Rosemary's P.O.V

A class in complete chaos was not what I wanted to walk into. Here I was, though. Flashbacks from my first day came rushing back to me. No teacher was at sight. I Wondered if anyone was even going to show up.

The moment I walked into the classroom, Violet sized me up.

"Why do you have a staring problem?" putting her on blast, I sneered.

"Eww! What brings you here?" As if she were going to throw up, Violet made a face.

"You're not familiar with it but education," I remarked.

"I meant why did you show up in handydowns?" She judged my appearance.

Handy-downs? What the heck? This morning, my button down shirt was overly wrinkled but I ironed it. Did I not get every inch of it? Awe! Violet was making me self conscious. I knew to not listen to her but still, I couldn't help it.

"Got it out of your closet," I snorted as I spotted Lola at the back of the classroom.

Paper balls flew across the room, which I dodged. A girl was skipping from desk to desk. Three couples made out in front of everyone. Others minded their own business. Making my way to the back of the room, I reached Lola.

"Do they ever sit down and listen?" I asked her.

Uninterested, Lola shrugged, "Beats me," she couldn't care less. Something in her phone was more important to her.

"Does a class lesson ever get taught?" I threw another question at her. My parents were struggling to pay for my education! This felt like a complete rip off!

"No one needs to learn, if you ask them," Lola stated, doodling in her notebook. "All they care about is drinking, money and popularity," she added, sounding bored. "They're dumbasses!"

A guy came over to us. I think his name was Edgar? The fuckboy. The one that wanted to go into adult film and was already practicing. Once again: eww.

"Mr. Hastings' bed time is early tonight, so we're having a pool party tonight," he informed. "It'd be cool if you guys went," his eyes were glued to me as he invited.

Confused, I asked, "What do you mean that his bed time is early tonight?"

Lola laughed nervously, "Don't ask if you don't want to become an accomplice," she warned.

Oooh, I thought.

Amused, Edgar chuckled, "Just make sure to show up," winking, he walked off.

Nearly drooling, Lola watched him leave. Her eyes sparkled. For someone who appeared to dislike a lot of people in this school, she really seemed to like him. It surprised me but he did not appear to be her type. Him along with the blonde jerk looked like fuckboys.

"You like him, don't you?" I teased.

"Edgar?" She forced herself to turn to me. I nodded. "Absolutely!" She fully on admitted. I almost burst out laughing. She didn't even try to hide it one bit! "He's not like everyone else!" She defended. Skeptically, my eyes squinted. "He acts a certain way but only because of his best friend, Nick, which by the way, is a fuckin' horny asshole!" She blamed it all on him. Yes, that dirty blonde boy was gross but Edgar could make his own decisions.

"Lola, it takes a lot more than that," I stated my thoughts.

"Edgar has been hurt though," she insisted. "He dated a bitch a while back that severely broke his heart," she started to explain. "After that, he started acting out and fucking around," she added. "You don't understand, Rosemary. He was really sweet to her and spoiled her! He never cheated and that girl broke his heart to pieces!" Lola appeared to be getting worked up over it as if it were her own relationship. "Now, he just focuses on soccer, which he loves! He's the captain of the team," she informed. "Of course, he has another side hobby," she referred to the adult films.

"And you're okay with that?' I asked her, seeing as how she was being a little too selective when it came to him. That one hobby appeared to be his main more than anything.

"I support whatever he wants to do," she assured.

This new acquaintance of mine seemed complicated too. Everyone here was complicated but she appeared to be the most tolerable and I actually had a fun time talking to her, so I didn't really mind.

"So does that mean that you're gonna go to his party tonight?" I asked her.

Lola grinned, "That means we're gonna go," her eyebrows wiggled.

Oh god no.

-

Like a ninja, I snuck my way to the place that Lola and I planned on meeting. It made it easier knowing that Mr. Hastings was not going to be a problem. I prayed to God that he was safe though.

At the sight of me, Lola's jaw dropped, "For someone who didn't want to come, you sure look hot!" she complimented.

Last time, I had no time to get ready but this time, I wanted to. Violet was always making fun of me about not fitting in but tonight, I wanted to outdo her and make her furious. Blame me if you wish but I enjoyed irritating her. Someone let me borrow one of their provocative dresses. Secretly, I took time on doing my hair and did my make up differently. For a night out. As if I were going to the club. Trust me, it was difficult to pull it off. I had to wait for Lucy and Violet to leave to Rachel's room. They sure took their sweet time.

"I'm only doing it to upset Violet," I clarified.

Lola grinned from ear to ear, "I love it!"

Lola led the way.

The moment we stepped out, all eyes landed on us. My heart beat increased to have so many people watching us. It's like they all paralyzed except for us. Glancing at Lola, I could tell that this amused her way too much.

"They're all looking at you!" She squealed. That only made me even more nervous.

There were so many faces but my eyes immediately spotted Violet. With her group of friends, they stared our way. Their eyes glued on us. Squeezing between them, Edgar cheered.

