Daniel

By the time I get home, I’m exhausted and ready to pass out, but I don’t have time for a nap. I drop my stuff in my bedroom and head to my neighbor’s house to pick up my little sister.

I knock twice, and Mrs. Phillips’ voice echoes from the other side. “Come in,” she calls, same as always.

I push the door open and step into the living room, greeted by the familiar smile of the old woman who watches Rose on weekdays while I’m at school and my parents are at work.

“Hi, Mrs. Phillips.” I greet her with a wave and a smile.

She gestures toward the living room, replying, “Dan, my dear. Rose has been impatient to see you.” 

A couple of seconds later, my five-year-old sister—with long black hair and bright blue eyes—comes running toward me, wrapping her arms around my waist and exclaiming, “Dan, you’re here.” 

“Hey, Rose. It’s time to go home.” I take her hand and start walking toward the door, giving Mrs. Phillips a grateful nod. “Thanks again for watching her, Mrs. Phillips.”

“Rose is an angel, Dan,” she says.

“Have a nice day.” I wave goodbye and lead my sister back to our house.

* * *

My parents, siblings, and I live in a poor and underdeveloped neighborhood. Our house has three small bedrooms, a kitchen-slash-dining room, a teeny-tiny living room, one bathroom, and a backyard. It’s old and pretty run-down, but we’re grateful to have a roof that protects us from rain and snow.

Speaking of Mom and Dad, Samantha Smith and Sebastian Smith, even though they work hard every single day, they can barely pay the bills at the end of the month, thanks to the crappy salaries they earn. I’ve thought about dropping out of school to get a job, but that idea was immediately shut down, as they want me to study hard and get a degree. So, I help them by taking care of my siblings and the house. 

I have one sister and one brother—Rose Smith and Oliver Smith. Rose is five and doesn’t go to school yet, though she’ll start kindergarten next year. For now, our neighbor looks after her during the day, and Mom washes Mrs. Phillips’ clothes as payment. Oliver is twelve and goes to my old school.

I’m seventeen, and I was recently transferred to Vista High School thanks to a scholarship program where wealthy folks pay for underprivileged students’ education in the city. The stupid private school picked me because I had good grades and a decent behavior record at my previous school—yeah, they know nothing about what I used to do during lunchtime. And no, I’m not getting into that right now.

Honestly? I’m not thrilled about this at all, considering I was forced to leave my friends at Angelwood High School. How am I supposed to be excited about going to a place where everyone looks down on me and calls me garbage?

I begged my parents to let me stay at Angelwood, but they were firm, as they believe attending Vista High—one of the best and most expensive private schools in the state—is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And even though I hate to admit it, they’re right. Only the elite—the so-called best of the best—get to study there. Although my definition of “the best” definitely doesn’t include a bunch of spoiled students who don’t know how to respect anyone outside their little world.

* * *

My sister and I step into the house, where I find Oliver sitting at the kitchen table—all glory to the heavens, the kid is actually doing his homework for once. Miracles do happen, after all.

“Who are you, and what have you done to Oliver?” I tease, fist-bumping him.

“Everyone misses you at Angelwood, Dan. Especially Lucy,” he informs, ignoring my comment and grimacing at the mention of my friend with benefits.

“What did she say?” I ask flatly, not at all surprised, as Lucy has been extra clingy to me lately.

“She said she misses you already and that she’ll be waiting for you at her house this weekend.” Oliver cringes. “Gross.”

I have some friends with benefits, but Lucy and I have been in that kind of relationship for years, and she’s also one of my closest friends. She went nuts when I told her about the transfer to Vista High, like she screamed, cried, and almost swung at me. I care about her a lot, but her jealousy and possessiveness get on my nerves because she’s not even my girlfriend.

“How was your day with the rich people?” Oliver asks, visibly curious.

“It was tiring,” I reply, yawning to prove my point. Who knew dealing with rude students could drain your soul like that?

“I wish you could transfer back to Angelwood,” he grumbles.

“Me too. Anyway, finish your homework and then go take a shower because you stink. What happened to you? Did you try to pet a skunk or something?” I cover my nose dramatically, making him narrow his blue eyes at me.

“Dan, can we play?” Rose pokes my thigh with a wooden stick.

“Oliver, finish your homework and then get in the shower while I play with Rose and start dinner,” I order.

“What time are Mom and Dad coming home today, Dan?” he asks. Then, turning to Rose, he teases, “You’re so ugly you can’t be my sister. Mom and Dad must have found you in the trash bin,” tugging at her hair.

“Stop it,” Rose snaps, jabbing him on the stomach with the stick. 

“I hope they get back before dinner.” I frown. “They work too hard. They could use the rest.”

“Dan, I want to play princess today,” Rose announces, bouncing with excitement.

Just like that, Isabella Williams’ face pops into my mind the second the word princess hits my ears.

