I Despise You: A Dark High School Bully Romance

  I DESPISE YOU

  Evelyn Ferras

  Copyright © 2020 Evelyn Ferras

  All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior permission in writing from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  Books By Evelyn Ferras

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  I FUMBLE WITH MY KEY as I try to get the old lock to work. The door finally opens with a loud squeal and I push my way inside.

  I hesitate as I kick off my shoes in the hallway.

  Chocolate.

  The whole apartment smells like chocolate, and I don’t even know why. I glance at the clock on my phone, wondering if I’m late.

  Nope, not late.

  I’m early, actually.

  My mom should still be at work, and my little sisters with my grandma. So why is my nose filled with sweet deliciousness that makes my stomach rumble?

  “Liliana, honey! Is that you?” my mom calls from the kitchen, and my eyebrows shoot up.

  Huh.

  I guess she got off work early today, which is a surprise, because her boss never lets her do that. Hell, I’m pretty sure he’d keep her 24/7 if he could.

  “Mom?” I poke my head through the door, my eyes widening at the sight of the table. “Are we expecting someone?”

  The whole table is set up, with our fancy plates and silverware that we use only on rare occasions, and I know I haven’t missed anyone’s birthday.

  Four plates.

  Does that mean it’s going to be just the four of us?

  “No, we’re not expecting anyone.” My mom lifts her gaze to me, her brown eyes meeting mine.

  There’s a sparkle in them that I don’t see very often, and especially not after she comes back home from work. Has she gotten a promotion? She’s been Herbert Waldorf’s secretary for years.

  “What’s going on then?” I lean on the doorway. “Do you need any help?”

  She adds some more whipped cream to the chocolate cake. “No, honey. I wanted to finish this before you got here, but... Doesn’t matter. Your sisters will be here soon.”

  I watch her as she starts cleaning up the counter. Something else is different about her.

  “Did you dye your hair?” I ask.

  Her hair is dark brown like mine, but now it has a different hue.

  It’s shinier. More chestnut.

  “Yeah. Do you like it?” She runs her hand through her hair with a grin.

  “Sure. But maybe you could’ve picked red or blonde so that people stop saying we look like clones,” I tease.

  Almost every person who sees me and who knows my mom tells me I look exactly like her. My sisters never get any of that.

  I’m the only one with dark brown hair and eyes like my mom’s, while my sisters have light brown hair and hazel eyes, just like their dad. I’m also about my mom’s height, but not as slim as her.

  Suddenly, unease fills my stomach.

  “Are you... um, dating someone?” I ask, holding my breath for her answer.

  The last time my mom was acting like this, she ended up marrying Timothy. Then my little sisters were born. And then, one day, Timothy just packed his things and left, and we haven’t heard from him since.

  “No. It’s nothing like that.” My mom waves her hand. “Sit down. I have a surprise for you.”

  “For me?” I pull a chair, taking a seat, and do my best to hide the relief spreading through me.

  I don’t think my sisters are ready for a new dad, and neither am I, which is probably selfish of me.

  But I don’t want to see my mom hurt again, and I definitely don’t want to hear her crying in the bathroom every night after my sisters go to sleep.

  She nods, not giving me any clues as to what the surprise may be. Maybe she’s gotten me a job. I’ve been looking for one for months now, but no one in our town seems interested in hiring a high school student, especially since my senior year is about to start soon.

  I used to dream about going to college, but that’s an impossible dream now. There’s no way we can afford college, and I don’t think I can get any scholarships either. Besides, my mom needs me here.

  My mom waltzes across the room and comes back with an envelope. She places it on the table in front of me, the corners of her lips quirking up.

  “What’s this?” I frown at the envelope, picking it up.

  “Open it.”

  It’s just a plain white envelope, and I can’t tell what’s inside.

  A piece of paper, I guess. The envelope is too thin and light to contain anything else.

  I pull out the paper and furrow my brow. A crest at the top says Richerville Elite Prep, but I have no clue what that is.

  I skim through the text.

  My eyes rise to my mom’s.

  She’s unable to contain her happiness, and her grin widens.

  “I don’t understand,” I say. “It says I got accepted to Richerville High School for my senior year, but I don’t know why.”

  I’ve never applied to any high schools, and why would I? I already have one. Why would I be accepted to some private high school?

  “Honey, Richerville Prep is everything you’ve always wanted, and it’s one of the best schools in the country.” My mom beams.

  “Um, okay. That’s great. But I can’t—”

  “This is my boss’ gift to us. Well, it’s for you. He wanted to give me something for all the years I’ve worked for him, and instead of a fancy vacation somewhere overseas, I asked for this. He’ll pay your tuition fee and cover all the other costs. It’s nothing to him, but to us, it’s everything.”

