He's here.

The bell rang, indicating the end of algebra and the beginning of lunch. Connie and I have been having similar classes today, so we have been together pretty much the whole day. So far, nobody has bullied me, probably because everyone is too busy admiring Connie to even notice my presence, later on bully me. So I guess it kind of is a good thing that Connie is hanging out with me, or am I the one hanging out with her? Either way, it still works out for me.

We have not yet crossed paths with Casey yet. I have a feeling he dodged some of his classes, cause I did not see him during the classes we share. People haven't really discovered who Connie really is. Connie may be the mayor's daughter, but she isn't known by many people. In fact, only her family members and some close friends know what she looks like. The mayor tries his very best to make sure that any pictures of her daughter don't appear on social media. She could be targeted by the same people wanting to harm him, especially now that he's earned a lot of strong, powerful and well connected people who wish him dead.

And also, Connie has never really been interested in being popular. I mean, it happens to her everywhere she goes. It's like she's just surrounded by some kind of positive aura that just makes everybody around her like her. And even though she's managed to keep a low profile up until now, I have a feeling that Casey is just going to appear and blow her cover, reveal her real identity. It's only a matter of time before that happens. Considering it's lunch time already, he might just pop up any minute. I'm sure he's heard that there is a new student at school, that would explain why he hasn't looked for me yet. At least I got to enjoy a moment of peace at school, cause that will all be ruined once Kenzie or Casey get here...or even worse, both!

"Sarah!" Connie's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Mmmh? Yes?" I answered bluntly.

"I've been talking for a while but it's like you weren't even listening. You kind of zoned out on me for a moment there. What's on your mind?" she asked, concern clear in her voice.

"N...Nothing. I was just thinking ,"

"Are you sure nothing's the matter? You look a little bit pale. What were you thinking about ?"

"Food I guess. I'm just really hungry, that's all," I lied. The truth is, I do not want to eat, I'm not even the slightest bit hungry. But I had to come up with a quick believable lie. Connie happens to be really good at telling if someone is lying to her. It's like her sixth sense or something.

"O-kay, I guess," she said, squinting her eyes as if she was thinking about what I just said. The way she said 'o-kay' sounded like she did not believe my lie, "Let's go to lunch then, cause I'm starving!"

"Y...Yeah sure. Just let me put these books away," I said opening my locker, and Connie put her books in too. We have to share a locker in the time being, until they find her a suitable locker. The principle is surely treating her like royalty.

But as I turned to put my books away, listening to Connie talk endlessly to herself, my locker was suddenly slam shut, making me and Connie flinch instinctively. But Connie quickly regained her composure, turning around only to find herself face to face with the witch herself... Kenzie!

Kenzie is the cheerleading captain and Casey's ex-boyfriend. She is also super mean, explains why she gets along with Casey so well.

Behind her, stood her faithful lap-dogs, Samantha and Kara, who basically hang on her every word. They follow her everywhere and do everything she says. I think Samantha is a good person, but the influence of Kenzie poisoned her mind. I was her math tutor once, and the time I spent tutoring her, I discovered that she's actually not that bad to hang out with.

"Can I help you?" Connie stepped up to Kenzie, speaking through gritted teeth.

"I know you! You, are the tramp that left with my boyfriend at Mike's party! Or did you think I'd forget?" Kenzie yelled in a high pitched voice, alerting everyone around. By now, people had already started gathering around us.

"What are you even talking about?"

"The night of Mike's, you came for Casey. And when I called his phone, you're the one who answered. I know it was you. And you told me he was 'sleeping'," Kenzie spat with venom laced in every word, especially 'sleeping'.

"Oh!" Connie chuckled, realization now dawning on her, "I remember you now. You're Kenzie!"

"The one and only," she flipped her hair.

"I've heard so many negative things about you,"

"Oh thank___ wait what?"

"You really have built an awful reputation for yourself. You really ought to fix that," Connie smirked, and the crowd around us cheered.

"Y...You better watch your mouth! You don't know who you're messing with," Kenzie stammered, clearly shocked that someone was standing up to her.

"Neither do you,"

"Look here newbie," she pushed Connie against the lockers, causing a loud thud to ring throughout the hallways. But before she could finish her sentence, Connie responded with a push of her own. Showing absolutely no fear. There was an even larger crowd, and they all cheered when Connie pushed Kenzie.

"Did you just push me?" she gathered herself and walked towards Connie again, this time raising her hand ready to slap her. I wanted to stop Kenzie, cause I seemed to be the only person here who knows a true identity. And if she slaps Connie, then she'll probably regret it for the rest of her life.

I was about to help, but someone stepped in just in time, stopping Kenzie's hand in mid-air before it even struck Connie's face... It was Casey!

"What do you think you're doing?" he pushed Kenzie aside.

