Chapter one...



The first rule of Bright Wood High: Never miss a party thrown by Isla. And by Isla, they meant the rich girl with a badass ass, sassy mouth, crazy curves and striking beauty. The kind of beauty that you would never recover from, not ever. Because once you set eyes on Isla, you'd be stunned speechless.

Emerald eyes that gleamed in a way that was somehow sexy. And hair that hung in wispy curls about her face, not a single strand out of place, secured with some expensive gel. And when she just smiled, one would be dazed by her smile that flashed, begging you to admire it.

And you would, not because you had no other option but to, but because it sparkled like stars in the midnight sky, giving off the kind of halo you had never seen, nor would ever see.

This same Isla was throwing a party at her parents' mansion a week to their final exams. She stood on the patio to welcome guests, or maybe it was to show off her hot pink tube top over what was supposed to be a miniskirt, but looked more like a thong that rode up her thighs. She loved it when they took time to check her out, especially Novah, the queen bee. Isla hated her with the hatred of hell. She despised her so much. Novah wasn't half as beautiful as her, but she had an allure of her own that one couldn't resist. She didn't give a damn about what people said about her clothes or whatever.

"Hi Isla." Novah scoffed, running her fingers through her hair.
Isla pouted.

"Skip the fucking pleasantries. You know I'd rather you roast in hell but I just have to bear with you for Craig's sake. And don't you dare pull any stupid stunt here tonight. It's my party, and I'd do whatever I please." Isla rushed the words.

She was already sick of Novah's presence made worse by her perfume.

"Darling Isla. Let's just say it isn't my fucking fault that Craig chose me over you, is it? Look, I don't give a shit about what shit you two had together, but I'm his girlfriend now." She laughed.

"Such a pity that you can't get over your crush on Craig. But I've got good news for you, baby. Keep your shitty hands off my guy, Miss Playgirl."

Isla clenched her fists and tried to stop herself from doing something she'd regret. How dare Novah speak to her like that? She'd regret it forever. She wanted to say things to hurt Novah, tell her that she was stupid and nothing of her class.

But she stayed calm and answered, "Got it."

And when Novah has made her way inside the lounge, Isla swore, "I'd treat your fuckup, stupid girl."

It hurt Isla how much Craig had ignored her since he and Novah became an item. He was her best friend since grade seven. Hands on heart, she wasn't comfortable with him dating another bitch. Not that she would date him herself, either. At times, she herself couldn't bring herself to confess why she hadn't asked him out yet, since she'd caught him staring at her with goo goo eyes in the cafeteria, and her heart warmed with love when she saw him. He was hot. Not a playboy, but hot enough to have girls drooling over him like fools. They would have been perfect together, but Isla forbade that because of one reason. Pride. Why tie herself down to him when she could, and did date any guy she wanted in Bright Wood High?

After some time, the guests had finished trooping in. They sat in their cliques on armchairs in the lounge, chatting away and sipping white wine.
Isla was determined to make this the best party ever. She sashayed to the center of the room, wine glass in hand.

"Hi guys! Once again, it's your favorite bitch, Isla Dehler hosting this party__"

They cheered. " That's right!"

"Isla is my girl. This babe knows how to do these things, man." Peter, her boyfriend boasted.

He earned a few pats on his back from other guys.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Um, I think I've made it clear that I'm nobody's girl." She stated.
When Peter made as if to object, she added, "Not even you, Boyfriend. Not until I choose to, you can't force that bullshit on me."

He wasn't surprised. This wasn't the first time she was making it clear that she was with him only for sex. He couldn't pass up the offer to fuck the hottest girl in school. She was amazing in bed, but nothing beyond that. On the outside, she was cold and unfeeling. Yet, no matter how hard her words hurt him, he maintained his composure, pretending that all was fine. He walked up to her and put his arm around her neck.

"I hope you make that choice soon, baby." He cooed.

