After Lucinda finished arranging some things in her cluttered locker, she checked the timetable for her next class with the book Xena had gave her.
Glancing at the time, she rolled her eyes in frustration.
"Shit, I'm 14 minutes late!" She quickly grabbed her scattered belongings and sprinted down the crowded hallway to her class, her heart racing with anxiety.
As she burst into the classroom, all eyes turned towards her, and the room fell silent.
She sighed as she entered, missing the anonymity of her former school where she could enter through the back door without drawing attention.
She nodded apologetically at the stern-looking teacher, who raised an eyebrow.
"And, Miss, just so you know, I don't tolerate lateness in my class." The teacher said and Lucinda nodded again, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks
She scanned for a seat to sit and then she found one , she quickened her pace and sat down
She turned her head to see that she was actually sitting down beside Angelina Brooks
She whispered to Angelina
"Hey, did you take notes on what the teacher said so far? I'll borrow your book."
Angelina turned to her, but instead of responding, she looked away, leaving Lucinda to focus on the lesson and try to catch up.
When the teacher asked a complex question, the students murmured, unsure of the answer.
Lucinda raised her hand, drawing attention once more. Just as Lucinda was about to answer, Ethan, Alex, and Liam burst in, causing the girls to squeal with excitement.
Lucinda was surprised when the teacher didn't reprimand them for their tardiness, despite her earlier stern warning.
'Prestigious students privileges,' Lucinda thought wryly.
The teacher turned to her and said, 'So, Miss, answer the question.'
Lucinda responded correctly, earning a 'That's correct' from the teacher and applause from her classmates."
"That's my girl, mi amor!" Someone shouted. She turned to see that it was Alex making her roll her eyes in annoyance at his flirtatious tone.
After class, while packing her bag, Lucinda noticed a sleek silver bracelet on the desk beside her. Assuming it belonged to Angelina, she picked it up.
As she stood, Tiffany, the blonde girl she met earlier, blocked her path, flanked by two friends.
"We didn't get to introduce ourselves properly before Xena whisked you away," Tiffany said, extending her manicured hand.
"I'm Tiffany, but call me Tiff," likely mimicking Lucinda's earlier introduction.
"Let's not be enemies, okay? Just steer clear of Ethan," Tiffany warned.
Her friend to the left chimed in
"And Alex"
while the other friend added, "And Liam too."
"Just avoid the trio, and we'll get along fine." Tiffany said and with that, she walked away, flanked by her two friends leaving Lucinda to wonder about the intricate social dynamics in this prestigious school.
Lucinda scoffed inwardly, knowing she had no interest in the charismatic trio.
~~
Lucinda went to the restroom before going for her next class and in the restroom, Lucinda encountered Angelina, who was checking her reflection in the mirror.
"I think this is yours," Lucinda said, returning the bracelet. Angelina's gaze met hers in the mirror, Lucinda noticed Angelina's arm, where a rolled-up sleeve exposed a significant scar.
Lucinda's eyes widened in shock.
Angelina swiftly snatched the bracelet from Lucinda's hand, she noticed that Lucinda was looking at the scar and quickly adjusted her dress, and exited the restroom, leaving Lucinda stunned and wondering about the story behind the scar.
~~
She went straight for the next lesson and during the lesson, the teacher instructed the students to access the school portal to view their project group assignments and respective team members.
Lucinda pulled out her phone, logged in, and navigated to the group listings. She discovered she was assigned to Group B and clicked on 'View Group Members' to reveal her teammates."
GROUP B MEMBERS
1. Xena Williams
2. Liam Chen
3. Ethan Blackwood
4. Alex Styles
5. Angelina Brooks
6. Lucinda Maxwell
" Damn it!" Lucinda exclaimed, her voice laced with disappointment.
She was dismayed to find that Xena was the only familiar and friendly face in her group.
"Why does fate always play these cruel tricks?" she lamented.
Lucinda dreaded the prospect of working closely with Ethan, Alex, and Liam again , the very guys she had hoped to avoid.
"This is not good," she thought, bracing herself for a challenging experience.
YOU ARE READING
Dear Lucy
RomanceLucinda Maxwell, a scholarship student from an average family, navigated the challenges of Oakwood High School, where wealth and status reigned. Despite feeling like an outsider, she found solace in anonymous letters left in her locker every day. Th...
