For the Love of Money

Sucks! In a hellhole called a high school, new student Soliel Capulet finds all fingers pointed at her for a crime she had not commited. Everyone has a motive, a secret to keep, a hidden agenda. No one dares to defend her. The only person capable of assuring her redemption is the real culprit. When everyone around is either a bitch or a bastard, how does one keep innocence and conscience intact?

- Everyone has a motive. Write a 2 page-essay. The instructions on the board caught my attention. If anyone in the room could understand this mantra best, it would be me. I smiled wryly, twirling the pen in my hand like a baton. Tonight will be a long one, I thought as I excitedly enlist at least 5 names of prospective costumers wholl be availing my essay writing skills. A text message got through my phone. - 20 bucks Chase Robins - You got it. I replied. I shot a momentary glance at the new student Ms. Humphrey is introducing to the English class. Nice sweater. I heard Corbin, my seatmate comment. I could understand the sarcasm. Uh, hello Miss. Didnt the weatherman tell you weve got sunshine today? Stereotypical nerdish freak, I identifed her. Gosh, high school personalities are so predictable. Shes the complete depiction of hollywood geeks; thick eyeglasses (uh, FYI: the 21st century has this incredible invention called contacts), full length, animal printed skirt (that looks like a 12 seater tablecloth) and horrible, horrible, horrible black sweater (Halloween already?). I diverted my focus on the 2 more messages received by my inbox. Aries Thornton? I looked up, hearing a sudden mention of my name. Darianne Griffin of the class next door came striding in. One of my male classmates whistled. The princess of the hotties society just made an appearance, and all the boys were looking at her like shes dessert. Me. I answered. And then, Noelle Roentgen, the queen of the hotties society sashayed her way towards me. For a minute, I just stared as she walked to my direction. It wasnt until I could feel the tomato sauce on my face, that I realized what she was doing. Next time you sell my boyfriends number to anyone else, it will be diarrheal poo Ill be bathing you in. Shes the queen. Im the empress. I loved how she shrieked when I splattered on her face the remaining tomato sauce I salvaged from my shirt. Im a generous person. I said to her. Principals office. Both of you. NOW! Oh, I forgot. Ms. Humphrey, our English teacher is still in the room. You are in trouble. Antigone said when I finished relaying her the story. Really? I have no idea. My sarcasm chides. Aries, this is serious. She persisted. I dont deny that. Do you know what other thing is serious? I said. You not paying for the gossip about Bonnie Yates I told you about last week. 10 bucks, couz. I reminded her. I bought a Mario CD this morning. Ill pay you tomorrow. Jeez, Antigone. You and your hopeless musical inclinations. People who cant carry a tune usually pretend to be enthusiasts, as if its an actual hobby. Okay. 20% interest. Loan shark! Just pay up. I said to her. Fine. She fanned a copy of the schoolpaper. Thats all she ever does with it, like it never occured to her that the thing was designed as a reading material. I spotted the title. Its a new issue. Can I have this? I asked her. Oh, by the way. Ive been looking for you coz I wanna show you something. She flipped through the pages.

