Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

September 1st, 1989

Dear Diary…

I believe I’m a good person. You know, I think that there’s good in everyone, but…Here we are! First day of senior year! And uh…I look around at these kids that I’ve known all my life, and I ask myself—

What happened?

Sophia walked through the halls of Dream Academy High, her arms wrapped tightly around her textbooks, her shoulders drawn in, making herself small, and hopefully unnoticeable. Her glasses slid down her face, her oversized sweater-vest drowning her. Around her, chaos ensued, as is when one’s school is overrun by delinquents.

Jocks shoved nerds against lockers. “Pretty” girls snickered and laughed, pointing at other girls who didn’t fit the standard. Ugly names and slurs were thrown around like they were nothing.

The Filipina remembered the good, ole days back when they were all kids—tiny and happy, playing tag at recess, laughing and getting along with absolutely no care or worries in the world.

But, of course, they all grew up.

And not for the better.

Sophia didn’t notice another girl walking in her direction as she reminisced, not until she accidentally bumped into her. The girl grunted at the impact, glaring daggers at the Filipina.

“Oh, sorry!” Sophia immediately exclaimed, cowering slightly. The girl just scoffed and rolled her eyes before walking away, leaving Sophia, a relieved sigh escaping her lips.

This ain’t no high school. She thought. This is the, “Thunder Dome.”

The raven-haired girl groaned, silently praying, “God, please let me make it to graduation.”

Nine months.

Just nine months, then Sophia would be free from this hell-hole.

Still, the senior had faith—had hope—that things would be different this year. That maybe they all could be those carefree kids from kindergarten again.

A sudden movement caught Sophia’s attention, her head turning to see a smaller kid falling onto the ground after being tripped. The group of jocks snickered, walking away like they didn’t do anything. Sophia quickly ran to his side.

“Hey, are you okay?” she asked, extending her hand out only for the boy to swat it away, practically hissing.

“Get away, nerd!” He yelled before getting up and storming off. Sophia blinked, stunned.

“Oh…Okay.”

The senior sighed.

Guess the day she hoped for wouldn’t be happening today.

As Sophia continued down the halls, her mind drifted as it always did, wondering and fighting the urge to strike a match and set this dump of a school ablaze.

The raven-haired Filipina rounded a corner, stopping as she was met with the sight of a senior jock, sending a freshman’s lunch tray clattering onto the ground, food spilling everywhere.

Jonah Abraham, aka Abe.

Third-year as linebacker and eighth year of smacking lunch trays—

“And being a huge dick…,” Sophia grumbled. Abe’s head snapped to her, his eyes narrowing as he stepped into her space, his face inches away from hers.

“What did you say to me, skank?”

Sophia’s eyes widened, taking a step back. “N-nothing!” Abe just smirked, satisfaction flashing in his eyes, and Sophia wanted nothing more than to punch that smug look off of his face.

But she couldn’t, so, instead, she turned around to walk away, to get as far away as she could from the jerk, not noticing the figure standing in front of her until she turned her head, coming face to face with her best friend since diapers.

Yoonchae Jeung.

Sophia squealed in surprise, jumping slightly at Yoonchae’s sudden appearance.

“Ah! Hey, Yoonchip!”

“Hey,” the Korean girl greeted, dully, slightly awkward. “We on for movie night?”

Sophia grinned back, equally awkward but excited. “Uh, yeah! You’re on Jiffy Pop detail!”

Yoonchae’s face brightened at that, her eyes sparkling. “I rented The Princess Bride!”

The Filipina chuckled at that. “Woah-ho-ho, again? Wait, don’t you have it memorized by now?”

The younger of the two shrugged, her face falling into a sad, almost bittersweet smile, the light in her eyes dimming. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for a happy ending…”

Before Sophia could respond, a loud, grating voice boomed through the halls.

“YOONCH*NK, WIDE LOADDD, HONK! HAHAHA!” A senior jock barged through the crowd of students, his eyes set on Yoonchae, smacking her textbooks to the ground, cackling obnoxiously.

Jonah David, quarterback.

