I did a lot of thinking as I laid on the bed with my growling stomach. Regan treated me the way she did because my family practically lived at their mercy.

I grew up in a small town in Minnesota. My parents own a few farms where we plant corn and soybeans. But three years ago, we had the worst harvest ever. Uncle Pete, Regan's dad, who came visiting, suggested I follow him to Michigan and school with his daughter, to ease my family off some burden because we were four kids in all, of which I was the eldest. Of course I agreed. And here I have been.

Thing is... Regan never welcomed me because she saw me as a local country girl who came to steal her dad and invade her perfect life.

Regan was registered into our current school, Blue Lake High, by her mum's elder sister, Aunt Elena, who had no child of her own and considered Regan as hers. She was a very rich and influential lady from what I heard, a successful YouTuber and a dentist.

I made it via scholarship the previous year, thanks to her dad, and it totally got on her nerves. Though she was a year older, we were classmates. Yet, she sought every little opportunity to belittle or bully me. Heck. It was so exhausting. But I was willing to put up with her till I got my diploma. At least that was the wisest thing to do.

I didn't realize when I dozed off, but when I opened my eyes the next morning, it was past nine.

"Shit! Algebra starts by nine!" I exclaimed, dashing out of the bed and out of my room only to walk into my aunt, Cecil, who sipped coffee at the dinning. Lord. I dreaded the woman. She was way worse than her daughter.

"You know, I'm actually reconsidering your stay in this house." She began cooly.

My gaze flicked to the clock. "Please.. can we do this later? I'm super..."

"Late." She finished for me. "Yeah, obviously. Exactly why you shouldn't bother going today. There's no point." I watched her take another sip of the coffee.

"But if I really hurry I could..."

“Forget it!” she snapped, slamming her cup down with a loud thud. “I never imagined in my wildest dreams that my husband would bring home a country bumpkin from nowhere to harass my daughter.”

My heart dropped. Her words re-echoed in my ears. A country bumpkin from nowhere. I bit my lower lip to curtail my countenance. I won't let her see me break down. She tossed a list at me.

"Go get these items from the store." She rose to her feet. "And next time, you should know better than to attack my daughter and wake up late."

With that, she grabbed her handbag and left for work. She worked as a designer in an upcoming fashion house. But I never got a single new clothing from her, except her husband, uncle Pete decided to advocate for me, and when I usually did, it would be a hand me down or thrift store clothing.

Phew. Not like I cared. As long as I was strong and healthy, I was fine.

I half opened my mouth when I stared at the list. It was an endless one for grocery shopping.

And I was to do it alone.

An hour later, after eating and getting ready, I was about to leave when my phone buzzed with texts.

Miami Harp, 10:15am : Where the hell are you? What on earth did you do to Asher yesterday? He's been looking everywhere for you!

I frowned. Mia has never texted me. This was a first.

"Didn't I tell the idiot to send me the bills?" I muttered to myself angrily without bothering to reply her. That was when I saw the texts Asher had dropped earlier.

Jerk, 8:50am: Where are you?

Jerk, 8:52am: Grace Williams?

Jerk, 8:55am: Are you ignoring my texts now?

Jerk, 9:10am: Are you so shit scared you can't rear your ugly head or even reply my messages?

Ugly head? Not me. Somehow, the words bit me down a bit. It's not like I wanted a jerk like him to find me attractive, but him seeing me as something far from beautiful wasn't going to help my pride or morale.

I sent a rolling eyes emoji.

Good Grace, 10:18am: Tomorrow, dude.

I smirked as I hit the send button, then switched off my phone. If he thought he was a king ruling over everyone, then I would play a very big role in humbling him. Afterall, I already promised to pay for the damage. Even though I had absolutely no idea how.

The shopping actually took longer than I anticipated, and by the time I was done, it was two in the afternoon. I was so exhausted I thought I might collapse on the sidewalk. By the time I was about to leave the convenience store I went to get the last set of items I needed, it was swarming with a lot of customers. I pitied the elderly woman at the counter who looked overwhelmed. Her assistant was absent and she didn't seem able to handle all the customers. I felt a nudge to stay back and help.