 You actually read this? Im shocked. Officially. Get over it. Take a look. Wow. Hundstein Highs Hottie Hitlist hot gets hotter What a dumb alliteration. I rolled my eyes at Jana Rusts (the editor) audacity. Though I admire her pure nerve, I am awestruck at the thought of how she smuggled this article through publishing. No way in hell that the gazette adviser, Ms. Stein, authorized the inclusion of this depravity, as she would undoubtly categorize it. Oh well, theyve drawn battle lines since time immemorial when they worked for the schoolpaper. Jana scores a point today. Stop smirking and look at the list. Antigone admonishes. I saw what she finds so interesting. Now, both of us are smirking, grinning, and eventually laughing out loud. 1. Hector Thornton 2. Jake McDougal 3. Kylle Carson 4. Warren Sorensen 5. Pete Hunt 6. Wade Ostenburg 7. Marks Medici 8. Finnigan Wallace 9. Rad Bourdon 10. Dwaine Furchsein So this is what the online voting thing is all about. More than half of the people on the list are our basketball and baseball heroes. Not one is less than 6 feet. All of them are blessed with God-given lady killer looks matched with mouthwatering bods, Ill admit to that. Still, top ten my ass. Wade is cute until he opens his mouth, revealing his turn-off accent. Dwaine, Rad and Finnigan have positively made out (or more) with the entire female studentry. Marks Medici is gay. How could no one except me notice his bright colored skinny jeans? Pete is a flirt. I had a short delusional crush on silent-type Warren. Until one day, I woke up and realized hes not ordering essays from me because he wants to foster our connection. His English is third grade and never grew up with him. Suddenly, Antigone fanned the paper at a different direction. Ah. I hope this is enough to cool you down, Vulcan. My name is Hector, not Hephaestus. Indeed, a simmering, near-explosion volcano. Hector is 100 degrees angry, judging by the rigid facial muscle and clenched fist. Whoa. Not the usual scene. I used to think Hector doesnt have a temper. Ever since we were kids, it would take a whole world of circumstances before he gets upset. He snatched the paper, and crumpled it. I would bet hed reduce it to dust if he can. Thats my copy! Antigone protested. Ill empty my savings account just to buy every one of this so I can burn it! he says with alarming venom. Why is Antigone taking a chance at this? Is she blind that Hex is suffering from a major outburst? Id gladly disappear if I can. Hex. I said. I have no idea how to take down his boiling point. And you! I felt the spotlight turn on me. I assure you, I have NOTHING to do with this. I swore solemnly. Why do you have an appointment with the principal at 3 PM? Here he goes with his Daddy-ing tendency. At least I distracted him. Its no biggie, Hex. Going to the principals office is healthy once in a while. I replied evasively. He is going to rant on a lecture if he finds out. Did your entreprenurial endeavors get you into trouble again? he asked suspiciously with his signature steely stare. She sold Kylle Carsons number. Noelle Roentgen went haywire, attacked. You know Aries, she doesnt back down. Antigone betrayed me. Hector snorted. I could detect his relief that it wasnt any worse. He just gave me that you-are-who-you-

are-miss-trouble look. Hex, I know youre 3 months older. But can I give you a piece of my mind? Antigone offers. Will you drop it if I said no? Hex sarcastically retorted. Antigone rolled her eyes. Can you, for once in your life, just appreciate the flattery? What is it about being the center of attention that you detest so much? A bunch of guys in this school would kill just to snag a place on that list. Its childish. Im not mad. Im annoyed. But right now, I couldnt care less. He explained. A group of giggling freshmen passed by, stealing glances at my cousin. Or maybe Im still a little annoyed. Get the point? he was exasperated. I noticed that all around, theres been an atmosphere of excitement among the female populace. Its not like this is something new, Hex. Antigone points out. Right on the mark, Antigone. Hector has been collecting admiration wherever we go. Its something we got used to. Tall, golden-haired, straight from-michaelangelo-painting face. He got the best of the Greek roots. His unenthused and oblivious attitude towards all attention only made him more intriguing to others. It doesnt hurt that he plays basketball, either, and posesses a manly voice that can always be counted on to speak with sense. No surprise, as hes a clone of his lawyer dad in the intelligence department. Total package, my friends would often comment. Hottest guy on campus and he happens to be my first cousin. Just my luck, eh? His phone buzzed. Gotta run. Dont get into more trouble. He says to me. Watch out for her. He tells Antigone. Yes, Boss. We chorused. I hate it when he goes overprotective like that. Hes got just a year ahead of me, and he acts as if hes our old man. Im not 3. I whined. No. But you behave like one. Please, dont get into some deep shit. I dont wanna hear Mom and Hector at dinner discussing how Im a bad influence on you again. Antigone countered. The school bell rang. 3 PM. Holy hour. Good thing Antigone has Spanish class. She wont be exercising her older sister rights over me. Still, I had to persuade her that I can handle the situation. Past experiences may prove contradictory in her terms, but I have my own battles and I wont let her or Hector fight them for me. She conceded only after I promised to behave. Behave. Gah! Jana. Why am I not surprised to see you here? I said nonchalantly. Youve read my article. Her mischevious, sly smile mirrored mine. Ive heard about your recent encounter with Noelle. Applause, applause. High five for bitches. We both are grinning now. Ms. Rust, they are ready for you. Mrs. Pane, the principals secretary beckoned. Okay. Jana acknowledged. Wish me luck, she winked before disappearing. Watch out, Ms. Stein and Principal Owens. Ill bet my bottom dollar on Jana to win an argument on any given day. Shes no holds barred as their congressional debate began to heat up. I cannot hear every word, but the only one raising her voice was Ms. Stein. After about 15 minutes, Ms. Stein swings the door full, her face fuming in the ears. Ill send you my resignation letter tomorrow, Mr. Owens. Jana had the wicked grace to smile triumphantly. Her nose was up in the air. She ran her hand through her hair flipantly. No sweat. Make me proud, Aries. Will do, I answered. I have evidence, Principal Owens. I recorded a conversation with Ethan Hawks, whos on the varsity team with Kylle. He saw Aries Thornton giving a piece of paper to Maggie Jones and telling her to have fun sexting with my boyfriend. Noelle rants. An eye witness. What do you say, Ms. Thornton? Principal Owens gives me the ball. I can tell you that Ethan Hawks is legally blind since 6th grade, the reason why hes wearing contacts; a fact that would monumentally ruin your argument. Are you calling me a liar? Noelle flares up. No. Actually, Im here to make a confession. I grinned at her. I did give Maggie your boyfriends number.