He is the smartest guy on the football team, which is kind of like being the tallest dwarf.

Sophia saw Yoonchae’s defeated face, her bottom lip quivering as she tried to hold in her tears. The Filipina turned, glaring daggers at Jonah, who was still laughing, hooting and hollering like a hooligan. She spoke with a rare confidence, edged with protectiveness.

“Hey! Pick that up right now!” Jonah turned to her with a raised brow.

“I’m sorry, are you actually talking to me?”

Sophia felt her knees weaken, fear striking her core, but she held her ground for Yoonchae.

“Yes, I am! I wanna know what gives you the right to pick on my friend. You’re a high school has-been waiting to happen. A future gas station attendant.”

Silence.

The hallway went still.

Jonah’s eyes narrowed, taking a couple of steps towards the Filipina. He leaned forward, towering over her until their faces were merely inches apart. His gaze was focused on something. Sophia didn’t know what until—

Jonah smirked. He pulled back, pointing to her forehead.

“You have a zit right there.”

The entire hallway broke out into snickers, Sophia’s face burning red.

Dear Diary…

Why?

That seemed to be the question everyone was thinking, not just Sophia.

Murmurs haunted the halls—of students’ thoughts, their regrets, their insecurities.

Why don’t I fight back?

Why do I act like such a creep?

Why won’t he date me?

Why did I hit him?

Why do I cry myself to sleep?

Sophia could hear the cries of some students as they walked through the halls, trying their best to survive, just like her.

“Somebody fix me.” / “Somebody save me.”

“Send me a sign, God. Give me some hope here. Something, anything, to live for.”

Then, as if God heard their pleas, the double doors of the hallway opened.

But what came through wasn’t a miracle.

It was Hell on heels.

Time felt like it had suspended in the air, every head turning towards the doors as three figures walked through.

The Heathers.

On the far right, clad in a bright, plaid yellow blazer over a light, pastel yellow button-up and a matching plaid, yellow skirt, topped with knee-high yellow socks and light heels was Heather Skiendiel.

Head cheerleader. Her dad is loaded, he sells engagement rings.

On the opposite end, on the far left, clad in an equally bright, green blazer over a white button-up and black skirt with knee-high green socks and black heels was Heather Raj.

Runs the yearbook. No discernible personality, but her mom did pay for implants.

And then, in the middle, at the very front of their triangle formation—

was Heather Avanzini, the Almighty.

Or as Sophia likes to call her—a mythic bitch.

She wore a fiery red blazer over a white button-up and a black-and-white plaid skirt. Her socks were knee high, paired with an expensive set of Mary Janes. Her flawless blond curls were pulled back into a high, half-ponytail, held by her infamous red scrunchie.

The three walked through the halls, students parting for them like the Red Sea. They were like solid Teflon. Never bothered, never harassed.

Sophia would give anything to be like that.

Murmurs filled the halls once more, following the trio as they passed.

“I’d like to be their boyfriend.”

“I’d like them to be nicer.”

“I’d like to kidnap a Heather and photograph her naked in an abandoned warehouse and leave her tied up for the rats.”

All heads, including the Heathers’, turned to the lanky student who said that, their faces incredulous. Under Avanzini’s cold gaze, the boy squeaked and immediately darted. The red-clad leader smirked, basking in her effect on others before turning back with the other two Heathers, walking into a nearby bathroom.

The hallway seemed to return to normal then, going back to its usual chaos of hell breaking loose, but Sophia’s eyes stayed trained on the bathroom door the Heathers disappeared through. Then, without thinking—

She moved forward.

Straight into the lionesses’ den.

As Sophia entered, quietly, the first thing she noticed was Avanzini and Skiendiel standing outside one of the stalls. From it, the muffled sounds of a girl throwing up could be heard, which Sophia assumed was Raj.

Avanzini scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Ugh, grow up, Heather! Bulimia is so ‘87.” Seconds later, Raj emerged from the stall, her normally perfect, dark olive complexion looking pale, contrasting her jet black hair. Skiendiel looked at her with concern.

“Maybe you should see a doctor, Heather.”

