Bow Down or Break

Chapter One

The day started off typical enough. Winnie stretched her thin, pale legs out underneath her lilac comforter. Her crystal blue eyes blearily opened, filled with sleep. Her alarm was blaring throughout her room demanding she wake in time to be ready for school.

Within a second, the alarm was turned off and Winnie slid off her bed. She took a glance around her sparse room. It was devoid of color besides the worn down comforter that she's had for ages. It was the one thing she still had left from when her father was alive. He purchased if for her since she had grown out of her kiddie blanket.

Winnie's mother, Kimberly never let her keep anything sentimental, but the comforter is allowed since buying a new one would come out of her drug money. Or whatever it is Kim spent her money on these days. She never let anyone touch her precious loose bills, she worked to hard spreading her legs to just give her cash away.

Winnie slipped through the musty hallway and locked herself in the bathroom. She contemplated if she had time for a quick shower before Kim's current boy toy, John came looking for her. The newer lock hadn't been broken yet so she figured that it'd be safe for now.

The shower was ice cold and lasted less than five minutes. At least Winnie looked and smelt clean. While in the bathroom she dressed for the day. Her room didn't have a lock so she couldn't be in any state of undress elsewhere.

A quick peek in the mirror told Winnie she looked as good as she was going to get. Dressed in a tight black V-neck that made her assets noticeably perky, dark blue skinny jeans with unfortunate wear and tear, and her reliable black combat boots... she looked essentially normal. But if you paid attention you could tell everything was purchased before she grew into her body and had been being worn for years.

Luckily, Winnie rarely drew eyes anymore. She had lived in the same area her entire life, people were used to seeing her. The poor kid who lives in the seemingly shit infested neighborhood. The kid who's beautiful face always seemed to be wearing a small frown. She had been told that it was such a waste of beauty to be spent on her.

She couldn't even properly disagree. Winnie knew how she looked, how men and society perceived her. Blessed with ivory skin that tinged with pink easily. Crystal clear eyes that seemed to glow when filled with tears. Black curly hair, that while sometimes looked unruly, usually looked like she had a five star hair regimen. And it was wasted on the girl who came from trash.

Still having a few extra minutes before she started her trek off to school, she decided to lightly apply some mascara and lip stain. She rarely kept up with appearances aside from being anal about always having her fingers and toes painted a shade of black. It was nice to feel pretty occasionally if she had the time to spare.

Knowing it was time to go she quickly grabbed her backpack and rushed out the front door. Thankfully, John wasn't in sight. There was a slight chill in the air but it didn't bother Winnie any. She was used to the cold.

It felt as if the walk to school had passed too quickly. The imposing building seemed to loom over her and the other students. You could just look at it and tell how miserable your experience inside was going to be.

Winnie seemed to glide by the other teens as if she was merely a ghost. No one waved hi or even shot a smile at her. She didn't really have any friends or anyone that would take note of her presence. It could be lonely, but she liked it that way.

Muscle memory guided her through the long hallway and allowed her to not touch a single person. The fluorescents seemed to shoot straight to her brain and become the start of a slow building headache.

Right before she made it to her first class someone bumped right into her, knocking her to the scuffed linoleum floor.

"Whoaaa, watch it will you?"

"Me? You're the one who knocked right into me", Winnie got out as she pushed herself off the floor.

"You don't want to start shit with me, candlestick."

Candlestick? Winnie glanced up and looked into glaring eyes. Phoebe fucking Bridgers. The mean girl who ruled the school with an iron fist. Of course, it was 'Queen Bee Phoebe' who had knocked into her, that was just Winnie's luck.

A wisp of Phoebe's bleach blonde waves fell in front of her face as she awaited a reply.

Winnie spoke with confidence and anger, "Listen, I know you think you rule this school, but I won't bow down to you."

"Oh really? We'll see about that."

Winnie watched as Phoebe walked off knowing she possibly just screwed herself over. She'd have to keep an eye out for Phoebe's right hand men. The lords of the school. Lewis Capaldi and Alex Turner. The two were usually permanently at their queen's side. They almost loved tormenting students as much as Phoebe did and that really said a lot. Students here saw them as royalty, but if you asked Winnie, they were just royal bullies.

Winnie flopped into her seat as she heard the bell go off. She hoped Phoebe was made late by their interaction. Although, knowing the school hierarchy, even if she was it wouldn't matter. It seemed like every single soul that filled these cursed halls fell at the rich girl's feet. Winnie couldn't help but roll her eyes just thinking about it.

Suddenly Mr. Styles' voice filled the class, "Did something in my lesson offend you, Winifred?"

Looking up with a startled glance, Winnie stuttered, "Oh. No, Mr. Styles. I just got lost in thought is all."

"Hmm. Okay, Winifred. Make sure to keep your mind on the lesson next time."

Winnie nodded her agreement and decided to push the altercation with Phoebe out of her mind. She couldn't let something so petty affect her studies. She had to work hard and get her ass out of this town the second she graduated. She refused to end up being a junkie, prostitute like her "mother".

Thankfully the rest of the school day passed peacefully. Winnie didn't even see the royal trio once. Maybe it was a good sign? Or something else entirely.