Life Within The Halls

Chapter 4: "She-Devil"

LIFE WITHIN THE HALLS

Jayden

Tuesday, 10th February, 10:05 a.m.

With a million Instagram followers, I was a big deal to Victoria Hill. I was the only one who could go head-to-head with her, since the others were intimidated by her titles.

When I first enrolled, the old-timers told me about the unwritten rule: you can mess around with anyone, not with Victoria Hill. But as time went on, I made that rule a myth—on my terms.

"Dude, I saw you talking to Vic. What's going on?" Henry asked, plopping down beside me and tossing his legs onto my desk.

"What do you think? She's accusing me of posting that chicken head video of hers," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Well, I wouldn't mind if it were a date, though," he said with a sly grin. "You know, instead of the accusation.

Henry had been teasing me nonstop about Victoria since winter break, when he caught me swooning over her holiday photos from Paris. I had to admit, she looked stunning—totally different from her usual strict self. But Victoria Hill was the same Victoria Hill, no matter what.

"Speaking of which, any ideas who AnonymousX is?" I asked.

"First, I thought AnonymousX was a guy, but with the mockery video of Victoria, I'm convinced a girl is behind it," he replied, his eyes on the doorway. "Every guy in school likes her, except for you, of course."

I smirked, my gaze following his. "She-devil," I muttered under my breath as Victoria walked in.

Henry shot me a knowing look. "You can't hate her forever," he said. "Enemies do turn..."

Before he could complete his sentence, which I wasn't ready to hear, Ella strutted up to our desks with Olivia. They were both still in their cheerleading uniforms, which they and the other cheerleaders had worn to the late Hannah's tribute ceremony.

"Babe," Ella kissed Henry. It was like a punch to the gut, watching them be so cute together.

"Could you give Jay and us a minute?" she asked in her British accent, which she'd picked up during her childhood summers spent in London.

"Sure thing, darling," Henry replied, giving her a quick nod.

Ella hooked her arm through mine, and we went outside into the corridor with Olivia.

"Must be happy Daniel's back, and... Hannah's out of the way?" I asked Olivia.

Her expression turned wistful. "Yeah, but he's still not going to be mine," she replied, "even if every new girl he gets dies." Her dark humor wasn't lost on me.

"Sort yourself out, girl," Ella said. "I know you still fancy Daniel, but don't be that desperate. He's not the only cute guy around; find another."

Daniel was Olivia's ex. They were one of the most talked-about couples when they were together. The reason Daniel had broken up with her was quite good. We all woke up one day to a screenshot posted by AnonymousX, which showed Olivia's chat with a stranger on Tinder. The chat consisted of creepy flirting conversations.

Olivia had sworn that the Tinder account was a catfish account and she wasn't behind it, but Daniel didn't trust her. I wouldn't have trusted her either if I were in Daniel's shoes.

"Daniel's not why we're here," Olivia said. "Ella needs you to do something for her."

"What? Tell me." I turned to Ella, and she leaned in, whispering into my ear.

"The new girl? Why her?" I asked after she whispered. "What has she done to you?"

"I simply can't stand her. Please, do this for me, Jay." She batted her eyelashes. "For my sake."