Raj turned to her, thoughtful. “Yeah, Heather, maybe I should.” She said, before her cheeks puffed out, running back inside the stall.

The door to the bathroom opened, revealing their teacher—Ms. Missy—wearing a pair of red reading glasses and her iconic high bun.

“Ah. Heather and Heather,” the sound of vomiting echoed through the room, “And Heather.” The teacher sighed, her gaze fixed and pointed at the trio.

“Perhaps you didn’t hear the bell over all the vomiting. You’re late for class.”

Avanzini gave Ms. Missy an innocent look, sarcasm dripping in her voice. “Heather wasn’t feeling well. We’re helping her.”

Missy let out a low chuckle. “Not without a hall pass, you’re not. Week’s detention.”

That was when Sophia made her presence known.

“Uhm, actually! Ms. Missy, the four of us are out on a hall pass,” the Filipina handed a slip of paper to the teacher, awkwardly, “Yearbook committee.”

Ms. Missy looked at Sophia, skeptically, her eyes scanning the note. As she read it, her face fell into a grimace. “I see you’re all listed…,” she grumbled, annoyed, handing the note back to Sophia. “Hurry up and get where you’re going.”

With that, the teacher disappeared, Sophia letting out a sigh of relief, cheering internally that her note worked. But her celebration didn’t last very long because, now, she had the attention of the three most popular and most powerful people in school.

Sophia gulped as Avanzini approached her, ripping the hall pass from her hand to look at it. The Filipina stood nervously, physically feeling her legs shaking as the leader’s eyes narrowed, shooting back towards her.

“This is an excellent forgery,” she commented, slowly, almost impressed, but it was clouded by suspicion, “Who are you?”

The Filipina trembled, fear gnawing at every bone in her body. Her throat felt tight, but she forced herself to speak.

“S-Sophia. Laforteza. I crave a boon.”

Avanzini’s eyes narrowed further, sharpening into blades. “What boon?”

Sophia was taller than Avanzini, so she bowed her head slightly, making herself smaller and looking up at the blonde Latina with pleading doe-eyes.

“Uhm, let me sit at your table, at lunch. Just once! No talking necessary. If people think that you guys tolerate me, then they’ll leave me alone.”

The three Heathers laughed, condescendingly. Sophia’s heart skipped a beat, desperation clawing through her throat.

“Before you answer, I also do report cards, permission slips, and absence notes.”

Raj’s eyes lit up. “How about prescriptions?”

Avanzini glared at her. “Shut up, Heather!”

The Indian immediately backed off, her posture shrinking. “Sorry, Heather…”

The Latina turned back to the Filipina, humming in thought, her dark hazel eyes scanning over every inch of Sophia’s body.

“Hmm…For a greasy, little nobody, you do have good bone structure.”

A flash of ginger popped into Sophia’s view as Skiendiel also examined the raven-haired nerd. “And a symmetrical face. If I took a meat cleaver down the center of your skull, I’d have matching halves. That’s very important.”

“Of course, you could stand to lose a few pounds,” Raj quipped, bitterly.

Avanzini hummed, her eyes still lingering on Sophia’s face, trailing down to her lips.

“You know…this could be beautiful. Mascara, maybe some lip gloss…” The blonde turned to the other two Heathers. “Get this girl some blush, and Heather, I need your brush.” Her gaze turned back to Sophia, her eyes flashing as she smiled, wickedly. “Let’s make her beautiful.”

Sophia felt her breath hitch as Avanzini drew closer to her, makeup brush in hand. Her other hand lightly traced the raven-haired girl’s jaw, her nails brushing her skin like a blade. The Latina spoke low, her voice soft yet dangerous, leaving Sophia breathless and maybe a little wet.

“Okay?”

“Okay!” Sophia managed to squeak out.

Avanzini smirked, and the transformation began.

Outside the bathroom, the hallways remained a dangerous minefield. Students fought, others yelled, most were just trying to get by without getting caught.

There was no peace.

Until the bathroom door opened, and someone yelled out.

“Who’s that with Heather?”

All heads turned once again, meaningless chatter filling the halls.