  Richerville Prep.

  Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that name before.

  Except, I’m sure it was the Richerville University, not High School, so it’s probably not the same thing.

  “Mom, that’s really nice, but I don’t need a scholarship for some fancy school. And your boss is a sleazebag. Who knows what he’ll want in return.” I don’t trust that snake of a man at all.

  He’s all about money, and he’s paying my mom even less than she deserves for all the work she does for him.

  Hell, he calls her in the middle of the night too, whenever he wants her to set up a meeting with someone overseas or something that he thinks can’t wait.

&nbs
p; And I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care about anyone other than himself. Once, he even stole my mom away from my sisters and me on Christmas. I don’t want to give that man an excuse to pester my mom and demand even more.

  “Honey, leave my boss to me. You don’t have to worry about any of that. And it’s not just some fancy school. It’s a very special fancy school. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Richerville University.”

  “I guess. But we can’t afford—”

  “They offer a full scholarship to the best Richerville Prep student. Just think about it. It’s your chance to go to college. All your expenses will be paid for if you keep your grades up and—”

  “The best student?” I grimace. “I don’t think they’d consider me, even if I go to that school for a year.”

  “Actually, they would. I checked all the rules.” She grins again. “They’re not like other schools and they have their own rules. Your senior year counts the most. If you apply for the scholarship, you will have to take some tests with everyone else. I don’t think all the students will apply since most of them are rich and don’t need a scholarship, so that gives you a chance. I believe you can do it. The Richerville University is very prestigious. With their diploma, all the doors will be open for you.”

  I gape at her like a fish as all the information flows through my mind.

  Is this real? Maybe I should pinch myself to check.

  My mom’s right. This is a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I won’t get again.

  My freshman year was a disaster, mostly thanks to Timothy and his sudden departure, but now I can start it all over again.

  “And they offer just one spot at the University?” I bite down on my lip.

  The odds are so not in my favor.

  I don’t know anything about the school’s curriculum, or if I can ever be good enough to compete with Richerville Prep’s best students who have attended the school from the beginning.

  “Yes, but don’t let that discourage you. If you really want something, it’s worth a try to get it.” She sits down across from me and reaches out.

  I place my hand in hers and she squeezes lightly.

  “I know it sounds scary, but even if you don’t get the scholarship, finishing your senior year at Richerville Prep will look really good on your resume.”

  “Right.” I’m almost convinced just to say yes and celebrate with my mom, but then another thought crosses my mind. “Wait, where is this school?”

  I’m a hundred percent sure it’s not anywhere near here.

  How would I get there?

  “Across the country. It’s a boarding school.” For the first time, my mom’s smile falters, but her grip on my fingers gets stronger.

  I shake my head. “No. I can’t. I’m not leaving you.”

  I don’t want to be away from my family. Tears prickle the corners of my eyes.

  We’ve always been together. Through good and bad. Leaving my mom and my sisters doesn’t feel right.

  “Oh, honey. I don’t want you to go either, but I think it’s time. There aren’t any colleges around here anyway, and I’m sure your dad would agree with me if he was here.”

  I can’t fight the tears anymore, and one slips down my cheek.

  My dad.

  He died when I was seven while deployed on a mission, so far, far away from home. A day doesn’t go by without me remembering him. His photo hangs in the hallway, greeting me whenever I pass by. His kind smile warms me up whenever I feel down.

  My mom’s eyes get teary too as she wipes a tear off my cheek. “It’s going to be okay, honey.”

  I nod and take a deep breath.

  The doorbell rings.

  Grandma must’ve brought my sisters home.

  My mom squeezes my hand one more time and rises to her feet. As she opens the door, I wipe away my tears.

  Richerville Prep.

  My only chance at going to college, if I can be the best student.

  The thought of it makes me laugh, but I owe it to my mom and myself to try. It’s not like I have anything to lose. I can only gain.

  “Lily!” my sisters squeal as they run toward me like a mini hurricane.

  “Hey!” I push my chair back and spread my arms right before they throw themselves at me.

  My mom gazes at us from the doorway, an expectant look on her face as her eyes meet mine.

  Yes, I mouth, because it’s the only thing I can do.

  She claps her hands in excitement.

  I hug my sisters tightly to me, hoping that our hearts won’t break when I leave.

  Except, I already know that mine will.

  But I have to be strong.

  I have to think about the future.

  Richerville Prep, here I come.

