Saved by the Bad Boy

Being the New Girl

The next morning Lacey leapt out of bed and dressed quickly, not wanting to be late to class and hoping to make friends with some other students if she got there early. She was excited as she showered and dressed, frowning as she took in her reflection. Her jeans were faded and the large sweatshirt she wore had threads unravelling. Her hair was tidy but her shoes were thin and worn as well. She hoped that it wasn't something the school would say was against the rules because Lacey didn't really possess any other clothes that were in better condition. Now that Agnes and her father were pocketing the money she made she couldn't afford to either unless she was willing to starve for a few days to buy pants. 

With a shrug she headed out and made her way to the main building, intent on getting to her locker and books. Was it her imagination or were they all staring at her? She gazed at the other students taking in their expensive designer clothes and perfectly applied makeup. Lacey felt like a bug they would like to squish as they giggled behind their hands and whispered derogatory remarks in their little cliques. 

"Has to be a scholarship student" 

"Ugh she looks like a homeless tramp"

"Probably stinks, wish the school wouldn't take on charity cases."

On and on it went as Lacey fought back tears, opening her locker and taking deep breaths. Why were people so cruel? Lacey hadn't even done anything to them let alone talked to them and they were already judging her based solely on her clothes. Throngs of students walked past her as she quietly took out her books and headed to her first class, her head down as she avoided everybody's stares that felt like sharp knives twisting into her. So focussed on remembering where her chemistry class was, she bumped into what felt like a hard brick roll, sending her books flying in every direction as she stumbled and almost fell.

A strong arm gripped her and she looked up dazedly into a pair of deep blue eyes. "I'm sorry I wasn't looking where I was going" the boy apologized, running a hand through his blonde surfer like hair. 

"No I wasn't looking where I was walking" Lacey said bending down to retrieve her books as he knelt down and helped her. 

"Here" he said handing over his stack as Lacey took them gratefully.

"I haven't seen you before are you new?"

"Yes" Lacey said quietly, looking down at the floor as her cheeks flushed. 

Another boy came up, red hair and freckles over his smiling face as he clapped the blonde boy on the back. "You coming babe or am I dragging you to class" he laughed as Lacey's eyes widened in surprise. 

"In case you didn't know my name is Grant" the blonde boy said with a grin "and this right here is the love of my life Jimmy" he gestured to the other boy who pretended to blush.

Lacey liked these boys. They were so friendly, at least in comparison to what she had seen of the school so far. "I'm Lacey" she said shyly as they shook her hand. 

"It's nice to meet you Lacey" Jimmy said calmly "what classes do you have before lunch?"

"Um chemistry and English" she mumbled as the boys hovered over her schedule. 

"We have those classes too" Jimmy and Grant exclaimed simultaneously laughing together. 

"Let's go together then and grab the best seats in the room" Grant pumped his fist in the air as Jimmy rolled his eyes.

They headed out together, Lacey wedged in the middle as the boys chatted, probing into her background and trying to find out more about her. They filled her with ease and she was shocked when they stopped in front of the chemistry lab's door. 

"Voila" Grant declared opening the door for her and motioning her inside. 

Lacey was hesitant when she walked in, meeting the hostile gazes of the other students already seated as the sneered at her clothes and looked away. Grant and Jimmy just glared back at them and dragged her to the back of the room, promptly sitting her down and pulling up their own chairs. 

"Taken in another mangy homeless bum then Grant" a boy chortled across the room.

"No haven't seen your sister anywhere Thomas" Grant counteracted as the classroom erupted into laughter and Thomas flushed angrily looking away. 

"Don't let them get to you Lacey" Jimmy whispered squeezing her hand "the majority of people here are rich and act like it makes them superior. It doesn't and don't let them tell you otherwise. Don't let them walk all over you" he advised as she nodded, heart sinking that this might not be the year she had envisioned when she was accepted in.

A round portly man dressed in a white lab coat walked in, adjusting his spectacles and frowning at the class. To Lacey he resembled a large penguin but she scolded herself for the nasty thought and concentrated on his words. "Alright Class" he wheezed as everyone sat up and put their phones away immediately.

"I see we have a new face today in my class. Lacey is it" he asked kindly as she gave him a tremulous smile and nodded. 

"Great I so enjoy having new minds to mould and shape as they learn all about the exciting world of chemistry" he declared jovially "now if you would all be so kind as to open your books up to the first chapter...." he continued, beginning to lead the silent class.

Lacey was relieved to find that she was not only not behind on the school's curriculum but that she was actually a little in front of what they were currently learning. As such she was going to be able to read ahead and hopefully keep up with this class easily. When the bell rang she was more than a little ecstatic even if the two boys looked glum. 

"I hate science" Jimmy moaned as they stood and hurried into the crowd. 

"Why are you taking it then?" Lacey asked curiously.

Grant laughed "because it was science or music and Jimmy would fail the instant he tried to sing, it is that bad."

Jimmy swatted him playfully even as he chortled in agreement. 

To Lacey's surprise she had almost the same schedule except for the last class of the day which was music. The boys had football instead and so left her outside the building as she waved goodbye and headed inside, her heart thumping with joy at having her favourite subject as the last one. It never occurred to her that what was once her favourite thing in school would become a nightmare to her. One that would change the way she saw viewed people her innocence and ability to always see the good in people slowly disappearing the more she was forced to endure especially as Grant and Jimmy ended up transferring to another school, Grant being offered the chance to play professional football in another state and Jimmy wanting to still be with his friend, leaving poor Lacey all alone again.