"I know you cheated on me with this loser! I saw you!"

"She's my cousin!" Casey put his hands on Connie's shoulders, and for the first, he didn't even notice my presence.

"Y...Y...Your cousin?" Kenzie stammered for the second time today. She doesn't stammer, ever. So this is pretty legendary to the whole school.

"The mayor's daughter?" Samantha asked, and the whole school burst into whispers.

"Did she hurt you?" Casey asked, clearly concerned about the welfare of his cousin.

"No, I'm fine,"

"What are you even doing here?" he kissed her nose and gave her a big hug. I've noticed they do that a lot. Connie returned the hug.

"This did not go as I had hoped it will. It was supposed to be a surprise... Surprise!" she chuckled and Casey laughed.

"Well you clearly surprised me," they finally broke the hug, "But how did you manage to convince them to let you study here?"

"A lady never tells,"

"Hey, um, Connie?" Kenzie called out, looking for the right words to say, "I must look like a really big jerk right now___"

"You think?" Casey raised an eyebrow.

"I'm really sorry. I just thought___"

"Well you thought wrong Kenzie. And if you ever do so much as think of laying a finger on my cousin, you're going to regret it!" he threatened, and with that, he walked away, dragging Connie with him, his friends trailing behind them.

"What about Sarah? She was showing me around," I heard Connie say as she was being dragged along by Casey.

"She'll catch up," he replied, and with that, disappeared into the crowd, leaving a speechless Kenzie behind cursing under her breath.

Sometimes it's really hard to understand Casey. It makes me consider the fact that he may have a personality disorder or something. Cause he has like four personalities. The cool, amazing ,humorous one when he's with friends. The disciplined, smart and respectable one when he's around teachers. The caring, loving, overprotective sweet one when he's with Connie. And the jerky, cruel, abusive monster that I have to deal with everyday at school.

I just wish, that for just once in my life, to experience the caring side of him. But I know that that's nothing but a dream.

I walked away, all alone like I always am. I had gotten used to having Connie around the whole day, that it feels weird not having her around. I've gotten used to her endless talking, so much, that I miss it already. But I knew she'd forget about me the moment she saw Casey. I mean, who in their right mind would pick hanging out with a quiet, boring, ugly nerd like myself, over sitting with a hot handsome, jock like Casey. If I weren't me, I know I wouldn't pick hanging out with me either.

The good thing is, I can peacefully have lunch today without having to worry about anyone pouring food on me or tripping me. Everyone will be too busy talking to Connie or talking about Connie, to even have time to spare me a glance. I guess I don't have to worry about Casey today, or ever as long as Connie is studying at this school. As for Kenzie, I think she'll be too busy trying to get Connie to like her after she screwed up the way she did, which means she won't have time to bully me either.

I went to the cafeteria, sitting at the farthest table away from everyone else, all alone. Even the school nerds don't like sitting with me. I guess I'm just that unlikable.

From my table, I caught a glimpse of Connie, sitting at the footballers' table with Tessa and the entire football team. And they were surrounded by a large group of people, mostly cheerleaders, all of them laughing hard. It made me wish I wish I had that, friends to sit with and laugh with at lunch. I don't know why, but I thought that Connie would be that friend. Turns out I was wrong. First day of school and she's friends with the entire school, while I'm still a loner.

I didn't realize how long I was staring at them until Connie looked at me. She gave me a huge smile and a small wave. I gave her a small nod and stared down at my food, poking it. I had suddenly just lost my appetite.

While I was absent mindedly poking at my food, a tray was set down on the table beside me, and I could feel a presence right next to me, and I was hit by a familiar floral scent. It was Connie! She was sitting right next to me.

I glanced over at the table where she was sat before. Everyone was staring at me. Casey looked angry, and I had to keep my gaze down again. I hated all this attention they were giving me because of Connie. It was making me uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry for leaving you back there," she said, and she somehow sounded genuine.

"It's really not a big deal. It's okay," I said, trying to stop this conversation.

"No! It is! You have been with me the entire day, helping me, and haven't left my side for even a second. And when Casey just showed up, I just left you alone. It wasn't nice of me. I'm sorry. Do you think you can forgive me?"

Nobody has ever genuinely apologized to me, not even my own mother. And her, the daughter of the mayor was basically apologizing for nothing. It really made me feel special and cared for.

"Seriously, it's okay. I understand that you and Casey have a strong bond. And it's only natural that you would want to catch up,"

"Thank you for understanding," she smiled at me, and I gave her a small smile in return.

I though that things were finally starting to go right for me. But all that was ruined when a tray was banged opposite me. An all too familiar oceanic scent flooded my nostrils, and I knew very well who had joined the table.

"What's up?" his deep voice said, and I could feel his sharp eyes on me.... Casey!