“Woah, she’s a babe.” Some boys whistled, earning smacks and eye rolls from the girls next to them.

The unknown figure walked behind the Heathers, clad in a royal blue blazer over a white button-up and a slate gray skirt. She wore white, knee-high socks and a pair of glossy, black Mary Janes. Her raven-hair shined, falling in perfect, soft waves that flowed as she walked.

A pair of eyes in the crowd recognized her instantly.

Yoonchae, who stared at the girl, disbelieving, her voice coming out small, slightly broken.

“Sophia?”

Avanzini smirked, stepping aside to let Sophia walk through, revealing her new self to the people of DA. For the first time, she wasn’t met with boo’s or racist remarks. Instead, the students cheered, chanting her name, almost in reverence.

Sophia basked in it, a relieved grin on her face. For once, she felt beautiful.

And in this school, when you’re beautiful?

It’s a beautiful fucking day.

Sophia laughed like she had won the lottery, unaware of the way Yoonchae’s face fell as students shoved past her, flocking her best friend. The young Korean silently hoped they were still on for movie night, but seeing Sophia’s face—

She wasn’t sure if the Filipina even remembered she existed.

Chapter Text

Dear Diary,

It's been three weeks since I've been friends with the Heathers! Well...maybe not friends. More like co-workers? And the job is being popular...and shit?

To be honest, I don't really know what I am to them. Heather especially—

Oh, right. I need to be more specific in these logs.

Avanzini, I mean.

Don't get me wrong. That girl is still a mythic bitch, but...

UGH! I don't know!

Maybe I'm just imagining things, but, lately, when she looks at me, there's this intense look in her eyes.

Far from the terrifying, icy glare she gives everyone in her way.

No.

This look is pure heat, blazing like an untamed flame. I can almost feel it burning into my skin.

Keyword, almost.

Because the look barely lasts several seconds before returning to its icy, cold state.

I don't really get her, but no one's been bothering me these last three weeks, so who am I to complain?

Sophia sighed, twirling her pen in her fingers, rereading the words she had written.

Avanzini.

A name that used to plague her, now filling her with curiosity.

I wonder...if someone like her could change for the better, would everyone else follow?

Sophia's thoughts were cut off by the sound of the school bell, the Filipina wincing slightly at the shrill sound as it caught her off-guard. She quickly packed her things and headed for the cafeteria.

As Sophia walked through the halls, a familiar presence greeted her.

"Hey, Sophia!"

Yoonchae.

The raven-haired girl turned to her best friend, visibly brightening. "Yoonchip!" The senior greeted back, pulling the Korean girl into a tight hug. Yoonchae's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting the gesture, but surprise quickly turned into fear as she noticed people staring over Sophia's shoulder. She immediately pulled away from the hug, offering a weak, forced smile.

"You really do look beautiful these days."

Sophia softened, grinning brightly. "Awee thanks, Chip! But I'm still the same 'ole me under all of this." She laughed, but it soon faded when she realized Yoonchae wasn't laughing with her.

Yoonchae's smile fell, looking away from the senior. "Are you sure about that...?" She asked, ruefully, under her breath. Sophia almost didn't hear it.

But she did, and her heart sank. Guilt crept in, filling its place.

"Oh...Look, Chip, I'm really sorry for flaking on movie night. It's just...I've had a lot going on–"

Yoonchae held her hand out, looking back at Sophia, forcing another understanding smile, her eyes slightly glossed over. "I get that! You're with the Heathers now! That's exciting!" The Korean giggled with glee, though her voice held a small strain.

The raven-haired girl chuckled, placing a hand on Yoonchae's arm. "It's whatever. But we'll hang out soon, okay? I promise."

Yoonchae hesitated but grinned, hopeful. Before she could respond, however, another voice jutted into their conversation.

"Sophia!"

Sophia and Yoonchae jolted apart, Yoonchae's head dropping and Sophia giving her an apologetic look before turning to the figure behind her.

Raj.

