C h a p t e r O n e 
The Story
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "So what are we doing here again?" The small girl with the golden-brown bob asked, a little hint of annoyance in her voice as she looked around the place where they had just arrived, the Bleau Bar, which was located in the lobby level of the building.   She was nicely dressed to fit the occasion, a white form-fitting mini dress paired with white pumps that played off of her nicely tanned skin. It had been Suzy's idea to dress up in such a way, and even though Min wasn't too confident about it, in fact - she was completely against it, she gave into her younger friends incessant words of flattery and persuasion.   "We're here to have fun, Min. You know, fun?" Suzy, the taller one with sleek jet-black hair, responded as she whipped back to look at her tiny but older friend with wide eyes. Like Min, Suzy also wore a form-fitting cocktail dress, but in light purple which went well against her pale complexion.   "But these people-" Min motioned with her head directing toward the inside, already seeing the people she always tried to avoid back in school. A lot of people had rented at the hotels and Min and Suzy were also included, having rented at the Fontainebleau along Miami beach, which was where they currently were.   "The people here are idiots," Suzy cut in quickly. It always frustrated her how Min always cared too much, but then again it was for good reason and that always made her hold herself back and become more considerate. Because Min was never like this. Outside of school she was always so fun and carefree, until she had to socialize with others from the same school. "Don't worry about them. We came to enjoy ourselves. Besides, Am invited us."   "Suzy, I just don't know," She began unsure again. "You and Am are my best friends but the people who hang here-"   "I know has happened in the past, Min," She assured with a sigh as she grabbed a hold of Min's hands. "I get it. But you can't let them run your life either. So we're going in and we will have fun. Okay?" Her eyes were large and pleading, of course Min could never deny Suzy. It was how she had gotten her there to begin with. But even though she would agree, she still felt uncomfortable. She felt too out of place.   Graduation weekend was a huge deal. Finally, high school was over and it signaled their transition into adulthood. Now, they would have to face new obstacles. the price that came with that freedom and thirst for independence. It was called responsibility and though others dreaded it, Min welcomed it wholeheartedly if it meant ridding herself of the chapter in her life that brought her the most difficulty.   "Hey! You guys made it!" Amber exclaimed loudly over the music as Suzy and Min came into view. Her freshly dyed blonde pixie cut framed her face perfectly and emphasized her boyish features, while still showcasing her feminine side. This was further emphasized by the outfit she had chosen: black skinny dress pants and a nice dark blue silk blouse which tied behind her neck and exposed her back. She was always seen as a tomboy due to her position as captain of the swimming and volleyball team, which somewhat forced her to always be dressed comfortably, but was always able to pull off dressing up whenever she had too. Basically, outside of school, she was actually very girly despite popular belief.  "You two look great. I'm glad you're both here."   "Thanks," Suzy and Min said with a smile, before Min's eyes was caught by something across the room.   There, she saw the people she had been dreading to see making their way toward her direction.    "Min?"' All sound was drawn out, but a sharp breath which came from her.    "Minnie?" She hoped they would just ignore her. Act like she didn't exist. She always much rather preferred that. Preferred to be left alone, instead of constantly harassed by people who always made it a habit to remind her of how worthless she was. But then why waste their time if she really was? Why go through all the trouble if she really was nothing?    "Minyoung, what's wrong?" Finally she snapped out of her thoughts when she looked back over at her two friends who watched her with worried expressions. Suzy had been the first to call her name. Amber next when she didn't respond, thinking she had only dazed out for a second like she usually did until they saw her large eyes widened and focused ahead.   "I, um... I'm just gonna go to the bathroom," She stammered quickly, pointing in the opposite direction behind her. "You guys stay here. I'll be back in a few."   In a loss for words, the two just gaped as they saw her hurry toward the bathroom before apprehensively making conversation once again.   On the other side, Min emerged from one of the stalls back out in front of the bathroom sink and watched herself in the mirror for a few seconds. She really did feel like a coward, hiding, but she didn't have another choice. Just because she graduated, it didn't make things different. Nothing changed. She still was who she was and they were who they were. Not until she finally left to go away to school would she rid herself of those people once and for all. Once she left, she could finally have the chance to build her confidence. She could learn to love herself and find people who did as well.   Turning to the side, she gazed into the body-length mirror beside her, watching her reflection as she picked out all of her imperfections. The flaws that had always been pointed out to her by those same people. She looked at her cheeks, too chubby, and criticized the rest of her face for seeming too plain and too ugly. Her arms were too thick, which was matched by her large thighs that they said jiggled whenever she walked. That, and the fact that she was always made fun of for her small stature, was the reason why she tried to avoid wearing mini-skirts, shorts and short-sleeve or no-sleeve tops. She bit down on her lip and turned to the side, her hand brushing against her stomach, which was where the majority of the criticism came from. Min never did see herself as skinny, but before she wouldn't have pegged herself to be fat either. But at the start of her Sophomore year, everything changed. She became a victim to bullying and the center of the school's princess' wrath. She never knew why, but it all happened so suddenly when she got embarrassed in front of the whole lunch-room one day. Soon after that, she became a consistent target to their evil words. Slowly but surely, Min became paranoid about several things, including over-eating. She lost her confidence and became insecure about herself and her appearance. And that was the worst that could happen to a young girl. Especially one as impressionable and as naive as her.   