In Love With My Evil Stepbrother

Chapter Twelve The clouds are dense and opaque on the first day of my senior year, which kind of mirrors the state of my feelings. In my entire lifetime, I’ve never detested going to school so badly.

Mr. Ramirez kindly offered to drive me to school in his Rolls, which I can’t say no to, since he had made it clear that he wants to send me off on my first day. Looks like the secret of me being the Ramirez’s freeloader won’t be kept for long.

During the drive, Mr. Ramirez tried his best to easy off my nerve, but I kept tailing off from our conversation. As we approach the front gate of school, my symptom of nausea is getting worse.

The parking area is already packed with fancy cars when we get there. In my old school, everyone had limited budget for cars, and as a result it was common to see dingy second handed Honda and Pirus everywhere on campus. But things clearly work different here. Mercedes and Porsche would still be considered as normal. I just saw a flashy sport car with doors opened like wings pull into the student lot.

But our Rolls stands out, nevertheless. I feel people’s eyes flickered to me the moment I open my passenger door.

The attention is just unnerving.

Mr. Ramirez wishes me “good luck”, which I mumble a vague “yes” in return and jump off the car. As I start heading towards the front office, I let my hair fall off my shoulder, blocking all curious looks from the outside.

There’s already a long line in the front office when I walk in. It’s shocking to see how many students are transferring into this school each semester. Mom told me that this is the most prestigious schools in the city, so whenever there’s an open seat, everyone wants in.

I scan the room and try to talk to the student in front of me, “Umm, excuse me?”

He turns around with a smile, “yeah?”

“Hey. Is this the line for new transfers?”

“Yes. We are supposed to pick up our schedule and map here,” he seems to be glad for having someone to talk to. “My name is Eddie. Are you a new student as well?” He looks friendly, so I take the initiative to offer my hand. “Yes, nice to meet you. And I’m Natalia Moore by the way.” But his expression changes all of a sudden. He stares at me in shock, as if he just witnessed a ghost popping up from the thin air. “Natalia?” he repeats, “THE Natalia Moore?”

I felt a surge of bewilderment. “Yeah… I guess so?”

Without saying another word

the hell was

believe his sudden change of mood. Either this Eddie boy is insane, or there’s something going on without me knowing. As I raise my head to look around, people are quick to avoid any eye contacts with me, even though they are clearly staring at me a moment

something is

can rumors spread this fast? Even if I am the stepdaughter of the multi-billionaire Shawn Ramirez, do they have to be so hostile

quickly. Finally it’s my turn. “Your name, please?” the

Moore,” I

me with an immediate light of awareness in her eyes. And that’s when I can’t hold it back anymore. “I’m sorry. Have you heard of my

seen your profile, very impressive transcript. No doubt you will

me a short orientation and wishes me good luck. Her reaction seems normal enough, but I can

hard to find following the map. As I start walking down the corridor

doesn’t give me that weird look upon hearing my name. She hands me a

some curious

A girl deliberately ignored me when I asked her direction of the classroom; one guy even bumped into my shoulder while passing by, even though it’s an empty hallway. Quiet whispers of my names follow me wherever I go, but as soon as I turn around to look for

so frustrating! Embarrassing even. Here I am, haven’t done anything wrong, and I’m

the café seeing that people have already sat in groups. That Eddie boy I met at the Front Office is sitting with his new friends

to a table with empty seats. But a ginger-haired girl at the same table instantly stops me, “this seat is taken.” I felt a flush of embarrassment, but quickly gather my courage to stand up to her. “I’ll scootch over when your friends get here.” She gawks at

eyes at her and take my seat

glares at me with rage-filled eyes, but it’s gonna take more than staring

right at this moment, I hear someone calling my name. I turn around and find that it’s

a very beautiful and angular face, which is accentuated even more by a light apply of makeup.