"Do you need any help?" I asked her.

"Sure. I would appreciate." She replied eagerly. After dropping my bags aside, I got to work. While she handled payments, I packaged items and restocked shelves from the supply room. I worked non-stop for the next hour and a half until the crowd thinned. The woman was genuinely pleased.

"Thank you so much, dearie. You are an angel." She cooed when I told her I was leaving. "My shop attendant suddenly bailed on me because her mum fell sick."

My mind raced. What if my mum or dad suddenly fell sick too?

"Are you in a hurry to leave? Won't you have lunch at least?"

To this request, I couldn't decline. After all, my aunt won't be home till night and there was no point rushing home to that cranky girl called Regan. Fresh ideas bobbed my head as I had my taquitos with fountain soda. I wondered how many jobs I might have to work before I would be able to pay off my debts to Asher, if he was really serious about the damaged whatsoever.

I had three options. The first was to play another stupid deal with Mia Harper. The second was to agree on certain terms and conditions with Asher, which could be to do assignments for him and run errands for a period of time. The last option was to work my ass off and pay him till the money was complete.

I groaned in frustration. All the options were so stupid and impossible. I needed to start saving up for college as early as possible, not to save up for a rich fool all because of a mistake that was never my fault.

"Grace, are you there?"

I heard the elderly woman call. I hurried to her instantly. Had she been calling?

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you calling." I apologized meekly on approaching her.

"It's nothing, dear. I just wanted you to have this." She handed me some dollar bills but I shook my head. I helped her because I pitied her, not for monetary gain.

"It's fine. You don't have to pay me. You gave me free lunch already. I only wanted to help."

"And this is only a token of my appreciation." She insisted, dumping the money on me. I was about to let out another protest when her phone rang. She picked it up immediately, let out a sad sigh after a moment and hung up.

"Is everything okay?"

She sighed again, staring at a cup of noodles she had just heated. "I was going to give that to my boy who told me he was on his way. Now he's saying he can't make it. I don't eat noodles."

My eyes glistened. The soda and taquitos didn't do great justice to my hunger.

"Now it would be such a bad waste." She moaned.

"Not while I'm here. I love noodles." I sang sharply.

Three minutes later, I was back at the table, enjoying the noodles, pleased with my luck. I was halfway through when I heard her bubbling voice again.

"Bennie darling. Were you going to surprise me? Didn't you say you wouldn't make it?"

I couldn't see them from where I sat because I had picked a table away from the entrance. So I was invisible, except someone decided to walk in.

"You wouldn't believe it. An angel came to help me out today. You know Marie's mum fell ill."

"Oh really? That's cool. Who was it?"

I heard a masculine voice ask. For some reason, I thought it sounded familiar but I brushed it off.

"She is still here. She was so helpful, sweet and humble. She even refused the little money I offered."

I blushed at the compliments and wished I was out already. The 'little money' was a hundred bucks. Funny how I made three hundred bucks in two days without any hassle. But it hurt deeply to think that I would use it to pay for damages that weren't my fault at all.

"Are you okay?" I heard her ask him. "You look moody."

"Nothing much. Just a poor hopeless nobody at school who ruined my devices yesterday and decided to ghost me today."

"Oh, that's so terrible of him." She mulled in anger. "You shouldn't play calm. Get him arrested if possible."

"Forget it, Nana. I know just what to do."

"Some kids just ruin things out of jealousy and hatred, without minding the cost. You shouldn't take them lightly." She continued.

"Grace!"

I heard her call after a moment.

Good thing I was nearly done with my meal. I rushed it now.

"Grace!" She called again.

I tried not to choke as I swallowed the last forkful. Time to go. I grabbed my old purse and hurried to her. "You called." I said when I got to her, surprised to see she was alone.

"I wanted you to meet my grandson. He just stepped out this minute." She said, craning her neck at the door. "Oh, there he is."

I looked back and almost stiffened.

Asher?

Lord have mercy.

He was her grandson? Bennie?

And I'm the poor hopeless nobody?

