopped and looked at me.

"Um, I'm grateful to you, you didn't hurt me. That's why I came here to inform you that the warden is coming to check this area. I saw her at the end of corridor." I replied, silently praying to God.

Please God help me!

She looked at other girl, "You said she was busy. Now, what the hell is this?" Tiffany shouted.

"I checked twice. She can't be on rounds, this girl is lying,” the other girl spat out as she glared at me.

Now, Tiffany looked at me angrily, "It's your first day here and you've already started to cross us? I think you don't like to be here, right?"

Damn. Do something, Jazz.

"No, I'm not lying. You can check it yourself. Look, I'm not going anywhere. You can go and check. If I'm lying, you could punish me later, but what if it's true? You would be in big trouble." I shrugged, playing another trick.

She stared at me for few seconds, mentally debating with herself whether to believe me or not.

She massaged her temples and announced, "Let's go, I'm done with her."

She turned to the girl who was sobbing, sitting in the floor and hissed, "I hope you learned your lesson. Now don't you ever dare to open your dirty mouth."

"I . . . won't . . ." the poor girl stammered.

"Tiffany, wait-" her friend tried to say, but Tiffany interrupted her.

"What?" Tiffany yelled at her. "Do you want us to get suspended? This time that bloody warden isn't going to leave us. So it’s better we go."

Oh! It wasn't the first time.

After glancing one last time at the poor girl, she stormed outside the room with the others following her.

Now, I was alone with the poor girl. I felt relieved and was feeling happy for saving her. I gave her my hand, but she declined my offer and started walking.

"Hey, wait. Are you okay?" I asked, touching her shoulder.

"I'm fine, and thank you for your help, but please leave me alone," she replied and with those words she walked outside.

I stood there, shocked.

Wow, what a nice way to show gratitude.

I shook my head and headed towards my room. I passed through Nina's room and opened my room. I was about to closed the door, when Nina came into view and stopped my door.

"I was waiting only for you, my dear," she said, and then stepped inside my room.

I groaned. Thank you, God. This is exactly what I needed, I thought to myself sarcastically.

"Where were you?" She crossed her arms.

"I got lost," I replied, taking out my things from the pockets.

I put my passport securely in the safe inside the cupboard and locked it.

"And?"

"And what?" I turned around to face her.

"How did you get here?" She raised her eyebrows.

"I got a lift," I mumbled and tied my hair in a ponytail.

"From?" Her tone was full of suspicious.

Damn!

I grabbed my t-shirt and pajama bottom and started walking towards bathroom to change into them.

"Where are you going?" Nina asked from behind.

"I'm tired Nina. Just give me a minute," I replied.

Without waiting for her answer, I stepped inside the bathroom. I leaned against the door and took a breath of relief.

Wait a minute, why I was feeling nervous?

There was nothing to hide with Nina, right?

But I didn't want her to judge me, just because I had a ride with Max.

And coffee too.

I heard a knock at the door and sighed.

"What?" I yelled.

"You can't avoid me, forever."

"I'm not avoiding you, and wait, coming in 2 minutes."

I quickly changed my clothes and splashed the cold water on my face.

"So, spit it out, babe. I don't have all night," she said as I came back and sat on the bed.

I know I've to explain to her everything, so without wasting time, I told her everything including the incident with Tiffany.

"You had coffee with Max?" she asked, shocked at the revelation.

"You only got that one thing from this entire story?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

"C'mon, Jessica. You can't ignore that you had a date with Max."

"It wasn't a date." I gave her a look which indirectly was asking her to shut up. But, she was oblivious to it.

"Okay, coffee date." She winked.

"It wasn't! What's the point if it was? I don't like the jerk, so just drop it," I said, getting furious.

"No, I can't. You're not getting it, Jessica. Max doesn't date. And then with you, might I add, he met you just today. He went on a date?" She narrowed her eyes.

"This is what I was saying earlier, it wasn't a date." I shrugged.

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, whatever. Just stay away from him, okay?"

I nodded and shrugged.

"Also, just ignore Tiffany. She is a bitch. You already got the attention of the bad boy. Please try to avoid the bad girl."

"I didn't do that on purpose," I said, pouting.

"I know, but what if Tiffany caught your stupid trick? She can make your life hell, Jessica."

"I agree, but I couldn't just leave that girl alone with them."

"You are so kind, Jessica, but at least try to stay away from the trouble. Everything is new for you and you don't have any idea how to deal with them."

"I'll try, but why did you called Max a bad boy? He seems like a nice guy," I asked remembering the moments I shared with him.

"Yeah, please. Everyone knows that," she replied, making a disgusting face.

"Maybe because no one knows the real side of him or maybe never tried to know the real him?" I said, clearly remembering the concern in his eyes when he spotted me in the middle of the road.

It was genuine. He could have left me there but he didn’t. He was sweet and kind.

What? I mentally slapped myself for such stupid thoughts and shook my head. Then I looked at Nina and noticed her staring at me with her wide eyes.

"Now what?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Do you've a crush on Max Hasington?"

My jaw dropped. "Are you out of your mind? I told you whatever I felt, okay? No need to run the horses of your mind. It's nothing."

