THE IT GIRL; BELLEVILLE HIGH

|7- 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝔂 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓮|

Belle

As the girls stared at me, for some reason, I felt I should hand in more proof. I brought out my phone and opened my shopping history, scrolling through the list of designer items. "Here, check out the receipts," I said, handing the phone to Paige. She looked at the list of purchases with wide eyes, realizing that I wasn't joking about the cost of my outfit.

"I-I'm sorry, Belle," Paige stammered, looking down at the ground. "I didn't know it was that expensive."

"It's not about the money," I replied, "it's about the disrespect. You can't just go around pouring paint on people and ruining their clothes. It's childish and immature."

"I know, and I'm sorry," Paige said, looking up at me with genuine remorse. "I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you."

"I appreciate that, Paige," I said, adjusting my posture, this was starting to feel good. "But it's not just going to end here, you embarrassed me in front of everyone, you'd have to apologize in front of them too."

Paige nodded reluctantly, it was a slap on her face and her reputation but I guess better than paying that much. I could see the weight of her mistake on her shoulders. She knew that she had messed up, and that it was going to take more than an apology to make things right. But for now, it was a start.

As we left the principal's office, Aiden was waiting for me outside. "Are you okay?" he asked, taking my hand in his.

"I'm fine," I replied, smiling up at him. "Thanks for being there for me."

"Always," he said, leaning in to kiss me. It was a sweet, gentle kiss, but it made me feel safe and protected. With Aiden by my side, I knew that I could handle anything that came my way. I also knew I won this little silent battle and it felt good.

As we walked down the hallway, I could feel all eyes on me. But this time, they weren't judging me or laughing at me. They were looking at me with a newfound respect, seeing that I wasn't just the new girl who caused drama. I was someone who stood up for myself and didn't let anyone walk all over me.

And with that, I knew that I had found my place in Belleville. As we got to class, Josh was the first to approach us.

"Belle, that was beautiful! What she did was so out of line, I'm glad you didn't let her get away with it". He told me and I smiled. Ain't I just so amazing?

"Thanks Josh". I replied grinning from ear to ear.

"Whitney and Hilton are totally against this though, it's a slap on their girlfriends faces". He told me, glancing over at them.

That's true, Tatty was Whitney's girlfriend and Beth was Hilton's girlfriend. Those pussies can't even speak the truth to their girlfriends faces.

I didn't let their disapproval bother me. I knew that what Paige did was wrong, and I wasn't going to let anyone make me feel bad for standing up for myself.

As the class went on, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. I had come to Belleville to become what I couldn't be in my previous school, the IT GIRL, and now I felt like I was heading closer. I had put the school's self appointed queen in her, and I had shown everyone that I wasn't someone to mess with.

After class, Aiden and I walked out of the school together, hand in hand. As we stepped out into the warm sunshine, I looked around at the beautiful campus and felt grateful for everything that had happened.

"Hey Belle". I turned around hearing Olivia's voice, I've been too occupied with everything going on that I totally forgot about my only friend.

"Olivia". I called out. She didn't seem like her usual chirpy self, she looked really bad.

"I'm really sorry Belle, I wasn't there when all of that happened this morning, I'm a really bad friend". She said sadly, she must be feeling guilty but the truth was, I also forgot about her and I also felt sorry.

I moved closer to her and gave her a hug, we both sniffled as we hugged each other. "I'm sorry too, I should have paid more attention to you as a friend. I promise I'd do better". I promised her.

She nodded, we were so filled with emotions as we let go of each other. Aiden was waiting for me and I didn't want to just keep him waiting, besides, my driver would be here anytime soon.

"I'd see you tomorrow". I told her and went back to Aiden.

We saw Thompson, my driver park waiting for me. As we walked towards my car, Aiden spoke up. "You know, Belle, you're really something special," he said, looking at me with admiration in his eyes.

I blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed by the compliment. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean that you're not afraid to stand up for yourself, even in a new place where you don't know anyone," he replied. "That takes a lot of courage."

I smiled, feeling grateful for his support. "Thanks, Aiden. I'm glad you showed up to support me, despite your friends being assholes."

"Hey, that's what boyfriends are for," he said, pulling me into a hug. "I'll always be here for you, Belle."

I hugged him back, feeling safe and loved in his arms. As we pulled away, I realized that I was happy, genuinely happy for the first time in a long time.

"But Aiden!" I called him.

"Yeah?"

"You are not my boyfriend yet though". I told him, he chuckled at the reality of that and nodded.

As I was about getting into the car, he pulled me back surprising me. "I was thinking, d-do you want to maybe come to my place tonight? My parents are out of town, and I could cook us dinner." He struggled to say.

I felt my heart flutter at the thought of spending the night with Aiden, alone in his house. I also found it cute how hard he struggled to ask me that.

"That sounds amazing," I said, smiling back at him.

I turned around to Thompson.

"Can you please tell mom I'd be out with my friend tonight?" I asked Thompson who only nodded not having the gut to refuse.

Mom would throw a fit tonight and thankfully I wouldn't be there. I immediately turned my phone off to avoid her calls.

Aiden and I walked to his car, and he opened the door for me like a true gentleman. As we drove to his house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This was a new chapter in my life, and I was ready to see where it would take me.

As we arrived at his house, Aiden led me inside and showed me around. It was a beautiful, modern home with all the latest amenities. He took me to the kitchen, where I sat watching him prepare a delicious dinner of steak and mashed potatoes.

As we ate, we talked about our dreams and aspirations, and I felt like I was getting to know him on a deeper level. After dinner, we cuddled on the couch and watched a movie, holding each other close.

"This is nice, its my first time and i really dont want to mess it up". I said softly in his arms.

He jumped in his seat, completely shocked. "You never dated?" He asked.

"Nope!". I shook my head.

"I'm glad to be your first". He replied with a cheeky smile.

As the night wore on, I felt my heart fill with happiness. I had great expectations when coming to Belleville and I wasn't disappointed. I had found love and friendship in unexpected places. And as I drifted off to sleep in Aiden's arms, I knew that anything was possible. This was just the beginning of my journey, and I was ready to embrace it with open arms.