  Chapter 2

  A GASP ESCAPES MY LIPS when my eyes fall on the huge building that looks like a cross between a museum and a fancy hotel. I lean forward even more, nearly plastering my face to the car window.

  “Is this really it?” I ask, barely believing my eyes.

  “Yes, honey. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” my mom says from the passenger seat.

  The school is so damn awesome that they’ve even sent a car for my mom and me to pick us up at the airport.

  My mom’s boss paid for it all, and I don’t even want to ask my mom how much exactly it all costs. I wish my sisters were here, and I already miss them.

  “Yeah, it’s incredible.” I gaze at the big field in front of me and the balconies that look onto a pool.

  Richerville Elite Prep has it all.

  Swimming pools, sport courts, its own movie theater, shopping mall... It’s like a small town in itself, and it has everything a student—a very rich one—may want.

  “Is it true that I’m going to have my own room?” My voice is filled with excitement that’s impossible to hide.

  My mom pulls a brochure out of her purse. She wants to double-check everything, even though we’ve talked about it for like a billion times already. “Yes. Every student has their own room and a private bathroom.”

  Just like a hotel. And I haven’t even been to any hotels. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined something like this.

  The car pulls to a stop, and a man in a black suit opens the door for me. I stare at the statues that line the path that leads to the entrance adorned with Greek columns.

  “Welcome to Richerville Prep,” the man says with a smile as my mom and I get out of the car.

  “Oh, honey. This is all so wonderful.” My mom turns to me with teary eyes and wraps her arms tightly around me. “I hope you’ll have a great time here. It’s not all about getting into the University. Don’t forget to have fun too.”

  “I won’t.” I flash her a smile.

  Before I can get my suitcase, I realize that the man who greeted us is already taking it to the entrance.

  “I have to go now. Call me as soon as you get settled in. I’ll call you every day. And text,” my mom blurts out, all flustered.

  “Yeah, sure. Are you okay?”

  She bobs her head, wiping at her eyes. “Sorry, honey. I know you’re the one who’s supposed to be excited like this and not me, but we’ve never been apart like this and I... I love you so much.”

  “I love you too, Mom.” I wind my arms around her, pulling her close to me as I close my eyes.

  We stay like that for a few long moments, and the little girl in me doesn’t want to let go.

  Ever.

  I inhale deeply, her scent of roses and lilies filling my nostrils, and I step away.

  My mom smiles at me, gives me a little wave, and then gets in the car.

  I plaster a big smile on my face as I wave while the car is getting farther and farther away. My throat constricts, but I steel myself and head to the entrance.

  More cars appear in the long driveway. Some head to the parking lot, and I guess some kids already have their driver licenses and their own cars.

  I can only dream about having
a car, let alone a Ferrari, a Porsche, or a Lamborghini—the parking lot is full of them.

  A few students pass me by, already in their uniforms, and they hug their friends. A girl is embracing her parents, tears in her eyes. She looks like a freshman. I wonder how I’m going to fit in with the rich kids, especially since I’m not a freshman.

  All the seniors here probably already know one another, and they know full well who their friends and enemies are. I’m not sure where I’m going to end up, but I’ll do my best to get the spot at the University, no matter what.

  Just as I set foot on the first of the steps that lead to the front door, a girl with long dark red hair and hazel eyes focuses her attention on me.

  She’s in her uniform—a short pleated skirt and a plain blue T-shirt with Richerville’s crest—and she’s holding a stack of papers in her hands.

  “You must be Liliana,” she exclaims as she looks me up and down.

  “Um, yeah. That’s...” My voice trails off as my gaze catches the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. “...me.”

  The guy’s totally kissable full lips spread into a smile, his blue eyes so intensely trained on me that I almost feel naked.

  He runs his hand through his short dark brown hair, making it even messier and somehow more attractive. The Richerville suit hugs his strong, lean body as if he was born to wear it, and he totally knows it.

  The redhead follows my gaze and rolls her eyes. “Nice of you to show up, Chase. You’re late.”

  “No, I’m not,” he says as he stops right next to her.

  “I’m Brittany,” the girl says. “This is Chase.” She nods toward the guy. “We’re your guides.”

  My guides?

  Wow.

  Is everyone at this school so incredibly hot, or is it just these two?

  I push that thought out of my mind. I’m not here to date anyone. That’s for sure. I have to focus on studying and doing my best. There’s no time for relationship drama or anything like that.

  “Let’s start with the right wing,” Brittany says.

  I give her a small smile and glance at Chase, who’s still eyeing me carefully.

  Can he tell that I don’t belong here? That I’m not really one of them?

  I have no idea what he’s thinking.