chapter 30

Changing - Sigma feat. Paloma Faith

This chapter is dedicated to @sarcastier for her endless voting. Thank you so much!!

"What the hell?" Ren hisses. "Annabella, this is is crazy. Don't do it."

I shake my head. "I have to. For Cora and every other girl she's tormented."

Stacy's ruined so many people, her rules destroying innocents girls. If nothing went her way, if people didn't do what she wanted or if somebody took something that belonged to her, then she would make your life a living hell. Essentially, she was the queen. Mess with her and you're done, mess with her and your life seizes to exist.

She ruined countless girls, shunning them, bullying them and even going so far as making them leave the school in tears.

But I'm going to change that. Winning this competition will mean Stacy will lose her reputation. She won't be seen as the queen anymore. She'll just be...Stacy.

"Annabella, she'll destroy you." Ren's worried face almost hurts me. My own friend doesn't think I'm going to be able to win this. What kind of support is that?

"You have such little faith." I joke, trying not to let the hurt in my voice leak. I always thought my two best friends would give me support at least.

Ren sighs, looking apologetic. "That's not what I mean Anna. I—I, she's ruthless. I know she will cheat; I don't want to see you on the receiving end. Anna, I'm begging you please don't do this."

I get where's she coming from now but she doesn't understand that I have to do this for every girl here. Stacy's a bully that needs to be put down.

"Ren, I'm doing this and that's final. I'd like to have your support but if I don't then..."

"But—"

"Just stop whining Ren and let her do it." Cora snaps, cutting Ren off. "This is her choice. She has   free—will and can do whatever she wants. Personally, I think this competition is great and will teach Stacy a real lesson. You go girl." She winks and I giggle.

Its great to know Cora's all for me. Even after having her heart broken, she's still standing for her friends. Plus, I think she wants revenge for what happened. I don't blame her, I'd want to get some revenge too.

"Fine." Ren defeatedly says, running a hand through her blonde hair. "I believe in you."

I squeal, running into her arms. Now that I have both of my friends on my side, I can't help but feel heart warmed that they support me.

I'm about to turn around to walk with the girls to our first lesson when a hand grabs my arm, letting sparks ignite all through my arm. A shiver goes down my spine at the sensation.

Turning around, I face Xavier's unreadable expression. The passive expression has my nerves increasing—is he mad? Is he annoyed that I possible cost my friendship or relationship with him just to prove a point?

I want him to know that I don't mean any harm. He has to know that I have to do this. Not just for me or for Cora but for every other girl.

"Annabella." His deep voice gives me comfort, relaxing my sudden nerves. Its weird, he makes me feel calm but he also makes me feel anxious. He can calm me but also make me feel crazy things. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

I inhale, stepping closer to him. This is the first time I've been closer to him since that night when we kissed.

"Yes," I whisper. "I want, no have to do this."

Xavier nods his head. "Well then, you can do this. I'm not all for you doing this but if you want to do this, then I'm going to support you."

My eyes nearly well-up at that. Xavier always manages to surprise me, his way with words always managing to make me smile. His trust in me gives me hope.

I will do this. I will do this for these girls. For Cora. And for Xavier.

"Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me." I tell him, smiling with happiness.

Xavier nods his head. "You can do it, you just need to believe you can. I know you can, you just have to know it too."

He's right, I need to believe I can do this.

I agree with him and he starts to walk me to my first lesson. I'm back from London and there's already drama.

The next day.

After working on my routine the whole night, I can say that I'm ready for today. I spent the whole night in my bedroom practicing moves and coming up with a good routine.

My parents were confused at first when I told them to leave me alone to work on my routine, especially my dad. After telling them its an important dance routine, he gave me a suspicious look and walked off to the kitchen. No doubt to listen to my mom reason with him that everything's fine.

As soon as I stepped into school today, everyone's eyes were on me. By yesterday's lunchtime, everybody had heard about the competition. I know for a fact that everybody was going to turn up this afternoon all because this is a bit of gossip.

Taking a deep breath, I walk to my locker, with my head kept down as my brown hair fans around my face.

As my locker comes into sight, I glance up and see Ren and Cora standing there, chatting. Smiling, I stride the rest of the way over.

