The Player's Secret

Chapter 3: Joey Stevens

Hanging out with Derek was great, we never did it in school because he understood my desire for no attention. Don't get me wrong he completely hates the opinion I have etched inside my mind of how the school's social system works but that's the thing, it isn't an idea it's the truth. I don't blame him for not noticing, he is at the top of the social chain after all, but sometimes I just wish he would stop bugging me about it.

I'll admit that I would love to have friends, I would love to have more people like me. I have always wanted to go to all the parties, have fun, meet a boy but if you piss off one person they suddenly make it their life's mission to make your High School career a living hell. And High School students? Ya, they get really creative. They will 'accidentally' spill their lunch on you, bluntly make fun of you, or unveil secrets to the entire school that even you yourself wishes not to remember, oh and don't forget about their constant wishes for you to take your own life. Yeah, you can't forget that.

How would I know all this? That's easy, because it happened to me two years ago, the reason I was sent to Boarding School, so I could escape the bullying.

The thing is, they say those things to you thinking they don't matter any but I remember every word, action, and threat and I am convinced I always will. I remember Derek and his best friend Jake Crawford doing everything they could to tame the bullying but this was before The Three existed and Derek couldn't control Cece when she zeroed in on a target.

Now that I'm back I just need to remember a few things. Number one, don't let Cece know I'm back, and number two, don't be the pretty girl that has a massive crush on Ace, Cece's boyfriend. Follow these rules and I am sure to make it out alive... hopefully.

"Ready for school?" Derek asks and he wanders into my room without a knock early in the morning.

I was currently using bobby pins to make my forehead look as big as possible, and wiping my perfectly done make up all over my face, making my complexion another level of terrible. Just a daily routine that I learned from that Youtuber Miranda Sings, you know that one that wears an unflattering amount of red lipstick?

"Aw and I was going to say your face looked good today," I looked away from my mirror and sent him a glare. My brother just put his hands up level with his shoulders and flashed me a boyish grin, sometimes I really wish it was possible to hate your best friend.

"Why are you even here Derek? Last time I checked I drove myself to school," I mumble, subtly trying to get rid of him. I knew what he was trying to do and I was less than happy about it.

"Just let me drive you, I'm your brother for God's sake why shouldn't I?"

"Bye Derek," I say and walk around him. He lets out a series of protests but I ignore him, grabbing an apple and my school bag before heading out to my car.

Heading into the school I keep my head low and try to stay out of everyone's way. People continue to pass by me as if I don't exist and I let them because that's the way it has to be.