 You bitch! LANGUAGE, Ms. Roentgen. Worth, 3 days suspension, right Mr. Owens? I egged him on. You do not tell me what to do. Mr. Owens reprimands me. I struggle to keep a straight face on, biting my lips so hard it almost hurt. Ms. Thorntons commentary aside, I regret to tell you Ms. Roentgen that I will have to award you a one week suspension. Okay, Katy Perry. Let there be fireworks at my background right now. I couldnt resist making a YES! Punch in the air and flashing a winning smile at my adversary. What! Youre suspending me? What about her? Shes the one whose peddling my boyfriends phone number and wrecking on my love life! Noelle protested. FYI: thats not a violation according to students rulebook, if you happen to even read a sentence of it. Now, usage of offensive language, on the other hand or shall we call SWEARING is a capital sin that warrants some seriously decapitating corporal punishment. Taking into account the testimony of all my classmates that you deliberately caused public scandal, not to mention assault on me, which qualifies as a provocation precipitating the inadvertent retaliation on my part, YOU are beyond unresonable doubt sentenced to a justly deserved ONE WEEK SUSPENSION. Seriously, I doubt if this fake blonde, fake boobs, fake lashes girl is even aware what a rulebook is. Lets make her nose bleed, shall we? Ms. Thornton! Wait, Mr. Owens. The law of California states that I have democratic rights to defend myself in any trial. Before you dismiss me, I have something to say as a free US citizen. I turned to Noelle Roentgen. Firstly, so I sold the phone number. 30 dollars. I aided the use of a technological advancement called texting, making me an advocate of modern progress. Secondly, I refuse to acknowledge that I am solely responsible for your boyfriends raging hormones commanding him to return Maggies sexts. Oh, right, lets optimize on the evidence. HE SEXTS HER BACK. Which makes it, my ZERO-fault if you have a D-head mi amore. Thirdly, my kind of business genius will save Americas economy in the near future. I finished my speech. Shall I take my leave now, Sir? Yes, please. Mr. Owens glares at me. Thank you. I exited down. And Noelle, Maggies not the only girl in this school that your babe is texting. I grinned and then closed the door. Jana shouldve hung banners for me, I thought. I decided to find her for an ice cream celebration session. And then it all happened in a thrice. I felt an unmistakable large-sized hand cupping my butt cheek. Dick! I turned to attack the A-hole who dared to touch me without my permission. It must have been the same time that he swirled around. Oh, Im sorry. Sounded an alarmed, devastatingly baritone voice. I crashed into him. He felt rock solid as his elbow hit just right bellow my breasts. My head banged against his chest. Despite my physical injuries, I couldnt help appreciating his smell. Hmmm.. yummy musk. Who is this felon? Ouch! I clutch my assaulted areas. Lucky I didnt fall on the floor. I stepped back. YOU! Thornton! My bad... Yeah, I dont forgive you. I kicked him between his balls. SHIT! He cursed as he writhed in mortification. Tell your scrambled eggs I said sorry. And then I walked away. Did Principal Owens finally had the guts to suspend you? Jana asked right away after she saw my tiger-look. Of course, I won the round. Still undisputed. I answered irritably. Jana seemed to quiet down for a while. Then, she figured out. Ah. Its the Jake McDougal Syndrome. She concluded knowingly. Spill. Turn the tables. No talk of my mental illness, please. I pleaded Jana. Jeez, Aries. 4 years and Im still generating theories on why Jake McDougal triggers your psychotic breakdowns. Clues? I gave Jana my signature murdering stare. She raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. Okay. Alright. Just saying. I mean, he makes me angry too, in a way that I want to bite his succulent lips.