"Hi," I chirp, stopping next to them. They both smile at me like everything's fine but I can see the hidden worry and nerves behind their smiles. It's heartwarming that they care so much but I don't want them feeling worried or stressed about me. This is my competition, this is my problem, not theirs.

"You okay?" Ren asks me, concerned.

I give her a half smile, putting on my bravest face. I'm ready for this but it doesn't mean I'm not nervous. I could lose Xavier here; I would disappoint Cora. I can't let my friends down.

"Yeah, just nervous." I chuckle, tightening my hold on my bag.

Ren nods her head.

"That's perfectly normal." She encourages. "We want you to know that no matter what happens, what you're doing is making both of us proud."

With watery eyes, I give them a grateful smile. Call me sentimental but knowing my friends have got my back and are okay with whatever happens later causes me to feel emotional. They're the best friends a girl can have.

"Anyways, have you spoken to Derek yet?" I gingerly ask Cora.

She shakes her head. "No, he's still trying to contact me but I won't talk to him. I might talk to him after the competition, depending on my mood." She answers, her eyes wandering off into the distance.

Cora normally bottles things up which isn't the best thing. She knows we're here for her when she wants to talk, I just hope she seeks one of us and spills everything out. Keeping things to yourself isn't healthy.

"Hottie twelve o'clock." Ren excitedly whispers, interrupting my train of thoughts.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see a very handsome looking Xavier heading towards us. Some of the girls try and get his attention by batting their eyelashes and pushing up their boobs but he doesn't even spare a look. Instead, his eyes remain on me.

"Princess." He greets, his grey eyes examing my form.

I nod my head back. "Xavier."

"You ready to beat Stacy later?" He asks me, assuming I'm going to win.

"Xavier, you don't know if I'm going to win this. Its a 50—50 chance." I state.

Xavier shakes his head. "I'm 99.9% sure you'll win." He expresses and I just raise an eyebrow. He's that sure? He has that amount of faith in me? Even I don't have that much faith in me.

"Sure, whatever you say," I mutter under my breath. Xavier doesn't hear it -- which I'm thankful for—so I decide this is a great time to put my books in my locker. Ignoring our proximity or the knowing smiles for my two best friends, I squeeze through them to get to my locker.

After putting my things away, the warning bell goes off. Waving a goodbye to the two girls and Xavier, I walk the opposite way to them—much to Xavier's displeasure.

As I'm walking, in my own world, I fail to notice a small form walking with me. Looking to my side, my eyes widen as I see Jess, one of Cora's friends from P.E. who helped us set the notes for Cora and Derek.

Her dark brown hair is tied into a tight ponytail; her big glasses are hiding the majority of her face.

"Jess?" I ask in confusion and disbelief. She's never openly sought out to communicate with me so I'm shocked that she has now.

"Hey, Annabella." She quietly says, giving me a small smile.

"How are you?" I ask her, giving her a warm and comforting smile. After being bullied for a lot of her childhood, Jess is a quiet and shy person.

"I'm good." She mumbles, her dark brown eyes showing nerves. Cora told me that the reason Jess won't join is because she fears us rejecting her. Which is something we would never do. "I heard about the competition and I just wanted to wish you good luck. I know you'll beat Stacy. We're all rooting for you."

Coming to a halt, I stare at Jess' confused face for a few seconds; when I realize she means it, I beam at her, giving her a hug. She stiffens for a few seconds before eventually relaxing.

"Thank you." I mummer into her ear. And then I pull away from her. "If I win Jess, you have to promise me you'll come and sit with us at lunch for a week, just to try and see if you like it. We really want you to be our friend.

Biting her lip, Jess looks hesitant. I know doing something like this is a big step for her but she needs to try and make friends. We would never intentionally harm her. Little does she know but we already see her as a member.

"Alright," She answers and I beam at her again. Noticing the time, I curse myself for nearly being late. Giving Jess a goodbye and making her promise me she'll sit with us if I win, I run off to my lesson.

I now have another reason to win this.

Word count: 1801

So, how did you like it? The next chapter will be the competition!

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Next update: 10th February