Chapter 1Saving Grace High

My mom transferred me to the worst high school in the city. All for a $10,000 bonus.

On my first day, I was cornered. Jax, the school's biggest delinquent, pinned me against a wall demanding protection money.

I emptied my pockets. I only found half a stale bagel. "I don't have money... but do you want half a bagel?"

He stared at me for a second. Then he exploded. "Who the hell do you think you are, messing with me?!"

The next second, my world went black. I fainted from hunger. Right in front of him.

When I woke up, the bully tossed a breakfast burrito at me. He threatened me: "From today on, your meals are on us." "We're covering your food."

"But listen closely." "If you dare fail your exams..." "Or if you breathe a word of this to anyone..." "I'll beat you to a pulp."

The "Mean Girls" forced me to drink protein shakes. "Your skin is terrible. Don't ruin the class aesthetic!"

They even formed a patrol squad. Just to ensure I safely took the SATs.

They were rotting in the mud themselves. Yet, they clumsily lifted me up to touch the stars.

On the eve of the big test, Jax took his crew and beat up my harassing parents. "Heard you guys wanted to disturb our star student's studying?"

He looked back at me with a smirk. A wild, yet gentle smile. "Hey, brainiac." "Go get into Harvard for us." "Just for kicks."

* * *

I got the highest score in the city on the junior year PSATs.

My mom beat me for it.

She said my little brother was upset. He felt I stole his nutrients in the womb, which is why his grades were so bad.

To make it up to him, Mom made a decision. She transferred me from the city's top magnet school to the worst public school in the district.

That school promised her a $10,000 bonus. Just for enrolling a high-achieving student.

With that ten grand, she immediately transferred my brother. He went to a private prep school.

My brother was thrilled. He called me useless for just being book-smart. He said going to prep school to meet rich kids was the real path to success. He said maybe one day I could even work for him.

I didn't want to transfer. But a beating from my stepdad changed my mind. Being locked in my room without food changed my mind.

When I was too hungry to think, I agreed.

At that moment, I only had one thought: I didn't want to die here.

Even the worst school was better than starving. At least there were books to read.

Before I left, my brother filled me in on my new reality. "That class is full of psychos," he sneered. "They'd kill you without blinking." "Don't even think about fighting back. They're monsters because they have money and power backing them."

"Just rot there." "Let's see who dares to compare you to me then."

I didn't reply. But I secretly vowed one thing. I would live a better life than this piece of trash.