"Heather says to hall ass to the table pronto," The yearbook head stated with a faint Valley accent, pointing behind her to where Avanzini and Skiendiel were sitting. Sophia glanced over the Indian's shoulder, meeting their gazes.

Skiendiel flashed a cheery smile, waving over at her, while Avanzini just stared, her face calm, but her eyes storming. Sophia felt a shiver run down her spine. She turned back to Raj, giving her an appeasing smile.

"How very."

Raj gave a satisfied nod and glanced over Sophia's side, giving Yoonchae a disgusted once-over before turning and walking back to the table. Sophia looked back at Yoonchae, apologetic, but the younger girl simply gave her a weak smile before turning and walking away. The Filipina sighed, pushing down her guilt, and followed behind Raj.

The second Raj and Sophia approached the table, Avanzini stood, striding over to the Filipina.

"Sophia! I need a forgery in Abe's handwriting. You'll need something to write on. Heather!" The Latina turned to Raj. "Bend over."

Raj blinked, a flash of disbelief on her face before she forced a smile, bending over. Avanzini smirked in satisfaction, and Sophia took that as her sign to get her notebook out, setting it atop Raj's back. Skiendiel stood next to her, watching in anticipation as Sophia brought her pen to the paper. Avanzini continued with her request, the Filipina jotting down everything the blonde leader said.

"Hello, beautiful! I've been watching you and thinking about us in the old days. I hope you can come to my homecoming party this weekend. Miss you. Abe." The Latina's eyes sparkled as she gasped. "Ooh! Put an 'xo' after the signature."

Sophia obeyed without question, finishing up the note. Curiosity gained the best of her as she wrote.

"What's this for anyway?" She asked, tearing the note from her journal. Avanzini laughed as Sophia folded the note, grinning slyly like she was about to spill the hottest gossip.

"I just found out that Abe used to hang with Yoonch**k."

Sophia's eyes narrowed, unsure of where the leader was going. "Stop calling her that. And yeah? Back in kindergarten, we all did."

Raj rolled her eyes. "We all didn't kiss on the kickball field."

There was an unrecognizable flash in Skiendiel's eyes. Sophia could have sworn she saw a ghost of a frown on the cheerleader's normally cheery face, but it was instantly hidden, covered up by her usual ditzy persona.

"Oh, that's right! I remember! Abe kissed Yoonchae. It was disgusting!" The ginger giggled, grinning toothily, though, to Sophia it looked more like the cheer captain was seething through gritted teeth. She didn't comment on it, however, her attention drew elsewhere.

Because speaking of the Devil himself, Jonah Abraham strolled into the cafeteria, following closely behind quarterback, Jonah David. The two stopped near the Heathers' table, Jonah speaking purposefully and obnoxiously loud, so that they could hear him.

"It'd be SO gnarly to be in the middle of a Heather Avanzini-Sophia Laforteza sandwich."

Abe snorted, laughing. "Oh, yeahhh! Punch it in!"

The two fist-bumped, laughing like deep-voiced hyenas. Avanzini rolled her eyes before putting on a sweet, fake smile.

"Oh, Abe!" The Latina gestured for him to come forward. The two jocks exchanged a look, and Abe walked over, acting nonchalant, Jonah passing a low-high five to him as he walked past.

Avanzini's smile turned coy as she grabbed the note from Sophia, walking it over to Abe. She brought the piece of paper up, pressing it firmly against Abe's chest, her lips grazing dangerously close to his as she spoke sweetly, almost seductive.

"Be a sweetie and give this note to Yoonch**k for me?"

Sophia's eyes widened. "What? No!"

Abe scoffed but obeyed, turning with Jonah to walk away. "Since when do you talk to that monolid freak?" He asked, opening the note to read it. The Latina reached out.

"Oh, don't read it! She's having an extra heavy flow and wanted some advice from my gyno," the blonde Latina lied. Both jocks looked at the clique's head with absolute disgust.

"Ew! Gross!" Abe exclaimed, Sophia using that as an opportunity to snatch the note back from his hand. Avanzini blinked, glaring daggers at the raven-haired girl. No heat this time, just pure ice.

"What are you doing?"