"Come on, Bennie, won't you say hi?" His grandma entreated. "Or is she so pretty and dead gorgeous, you can't?"

Asher scoffed this time and broke the staring contest, looking away. "Gorgeous, my foot." He muttered under his breath.

I heard him though. I knew I was pretty, but for her to use dead gorgeous was a little over the top. It's not like I looked dressed up in my old cargo dress and moccasins. With my hair parked in my usual rough bun because I hardly have the time to take good care of it. Or was she being sarcastic?

Whatever. I returned my attention to the elderly woman. "I'll like to hurry now. Please can I get my bags?"

"Yeah, sure." She responded. "Bennie, do me a good favour and drop her off. Her bags are a lot."

"No, thank you. I will simply take a taxi." I quickly objected. She laughed.

"You don't know how much you will be charged for these, do you? Don't worry, he has a ride. Let him handle it for you." Then she looked up at him. "Will you, darling?"

"Of course, yeah." He answered sweetly.

I glanced back at him abruptly, sure I must have misheard. But he gave me a very sweet and polite smile, taking my bags from his grandma.

My God. I am so doomed right now. All because of a cup of noodles I might have just ignored. I expected him to protest, not put up a fake act. Now what was his plan?

I felt worse and sick to my stomach when he opened the passenger door for me, before turning around to settle into the driver's seat. I can't believe I was getting a ride from the most popular guy in school. His car this time was a silver pickup, a GMC Canyon, different from the white Porsche 911 Turbo he often drove to school.

Today, he had decided to pack his hair in a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and he looked hot as usual in baggy pants and a designer shirt. My eyes rested on his hands the moment he touched the steering. Good Lord, the guy was so hairy. I don't know why, but my eyes wandered instinctively to his bare legs.

Freaking fine and hairy.

Why won't the girls gather to watch him play?

"What are you staring at?"

His deep husky voice startled me. I felt my stomach dip in embarrassment and my cheeks heat up too.

I forced a scoff. "Nice wheels. Nice ride too."

Dumb lines.

He said nothing.

The silence made me feel more stupid.

Okay, Grace. You've got this. Show this dude what you've got so he doesn't think you're tripping over him. I cleared my throat as he pulled the car out of the lot. "Listen, Ash. Let's just pretend we never met, okay? I told you yesterday to send me the bills, not flood my phone with endless questions." I began, feeling my courage return. "Drop me at the next bus stop. I'll find my way from there. Thanks for the ride. I know this whole drama was just for your granny."

He was silent again.

I was forced to pinch myself at this point to be sure I wasn't dead and invisible.

"Bennie?!" I called in exasperation.

That did it.

The car came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the road. He turned to me stiffly with a killer glare.

"What did you just call me?"

"Ben..." I stopped. Not now. I could always do this later. Cars honked impatiently behind. I felt very uncomfortable. "Please, let's just move first. It's not safe here."

I tried not to look panicky. It was at the tips of my lip to tell him to kill me if he wanted to, rather than giving me that killer gaze, but that would only be expressing my fear to him. I wouldn't let him see that. "Fine. Suit yourself." I reclined my head against the headrest and shut my eyes like I don't care, forcing my racing heart to stay still, lest he noticed. The car moved then, and it was so hard to withhold my smile but I did.

"Twelve bucks."

He finally broke the silence.

My eyes flew open. "Twelve bucks for what?"

"The ride."

"Okay." I uttered with an air of nonchalance, though I felt deeply broken inside. I had been hoping to add the cab fare to my savings, instead of returning it to my mean aunt. If only I hadn't called him Bennie. But I wasn't going to let him see my disappointment. I guess my response surprised him because he stole a glance my way, but I looked away and stared out the window. My vision attempted to blur with tears, but I forced them back in. I’m no loser.

Country bumpkin from nowhere.

Poor hopeless nobody.

For some reason, these phrases kept repeating in my head nonstop. They messed with my brain. Maybe returning to Minnesota wouldn’t be such a bad idea since everyone here hated me.

It really hurts.

