"How did the show go?" Steff asked as we headed for our next period.

"It was perfect!" I praised remembering the sweet moments that Kristen and I shared at the exhibition and also how four of our painting had been sold. Kristen and I had decided to donate our fund to the poor and needy.

"You naughty little girl you! Don't tell me you finally lost your virginity." he said whispering the last part.

"Of course not, we just made out... a few times," I replied, blushing dreamily.

"You two seem to be doing a lot of that lately," he said, looking skeptical.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" I questioned, desperately needing my insecurities answered. "I mean, Kristen isn't the most trustworthy, honest, or loyal..."

"Look, Anna, that nut job may act tough on the outside, but he's a mushy guy on the inside. The guy goes nuts for you," he reassured me, placing both of his hands on my shoulders and giving me a reassuring smile.

"You think so?"

"I know so," he replied confidently.

"Good," I replied, smiling even wider as Kristen and the boys came into view, bursting through the front door.

Kristen had a scowl on his handsome face, which then transformed into a dazzling smile as his gaze met mine.

"Hey, baby girl," his husky yet sweet and calming voice said to me as he picked me up and spun me around, drawing attention from the crowd. He then gave me a quick peck on the lips.

"Hi," I giggled, hugging him tightly. I buried my face in his clothes, feeling shy in front of the onlookers.

"McCarthy," Kristen's voice rumbled, sending sweet waves of pleasure down my body. "Where's Maria?" he inquired.

"She went to the bathroom," I said, content in his arms and looking up at his gorgeous face, recalling Maria's previous words.

"How long?" Kyle asked with a bored expression, and I frowned. Why did he need to know how long she spent in the bathroom? Were they secretly seeing each other?

"About ten minutes ago," I replied as he quickly walked away.

"Is something wrong?" I asked the boys.

"Nothing's wrong, princess. We're just worried about her... that's all," Kristen answered, and I scowled, earning a stealthy laughter from him.

Why on Earth would they need to worry about her on a school compound....

Nevermind.........

"Come on, princess, let's go to class," Kristen smirked, kissing me passionately and helping me forget about everything that had previously happened.

The sight of Maria and Kyle behind us prompted us to quickly enter the classroom. As soon as we reached the door, the class fell silent. Some people glared at me, while others gushed at our display of affection. Kristen pulled me onto his lap after we reached our seats at the back.

"Kristen, what are you doing? The teacher could walk in at any moment," I whisper-yelled playfully at him, attempting to wiggle my way off his lap. However, the moment I felt him twitch, my movement ceased.

"Anna, we all know you're a little horny deprived girl, but could you at least save it for when you guys get home?" Maurice teased, and all four boys snickered along with Steff.

"I'm not deprived of anything!" I hissed back defensively, blushing.

Marco dramatically gasped, covering his mouth, then whisper-yelled, "Shame on you, Anna! And here I thought you were a virgin. Yet, we didn't know you and Kristen were getting it on!"

"We're not!" I yelled back, eyeing the four boys.

"Don't worry, we don't kiss and tell," Maurice teased, and I playfully hit him on the head, earning a groan in response. I giggled in amusement.

"That's because there's nothing to tell," I sulked, while Kristen played with my hair, ignoring their constant teasing.

"I'm sure Kristen's buddy thinks otherwise, ain't that right, Kris?" Kyle laughed along with the others, and I shyly recoiled, flushing.

Those boys knew exactly how to push my buttons, and I felt like the damn puppet I am!

The vice principal entered the class, followed by a lady I had never seen before, and that's when I quickly made my way to my desk beside Kristen, hoping they wouldn't see us and reprimand us.

"Okay, class, settle down. Due to unforeseen circumstances, your math teacher, Mr. Ford, will no longer be at school for the remainder of the term. Instead, you will be assigned to a new math teacher, Ms. Williams," the vice principal announced, making way for the brunette teacher with an ample bosom.

"As you all have heard, my name is Miss Williams, and our first order of business is to rearrange you guys, as you won't be seated next to what I presume to be your best friend, causing disruptions," she smiled sweetly, then added, "Secondly, we'll have introductions, and thirdly, we will resume teaching where Mr. Ford left off."

"So be it. I'll call your names using the register, and I'll have you seated in no time!" she chirped.

I really hoped Kristen, Steff, and the guys would remain seated next to me, as I had gotten used to their playful and protective nature towards me.

"I'm sure that would be a better way to do it," Maria smiled, and I glared at her.

Of course not!

After about five names, my turn finally came. "Annabella Walker," Ms. Williams called, and I nervously stood from my seat as it was now my turn to move.

"You'll sit at the front, right before me," she instructed.

"She's perfectly fine sitting here," Kristen spoke up, making me inwardly smile at his protectiveness.

"I will be the one to determine that, young man," she replied back sternly, her voice laced with authority.

"And wouldn't it be best to seat the slower ones at the front, considering their incompetence in learning? Or are you so completely incapable of facilitating any form of progression?" Kristen sassed, his words dripping with sarcasm and a hint of frustration.

Ding, ding, ding! Kristen 10, Ms. Williams 0! A spark of satisfaction flickered in Kristen's eyes as he stood his ground.

"I suggest you show some respect, young man, and as for you, Ms. Walker, I suggest you either make your way to the front or go to detention," she sternly told me, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I glanced at Kristen, seeing him gritting his teeth while staring defiantly at Ms. Williams. I inwardly sighed, feeling a mixture of annoyance and resignation as I grabbed my bag and reluctantly shuffled to the front of the classroom, silently cursing the teacher in my mind.

How dare she! The anger simmered within me, fueling my determination to prove her wrong.

By the end of the rearrangement, I found myself sadly seated at the front next to a glaring Regina and her posse. Their eyes bore into me with hostility and superiority, causing a surge of unease to wash over me. Steff sat on the far right, his reassuring presence giving me a small sense of comfort amidst the tension. Maria, now seated beside Kristen with the rest of the guys, appeared oblivious to the brewing conflict.

This is my worst nightmare! Anxiety gripped me tightly, tightening its hold with each passing moment.

"Okay, class, let's get back to teaching," she said with an annoyingly cheerful smile plastered on her face. I glared at her, feeling a mixture of resentment and frustration. The desire to retaliate burned within me, but I knew I had to keep my composure.

"I think we'll get along perfectly fine!" Regina said sweetly, her voice laced with malicious intent. Before I could react, I felt a sudden kick to my lower back, causing a sharp pang of pain to shoot through me. I winced, suppressing the urge to cry out.

I slowly turned to look at a menacing Regina, her eyes gleaming with mischief, reveling in the power she thought she held over me. Fear mingled with anger, forming a volatile mixture of emotions within me.

I glanced back at Kristen and the guys, who were looking at both of us intently. I forced a smile, attempting to lighten their disturbed expressions, but it did little to ease the burning glare they directed at Regina. Maria, oblivious to the tension, continued chatting happily with the guys, unaware of the storm brewing in the classroom.

On the other hand, Steff maintained a reassuring expression, his calm demeanor providing a brief respite from the chaos surrounding me. His unwavering support gave me a glimmer of hope, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this battle.

But then I felt another deliberate hit from Regina, her actions a clear attempt to gain my attention and provoke a reaction. Frustration mixed with a sense of helplessness, as I realized the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

Why me?! Despair crept into my thoughts, threatening to overwhelm me, but I vowed to stay strong and face whatever obstacles came my way.

************
Another chapter here!!! I surely hoped you liked it and if you did please drop this book into your reading list!!! Also do:

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