Sophia turned to the blonde, making herself smaller, her eyes pleading.

"Please, don't do this, okay? Not to Yoonchae."

There was a flicker of hesitation in Avanzini's eyes. But Raj scoffed from the side, causing the leader to snap back into reality, her gaze returning to steel.

"Whattt? It'll give her shower-nozzle masturbation material for the week," the Indian snickered. The Latina glared extra sharp daggers at the green-clad girl.

"Shut up, Heather!"

Raj shut up, shrinking back. "Sorry, Heather..."

Avanzini rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to Sophia, who was still looking at her desperately. Something unfamiliar clawed at the Latina, and if there was one thing the blonde feared most—

It was things she couldn't control.

And, lately, since having the Filipina around, there have been a lot of things the Latina had begun to lose control of.

One, her sanity.

Two, her heartbeat.

And, most importantly, three—

Her power.

Avanzini wasn't stupid. She knew Sophia was, naturally, a caring person, that this life that the Heathers—that she—lived wasn't made for someone as good as the raven-haired girl.

But what she also knew was that good hearts, in this society, often found themselves in the deepest trouble.

And for some reason, Avanzini didn't want to watch that happen to Sophia.

The Filipina carried too much hope, and too much hope meant greater disappointment.

Still, Avanzini couldn't help but be swayed every now and then, finding herself being kinder than usual under Sophia's gaze. The other Heathers were beginning to notice, and, soon, the rest of the school would too.

The leader could not let that happen. She had worked too hard to get to where she is now, sacrificed too much to become someone untouchable by society, just to have some girl with pretty lips rip it all out from underneath her.

So, as the raven-haired beauty continued to plead with her, looking up at her, despite being taller, with those big, beautiful, deep brown doe-eyes.

Something inside Avanzini snapped.

"Are we gonna have a problem?"

In order to not let Sophia ruin her—

"You got a bone to pick? You've come so far. Why now are you pulling on my dick?"

—Avanzini chose to ruin Sophia instead.

Because she'd rather destroy whatever good was left in Sophia to keep her around than let someone else take advantage of the Filipina's heart.

This way, Avanzini would be protecting them both.

I'll take care of you, Laforteza.

The Latina glared, her eyes burning hidden vulnerability into Sophia's fearful, brown orbs.

"I'd normally slap your face off. And everyone here could watch! But I'm feeling nice, here's some advice, listen up, biotch!"

Please listen to me.

"If you lack the balls, you can go play dolls. Let your mommy fix you a snack," The red-clad leader pouted, condescendingly, before her lips curved into a wicked, almost suggestive smirk. "Or you could come smoke, pound some rum and coke in my Porsche with the quarterback," her eyes flickered to Jonah, who was standing dumbly next to Abe, watching the whole scene. Avanzini had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. Her gaze fell back to Sophia.

Honey, what you waitin' for?

Welcome to my candy store.

"It's time for you to prove you're not a loser anymore."

The blonde stepped up to the raven-haired girl, bringing her face inches from Sophia's, challenging her. She whispered in her ear, her breath tickling the Filipina's skin, causing her to shiver.

"All you have to do is say goodbye to you-know-who."

Sophia's breath hitched, glancing over at Yoonchae, who was standing across the hall, watching in concern. Skiendiel came up from behind Avanzini, peeking over her left shoulder.

"That freak's not your friend. I can tell in the end," the ginger started, Raj peering over Avanzini's other shoulder, a smirk on her face, finishing the cheerleader's sentence.

"If she had your shot, she would leave you to rot!"

Sophia stared wide-eyed, her brows knitting together in thought, her resolve from earlier shattering.

Would Yoonchae actually do that...?

Conflict raged within Sophia. She wanted to believe that her friend wouldn't. But the accusation ate at her.

Then, the guilt came.

Sophia had already been ditching the young Korean, essentially leaving her to rot—missing movie nights, leaving her alone at their old lunchtable, not waiting up after class.

Between the two of them, Yoonchae had always received the worst end of the DA's cruelty. Sophia had always done her best to protect her, but it was never enough.

She wondered if the Korean ever resented her for it.