I must have been deeply absorbed and lost in my thoughts before I realized the ride was lasting longer than usual and he had not even bothered to ask my destination. I sat up immediately, glancing around, but I could barely recognize the area. "Please stop the car." I said frantically. The sun was gradually setting, and when I looked at the time on the dashboard it was twenty-eight minutes past six. But Asher didn't pay any attention, he drove on instead.

"I said you should stop the car!” I commanded fiercely, hitting his hand, but it seemed to have no effect on him. “Stop the car this instant, Bennie!” I yelled at the top of my voice.

Again, that did it.

He pulled the car to a stop, parking by the roadside as he killed the engine. The whole area looked totally deserted, save for an empty self-service gas station by the corner. I could hardly see a soul around, nor did I have any idea where we were.

“Where are we?”

“Your money. I need to buy some gas.”

I opened my purse and handed it to him without any fuss.

“Where are we?” I asked again.

He didn’t respond. He stepped out instead and walked around to open my door.

“Get out.”

I frowned. “What? I just paid you already. This is not my destination. I don’t…”

He dragged me out before I could finish talking. I was so stunned and scared.

“Asher?”

I watched him head to the backseat where my shopping bags were. He flung them out one after the other, save for one or two I managed to catch. Some of the contents spilled out in the process, leaving things like the fresh tomatoes and bananas partially ruined.

I was deeply pained.

Did he really intend to dump me here after collecting the last dime I had? The money my aunt gave me had barely been enough, so I had managed as best as I could and had almost nothing left.

“Are you acting out just because I called you Bennie?” I demanded as he slammed the back door shut after throwing out the last bag.

He gave me a hateful stare. “If I hear that name from you again, I swear I’m gonna hit your head hard against this car till you bleed.”

His voice was filled with venom.

“Then tell your grandma to stop calling you Bennie if that’s not your name or if you hate it so much!” I retorted, fueled by anger.

He made a sudden dash toward me, but I leaped out of his way and darted off. Fortunately, he let me be.

I only returned to my bags after he got into his car. Then he poked his head out the window. “This is for ignoring my texts and then talking shit to my face, rather than apologizing. As you wish, I’ll deliver the bill tomorrow, and you’re expected to pay before the week runs out.”

I watched the car until it drove out of sight.

Then realization dawned on me.

I’ve just been ditched in the middle of nowhere.

Once again, I willed myself not to cry as I gathered what was left of the remaining good bags and moved to an abandoned shack that once looked like a coffee shop by the corner. I sat on the low step beside my bags and sniffed silently.

I thought of calling Uncle Pete to know if he'll be returning from work already, but I decided it wouldn't be cool to bother him. I swore not to touch the money Asher's grandma had given me. I needed it whole and intact. One thing was certain, I would definitely find my way home. My phone rang about ten minutes later. Regan. I picked it immediately.

"Where are you?!" She barked.

Her question broke the dam I had been holding up for too long. I cried into the mouthpiece and she panicked at once.

"Grace? What's the problem? Are you okay?"

Exactly twenty minutes later, Regan was next to me, looking so worried and breathless. I was really surprised she could have the mind to look out for me, considering how much she hated me.

"Do you remember the plate number of the vehicle or the driver?" She asked, after we boarded a taxi.

I bit my lower lip here, wondering if I should tell her all about Asher or not. If I did, it might mean implicating Mia and the money she had given me. Regan was not one to hear about money and stay quiet. She was so greedy for money and went as far as extorting some from her parents. No amount could ever be enough for her. So I decided to summarize. "Actually, I met Asher on my way back. He..."

"Asher? Really?" She exclaimed. "So you entered the wrong vehicle because of him? Do you suddenly think he is interested in you all because Mia and her friends used you yesterday?" She snickered.

I tried to understand what she was saying. She had barely listened to what I was going to say.

"I'm very sure he made you lose your way on purpose so you could learn a lesson. So much for how proud you felt yesterday with your swollen head. Do you really think he’s into you? He asked about you several times today and looked like he was going to kill you if he ever laid eyes on you. I can’t believe you..."

And on she went.

I stopped listening as my mind wandered off, thankful that she had at least come to get me, which was the most important thing.