"Ay you came!" he welcomed me into a hug.

Uncomfortably, I stepped back. Lola could like him all she wanted but I did not know him.

"Mhm, we're here," Lola tried getting his attention.

"Awesome!" He gave her a side hug. "Want some?" He offered her a bottle.

Willing to take anything from his, she accepted, "Why not," she drank from it.

Edgar chuckled, "Keep it," he said when she tried handing it back to him. When he opened his mouth to say something else, a group of people ran past us to jump into the swimming pool. Entertained, he watched them and chuckled before continuing, "Are you going to swim?" He asked us.

"Probably not," Lola answered.

Edgar's eyes remained on me, "How about you?"

"I didn't really come for that," I shook my head no.

"Awe," he pouted. Okay, he looked somewhat genuine and maybe like an actual nice guy but he could be faking it. "I'm going to be over her," he pointed to the group that Violet was with. "Feel free to join us whenever," he invited before walking off.

Running past us, Melanie jumped into the swimming pool. The crowd cheered. Swimming up, a guy grabbed her my the waist and lifted her up. Seductively, here arms wrapped around his neck and she leaned in to kiss him. Better said, to make out with him.

"That girl is wild," I commented.

Lola agreed, "Melanie does whatever floats her boat," she stated. "I don't think she's ever been in a serious relationship," she added, which I was not surprised about. "That girl lives life as if there were no tomorrow," she chuckled. "Hookups with people from left and right."

My eyes widened, "With anyone?"

Lola laughed, "I mean, she's kinda picky I guess."

Finding it hard to believe, I questioned, "How?"

Lola shrugged, not really knowing how to explain it. "Well, she hooks up with people who she believes are worthy," Lola explained, although she sounded unsure. "If you're hot or not, I guess," she shrugged, still confused herself. "I guess you could say there's a criteria," she added. "But once she chooses you and you've met the criteria, she'll sleep with you instantly!" Lola assured. "You could say she's a high class whore," Lola compared. "That's what people know her by," she elaborated. My eyes widened. Lola chuckled, "Hey, she likes it though."

"Hey, it looks like she's having fun and I'm no one to judge," I shrugged.

From what I could see, a lot of people here did whatever they wanted and did not fear consequences. None of that was good but I could not stop them. Everyone did things that was dangerous. Things that should not be mixed together. No one was even trying to stop it. As if it were all normal. Clearly, they had been doing this for a long time already. Nothing new to them.

From what Lola told me, this was their usual.

-

The bottle that Edgar gave to Lola was almost empty. From the moment we arrived, I had to fight dumbasses off. Guys who thought they were entitled to putting a hand on me. Sucks for them when I rejected them and embarrassed them in front of their friends. Girls who thought that I was automatically going to welcome their touch. Heck no! People had a groping and consent problem here but I was ready to put them in their place.

Wandering my eyes around and Lola drank more from the bottle, I spotted Violet again. To my disgust, I saw her with a guy. He had his hands on her, nearly groping her. Smoothly, she backed herself away from his hold. All while smiling so it wouldn't seem too much like a rejection and like something casual.

"Listen, not that I care or anything but is, um," hmm, how could I bring this up without sounding suspicious? "Is Violet like Melanie too?" To make things clear, it didn't concern me at all and I couldn't care less but I don't know, I was a tiny bit curious.

Midway to drinking from the bottle, Lola stopped to give me a skeptical look. "Violet is a whole different kind of complicated," she rolled her eyes, as if hating to talk about her. To bear with it, she took a drink. "For Violet to sleep with someone, they'd really have to go above and beyond," not understanding the hype, she gave her head a little shake. "She plays so hard to get," she took another drink. "Let's put it this way, they pursue Violet and use Melanie," she explained. "She'd be the main and Melanie the side bitch."

"Violet really does have everyone bowing down to her, huh? Must be special," I snickered, sarcastically.

"Special in which way?" Lola hated her by the looks of it. "Violet is a stuck up bitch, who has an army of wannabes following after her every move all of the time. Stay away from that girl, she's conceited and doesn't care about anyone else but herself!" she added. The rant did not end there. "She only cares about her looks and the things that her daddy can buy her," she mocked. Uh oh, she was still going. "Violet Delaney is a selfish and materialistic girl," she stated as if it were a fact. "She thinks she's a goddess just for being a Delaney," finally, she finished.

"What's so important about being a Delaney?" I wondered.

Lola gulped down a larger amount of liquor. This time, she made a face and cleared her throat. "For generations, the Delaney family has ruled Montgomery," she informed. "Aunts and uncles of hers attended in the past. Her own father did too. Her family has a history here. A reputation that no other family has been able to top."

"Nothing but a name," I stated. "What matters is what's on the inside."

"Gay," Lola teased.

I laughed, "What matters is who you are as a person! How you treat people."

