Chapter 1

LYDIA

The chalk sounds too loud that it pierced my ears. I felt concerned if it would affect my hearing, but I see no blood dropping from my earloop, so I guessed it was fine. No hospital.

I've been too dramatic, but I won't blame myself. My life was too boring, what else to expect?

Maybe Mrs Trenton was not in her mood, or she was probably just upset. I observed the chalk she gripped that was about to break to pieces, radiating her rage in the entire class. I sensed the outrage emotions under my skin and I had a feeling that this not going to end well.

My limbs twisted inside, and my head lifted toward my right, staring out of the window. I don't need to see the never-ending maths formulas that she put so much effort to write on the chalkboard.

Algebra and Calculus weren't my favourite subject at all. Why waste time just to crack my head? Hell, I even didn't pass simple multiplying questions. These additional mathematics was going to be my killer subject.

I'm just an average, shy introvert and nerdy type of girl that has trouble making friends or starting conversations, or gossiping. Nothing interesting about me. My first rule of life is I would rather bump my face into the papers of books than even chat with a group of cheerleaders for more than five seconds.

Too many chats? Too much gossip? Then, you are the next topic.

Doesn't matter if I wear glasses or braces, it wouldn't change anything. The social status would remain the same. But yeah, I was lucky to have perfect teeth and excellent eyesight. Forget about looking like a nerd, I am a bookworm nerd.

I always wonder who the hell in this universe that writes the rules specifically black and white about who is the diva and who is the nerd. Dividing us into two categories like the sun and moon. It's discrimination!

The story is that I lived somewhere in Manhattan with my one crazy sister and one rude brother alongside my Labrador dog, Lucifer. I hate the name forever but I don't need to tell you that my brother is the one that suggests it right?

My dad is a mechanic and my mom is a talkative lecturer. My life was fine and I have a nice home. I have a compilated family background. With so many races and cultures in diversity. And because of the slice of Mexican blood somewhere on my father's side, we're all originally born with golden tan skin. And the little mix of Italian blood on my mother's side, I have a beautiful pointed prominent nose.

Most of us are brunettes but I was hoping for blue eyes or green eyes to add to the perfection. Unfortunately, I have dark brown almond eyes, almost black. To count all the special features, I can't tell if I was a beautiful person. Not like I care, but the criticism and harassment that I received due to my psychical appearance somehow caught my conscience.

"Miss Vinslen," Mrs Trenton called out.

Reality slapped my face. I blinked, confused.

"Sorry?"

"Do you pay attention to what I'm trying to teach you? Can you solve the questions in front?" She asked and as I looked over her shoulder, I saw a perfect set of questions that included something that has to do with the Pythagoras' theorems.

Crap.

My brain just hang in the air, too far to grill into critical thinking and it just went black like birthday candles that went off.

"Sorry, I was falling behind," I replied bitterly. And there it goes the cold ghosty stare from Mrs Trenton, the penetrating gaze chocking my soul. I messed up myself. The whole class fell silent and the curious look turned on me and I quickly lowered my head until my chin touched my chest.

"Well, like always. Fool people never learn," Mrs Trenton spat the acidic phrases on my face and it snapped my mouth. My roommate, Kate appeared to be my lifesaver. "I can do it" she raised a hand.

"Kate, stay out of this. You can't spoonfeed her forever," Mrs Trenton's voice was flat and final. And Kate even backed up her head. "I'm supposed to keep you out of my class and have you in detention but I think you will never change," she turned back to the chalkboard without looking at me, shaking her head.

Before this she had my parents come over to the school to discuss my maths results that had been so bad. Thanks to her, I have extra tuition classes on the weekend and less time on TV. Compared with my other siblings, I spent more time on books and a calculator than playing video games or hanging out with friends.

Life is so unfair.

The bell rang and the math books were magically on my beg in a blink of an eye. It was a few things that I will never be grateful to exist. I took out my lunch box and sighed in exasperation. The menu today is an apple, salad and coleslaw.

Borrringgg!!!

I stopped consuming meat a long time ago when my entire family decided to be full vegetarians. I didn't even get the chance to taste a chicken soup. My mother now actively joining a few charity works such as animal rights, environmental issues and humanitarian missions to feed the world's poor somewhere in Africa.

That's one of the reasons why she decided to dependent on a vegetarian diet. To stand against animal cruelty and save all the cows and chickens as many as she can. Even our care products are transformed into Body Works brands.

Her supporting and caring personality by nature required her to be consistently taking part in any social activities. Not to mention how many clubs and neighbourhood watch she gets herself in. She's one person that only cares about how to make the world a better place.

She was an angel. Everybody loves her.