Stella clasped her hands behind her back. Her eyes, hidden just under the edge of her bangs, grew colder with every second. “Are you hard of hearing, or do you just not get plain English?”
Fedelia said nothing, her lips pressing together in frustration.
Stella gave her a slow, mocking smile. “Then again, I guess you don’t really count as people.”
Fedelia’s face tightened. She jabbed a finger toward Stella, her features twisted with anger. “Don’t think that just because you spent a few years out in the sticks and now have Charlotte backing you up, you can act all high and mighty with me. Be smart for once and get her to write that apology letter. Otherwise, crushing her will be as easy as stepping on an ant.”
Crushing Charlotte? The words echoed in Stella’s mind. She stared at the hand pointing at her, her fists curling tight at her sides. A crimson anger flashed in her eyes.
“Go on. Try laying a finger on her.”
Stella took a step forward, her voice sharp and daring. Right then, a bottle of water came flying from nearby and smacked hard against Fedelia’s hand.
Fedelia yelped in pain, grabbing at her fingers and whipping around. “Who did that?!”
Not far away, Charlotte stood with one hand tucked in her pocket, a carton of milk in the other. Two tall guys walked behind her, their presence enough to make anyone uneasy.
As they got closer, Fedelia finally recognized Charlotte and her frown deepened.
Charlotte? After what happened to Letty, she still had the guts to show up here?
“You think you can get away with violence at school—”
Fedelia stormed forward, ready to let Charlotte have it.
She handed the milk to Stella, making sure the straw was in place. “It’s not too sweet. Just how you like it.”
“Charlotte…” Stella was still trembling with anger. If Charlotte had shown up even a minute later, she might have gone for Fedelia and Mahoney herself.
“Drink your milk.” Charlotte pinched her cheek gently, and Stella gave a small nod, slipping behind her for protection.
Once Stella was calm, Charlotte turned around slowly, her hands back in her pockets.
“So, I heard you want to crush me? Like I’m just an ant?” Her tone was soft, almost cheerful, but the words sent a chill through the air.
She took a couple steps closer, her dark eyes settling on Mahoney and Fedelia. “You really think you matter that much?”

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns