Page 4 of I Despise You
Chapter 2
AGASP ESCAPES MY LIPSwhen my eyes fall on the huge building that looks like a cross between a museum and a fancy hotel. I lean forward even more, nearly plastering my face to the car window.
“Is this really it?” I ask, barely believing my eyes.
“Yes, honey. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” my mom says from the passenger seat.
The school is so damn awesome that they’ve even sent a car for my mom and me to pick us up at the airport. My mom’s boss paid for it all, and I don’t even want to ask my mom how much exactly it all costs. I wish my sisters were here, and I already miss them.
“Yeah, it’s incredible.” I gaze at the big field in front of me and the balconies that look onto a pool.
Richerville Elite Prep has it all. Swimming pools, sport courts, its own movie theater, shopping mall... It’s like a small town in itself, and it has everything a student—a very rich one—may want.
“Is it true that I’m going to have my own room?” My voice is filled with excitement that’s impossible to hide.
My mom pulls a brochure out of her purse. She wants to double-check everything, even though we’ve talked about it for like a billion times already. “Yes. Every student has their own room and a private bathroom.”
Just like a hotel. And I haven’t even been to any hotels. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined something like this.
The car pulls to a stop, and a man in a black suit opens the door for me. I stare at the statues that line the path that leads to the entrance adorned with Greek columns.
“Welcome to Richerville Prep,” the man says with a smile as my mom and I get out of the car.
“Oh, honey. This is all so wonderful.” My mom turns to me with teary eyes and wraps her arms tightly around me. “I hope you’ll have a great time here. It’s not all about getting into the university. Don’t forget to have fun too.”
“I won’t.” I flash her a smile.
Before I can get my suitcase, I realize that the man who greeted us is already taking it to the entrance.
“I have to go now. Call me as soon as you get settled in. I’ll call you every day. And text,” my mom blurts out, all flustered.
“Yeah, sure. Are you okay?”
She bobs her head, wiping at her eyes. “Sorry, honey. I know you’re the one who’s supposed to be excited like this and not me, but we’ve never been apart like this and I... I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Mom.” I wind my arms around her, pulling her close to me as I close my eyes.
We stay like that for a few long moments, and the little girl in me doesn’t want to let go. Ever.
I inhale deeply, her scent of roses and lilies filling my nostrils, and I step away. My mom smiles at me, gives me a little wave, and then gets in the car.
I plaster a big smile on my face as I wave while the car is getting farther and farther away. My throat constricts, but I steel myself and head toward the entrance.
More cars appear in the long driveway. Some head to the parking lot, and I guess some kids already have their driver licenses and their own cars. I can only dream about having a car, let alone a Ferrari, a Porsche, or a Lamborghini—the parking lot is full of them.
A few students pass me by, already in their uniforms, and they hug their friends. A girl is embracing her parents, tears in her eyes. She looks like a freshman. I wonder how I’m going to fit in with the rich kids, especially since I’m not a freshman.
All the seniors here probably already know one another, and they know full well who their friends and enemies are. I’m not sure where I’m going to end up, but I’ll do my best to get the spot at the university, no matter what.
Just as I set foot on the first of the steps that lead to the entrance, a girl with long dark red hair and hazel eyes focuses her attention on me. She’s in her uniform—a short pleated skirt and a plain blue T-shirt with Richerville’s crest—and she’s holding a stack of papers in her hands.
“You must be Liliana,” she exclaims as she looks me up and down.
“Um, yeah. That’s...” My voice trails off as my gaze catches the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. “...me.”
The guy’s totally kissable full lips spread into a smile, his blue eyes so intensely trained on me that I almost feel naked. He runs his hand through his short dark brown hair, making it even messier and somehow more attractive. The Richerville suit hugs his strong, lean body as if he was born to wear it, and he totally knows it.
The redhead follows my gaze and rolls her eyes. “Nice of you to show up, Chase. You’re late.”