"People here don't care about any of that," Lola sniggered. "Rosemary, seriously have a drink of this," this time, she pushed the bottle to my stomach, making me grab it.

Semi-naked, a group ran past us. Heading towards the pool. Where Melanie was now in only her bra and underwear. Oh, she removed her wet dress from earlier. A guy came up from behind her and lifted her up bridal style. Giggles came from her as she threw her head back.

An arm snaked around my waist and tugged me in. "What do you say if I pour that bottle down your body and lick it off you?" The dirty blonde hair guy grossly offered.

Disgusted by his touch, I faked gagged to send his ego crashing down. "What do you say if I kick you in the balls?" I pushed off him. My limit had been reached. The alcohol in me was making its presence be known. Dumbfounded, his sly smile slowly disappeared. "That's if you even have any," I added, slapping that smirk off by completely. My hand stung in pain. Probably not as much as his cheek. My hand print became visible on his left cheek.

Instantly, Lola burst out laughing, "Dickhead, go get ice for that!"

Furious, Nick took a step towards me.

"Whoa there, Nick!" Edgar intervened, placing himself between the two of us. "Say, lets jump in the pool, you gotta cool down," he tossed his arm over his friend's shoulder and dragged him away.

Nick looked over his shoulders to shoot me a threatening stare.

"Nick is a little fucker who acts all tough but in reality is a little bitch," Lola danced, definitely feeling the alcohol way more than I was.

"Please tell me that there's no one worse than him," I don't know if I could put up with any more pricks.

On a whole other vibe, Lola shrugged.

We stood by the edge of the swimming pool.

"Came to feel relevant?" A mocking voice came from behind me.

Recognizing the voice, I turned around and grinned. "Just came to see what the circus was about," mimicking her, I tilted my head to the side with her. "I was wondering when the main act would begin," I stared her up and down.

"Oooh she called you a clown!" Drunkenly, Lola chuckled.

"Apologize right now!" Her friend, Rachel, demanded.

"Sorry that you didn't get the room and I did," I referred back to it. Yes, it was a low blow but it wasn't fair that they were acting all buttthurt about it and starting rumors about me. Time to defend myself.

Taken back as if she were not used to it, she gasped, "What?"

"I'm sorry did I stutter?" Maybe I needed more liquor before it wore off. To keep me in this don't give a fuck mindset.

"Bitch!" Violet hissed.

I laughed in her face, "Am I supposed to be scared?" I exchanged an entertained look with Lola.

"You can't just come here and talk to us this way!" Violet claimed, as if I owed her respect.

How else was I supposed to talk to them then? "I'm sorry, I don't know toddler talk." Not believing their ears, they gasped. I loved leaving them speechless. "Violet, you might want to read the Speaking Skills For Dummies," I recommenced.

Enraged, Violet's jaw clenched. I could tell that she was holding back from attacking me. My eyes shifted to her hands, noting that they formed into fists.

Her features calmed down, which frightened me because that happened way too rapidly. My heart started racing, nervously. I trusted none of this!

"Rosemary, you look hot," she commented.

Unsettled, I replied, "Why thank you?"

"Mhm, so you must need a swim!" And with that said, Violet pushed me into the pool. Thinking fast, I dropped the bottle and grabbed Violet, pulling her in with me.

I sunk to the bottom of the pool but swam up to the surface right away. At the same time as Violet. I ran my fingers through my hair, slicking my hair back. Just like Violet. Face to face, we made intense eye contact, causing my heart to skip a beat. A crowd of people were jumping into the pool. Calling it a water fight. Around us, people splashed each other. Melanie sat on Nick's shoulders as Chantel sat on Edgar's shoulders so they could battle with each other. No matter what, I could not get myself to look away from Violet. Even soaking wet in a swimming pool, she looked undeniably gorgeous. Flawless.

"Eww, stop staring at me!" Looking like she wanted to laugh, Violet splashed water to my face.

Protecting myself, I held my hands up in front of me.

"Now you're dead!" I swam underneath and pulled on her waist to jokingly bring her underneath the surface.

Laughing, Violet pushed down on my shoulders as she kicked her feet. "I'll drown you, bitch!" she laughed hysterically. Her laugh was cute, though I hated thinking it was.

I surfaced back up, not expecting my face to be inches away from hers. Having her close made my lips quiver. She looked too darn beautiful and I felt like kissing her. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. I'm talking about the urge to kiss anyone this badly.

My heart was about to explode out of my chest. I was scared.

I didn't even drink. Well, didn't drink much. I took a drink or two when Lola convinced me to. Imagine if I did drink more though. Would I have this much self control when it came to her? Violet alone made me feel intoxicated. It was so weird to me. I had never felt this before.

In panic, I splashed her across the face and swam away.

It was lame of me and I know but I needed to get away from her! I was getting too caught up and I needed to go away and calm down. I needed to remind myself of who Violet really was! Someone who I could not like because she was a spoiled brat that didn't care about anything and cared about no one!

Thank you for reading!