I wear a tee on top of my swollen body and exit my exile. Feeling like I could breathe again, I walk towards the hall to find something sitting on the table in front of the couch.

Two pairs of legs greet me as the football season was running live on the TV.

Alex and Zayn were there as I sit beside them, making Zayn softly touch my hair like it was instinctual for him.

"What's this?"

"Something for our princess. It's a chocolate cake. For you. Enjoy, babe." He says as my wide eyes meet with his and Alex's.

"Thanks!" Shuffling across them, I plant two kisses on their cheeks as they kiss me back and I found the interaction so cute.

"Wow! It's pretty big for me to complete! Well, I have an idea." Running towards the kitchen with my wobbly legs, I fetch a few spoons and start feeding all my stepbrothers. Good thing that Louis was here too.

He was the last one as I wanted to make sure I didn't disturb him.

"Hey, princess."

"Hey daddy! Mind for some sugar in your system?"

"I already have you." Pulling me close by my waist, he kisses my chest through the fabric as I scoop up a giant piece and feed him. There was a little cream on his lips and I decide to lick it off personally.

"I know you planned this. Thank you." His eyes gleam with gratitude as he speaks no further.
"Well, gotta go to the office. I can't believe we forgot the necklace there. It cost me a fortune." He accidentally spills his secret.

"You said it was insignificant, Louis!" Bashing him, I shake my head and take the blue velvet box.

"I'm sorry, but you're worth those dollars." He says as I melt and hug him like a bear.
Following up with a few TV shows on my Netflix account, I spend the day doing absolutely nothing as I was ready to risk the bashing from our history ma'am.
Just great.

***

The school starts as I, as per usual, get down a few blocks away from the brothers who greet me a good day and I greet them back the same. Adjusting my fake specs, I royally enter the building, almost forgetting my original decree here.

I'm supposed to be the anonymous girl, not someone who walks like they own the building even if we do.

Papa was going to visit us today and I needed exactly that. I wanted to assure myself that I too have a family, and Papa Johnson never forgets to show us his parental love.

Followed by a houseful of gifts.

Flinching when my book is thrown in front of my face, I deliberately stand in front of my seat because obviously, I am to be scolded for not completing my homework.

I prayed efficiently in the past that none of my step-brothers shall be a part of my classroom regime for the three years of high school and yes, I have to face the consequences of my actions now.

"Of course, you wouldn't do the homework. Because you were out roaming with celebrities and rich people because you simply can't keep your legs closed. Making them buy you expensive stones? You're really up to being a gold digger, aren't you, Cassie?" She says as I stare at her in disbelief.

What the hell?

She is bashing me, unprovoked.

I know for sure that she holds the worst of the worst Satan's level grudge on me but that was too bad!

Tears were stinging behind my eyes and I blame it completely on my periods. Or was it that I couldn't face the humiliation she is doing in front of the whole class?

I turn to find the playboys of the class laughing at me as they find me as their next piece of pawn to play with.

I wasn't going to become one in the next few million years.

Licking my lips, I look at Ms. Denver's angry face.
I remind myself that she wouldn't risk her job to tell the world that I am one of the Johnsons.
"Feeding off the riches." She says next as I close my eyes and let the tears coat my cheeks. This is unfair!

"I'm sorry ma'am."

"Detention. Meet me at my office after your classes or I swear to God, Cassandra, I will ruin everything that you have been taught." Such an open threat it was and none of them shall support me because of the odd climate.
Nodding my head while the tears spill, she pushes my desk in anger as it almost hits my thighs.

Sitting back down, I try to call myself down but it was of no use.

Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

None of it was working.

Oh lord, what is this punishment for me for being born?

Suddenly, I feel someone throwing a crumpled paper at me. Glaring at the gang of playboys, I decide not to open it as it flies off of my desk.

When Ms. Denver turns her back on us, more papers start flying at me but from different directions. I look back and see Darla and her goons chuckling and smirking at me.

"Bafoons." Cursing at them under my tongue, I put the hoodie on my head and bend down to cry on the desk by myself. Hopefully, I shall not be bashed for this too.

Someone throws something on my head and I hiss before yelling.

"Leave me alone!"

But alas, Ms. Denver was standing right there with her arms crossed and staring deeply at me.
Oh, this part of my world is fucked.

"E-excuse me, ma'am." Saying that I quickly gather all my things and don't see that I do collect a paper or two from my desk and dump them into my bag.

Running out of the class at the speed of light, suddenly becoming everyone's joke corner, I begin chasing myself out of the campus and away from this toxicity around me.