Marlee gave me a grim look and shook her head.

"No" she sighed " I just can't make myself sit down and memorize terms"

"Marlee" I chided "I get it, but still, if you don't do good"

"I know, I know," She said raising her hands in surrender "I'm never going to get my car, but that's not what I even care about anymore. I just want to pass"

The Reids' parents set high goals for their children in the classroom and on the field. Marlee has been struggling in her science class and her parents threatened to not get her a car if she still has a C in her class, bless her heart she has had a flat 79 since the beginning of the year.

"Have you asked Luca for any studying tips?"

She shook her head and then proceeded to bang it into a locker. I cringed at her action, but if it helped her stress then let her get it out.

"Everything comes naturally to him. It's not fair" she complained, turning around, and sliding her back down the wall before sitting on the floor looking like a lost puppy.

"You know my offer still stands to tutor you. Science and math are my strong subjects" I reminded her.

Marlee has some stigma against having a tutor. Marlee has had to live in her older brother's shadow all her life. According to her, Ezra is the smartest person she knows and with Luca being the all-star athlete while keeping his grades perfect, it makes her look like the failure of the family. She thinks since everything comes naturally to them, it should her as well. I truly felt awful for her. Marlee is so smart when it comes to computers and technology, her parents just don't understand that she has a completely different set of skills.

"Thanks, Skylar, it's just.."

"Your ego?"

"Yeah" she sighed without hesitation

I waited a few seconds and watched her face scrunch up like a bunny when she began to process what she agreed to.

"No that's not it."

" It's okay for it to not come easy. It doesn't for me in English."

She gave me a look that said she didn't believe me.

"When writing an argument paper, I have to sit in front of a screen for an hour before I even decide my opinion on the topic," I explained

"That's a lie," she said shoving me on the shoulder. "You are the second most opinionated person I know. Right behind my brother of course."

"No, it's not" I defended "When we write an analysis essay, I chose the same device every single time. I struggle, Marlee, I still manage to do well but it does not come easy"

She chuckled a little and shook her head. I'm glad that her smile was starting to form back on her face. It was odd seeing her down.

"You'll be fine" I reassured her.
She gave me a soft smile before turning towards the direction her class was in.

We both walked toward our different classes which were on opposite sides of the school.

It didn't take me very long to figure out the best ways to get around the school. I quickly realized that the outside is much more intimidating than the inside, which is true for people as well.

Overall everyone has been nice and most of the time they mind their own business. I was thankful for Marlee, Cleo, and Bailey for all of the helpful advice they gave me. Cleo wrote me a long list of everyone to avoid in "Hell on Earth", although the list also included Marlee, Bailey, Thomas, and Luca. She said she can deal with Blake.

I walked into my econ class, which was by far the worst of the day. The class material was not the bad part, it was the students. Margaret and Anastasia sat two seats behind me and would not stop talking. They were also on Cleo's list, but rightfully so. For some absurd reason, they thought that we cared what boy they slept with from the other prep schools in the area. It was like they were trying to one-up each other by sleeping with a richer boy each time. It's quite funny.

I pulled out my notebook to get ready to write down notes since that's the only thing we do in the class. Sometimes I think my hand is going to fall off. The teacher quickly began the lesson, spitting fact after fact, barely giving us enough time to write anything down. I clenched my hand into a fist and slowly released trying to shake off the hand cramps.

"Hey! Hey Rowan" a voice whispered as they tapped my shoulder.

I gritted my teeth, knowing exactly who that voice belonged to. I snuck a glance at the teacher, seeing that he was helping a student with their work, and turned my head towards the voice.

"What Anastasia?"

She gave me a sweet fake smile and leaned forwards, making sure her breast were right in front of me.

What the hell? She knows I'm straight right?

"We're friends Skylar." She said reaching out for my hand. "Call me Annie. Can I call you Sky?"

I looked over at her queen and saw that Margaret was typing something on her phone.

"No, I prefer Skylar," I told her pulling my hand back away from her grasp.

She pursed her lips, not liking my reaction but quickly put her facade back on.

"Well, Sky I heard you were going to homecoming with Luca. That's exciting" she smiled

Margaret set her phone down, suddenly interested in the conversation.

I raised an eyebrow at her comment. "So?"

I hadn't seen Luca since he told me I was going with him. It's been about a week since I last saw him due to him being focused on the homecoming game itself. I sent him a picture of my dress hanging up and he said that he would get a tie to match but that's the only communication we've had.

Margaret rolled her eyes like I was an idiot and Anastasia pursed her lips but quickly gave me another fake smile.

" I didn't know you two were dating. It's a big deal for someone elite as Luca to date someone as, well middle as you Sky"

This girl is so stupid. I truly pity her.

"Well I guess it's a good thing we don't date," I told her, I thought about giving her a witty remark but she would be too dumb to understand.

Margaret's face had turned red while watching our conversation but still hadn't said a word.

"So your friends? Just friends with Luca Reid?" Anastasia asked tilting her head with a slight smirk.

"Sure, I guess," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

She turned towards Margaret looking at her with a confused look " It's possible to be just friends with a guy?" She asked Margaret.

This time Margaret rolled her eyes at her best friend instead. "Annie you have to be the biggest airhead in all of the United States. For girls as ugly as Skylar, no guy would want to go beyond anything but friends"

Anastasia nodded her head at Margaret's words, soaking up everything she said. I guess Margaret had to think for both of them. As rude as she is, Margaret is not dumb.

"I've had guys interested in me before Margaret, I just have some dignity left. Luca and I are friends and we are going to homecoming as friends, along with Cleo, Bailey, Marlee, Thomas, and Blake" I told her with vile filling my voice. I hated her. "I know it's hard for you to comprehend that a person can have more than one friend Margaret, but it's the truth."

"But why you?" Annie asked leaning forwards again. Margaret didn't say anything but her face said it all. She was flushed red and probably not used to being stood up too.

"Why me what?" I asked, turning my attention away from the blonde and back to Anastasia.

"Why would he ask you specifically? You're not special, rich, or even pretty" she said, raising her eyebrow.

" He asked me, so ask him. He would know the answer much better than I would. Maybe he wanted to have a conversation with someone that had a brain"

"I wish you never had come here" Margaret snapped. "Annie stop talking to her"

"Ok. Sky, take a friend's advice and stay away from him. You don't know what you are getting into with him" Anastasia said not bothered that Margaret just acted like her boss rather than a friend.

"It's Skylar," I told her turning back towards my assignment.

I don't know why those two girls have such a problem with me. From my understanding even if I had never come to this school Luca would still have nothing to do with them. He's smart enough to stay away from them, I think.