I went to school very early the next morning. Regan agreed to give me the notes for the previous day on the condition that I did her assignments. That wasn't a problem. I just needed a lot of time before the first period so that I'll be able to face the day's workload without feeling overwhelmed. I was so tired yesterday that I hit the bed before I even realized it. The classroom was dimly lit and empty when I arrived. But I thought I heard strange noises coming from the next class.

Curiosity got the better of me.

When I peeked in, I froze.

A couple was making out right in the middle of the classroom.

I tried to see their faces clearly.

It was Logan Greene, the Algebra teacher. And Mia Harper.

I don’t know what prompted me to pull out my phone and do a ten-second video before leaving. Impulse, I guess. I had barely settled in my seat when I felt a presence behind me.

I tried to turn, but a cold hand clamped over my mouth. The cologne was familiar.

“Come with me,” a voice hissed. “Take your books.”

I obeyed like I was under a spell.

He led me to the back of the classroom and we crouched low behind some big cupboards. It was indeed Asher. Was he trying to play good to make up for his crass behaviour the previous day? We had barely crouched down when Logan came in, struggling with his belt. Mia was behind him, adjusting her skirt as well.

"What are you saying, Mia? You were supposed to send her to me yesterday." Logan began.

"I know. I'm sorry. My plan almost worked but hell...I think she's kinda smarter than she looks."

"Is that why you sent her to Asher first?"

"Yeah. I did that to buy time. I knew he would want to punish her for asking him out. I don't know what happened later. Asher won't say a word to me and the girl ghosted me throughout yesterday. Some guts she's got." She rendered bitterly.

It was hard to still my breathing. What the hell were they discussing?

"Don't tell me her guts are bigger than yours." Logan began, his speech slurred as he pulled Mia closer to him. On a good day, one would think Logan was a decent professional who tolerated no nonsense. Good-looking, about 6'ft tall and in his late twenties, I imagined he would be married or in a serious relationship. I never thought he’d be involved in something worse than nonsense.

"Get that blond for me before the end of today, Mia." He slurred again, leaning closer to her.

Mia let out a low moan in response.

I held my breath and looked away, only to meet Asher’s gaze. He had been staring at me the entire time, but I couldn’t read his expression. It was blank.

I hoped he didn’t want me too.

Definitely not.

He must hate my guts so much to treat me the way he did yesterday. But right now, I don't understand why his cologne played with my senses and the background noise did little and nothing to help.

Fortunately however, we suddenly heard footsteps echo down the hallway. Mia and Logan both hurried out then. The moment they left, I rushed back to my seat. It would be impossible to explain if anyone caught us hiding there.

Asher followed. “Come with me. We need to talk.”

I frowned. I would be foolish to follow him after what I had just witnessed.

“I’m sure you heard me. Poor hopeless nobody,” he snarled.

Anger shot through me. I jumped to my feet. “Don’t you dare...”

Images of Logan and Mia's act flooded my mind again, and I felt super disgusted and sick to my stomach. I couldn't make it to the restroom. I puked. On Asher's shoes.

"What?! Are you crazy?!" He shoved me back before I could react. My back hit the desk hard, and I slid to the floor. Pain shot through my waist, and I groaned.

Mia stepped into the classroom.

"What's going on?" She switched on the light. "Oh. The SMART girl who had the guts to ghost me yesterday." She snickered. "I bet Asher didn't kick you hard enough. Come with me."

"She actually puked on my shoes." Asher muttered. "I think she's sick."

"Obviously, she is. Exactly why she needs to come with me and learn some lessons. Maybe she is feeling on top of the world because you dragged her out of the field the other day."

I shut my eyes, wishing they would both disappear and let me be.

"Grace! Come with me now!"

"I think we should talk first, Mia." Asher said.

"No. After you clean up your disgusting shoes." She kicked me hard now. "Are you deaf?" She kicked me harder again and I cried.

"Stop hurting her, Mia!" Asher yelled, shoving her back roughly.

"Really, Ash? Are you defending her now?"

"Yeah. Grace is my girl." He declared. "So don't you dare lay a finger on her.”

Did I just hear him right?