"Do you believe in the saying that you can only truly understand someone if you've walked in their shoes?"
Celestia Fontaverde's Point of View
I clenched my fists as my dear father slammed the door shut. Now that I was outside the mansion, I took a deep breath before making my way down the steps.
The sleek black car that would take me to school was waiting. As always, the guards opened the door for me, and I slipped inside.
"You look like you're in a bad mood," Xavier Oliverez chuckled, my childhood best friend and the heir to a renowned game development company. He was seated beside me, his amused gaze only making me scowl.
"Can you believe it?! They changed my wardrobe again. The clothes I actually liked—gone!" I complained, crossing my arms and leaning back against the seat.
Xavier patted my shoulder reassuringly. "Your new clothes are worth millions, Tia. Of course, you can’t wear the same thing twice."
I clicked my tongue. It was all my mother’s doing—just another way to keep her image pristine as a top model. I had no real complaints about it, but it was frustrating that I never got to choose what I wanted to wear.
Shifting my gaze out the windshield, I exhaled sharply. "Whatever. Just drive. I can’t afford to be late. That nerd better not think she can overshadow me."
Xavier groaned. "Here we go again. Tia, stop bringing her up. You’re just stressing yourself out."
If only he knew how much that girl infuriated me. I was supposed to be at the top of everything—until she, that insufferable scholar, managed to get into our prestigious school.
I sighed as the car rolled forward. "Stop defending her, will you?"
My resentment toward her didn’t just stem from losing my rightful spot as the top student. No, it was more than that. I hated her for trying to steal Xavier from me.
And now, he was even taking her side. How disgusting.
Xavier must have sensed my irritation because he quickly tried to appease me. "Come on, Tia. You’re special. You’re the queen bee, the social butterfly—"
I ignored him, remaining silent until the car finally pulled up in front of our high school.
This was our final year as high school students. My last chance to reclaim my rightful position as the top-ranked honor student. That nerd had enjoyed her moment in the spotlight for far too long.
She needed to be replaced.
"Tia, don’t be mad," Xavier pleaded as I reached for the door handle. "I didn’t mean anything by it. I just want you to focus on yourself."
I refused to acknowledge him and pushed the door open, stepping out.
And then, just as my heels hit the pavement, I was shoved.
The impact sent me off balance, my towering heels making it impossible to steady myself. My back hit the ground, and my head smacked against the car door.
A sharp pain shot through my skull.
"Are you blind or something?! Do your four eyes not work?!" I snapped, clutching my head as I glared at the one responsible.
That nerd.
She smiled at me, but her eyes were cold. A fake, through and through. No doubt this was just another one of her little acts to gain sympathy from everyone around us.
"You should’ve parked your car somewhere else," she replied coolly.
I got to my feet, dusting myself off as she did the same. Our eyes locked in a silent battle.
Unbelievable. She actually dared to talk back! Her audacity was as thick as the three layers of clothing she wore despite the heat.
I clenched my fists, ready to wipe that smug look off her face, but before I could make a move, someone caught my wrist.
A firm grip. A cold glare.
Gallant Jay Artazo.
The arrogant heir of this very school.
"What do you think you’re doing?" His voice was sharp, his eyes burning with disapproval.
"I won’t tolerate violence in front of my school," he added, his authority ringing clear.
"Tia’s hurt, Jay. Let her go," Xavier interjected, his voice laced with concern.
Gallant hesitated before finally releasing me.
I tsked, rubbing my wrist. That nerd wasn’t just an attention seeker—she was a vixen, luring anyone and everyone into her grasp.
For now, I’d let this go. Only because my priority was reclaiming my rank. That girl was lucky she had so many connections.
"Let’s go, Xavier," I ordered, turning on my heel.
But as I walked forward, I realized something.
Xavier wasn’t following me.
I spun around, my heart constricting at the sight before me.
He was with her.
Checking her condition.
My blood boiled. I was the one who got my head hit. I was the one who got hurt. And yet, he chose to stay by her side.
Whispers surrounded me.
"Looks like Xavier already chose his side."
"Did they break up?"
"Hello? They weren’t even in a relationship."
"Celestia was just deluding herself."
"Shut it! Celestia is gorgeous. Plenty of guys would kill to be with her."
"Right… It’s not Tia’s loss. It’s Xavier’s."
I rolled my eyes and walked away, pressing a hand against my head. A dull ache throbbed at the back of my skull.
Then, I felt something wet.
I pulled my hand back and froze.
Red.
Blood.
I had a wound.
My perfectly curated outfit—ruined.
That thief.
"I’m going to make sure she pays for this," I growled, ignoring the eyes that turned to me. "That ugly nerd!"
Turning sharply, I changed direction, heading straight for the school clinic instead of class. If this was her way of securing the top spot for herself, she was gravely mistaken.
"Miss Fontaverde, what brings you here?" the school nurse asked as I sank into a chair across from her desk.
"I hit my head against my car door and got injured. I feel a little dizzy, too. Can you treat it?" I said, touching the wound lightly.
She smiled kindly. "You must be frustrated. By the way, why are you alone? Where’s Xavier?"
I exhaled sharply, the image of him holding that girl’s shoulders flashing in my mind.
"He’s useless to me now," I muttered. "So I left him behind."
The nurse stood, retrieving a bandage from the cabinet. "But you look gorgeous today. Are those new clothes?"
I nodded. "Unlike that nerd, I actually change my wardrobe frequently."
I clenched my jaw, fists tightening in my lap.
I hated her.
I hated that nerd.