Taking a breath, Min tore her eyes away from the mirror and started for the door. If she tried, she could possibly get away with going back to the room and use the excuse that she didn't feel good, though it wouldn't be too much of a lie if she did, and even though she wanted to make the most out of this vacation with her friends, it seemed that she would just have to make it up to them later.   Coming out of the bathroom, Min decided to head over to the bar to get a drink of water. As she did, she didn't realize that someone had their eyes on her, following her as she made her way up to the bartender and asked for a bottled water. He watched as she gave the man a little smile before paying, then undoing the lid and taking a drink.    This, of course, didn't go unnoticed by the girl who had just made her way up to him to make small-talk when she saw him from afar, a mysterious but handsome boy who she definitely knew was not from around the area. She was a tall blonde with a red body-hugging mini-dress, that was opened on the sides and back and had a long neckline which exposed her cleavage. Her hazel eyes burned when she saw where he had turned his attention to in mid-sentence, and it was like history had once again repeated itself before her eyes. She gave off a little scoff and took a sip of her drink as she watched the other girl make her way toward the veranda overlooking the yard of the building.   "Do you think you can grab me another drink?" Her voice stable and attractive, she always did do a great job of hiding her darker emotions. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom for just a few."   He nodded and although they had only been talking for a moment, he thought it would be rude if he didn't, and from his upbringing that was the last thing he wanted to be.   Cunningly, she instead went and followed Min once she saw him walk off toward the bar. She didn't want Min to have any false hope, or thinking she was actually worth something. What she enjoyed more than anything was putting her down to make herself seem superior, because that's what she was: superior. And people like Min needed to be put in their place and face the reality of things. Her goal was that if Min was ever met with opportunity to speak to him, she didn't her getting the wrong impression that she actually had a chance with. She had already set her sights on him and she wasn't going to back off now. So really, she was doing her a favor.   "Min," Jessica called her name out cheerfully, as she walked out slowly strutting across the marble-tiled floor and watching at the girl who carried an expression filled with fear and worry. An expression she loved to see. One that made her feel powerful.   "J-Jessica," She stammered as she turned around from looking at the view, panicking as soon as she heard her voice. "What are you doing here?"    "Came to get a breath of fresh air," She inhaled as she made her way closer and immediately made a disgusted face before waving off something invisible. "Unfortunately, I didn't expect for it to be so rancid. God, what is that smell?"   Min watched the girl hold her nose and smelled the air, trying to find something foul smelling but instead failing to do so. "I don't smell anything."   Jessica feigned a sympathetic expression, slightly hanging in an 'O' to show she had probably spoken too much. "Usually, people can't smell their own stench." She bit her lip before quickly adding, "But it's okay. I bet no one else noticed."   Min's expression fell. Did she really stink? She remembered putting on deodorant and wearing perfume before she left. Besides, Suzy and Amber would have told her, wouldn't they?   "I wasn't aware you had a social-life, Min," Jessica once again, cut through Min's wavering thoughts as she now sat down on of the stools by the railing. Her legs looked long as she crossed them. She always held an aura of elegance, which surrounded her, even in the way she sat and Min marveled at her confidence and at how beautiful she was. How could she ever compete with that? "So what brings you here?"   She quickly looked back at the door that led back to the lounge and then looked back at Jessica. "Amber invited me."   "Oh, Amber," She gave a long sigh as she looked up, her eyes showing admiration. "She and Suzy are just so nice, you know? I've always admired how they always manage to go out of their way to take care of the more underprivileged."   "Underprivileged?" Min's brows furrowed at the word. Was she talking about her?   "But it must be tough..." Jessica's eyes then landed on Min. "To constantly force themselves to act all friendly."   At this, Min became angry. She could handle others badmouthing her, but not her friends. "They're not acting."   "Of course not, Min," Jessica chuckled lightly. "But I mean, even you have to admit it does seem a little odd that the captain of the girls volleyball and swim team, and the head of the cheerleading squad would be friends with you."   Min eyed her curiously. "What's wrong with me?"   "Do you really want me to answer that?" Jessica watched her intently.   "They're my friends!" Min defended, finally snapping at her baseless accusations. "They like me for me. They're not shallow like-"   "Like who, Min?" Jessica was quick to spit out as her eyes narrowed. "Me?"   "I-" She stopped when she saw the blonde stand up and make her way towards her.   "You want to know what's wrong with you, Min? Fine. I was going to be nice but I guess I'll tell you. I'll let you know what your precious little friends and everyone else, for that matter, really think of you." Her words dripped in venom as she spoke and Min's entire body went cold from the intensity of her icy glare. "Y