The Bad Boy Craves Me✔

3. Meet the Family.

         Three long, blissful days have passed without any trace of Regina and her posse bothering me. It's been a mystery to me what had transpired after that fateful day inside the cafeteria. Despite the lack of explanation, I have been more than grateful for the peace and quiet.

The cheerleaders, football team, and even the rich students have all given me death stares, as if they were attempting to penetrate my very soul with their gaze.

Surprisingly, even the nerds have been casting glares of disapproval in my direction. Yet, despite their apparent disdain, no one has dared to utter a single word to me.

I was overjoyed to say the least that I could actually walk through the school's halls without being bombarded by insults and ridicule. I didn't even see a video of what happened.

Despite the respite from Regina and her crew, a nagging feeling of anxiety and unease still lingered within me. The thought of Regina seeking revenge for what had transpired in the cafeteria kept me on edge, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something big was on the horizon.

To add to my concerns, I had noticed one of Kristrin's gang members following me around. At first, I dismissed it as nothing more than paranoia. But the more I noticed them lurking in the shadows, the more uneasy I became. Were they planning something together?

I was pulled out of my thoughts by the high-pitched voice of my two-year-old brother, Antonio, calling me urgently from downstairs. "Anna, momma needs you downstairs now!" he yelled, his tiny feet pattering against the hardwood floor as he scampered off.

I made my way down the stairs; I couldn't help but smile at the sight of my little brother. "Come here, you ant boy!" I called out, teasing him playfully.

"I'm not an ant!" he giggled, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he darted away from me towards the kitchen. I chased after him, my heart feeling light for the first time in days.

I caught up to him and scooped him up in my arms, I felt a sense of warmth and contentment wash over me. Despite the chaos and uncertainty of my high school life, moments like this with my family were what truly mattered.

As I entered the kitchen, the savory aroma of my mom's cooking filled my senses. She stood at the stove, her back turned to me as she stirred the pot with a wooden spoon. My three-year-old brother, Antonio, was doing his best to climb onto a nearby stool, determined to get a better view of the delicious meal being prepared.

My mom was of medium height, her brunette hair tied back in a messy ponytail atop her head. She swayed her hips to the rhythm of some 90s music playing softly in the background, lost in her own world of culinary bliss.

I made my way towards my mom, and as she picked Antonio up in her arms, I asked, "What's up, Mom?"

"We'll be attending one of your father's galas this Saturday night," she replied, a hint of excitement in her voice.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me at her words. I had attended these events before, and they were nothing but a boring gathering of rich, snobbish people talking about business and their social status - topics that held no interest for me.

"Okay," I said, trailing off as I tried to ignore the true meaning behind her words.

I knew my parents expected me to be on my best behavior and make a good impression, but the thought of spending my Saturday night listening to boring speeches and engaging in small talk with strangers filled me with a sense of dread.

"Vicky will be here to take care of Antonio while we attend the gala," my mom continued, sensing my hesitation. "This is one of your father's most prestigious business events, and it's important that you attend. You know they'll want to meet the heir to your father's corporation and their potential future business partner."