Reborn As The Wretch

CHAPTER ONE

Another day at Venezia Academy, I walked down the corridor after I grabbed some books from the library. I don't have many friends so I spent most of my time reading books.

I went to my favorite private place to peacefully read the book-the janitor's closet!

Crazy, right?

I locked the door and sat on the floor. I ate my granola bar as I started reading the book.

This is the novel titled, Clash of Royals. It's about a rivalry between the royalties of the Mortimer Empire and the Gibbethon Empire. However, the heroine of this novel is just the stepdaughter of Mortimer's ruler. The ruler's biological daughter is the wicked one. She plotted lots of schemes just so her step-sister will not take her inheritance. She believes that she's the rightful heir to the throne-which is true since she's the ruler's biological daughter-but it's impossible for her to take over the throne because she already had a ruined reputation due to her countless attempt to harm the heroine of the novel.

As I quietly read my novel when the bell suddenly rang

I quickly picked up the rest of the book I borrowed and rushed toward the classroom. I don't wanna be late for my chemistry test!

Once I arrived, I quickly sat down at my table. The professor hasn't arrived yet, I decided to continue the book I was reading.

I already finished chapter one of the novel, it's time to flip it to the next chapter!

A group of girls suddenly approached me and sat at my table-it's Emilia and her friends

"What's up, nerd, what are you reading?" Ashley stated as she grabbed my book and started scanning the texts, "A novel about a lame princess? Boring!"

"Can I have it back, please?" I uttered

Ashley smiled, and says, "Of course! I don't have any interest in books anyway." She closes the book and puts it on my desk

"So, Callie, right?" Emilia said

"It's Camille," I corrected her

"Yeah, right, same thing." She responds

I cleared my throat before I spoke, "Uhm, may I asks why you guys are here?"

"Why? We aren't allowed to?" Nadia asks sarcastically

Emilia rolled her eyes, "Ignore her. Anyway, let's get to the point, Camille, there's a new hair trend today, it's called Burned Hairstyle! We're conducting a small experiment on you to see if the style will look good on me or not."

"Uhm, why don't you do it on your hair?"

She simply laughs, "That's absurd, silly, of course, I don't wanna ruin my hair. I have to do it on someone else, I mean, if it looks good on you, then it'll be the same on me!"

"Why don't you do it on your friend's hair?"

"Nuh-uh, I don't wanna ruin my hair too," Nadia replied

"Me neither," Ashley added

"See? They're a bunch of cowards who are afraid to try new things. Besides, if you agree to do this little experiment, then you can be part of our group!" Emilia said

"Yeah, right, it'll be cool if we have the most intelligent student at Venezia Academy in our group." Ashley agrees, and Nadia nod

"So? What's your answer?"

I hesitated at first, I don't know how to respond but I badly need friends

I awkwardly smile and nod my head, "Sure..." I uttered

"Perfect! Meet us in the school's backyard, see you there." Emilia said and they left my desk

I started doubting the decision I just made. A burned hairstyle? I never heard of that

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The chemistry test is finally finished. I saw Emilia and her friends depart the classroom. Emilia winked at me, I simply smiled at her

I sigh as I looked at my hair, I also have a lot of split ends so it's better if I try new styles, right? I mean, this burned hairstyle could turn out great... Well, I hope so

I hurried and went to the backyard where I suppose to meet them. They waved at me the moment they glances at me. I walked towards them and got confused after I saw matches on Emilia's hand

"What was that for?" I ask

"Duh, burned hairstyle wouldn't be burned without these, I thought you already figured that out," Ashley stated

"I- I never thought you'd literally burn my hair..."

Emilia sneered, "It's for the trend, you'll look perfect in it,"

I started to panic, "You know what? I had a second thought about this."

Nadia seizes my hands, refusing to let me go. I tried to take my hand away from her but Ashley suddenly grasp my other hand

"No..." I uttered

Emilia smirked as she started lighting up the matches. I tried my best to release myself from their grips, but it was too late

Emilia burned my hair, I screamed in panic

"Sh-t, Emilia!" Nadia screams in terror

"Quick! Grab the water from the faucet!" Ashley yelled

Emilia hurried to get some water from the faucet, she then poured it on me and fortunately, the fire in my hair disappeared.

Emilia chuckles, "That was a fun experiment, don't you think girls?"

Nadia and Ashly nods their head before they let my hand go

I sobs as I touched my burned hair, I glanced at Emilia and said, "Y- You burnt my hair..."

"I did? Well, the style looks good on you though, but I'm thinking not to do the same thing on my hair." Emilia stated, "The class is starting in a few minutes, you coming with us, Camille?"

I didn't answer, I simply stood there regretting my decision as my hair left a charred stench.

Ashley walked towards me, "You're officially part of our group, aren't you happy?"

I wiped my tears and said, "I can't be part of your group. I don't need friends that ruin other people's hair."

Ashley and Nadia are looking at Emilia'd direction.

Emilia simply said, "Suit yourself."

They head back to the building while I left there standing. How am I supposed to enjoy the rest of the day with hair like this?