Kayla Rowan stood in front of Isabella with that same smug smirk on her lips, flanked by two other girls, one with long brown hair she vaguely recognized from orientation, and another with short black hair who stared at her with sharp, curious eyes.

"Hi. Isabella, right?” Kayla asked, her smirk twisting into something colder, her gaze pressing down on her.

Isabella swallowed hard, fear creeping into her chest. “Y-yeah.”

"You’re so creepy, girl. At a big ceremony like this, and you’re walking around in a hoodie? Do you really love hoodies that much?” the brown-haired girl mocked.

Isabella knew it was best to nod. "Yes. I… I love hoodies. Very much.”

Kayla scoffed. "I doubt that. Follow me.”

Isabella blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

"I said follow me right now!”

Isabella swallowed hard, glancing around for Julie or Olivia, but none of her new friends were in sight.

"Do you want me to drag you?” Kayla raised a brow, her voice sharp and threatening.

Isabella shook her head quickly. “No.”

“Good. Then move.”

Kayla stepped off the main path, cutting across the grass toward where Isabella knew she didn't want to go, but with no choice, she followed, praying it wasn’t what she thought.

After a long walk, they stopped beside one of the halls, tucked in a shadowy corner. The other two girls stood guard like they’d done this before. Isabella’s pulse spiked, feeling something was definitely wrong.

"Are you smart?” Kayla asked suddenly.

Isabella frowned, confused. “Uh…”

A slap landed on her face making her stumble to the side with a yelp as it was sudden. Pain stung her cheek, and she gasped, clutching her hood before it could fall back.

Kayla gripped the edge of her hood, tugging just enough to make Madison panic.

Her pleading eyes met Kayla’s smirk.

"I asked you a question, Isabella. Didn’t I?”

Her voice trembled. “Y-yeah, yeah.” Tears were already welling up, her breaths shaky and uneven.

Kayla tilted her head, satisfied with the fear trembling in Isabella’s voice. She knew from the moment she saw Isabella, that she’d found her pawn. Things were already working in her favor before she even started.

"So what’s the answer?”

"I..." A shaky breath came out of her, but she forced the words out. "Ye… yes. I...I consider myself...sm..smart." She stuttered as fear gripped her throat.

"Hmm. Then I guess you won’t mind helping me… will you?”

Isabella shook her head slowly, teeth pressing hard into her bottom lip as she fought back the tears.

"Good.” Kayla released her hood, and Isabella instantly yanked it back over her face, breathing out a shaky sigh of relief, thankful she wasn't exposed.

Kayla pulled out her phone and shoved it into Isabella’s hand. “Give me your number.”

Hesitant, Isabella tapped it in, then handed the phone back.

Kayla looked at the screen, then scoffed. “I’ll change the name later.”

She looked at Isabella who just stood there trembling, eyes glued to the ground as her legs wobbled beneath her.

Then with a mischievous sneer, Kayla yanked her hood off her face causing Isabella’s eyes to widen in horror, her breath catching in her throat. She looked at Kayla with shock written on her face.

Kayla scowled, her gaze scanning Isabella’s short black fringe that stopped just above her ears, her pale skin, her chapped lips. “Oh wow. You should definitely keep that hidden.” She lifted her phone and snapped a picture.

The sharp click made Isabella flinch. “W-what did you just do?” she stammered, her heart pounding louder now.

Kayla smirked. “I took your picture. Relax.”

“But… why? I already agreed…”

Kayla pushed her with a mocking smile. "This is just a fail-safe, honey. If you don’t want this photo spreading around campus, then you’ll do exactly what I say. Keep our little arrangement to yourself, stick by me, let people think we’re friends. Got it?”

Isabella stared at her in disbelief with tears welled up in her eyes, then she pulled her hood back over her face, blinking as the tears freely fell down her cheeks.

It was just the first week and she was already getting blackmailed.

'God, I just wanted a normal life. No problems. Why can’t I ever be lucky?'

"Do you understand?" Kayla questioned, leaning in slightly.

Before Isabella could answer, a voice cut in.

“There’s no need for you to be here.”

The brown-haired girl blocked Julie, who had come around the corner and spotted Isabella with Kayla.

“I need to talk to Isa. She’s my friend,” Julie said firmly, her eyes narrowing on Kayla.

Isabella turned to see Julie walking up to them. “What’s going on here?” she asked, looking from Kayla to Isabella.

Isabella wiped her face quickly, trying to hide the tears.

"Nothing,” Kayla said with a casual smile. “I was just making a friend. She’s pretty cool.”

Julie looked at Isabella. “Is that right?”

Isabella nodded, voice small. “Y-yeah. We’re… friends now.” She kept looking at Kayla like she needed permission.

"Oh okay. If you don't mind, I want to...."

“Let’s go together, wherever,” Isabella said, taking a breath and looking at Kayla for confirmation. “Right?”

Kayla nodded. “Sure. I’m not your only friend anyway.”

"Alright, let’s go. Liv’s waiting,” Julie said, taking Isabella’s hand and guiding her away.

Kayla watched them walk off, flanked by her two friends. They stayed for a moment, smirking.

"Did you see her face?” one of the girls asked, curiosity laced with cruelty.

Kayla laughed. “Tina, she’s so hideous without that hood. No wonder she keeps it on.”

Tina shrugged. “Figures.”

“Did she agree to do what you asked?” the other girl, Lila, asked.

"Of course, Lila,” Kayla said, a cold grin spreading across her face. “She has no choice. I’ve got something that can ruin her if she dares to talk. She’s on my leash now.” She slipped her phone back in her pocket. “Come on, let’s go enjoy the rest of the day.”