Especially now.

The Filipina fully believed then, if Yoonchae was standing in her shoes, the younger girl wouldn't even steal her a second glance.

Slowly, her grip on the note loosened, Avanzini smirking in satisfaction. The Latina trailed her hand down the Filipina's arm slowly until it reached her hand, their fingers interlacing briefly as Avanzini took the piece of paper back. She chuckled, a low sound that would forever haunt Sophia's mind, and whispered, a hushed praise meant for the raven-haired girl alone.

"Good girl."

Sophia choked back a whimper as Avanzini pulled away, passing the note to Raj, who smirked viciously. The raven-haired girl could only watch in all-consuming guilt as the Indian handed the note to Yoonchae.

She watched, her heart sinking, as Yoonchae's face lit up, excited and hopeful, the happiest Sophia had ever seen the girl since kindergarten. The Heathers stepped to the side, Avanzini heeding a final warning to Sophia, "Keep on testing me, and you'll end up like her." They watched with knowing, wicked expressions as Yoonchae ran up to Sophia, completely ecstatic.

"Sophia, look! Abe invited me to his homecoming party! This proves he's been thinking about me!"

Sophia gulped, hesitating. She glanced back over to Avanzini one last time, the Latina simply watching, tilting her head expectedly. The Filipina's face crumpled. Letting out a shaky breath, she submitted, turning back to Yoonchae. She put on the brightest smile she could.

"Color me stoked!"

Yoonchae laughed, unable to contain her joy. "I'm so happy!"

And with that, the Korean took off, cheerful and full of life. Sophia almost chased after her but stopped when she felt a hand on her wrist. She didn't need to look back to know who it was.

The former outcast felt the leader's thumb brush her skin, lightly, in what was supposed to be a gentle reminder. But Sophia felt it weigh like a prison sentence.

Avanzini's touch lingered briefly even after she had walked away, the other two Heathers following her, leaving the Filipina to drown in her decisions.

Sophia stood in place for a couple more minutes before she finally moved, walking in defeat in the direction that Yoonchae had practically skipped out through.

"You shouldn't have bowed down to the swatch dogs and diet-coke-heads. They're going to crush that girl."

Sophia froze, turning around slowly. Her gaze dropped to see a figure sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, her eyes trained on the book in her hand.

It was a woman. Sophia's eyes narrowed.

"I'm sorry, what?"

The woman finished reading whatever page she was on before shutting the book, standing. She brushed her clothes off and turned to the Filipina, a smug look on her face.

Sophia felt like all air had been knocked from her lungs.

Holy shit...she's beautiful.

The mysterious woman was tall and light-skinned with not a single blemish to be found, her dark hair falling into naturally perfect curls. She wore a pair of baggy, low-waisted, washed-out black jeans paired with a cropped, black tank top, the bottom resting just below her midriff. Over it, she had on a black leather jacket, its material matching her black boots. Her exposed waist adorned a set of waist beads, glinting even under the school's cheap lights, bringing attention to her defined abs.

This woman wasn't just beautiful.

She was ethereal.

The mysterious woman's lips curved in a small smirk, catching the Filipina staring. When she spoke, her voice was soft and soothing, like the sound of the ocean's waves at a beach, laced with a hint of a faint European accent.

"Clearly, you've got a soul. You just gotta work harder on keeping it clean. 'We are all born marked for evil.'"

The woman stated before turning and walking away. Sophia blinked, walking after her, eyes narrowed.

"Um, okay. Don't just quote Baudelaire at me, and then walk away, excuse me."

The woman stopped, turning her head back over her shoulder to look at the Filipina. Sophia just stared back, awkwardly, slightly nervous.

"I didn't catch your name."

The unnamed woman just stared, amusement flickering in her gaze, then she shrugged, deadpanning.

"I didn't throw it."

Sophia's jaw dropped, earning a smug laugh from the mysterious woman, walking away and going back to reading her book.

From the side, both Jonah's watched the whole scene unfold, dumb, judgemental looks on their faces.

