Leanna

[Queen Bee]

"You two know each other?" Holley shifted her eyes between Nixon and me.

"She owes me. She just embarrassed me in front of so many people a moment ago," Nixon said, glaring at me.

"Dude! Really?!" Rowan's face was astonished as he looked at me. "You did that? Don't you know who he is?!"

Holley licked her lips, a sly smile stretched her angelic face as she stood between Nixon and me.

"Don't be like that," she cooed. "Leanna isn't from here. She's born in a province. I'm sure she knew you and doesn't understand some of our manners. Forgive her for me, please?" Holley then clasped her hands in front of her pleading face.

Seeing that kind of adorable face, who could resist?

It looks like you've done your research. Why don't you just say that I'm a country bumpkin who lack etiquette? No need for too many words.

Nixon's expression softened, eyes overflowing with adoration upon gazing at Holley's pleading face.

Holley shot Sophia a meaningful look, and the latter nodded.

"How about this," Sophia said, smiling from ear to ear. "Leanna, why don't you come with us as an apology to Nixon? Nixon, treat it as Leanna being ignorant, just this once. K . . . ?" she purred.

Nixon threw a pointed look at me and shifted to one of doting when he stared at Holley. "Alright, for you, Holley, I'll forget the whole thing."

"I didn't do anything wrong, so I won't apologize," I rebutted.

Nixon's eyes draw a slit.

"Leanna, it's best if you agree," Rowan whispered, but he might as well say it out loud since everyone heard it even from miles away. "Nixon is a very proud and arrogant man. His family is one of this country's powerful and richest living today. He won't simply let you off. This agreement is already considered as your luck at work."

I sighed in silence.

The truth was, I didn't care. However, thinking it'd be more troublesome if the guy really did make it difficult for me . . .

Might as well get this done and over with.

"Alright, I'll accompany you then," I said, voice never been so lethargic as now.

"Hmp! Glad to know you still have your brains with you," Nixon sneered.

"Nixon, be nice. Leanna is a friend, alright?" Holley said, winking at me before she exchanged meaningful smiles with Sophia.

We strode forward with me following behind them. The two girls slowed their steps to match mine, oblivious to everyone shooting admiring glances our way.

"So, Leanna, what brings you here in New Haven?" Holley asked, breaking the silence.

You've apparently done your research. What's the use of asking me?

Even so, I answered, "I'll be a first-year at Artem University this Monday."

"That's great!" Sophia exclaimed. "Holley and I will also start our first year there. What's your major?"

"Linguistic," I answered.

Sophia arched an eyebrow. "Linguistic? I guess people in the countryside think differently. Holley and I already studied languages when we were young. We are majoring music at Artem."

She then ran her tongue over her lips. "I'm sure with Holley's skills with the piano accompanied by her breathtaking good looks, she'll dominate the entire University in no time."

My eyeballs wanted to roll so bad, and I was this close in showing it.

Holley's face reddened and shot Sophia a bashful look. "You, what are you saying?"

"It's true! You know, ever since grade school, she's been the queen bee. I'm sure college isn't any different," Sophia said, voice smug.

"Oh, stop it." Holley turned and looked at me. "Leanna, don't mind her. I only studied piano on a whim, but since Cain loves hearing me play, I took it as a major. You know, Cain would always attend my performances."

Holley's eyes never left my face, seemingly waiting for my reaction.

My poker face didn't change the slightest bit as my voice was calm. "It's a shame that Cain broke off your engagement, though. I guess he didn't love hearing you play the piano that much, huh? But look at it on the bright side, you'll be popular on the first day of school with the news of your broken engagement and all. You'll be the queen bee much early on."

I flashed my sweetest smile and took long strides ahead, leaving the two stunned girls behind.

----

[Flaunting]

I didn't know why both girls pretended to be friendly with me when obviously they look at me as an enemy.

We've been on different luxury boutiques already, but these rich kids wouldn't stop until they've bought from every last shop. And every time that they bought something, they flaunt its price and quality in front of my face.

Do rich kids shop like this?

As soon as we arrived in Bijoux Jewelry store, the two girls tried on different sets of jewelry while the boys mastered all their flirting skills and showered the girls with praises.

"Holley, choose whatever you like. My treat. Sophia too, since you're Holley's friend," Nixon said.

It was almost creepy that his eyes never left Holley's face. The way he looked at her with a passion. It was almost like he was obsessed while Holley didn't mind the unwanted attention at all. It even seemed like she was taking advantage of Nixon's feelings for her.

"Dude, why not treat me as well since I'm also Holley's friend?" Rowan chimed in, clasping his chest, face twist in pain as he grabbed Nixon's hand.

"You're not a girl," Nixon replied, pulling his hand away.

"Nixon, why don't you treat Leanna too?" Holley breathed a cute sigh as she looked at me with pity in her eyes. "Look at her. She hasn't even bought anything."

"It's not my fault that she can't afford anything," Nixon sneered, and all of them chuckled.

This guy, have you forgotten that we've met in that boutique? Didn't you see what I hauled in there?

"Leanna, are the stores we went all too expensive for you? If you want, we can go to a bargain shop," Sophia said. The corner of her lips curved down while her lower lip jutted out.

"I already bought everything I need," I answered.

Nixon snorted. "Hmp! Just say that you don't have any money."

"Nixon!" Holley said, eyes wide with fake reproach. "It's not Leanna's fault that she's working on a tight budget. Staying here and enrolling in Artem takes a lot."

"Holley, you're too kind. If it makes you feel better, then I'll also treat her." Nixon turned to me and frowned. "Well? Go ahead and choose what you want."

Sophia jumped on her toes. "Isn't it great that you came Leanna? Now you can even own a piece of jewelry from Bijoux."

I didn't know if I should tell them that I owned several collections of Bijoux. But I also didn't want to ruin the enthusiasm on their faces. After all, there was some sense of enjoyment at watching people making a fool out of themselves.

Though I wonder why they insist that I'm poor? I don't look poor. Is it because my family isn't well known? Or I came from a third world country in an unknown province?

Whatever. I'll play their little games then.

I licked my lips and smiled. "Be careful, Mr. Mandeville. You might want to rethink on buying me things," I warned.

Nixon scoffed, "Who do you think you're speaking to?"

"Well then, if you insist." I approached their group.

"Leanna, choose this. It'll look perfect on you." Holley pointed to a set of large white pearl necklace and earrings that only a granny would wear.

Does she think that I don't know anything about jewelry?

"Yeah, it looks nice." I said. "You have good taste. But then again, it'll look more beautiful on you. It suits your character."

Holley and Sophia's expression fell from their faces. For a time, they couldn't utter a word. I was sure that they'd got the underlying meaning behind my words based on the stunned looks of their faces.

"I-I . . ." Holley's mouth didn't know whether to open or close. She probably didn't expect me to retort.

Lucky for her, Sophia saved her.

"Leanna, those pearls are nice, but I think this one looks more fitting on you," Sophia said, pointing to a cushioned cut diamond ring that only grown-ups would wear.

If I did wear it, I would look like a teenager trying hard to be an adult.

Honestly, haven't they learned their lesson?