The halls of Crestwood Academy gleamed with wealth, from the polished marble floors to the intricate wood paneling lining the walls. Students moved with a sense of purpose, their designer shoes clicking rhythmically as they discussed upcoming exams, weekend trips to ski resorts, and the latest gossip from their exclusive circles. It was a world where appearances mattered more than anything, and everyone knew their place.
Except for Avery Kane Deveraux, who did her best to stay invisible.
Clutching her books tightly against her chest, Avery kept her head down as she navigated the bustling hallway, her eyes focused on the ground. Her dark hair fell in loose waves, partially shielding her face from view. She wore the required Crestwood uniform—a crisp white shirt, a navy blazer with the school’s insignia, and a pleated skirt—but no matter how neatly pressed her clothes were, they never seemed to fit quite right.
“Move it or lose it!” a girl with impossibly perfect blonde curls snapped as she breezed past, her friends laughing as Avery hastily stepped aside.
“Honestly, you’ve got to stop letting people treat you like this,” came a voice from behind her.
Avery turned to see Janice striding toward her. Janice was a stark contrast to Avery—bold, outspoken, and fiercely protective. Her chestnut hair was always in a messy ponytail, and her tie was perpetually loose, a deliberate act of defiance against Crestwood’s suffocating rules.
“I wasn’t letting anyone do anything,” Avery muttered.
Janice raised an eyebrow. “Sure you weren’t. You’re like a human doormat sometimes. Come on, you’ve got to stand up for yourself.”
Avery sighed, adjusting her grip on her books. “It’s easier to just avoid trouble. These people are impossible to deal with.”
Janice smirked. “Avoiding trouble isn’t living, Aves. Besides, you’ve got me to handle it for you.” She draped an arm around Avery’s shoulders. “Now, let’s head to class before—”
A burst of laughter echoed from down the hall, stopping them in their tracks. The sound was sharp and cruel, like glass breaking against concrete.
Avery’s stomach twisted. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Ryan Hayes.
The school quarterback and golden boy of Crestwood was standing at the far end of the hallway, surrounded by his posse of equally arrogant friends. Ryan had a reputation for being charming and funny, but Avery had only ever seen his cruel side.
“Hey, Deveraux!” Ryan called out, his voice carrying over the chatter.
Avery froze, gripping her books so hard her knuckles turned white. She turned slightly, her heart sinking when she saw him looking directly at her, his lips curled into a mocking smirk.
“Did you bring the football we asked for?” Ryan said, his friends snickering.
“What?” Avery stammered, confused.
“Oh wait, never mind,” Ryan said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You are the football.”
The hallway erupted in laughter. Avery’s face burned as she realized what he meant. Her hands instinctively moved to her stomach, where she’d always been self-conscious about the slight roundness that didn’t fit Crestwood’s impossible standards.
“Knock it off, Hayes,” Janice snapped, stepping in front of Avery like a shield.
“Relax, Jan,” Ryan said, shrugging. “We’re just joking around.”
“Yeah,” one of his friends chimed in. “Don’t be so uptight.”
Janice’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll show you uptight if you don’t shut your mouth.”
Avery tugged at Janice’s arm. “It’s fine. Let’s just go.”
But before they could leave, Ryan reached into his backpack, pulled out a football, and tossed it in Avery’s direction. It hit her books, sending them flying to the floor.
“Oops,” Ryan said with fake innocence. “My bad.”
A fresh wave of laughter rippled through the crowd. Avery scrambled to pick up her books, her hands shaking as she fought back tears.
“That’s enough!” Janice snapped, rounding on Ryan.
Ryan leaned casually against a locker, completely unfazed. “Relax, Jan. No need to get worked up.”
“You’re pathetic,” Janice spat. “Picking on someone just because you think it makes you look cool? Guess what, Hayes? It doesn’t. It makes you look like an insecure loser.”
The crowd murmured in surprise, but Ryan’s smirk only widened. He took a step closer to Janice, his voice dripping with mockery.
“Insecure, huh? Says the girl who spends all her time babysitting Deveraux.” He looked past Janice, his sharp gaze landing on Avery, who was still kneeling to gather her books.
“Hey, Deveraux,” Ryan called out, his voice louder this time. “I guess even the richest kids can’t buy good looks.”
The laughter was louder now, echoing through the hallway like a cruel chorus. Avery’s breath caught in her throat, her face hot with humiliation. She stood up, clutching her books to her chest, and avoided Ryan’s gaze.
Janice turned back to Avery, her eyes blazing with fury. “Come on,” she said quietly. “Let’s get out of here.”
Avery nodded, her legs feeling like lead as she followed Janice down the hallway. The mocking laughter and whispered comments seemed to follow her, each word cutting deeper than the last.
As they turned the corner, Avery heard Ryan shout after them, his voice dripping with mock concern.
“Don’t trip, Deveraux! Wouldn’t want you to roll away!”
The hallway erupted into laughter again, and Avery’s hands tightened around her books. For the first time, the sting of humiliation was replaced by something else—a spark of anger.
But what could she do? Ryan Hayes ruled the school, and everyone knew it.