"Who's that chick in the jacket think she is anyway, Bo Diddley?" Jonah asked, practically seething with jealousy. Abe's brows furrowed, crossing his arms as he leaned back, observing.

"Sophia's into her act, no doubt," the linebacker grumbled. At that, Jonah's seething boiled over, causing him to snap.

"Let's kick her ass!"

Abe turned to him, placing a hand on his arm in an attempt to hold him back. "No, we're seniors, man. We're too old for that shit. And plus, we can't punch a girl."

Unfortunately, Jonah was never the type to listen to reason. The quarterback shoved past Abe's grip, stalking over to the yet-to-be-named woman. He whistled, calling out to her, "Hey, sweetheart!" Jonah swung an arm around her shoulder, leaning in close to her ear. "What did your girlfriend say when you told her you were moving to Sherwood, Ohio?"

Abe sighed, shaking his head before following suit, wrapping his arm around her opposite shoulder, his face inches from hers. "My buddy, Jonah, just asked you a question," he taunted. Jonah looked over at Abe, a slimy smirk on his face.

"Hey, Abe, doesn't the cafeteria have a 'No F*gs Allowed' rule?" the quarterback snickered. The woman tensed at that. She snapped her book shut, her face lifting, though her expression remained calm and unfazed.

"They seem to have an open-door policy for assholes, though," she quipped, turning her face to meet Jonah's eyes. Jonah blinked, briefly stunned. He glanced back over to Abe.

"Hold her arms."

Abe nodded, both boys moving to try and hold the woman down. They didn't do a very good job, however, because as Jonah swung his arm to punch the woman, she swiftly blocked it with her book before smacking it across his face, sending the quarterback back onto the floor.

The woman quickly spun around, using the book to uppercut Abe. The linebacker cried out, falling backwards whilst holding his jaw.

"Holy shit!" A student had exclaimed, the fight drawing in a crowd. With the sudden commotion and the woman's back still turned, Jonah got up, attempting to throw another punch.

The woman noticed the sudden movement, grabbing Jonah's arm before it could hit her. Holding him in place by his arm, she kicked him hard in the balls. The quarterback let out a strangled cry, clutching at his crotch.

Refusing to back down, Abe got up again too, but before he could move, the woman was already one step ahead of him, her fist swinging directly towards his face.

Time slowed, almost to a freeze, as Sophia watched the chaos unfold, eyes bright and mesmerized.

Why when you see girls fight, does it look so horrible, yet...

Feel so right?

Sophia shook her head. "I shouldn't watch this crap, that's not who I am...," she mumbled beneath her breath. But, even as she tried to turn away, her eyes stayed glued to the mysterious—and surprisingly strong—woman.

Damn.

There was no way Sophia could look away.

So, the Filipina watched amongst the crowd, her gaze fixed on the woman as her fist collided with the linebacker's nose with a sickening crack, sending him back down onto the floor. Sophia's heart fluttered, her cheeks flushing a deep scarlet. Biting her lip, her mind began to wander.

Hey, Miss No-Name-Kid,

So, who might you be?

And could you fight for me?

The raven-haired girl imagined what it would be like to have this woman walking by her side. How it would feel to have her strong hands intertwined with hers, guiding, protecting, and...

Sophia shuddered.

She stared back up at the dark-haired woman, her beauty somehow radiating above the violence. The Filipina felt a familiar swoop in her lower abdomen, her thighs clenching instinctively as she watched the woman dodge another punch from Jonah, grabbing his face and bringing her forehead down hard to his nose, a nauseating crunch echoing over the crowd. The woman repeated this three more times before finally releasing the quarterback, letting him fall limply to the ground, crimson pouring out his nose.

Neither jock got back up again, clutching their noses in pain. The woman stood above them, smug, a triumphant smirk on her face that made Sophia's heart beat wildly in her chest.

But while Sophia's focus stayed trained on the victorious woman, she didn't notice another figure standing amongst the crowd, watching both of them, jaw tense, her glare a raging tempest of fire and ice.

Sophia shivered, subconsciously, suddenly feeling hot, remaining blissfully unaware of the silent, furious storm approaching.