The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the hallway, silencing the chatter of nearby students.
"Did you see that?" One of the students whispered to another.
"Serves her right." The other whispered back. Though given their werewolf hearing, it was hardly whispering.
Flora's cheek stung, her mind racing from the sudden assault.
"What do you think you are doing?" She yelled as she stumbled back, her hand flying to her face. She stared in shock at the girl before her.
"How dare you!" The girl's voice dripped with venom, her green eyes flashing with anger. She stood tall and elegant, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders like gold.
Flora blinked, trying to process what had just happened.
"Wh-- what was that for?" Flora stammered, her shock quickly giving way to indignation.
The blonde girl sneered, her perfectly manicured hand resting on her hip.
"You know what it was." The girl snapped at her.
"By the way, who are you? I have never seen you before... Are you perhaps the new girl others are talking about?" She added. Flora opened her mouth to talk back but she beat her to it.
"No wonder! Now I see why they have been gossiping. You are exactly what the rumors said. Plain yet desperate and ..." The girl was saying and Flora interrupted her.
"Excuse me, what exactly are you rambling about?" Flora snapped at the girl after finding her voice.
The girl scoffed in annoyance.
"Don't play dumb with me. I saw your little act, pretending to fall just to get attention. On your first day, at that! It is pathetic and transparent." The girl snapped back at her.
Flora's eyes narrowed, her own temper flaring.
"Excuse me? And who are you to know that?" She yelled.
A hush fell over the gathered crowd. Students exchanged worried glances, clearly aware of something Flora wasn't.
The blonde girl's eyebrows shot up, a mix of amusement and annoyance crossing her flawless features.
"Clarissa, stop. You are creating a scene." The boy said to the blonde girl, trying again to stop the display but the latter didn't give him any chance.
"Oh, I see you have got a sharp tongue, new girl. But it is a pity your brain isn't as sharp as your tongue. Do you not have a guide who will tell you who is at the top of the ladder here?" Clarissa shot at Flora.
"I don't care if you are the Queen of England." Flora shot back, her voice rising.
"You don't get to put your hands on me. I didn't fake anything!" She added.
Clarissa's eyes widened, then narrowed dangerously.
"Whose presence do you think you are, you little—" She raised her hand again, but before she could strike, someone intervened.
The boy who had caught Flora stepped between them, his broad shoulders effectively shielding Flora from Clarissa's wrath.
"Clarissa, come on. This is unnecessary." He said, his voice calm but firm.
"Stay out of this, Liam. This doesn't concern you. I need to deal with that lowlife so she will learn." Clarissa hissed, trying to push past him.
Liam stood his ground, his blue eyes flickering between the two girls.
"It concerns me when you are creating a scene over a misunderstanding." Liam said, standing his ground. His blue eyes darted between the two girls.
At that moment, Flora felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Sophia, who had just returned. Her friend's face was pale, eyes wide with worry.
"Flora, we need to go. Now!" Sophia urged, pulling her back.
"But she—" Flora protested, gesturing at Clarissa.
Sophia shook her head vigorously.
"Trust me, you don't want to do this. Clarissa is one of the top elites here. Her family practically owns half the town." She said to Flora, her usual cheerful voice sounding urgent and fearful.
Clarissa smirked as she overheard Sophia's words.
"Listen to your friend, new girl. She knows how things work around here."
"Though I'm surprised she's associating with... your kind." Clarissa added as her gaze swept over Flora's casual attire and worn backpack.
Flora's face hardened at the subtle insult.
"My kind? And what is that supposed to mean?" She gritted her teeth.
"Flora, please!" Sophia pleaded, tugging on her arm.
But Flora was too riled up to back down now. She shrugged off Sophia's hand and took a step toward Clarissa.
"No, I want to hear what she has to say. What exactly is 'my kind', Clarissa?" Flora insisted.
The hallway grew tenser.
Liam shifted uncomfortably, but didn't move from his position between the girls.
Clarissa's lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Oh, honey. It is so obvious you don't belong here. That ratty backpack, those cheap clothes... Did you get lost on your way to the public school?" She taunted.
Flora's cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger.
"You know nothing about me." Flora managed to draw out even though her cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger.
"I know enough. Lunar Academy is for the elite. The best of the best. Not charity cases looking for a handout." Clarissa sneered.
"That's enough, Clarissa." Liam said sharply, but she ignored him.
Flora's hands clenched into fists at her sides. She felt like she had been slapped again.
"This school has standards, and you clearly don't meet them. So why don't you do everyone a favor and find your way out?" Clarissa continued. She laughed, the sound cold and mocking.
"I am not going to..." Flora was about to shoot back but Clarissa didn't allow her to finish before cutting her short.
"Your kind doesn't have the right to exchange words with me. Anyway, that will be all for now. I hope you will take to my advice and I never get to see your face around anymore." Clarissa maintained, her voice firm and dismissive leaving no room for further argument.
Afterwards, she turned on her heels and walked away. Liam followed her, saying some words of chastisement to her.
"What was that?" Flora asked, a distant look in her face as she took in the incredulity of what just happened.
"You just made an enemy of Clarissa. Welcome to hell, girl."