"Exactly. It's whatever you felt. See, your feelings are involved in this, you can't ignore it forever," she said, clapping her hands.

"Nina," I hissed. "I was trying to show you another point-of-view. We shouldn't just believe the rumours."

"Whatever makes you happy, but if you want my advice then don't think about him, okay? He isn't good for you," she replied in a concerned voice.

"Why would I think about him? Ugh, Nina you are talking nonsense. I'm tired, so just let it be now."

"Hmm, okay, now let it be. We've college tomorrow and it's getting late, so we better get some sleep," she said and started walking to her room.

I wished her goodnight and closed the door, taking a breath of relief.

Crush on Max? Please!

******

I woke up to the buzz of my alarm clock. I groaned, as I wanted to sleep more, but I need to go to the college and I was running late. I stretched my body and checked my phone and saw a text from Mahi:

You forgot me :(

Shit! I forgot to call her yesterday!

I checked the time. She must be sleeping, so I decided to talk to her later. I quickly send her a text:

Never swty. Just had a hectic day. Will talk to you after college.

I locked my phone and sighed. Cursing myself for last night's incidents, I took a quick shower, opened my closet and stood in front of it.

Again, the same problem - what to wear? Ugh.

Finally, I decided to wear a lace maxi skirt with a white chambray blouse, which was revealing my stomach a bit. I pinned up the half portion of my hair so that it wouldn't fall in my face. I put on my black kajal and gloss, took a selfie, and sent it to Mahi and Roy.

I heard a knock at the door. It must be Nina.

I grabbed my things and opened the door, "Let's go," I said locking the door.

"Whoa, girl! What's the hurry?" Nina said looking at me and added, "Wow, you are looking great, got another date?"

I glared at her. "I have already told you, it wasn't a date and just look at the time. We have only ten minutes, so run."

She laughed, "Babe, I have first period free."

"Damn, then maybe I should run," I said and started walking without waiting for her reply.

"Hey, I'm coming, too!" she shouted.

*****

I entered in my class 5 minutes late. I was panting heavily. Mrs. Ryder looked at her watch. "You are late, my dear."

"I am extremely sorry, ma'am. It won't happen again."

She nodded and I scanned the classroom. There, he was sitting near the window looking at me with a cute smile. I smiled back.

Wait, did I just say cute? And why the hell did I smiled back?

I shook my head and started walking towards my seat where Britney was already waiting for me with a sweet smile.

What? I think it's a dream.

"Hey, how are you?" she asked coating it with extra sugar.

"Umm, I'm fine. Thanks."

Did you just get hit by a truck?

I was very confused with her sudden friendliness. The people here will surely make me crazy.

"So?" she whispered.

I turned my face towards her and lifted my eyebrow.

"How was your date?" she said and grinned.

Crap.

I looked at her shockingly. "How do you know?"

And it wasn't a date, I wanted to add, but I didn't as she wouldn't believe.

She chuckled. "Well, everyone knows. See this, now I got it, yesterday's insult. That was all your drama, right? Deep inside you actually like him." She winked and showed me her phone.

I froze.

My eyes widened and my heart started beating faster when I saw it.

There were pictures of me when I was having coffee with Max. I looked at those pictures carefully; we looked like a happy romantic couple.

Double Crap.

I lifted my face and found him looking at me. I glared at him. I knew he was the culprit, and that he did this purposely. Now, everyone thinks that I've a crush on him and it was all my drama to catch the attention of people.

Damn Max, you're going to pay for this.

I seriously thought he was a nice guy, really? Ugh.

The lecture ended. I quickly grabbed my things and rushed outside, where I bumped into Noah.

"Hey, watch out," he stopped when he noticed it was me.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"I was looking for you. We need to talk."

By the look on his face, I got the hint. He saw the pictures. Now, he was going to judge me.

Great!

I nodded and went outside.

"Look, Noah. It's not like what you think," I started before he could ask anything.

"Then, what it is?" he sounded hurt.

I had no choice, so I told him everything and sighed, "If you don't believe me, ask Nina."

I finished and started walking, but he grabbed my hand.

"Hey, wait, I trust you. I knew there must be a reason behind this, that's why I came to talk to you. But, the question is, who took the pictures?"

I felt relieved. I still have friends. I gave him a small smile.

"Thanks for listening me, Noah. I'm sure it's Max. I need to confront him," I replied, looking around.

"No, listen to me. You won't confront him. It will be a disaster for sure, I know your temper. Let me talk to him about this matter, okay? No matter what happens, please don't do anything stupid."

I could barely hear a word Noah's saying as I was busy glaring at the guy who was standing at the corner of corridor with his friends. They were all laughing and joking but his intense gaze was fixed on me.

Max.

What a selfish jerk!

He doesn't have any right to play with other people lives like that. This time, he won't get away with it.

This time, he will surely regret this.

*****

So guys, what you think.. Max is the culprit? Or there is someone else who did this? You have three options:

- Max
- Noah
-Or new entry ;)

I also want your opinion about this chapter. It means a lot.

Don't forget to vote.

Thank you.