I shoved myself upright, slipping again and landing against a real wall this time. With a determined growl, I took off again—in the right direction toward my home.
Home, I scoffed. What is that anyway?
“Hey!” the male called out behind me.
I ignored him.
This was the night from hell, and I just wanted it to end. My entire body was frozen, shivering, and probably dying from the wintry mix.
Wouldn’t that be a grand finale to it all?
I wiped at the icy streaks against my cheeks, pushing myself onward. It wasn’t until I reached the back entrance to my house that I realized why I was so cold.
I’d lost my slippers.
My mother’s slippers.
I collapsed into a heap on the stoop, done with it all, and finally allowed myself to truly cry.
My fairy-tale evening had turned into a happily never after.
Because there was no such thing as love or joy in my world. Only harsh realities and cruel games.
And I was done being the butt of everyone else’s jokes.
Chapter One
Ella
Senior Year
School uniforms were the bane of my existence. What I wouldn’t give for a damn hoodie to hide under.
Today’s gossip surrounded some new kid. A transfer who had to shack up with his rich uncle for unknown reasons. Of course, the student population at Darlington Academy had several theories to discuss.
“I heard he was kicked out of his last school for lighting a teacher on fire.”
“Meghan told me it was because his dad is in jail for embezzling money. So now he’s, like, in hiding or something, with some super-pissed-off people after him.”
“Pretty sure it’s not that. I mean, did you see his car? Can’t buy that limited edition without funds, Cas.”
“Tommy said he’s the son of some mafia boss.”
“Hmm, Tommy would know.”
“Right?”
I rolled my eyes, pushing through the masses to get to my English class. These idiots seriously had too much time on their hands. It wasn’t even first period, and they already had a hoard of backstories crafted for the new guy. Poor fool. He had no idea what kind of hellhole he’d just entered.
Eight more months, I told myself. Then you’re free.
Technically, I was already eighteen and could leave now—something my stepmother enjoyed reminding me of every time she told me to earn my keep.
Alas, I required a degree to access my inheritance.
A stipulation my mother had put in the will.
And I couldn’t exactly enroll myself in a public school without an address to call home.
So I was stuck in this hell until June.
The price we pay for a future, I thought with a snort, taking my usual seat at the back of the room.
I preferred to hide and take notes, which was easier back here away from the other students. Of course, that didn’t stop them from harassing me.
With a sigh, I glanced up at the shadow approaching me. “Yes?” I said by way of greeting.
Charlie Anderson smirked, his too-perfect blond hair slicked back to reveal his classically handsome features.
All the girls adored him—the perpetual playboy and best friend to Dash Charming. The duo pretty much ruled the school, their families wealthier than God himself.
“Now is that any way to greet a prince, Cindersoot?” he drawled, propping his hip against my table.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I batted my eyes up at him. “Yes, Your Dickishness? How can I amuse you and your asshole friends today?”
He reached out to tug on one of the blonde strands of hair that had fallen out of my bun. I allowed it simply because I learned years ago that fighting back only earned me worse punishments. A lack of reaction, however, usually made them go away.
But not today.
No, the Royal Dick of Darlington Academy wanted something.
And he would toy with me until he got it.
Students began to enter, his back to them all as he considered my blouse and skirt. “Those look a bit big, Cindersoot.”
“Because they are,” I replied sweetly. “It used to belong to Ryan.” The bitchy princess couldn’t wear an outfit more than five times, despite it being a fucking uniform. And so I often inherited her hand-me-downs. Which would be fine if we had similar proportions. But she was curvy, while I had my mother’s tall, willowy figure.
“A shame,” he drawled. “I’d love to see more of the figure beneath.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure. How about later tonight?”
His lips curled. “Now you’re speaking my language.”
I matched his grin with one of my own. “Never going to happen, Sir Dickenstein.” I blew him a kiss.
“We both know it would if I actually wanted it to,” he replied, completely unfazed. “But no one wants to touch unwashed goods.” He released my hair and wiped his hand on his pressed pants. “Try showering in the morning. I hear that helps.”
I had showered this morning.
Then my stepmother had assigned me a last-minute task before school, which left me no time to wash up afterward.
Hence the foliage in my hair.
While I adored the autumn colors, I hated the chores that came with it. Because heaven forbid we have leaves in our yard. Why my stepmother bothered to keep all the trees on our property was beyond me. She clearly disliked them and the wildlife they brought into the yard.
He picked a leaf out of my hair and threw it in my face. “You’re filthy.” He tsked. “Pretty sure that goes against the dress code.”
I snorted, eyeing the display of tanned skin at his neckline. “So does not wearing a tie.”
“I put it to a better use,” he murmured, innuendo deep in his tone. “Not that I’d expect you to know anything about it.” He leaned in close. “But maybe I’ll demonstrate on you sometime. Deflowering virgins can be fun.”
I canted my head to the side. “You think you could?” I asked, feigning innocence. “Because I could use a good mentor.” I pretended to consider him. “Hmm, no, sorry. Chuckie Cheesy just isn’t my style.”
He narrowed his gaze, his playfulness slipping behind the callous mask I knew so well. “You’re all about the nicknames today, aren’t you, Isabella?”
“Well, when the shoe fits,” I replied, shrugging.
He gripped my chin, bringing his nose to mine.
My heart skipped a beat, his nearness souring my stomach.
I hated when they touched me.
But they did it often, treating me like a chew toy they could stomp beneath their boot. No one ever did anything about it. Not even when their grip bruised—such as it did now.
The administrators at this esteemed academy cared more about their budgets than their students. I was just a charity case, someone lucky to be here. It didn’t matter that it was my father’s money that paid the bills. No. He was dead, leaving Clarissa in charge of his estate.
“Careful, Cindersoot,” Charlie warned, his lips falling to my ear. “Push me and I’ll push back.”
He released my chin to place his palm between my breasts and gave me a shove that sent my chair back a foot.
“You reek,” he snapped, standing upright and sneering at me. “Stay back there. The rest of us value our sense of smell.” With that, he turned and approached a horde of giggling girls and smirking guys.