CHAPTER 1

*CORA*

The shrill sound of the alarm clock woke me up, and I rubbed my eyes, and all of a sudden, the sleepiness was gone from my body!

It was seven o'clock! I was going to be late for class!

And to top it off, Charlotte and Aria were coming to pick me up!

If they find out that I came out of such a humble house, then my rich white girl persona will collapse!

I shivered at the thought of becoming the school rat.

After a quick wash, I put on a little light makeup. Although the school forbids you from wearing makeup, I like to always look my best.

I grabbed my backpack and was ready to dash for the door when I was pulled by my mom.

“Honey. You haven't eaten breakfast yet."

“Mom, I'm too late, Charlotte and Aria will be here soon and I can't let them find out ......." I grumbled disgruntledly.

“I'm sure they'll wait for you, honey, skipping breakfast is bad for your health ......" Mom wasn't about to let me off the hook, for them, skipping breakfast is like spending the day in vain.

But the way things are going, it's better to live in vain than to have no tomorrow.

Suddenly, the phone in my hand beeped.

It was a text from Charlotte.

They were outside my house.

Well,the house they think I live in.

I’m supposed to be always be there before they arrive.

We always go to school together in Aria’s Ferrari.

I quickly gulped down a glass of water.

“Gotta go,mom.”

“Cora....”

I dashed out of the house before my mom could stop me.

I quickly straightened my clothes in order to remain at my most subdued.

I walked through the side of a mansion and found Aria’s car parked right in front of it.

“Hey, guys." I greeted with a smile as I walked up to the car.

"Why did you come from the back?" Aria asked, with a puzzled look on her face.

"Oh, um ...... My dad was fixing the front door, so I used the back." I quickly hid my heartfelt expression and explained.

Once in the car, she was still staring at me as if she really knew something.

I gulped, hoping they didn't suspect anything.

“Girls,it's almost late isn't it?" Charlotte suddenly spoke up to break the awkwardness, and just like that, Aria's eyes turned back to the steering wheel.

Whew, good thing that was only a scare, next time I'll have to be more careful not to get up late again!

I wasn't always such a vain girl.

In my former school,I had friends whom I was sincere with.

I had no reason to lie.

But then I got a scholarship into Elite high school.

I didn’t want to accept it at first.

I had heard that it was only rich kids that attended the school.

I knew I wouldn’t fit in,plus,it was far from

our home.

My dad found us again so my mom and I had to relocate to California.

To save my mom the expenses of getting me registered in a new school,I accepted the scholarship into Elite high.

During my first few weeks,it was indeed intimidating.

I witnessed how the low societal kids were always bullied by the rich kids.

Charlotte was my first friend and because she was friends with Aria.

The three of us became friends.

Aria owns a fucking Ferrari.

Charlotte is the daughter of a senator.

There was no way I could tell them that my father is a violent junkie and my mom is a waitress.

I didn’t want to be among the lame kids.

So I lied.

I lied about everything.

My parents.

My home....everything.

My popularity in school rose because of my beauty and great curves.

Not to mention that I won Miss Elite two straight years in a roll.

No one could take the crown from me.

Everyone adores me.

The boys wished they could date me.

And the girls wished they could be like me.

I was happy with how my life is.

“Good morning, Cora." As the three of us walked into school at the same time, all eyes were on me alone.

“She’s so pretty.”

“You’re glowing.”

“I love your sneakers.”

“Oh my gosh,it’s Cora Watson.”

These voices flew through my head.

Each time I walk into school,I always feel like a celebrity.

Oh come on...

Who wouldn’t love this life?

The morning was a blip on the radar for me, and I quickly forgot about the unease.

But I overlooked the fact that Aria had been hating my eyes behind my back.