When she didn't resist, he pecked her cheeks. He was meaning to kiss her too, until Novah groaned, "Peter, we know you're crazy about Isla but can you keep it in your pants?"

"I'm wondering if you'd say the same thing about me, Novah."

All heads turned in the direction of the voice. It was Craig's, and he was lounging by the door with a bored expression.

Isla couldn't conceal her irritation.
"You're late." She complained.

"I wasn't talking to you." He snubbed her, pulling Novah up for a bear hug instead.

"How's my girl doing?" He asked.

She smiled. "Better now that you're here. And you look great."

His face fell. "I was thinking of something along the lines of sexy."

She kissed his forehead.
"Just kidding. I'm crazy about you, Craig."

Isla had her death glare fixed on them. Her passion roused, her blood boiled. It was bad enough that Novah was dating her best friend, but swooning over him in her presence? That was forbidden. Forbidden? Wrong.

"I love you so much, baby. Did I ever mention that?" Craig looked into Novah's eyes with all the love left in him.

The kind of love Isla would never give to anyone. She wasn't even sure she'd ever have that depth of feeling, because she believed that love didn't exist. Poor Isla. It was such a pain in the ass to watch her best friend being so into another girl.

Novah chuckled, "How about a thousand times?"

"I swear, it's true."

"I know. And I love you too." She whispered.

He leaned closer to her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. As little as the gesture was, Isla was riled.

"Idiots." She muttered under her breath.

"Ok, heads up, guys. I've got a special reason for this party tonight." She said, struggling to gain the attention of the crowd who were now admiring Novah and her boyfriend.

"They look so cute together." Peter ventured. Isla frowned. She was feeling bad enough, and he only seemed to make it worse. Couldn't he just keep his damn mouth shut?

"And it's to celebrate the latest couple in twelfth grade. Novah and Craig! Give it up for them!"

Give it up her ass. Her guests stared at her blankly, not giving a shit about her speech. And she stood there, in the center of the room but nobody cared. They laughed at a prank played by Peter. Isla wished that the ground would cave in. Swallow her whole. But the way they were busy with themselves made her feel as if___ as if she didn't exist. She could stand many things but not this. It was too much. Too real. All her life at Bright Wood High, she'd been the popular girl who craved adoration from everyone. She wasn't used to this shit.

"Give it up for Novah and Craig!" She said more loudly.

A fake smile was plastered on her face. Her blushing was hidden by layers of foundation. Still, nothing. Then Peter suggested that they play seven minutes in heaven. They agreed. Sat in a circle on the rug. Sure, Novah was beside Craig.
Isla wanted to throw up the lasagna she'd eaten earlier.

"GIVE IT UP FOR NOVAH AND CRAIG."

Her throat was sore from shouting. This level of snubbing was new to her. Tears filled her eyes, no matter how hard she tried to hold them back. Her boldness faltered. She felt worthless. Useless. All the memories from grade eight came flooding back. She choked on her sobs and fled to the safety of the bathroom.

Once the door was locked, she poured her heart out. Cried out her soul. Her sadness was deep-seated. Hung on her conscience. It made her weak. Down. Out. To be fair, she'd snubbed a lot of people herself. Most times, Novah was her target back then in eighth grade. She remembered when Novah had asked her to remove her things from the only spare chair in the cafeteria. It was spring, and there was a drizzle outside. But Isla has pouted.

"Really? Sorry, baby girl, but I don't think your fat ass can cope on this chair. I got a bit of advice for you baby. Start ordering salad, instead of the junk you've got on your tray. So you'd fit into your jeans next spring and I'd give you the chair. Have a cheap day."

She had returned to her conversation with Craig and her girls, ignoring Novah.

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Ok, I'm so nervous about this story because it's the first I've written in the third person POV in ages. I wonder how Isla is going to handle her breakdown. Who else is?

Do spare votes and comments before you hop off.

Quinn
xoxoxo 💋