“Sure, Rose. Go grab your dolls while I wait for you here,” I tell her, patting her on the head.

My sister nods eagerly before darting to our parents’ bedroom, which also happens to be hers, and she’s back a minute later with two dolls in her hands.

As we play what she calls princess, I can’t stop thinking about Vista High’s own version of royalty—the breathtaking blonde girl with green eyes that look like jade stones.

Isabella is the perfect name for the beautiful princess she is.

* * *

I saw Isabella for the first time at the school’s entrance. I was getting to know Kim, Carol, and Richard—the other students in the scholarship program—when my eyes caught the stunning girl walking in from the parking lot. She was so gorgeous that my world stopped spinning for a second.

I’m not ashamed to admit that she knocked the air out of me. She looked like the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life, and believe me, I’ve met plenty.

I figured she was wealthy the moment I noticed her impeccable posture and the way she walked, like she could run a marathon in high heels. Seriously, how the hell does she even walk in those?

I saw everyone staring when she passed, and I noticed she ignored them all, completely unfazed by their eager eyes or attempts to talk to her. Then she stopped to chat with the rich, most attractive students, who I could tell were her friends.

Carol and Richard, who’ve been at Vista High for two years, upon noticing me staring, advised me to give up already because Isabella’s the most popular girl in school, and her parents are billionaires and influential. Her twin brother is the captain of the football team, while she’s a cheerleader. They also added that the so-called princess is a goody-two-shoes and a favorite among the elitists, which I honestly don’t doubt.

Regardless, I found myself ogling her because she’s just too damn stunning.

Later that morning, a chick named Julie showed Kim and me around the school. Apparently, she’s the Student Council president, and she was oh-so-thrilled to integrate us into the new environment—not. Her mocking looks and disgusted tone made it obvious she hated us on sight, which wasn’t exactly a surprise.

Since the tour with Julie was useless, Richard and Carol decided to give Kim and me their own version, which included the cafeteria and the many different groups of students.

While we were passing the famous grassy area, I saw Isabella again, this time surrounded by her snobby friends, who were openly mocking us. Needless to say, I caught myself staring at her, entranced by her looks, prompting Carol and Richard to scold me. They repeated that the princess doesn’t talk to people outside her circle and that I’m wasting my time.

Isabella didn’t look at me at first, but she did after the girl next to her whispered something in her ear. She turned on the bench, and that’s when our eyes met for the very first time—her gaze locked on me, and for a second, I almost thought she was checking me out. I even gave her a small, awkward smile, and if my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me, I swear she smiled back—right before one of her friends shot us a glare, making her look away.

I had math class after lunch, which was torture. Well, I’m happy to say my suffering session turned into something close to heaven once I saw Isabella walk into the classroom and sit at the desk right next to mine. Her incredible fragrance drifted into my space within seconds, and to my surprise, I felt myself drawn to her in a way I couldn’t explain, as I’m usually pretty self-controlled around girls.

Once she was entirely focused on the teacher, I took the chance to study her features—her smooth skin, her long blonde hair falling over her shoulders, and her perfectly done nails and makeup.

I was lost in her beauty when she suddenly closed her eyes and muttered a curse under her breath, causing me to chuckle without meaning to. As a result, she immediately turned to face me—yep, I was busted. I tried to act innocent, but I couldn’t look away from her.

Much to my horror, Isabella wasn’t the only one who caught me staring. Carol, who was sitting behind me, noticed too. She coughed on purpose, breaking whatever moment the princess and I were having. I almost told her to back off, but with Isabella sitting right next to me, I didn’t want to act like that, as, for some weird reason, I didn’t want the popular girl to see the real me.

Once class ended, Isabella stood up and rushed out without even glancing my way.

At the end of the day, my new friends and I were walking through the halls when we saw the football team hanging around the lockers. One of the jocks looked exactly like Isabella, and Carol confirmed that he was Justin Williams, the princess’ twin brother. His presence matched hers—confident, polished, and the whole package.

Kim practically fell in love with Justin on the spot, forcing me to listen to her babble about how handsome he was as we headed toward the main doors. Then, out of nowhere, a snooty girl shoved her, making her trip and fall face-first onto the floor.

Before Richard, Carol, and I could react, a bunch of students—including the rude girl—surrounded us, throwing nasty comments about where we came from. I was about to lose it when Isabella stepped in and told them to leave us alone.

The princess was surprisingly polite and sweet for someone whom the entire school paints as a bratty, snobby goody-two-shoes. She even asked me my name, which honestly made me feel happy, whether I like admitting it or not.

However, the reality of how different our worlds are really sank in when, later, I saw her drive off in a convertible car, finally convincing me that I’ll never have a chance with her. Besides, Richard and Carol were right—Isabella only defended us because she’s popular and wanted to prove how nice she is, and I doubt she’ll ever talk to us again.

* * *