 Go get yourself a manwhore before I shoot you down myself. You are a disgrace to our gender. I demeaned her. Am I? How about.. her? I turned to the direction shes pointing. The new student. Jana made the sound of a siren. Fashion police! Profile? I prompted Jana. Excuse moi? Im not the National Security Agency. I rolled my eyes in impatience. Jana is the information desk of this school. I wouldnt put it pass her to acquire the profile of this new girl before the school registrar does. 57, 17 year old, Lived in Alaska since birth before moving with her whole family here- That explains the sweater. Were actually neighboors. Straight A student. Has a pet shitsu, calls her Furby. No juvenile delinquency records. Surprisingly, no boyfriend since birth. More virginal than Mother Mary. WHAT?? SHOCKING! I mocked exagerratedly. Douche! As if theres much difference between the two of you. Jana spats at me. I raised my brows, and put on a staged silence. Skimming through books, I counted three seconds. Oh, please! Dont punish me this way! What? I exclaimed, feigning innocence. You know that I need to know. A hundred bucks. Have you lost your V-Card??? The million dollar question. What is it about virginity that everyone 12 and up is dying to know? Thats a personal question. And such low offer. Thornton! Were friends. She emphasized the word. And girlfriends talk about these stuff. You know, slumber party hot topic, between you and I BFF thing. Yeah, thats exactly the problem, friend, because telling you is like telling the whole student body. I admitted. Ouch! she gave me an artificially wounded expression. We both know its nothing less but the truth. Jana is CNN, BBC, Yahoo News, Facebook, Twitter, newspaper, local radio all rolled into one. Get her talking and no ones secret is safe. Even hers. Uhm, excuse me. It was close to a whisper. Soleil Capulet. Hi. Im Jana Rust, schoolpaper EIC. This is Aries Thornton, the campus devirginizedsince-10-years-old harlot. Soleil Capulet blanched. If it had been anyone other than I Jana, Ill bury their nose in their face. Instead, I toyed my hair with my fingers and flashed my most whorish look complete with lip-biting. To add flavor, I croaked in my sickeningly sweet Betty Boop voice, Hello. Eye batting, yeah. Jana looked nauseated. Can I blame Ms. Capulet for freezing in her stance? Shes bisexual. Be sure to bring a condom when shes at least two feet away. Jana, I will murder you with relish with my bare hands. Anyway, what can we do for you? Jana took pity on the new girls aghast face. I wanted to ask where Building 6 is. My next class is in 10 minutes. My 6 oclock. Turn left. Go straight ahead. Jana smiled at her. Thanks! She turned on her heel immediately, and didnt see Janas stifled evil witch laugh. Anytime, She was beginning to walk away when I decided to bust my BFFs bubble. Wait! I grabbed my stuff from the table, catching up. I expected her to put a space between us after she heard the crap Jana said. She didnt. Huh. Trusting. Anyone want a bet? I have 50 dollars. This kid wont last a week in Hell Hundstein High. Building 6 is on the other side. Beside the gym. I said to her. But your friend... she mutters, confounded. Jana is a violent drunk, with few functional brain cells that happen to be riddled with methampethamine hydochloride. I disparaged. Shes a drug addict? Why would she lie to me? Soleils eyes widened as she spoke. I approve of her smarts. But I doubt her survival insticts are at par with this places social atmosphere. Pathologic liar. Dont worry about it. I shrugged. What do I care whether she survives or not. Shes not paying me to be her bodyguard. Ok. Thanks.

 Thanks? I teased. Like Jana, I cannot resist the chance to bully this girl. Merci? she says tentatively. 2 dollars. What? I gave you my pointing directions service. I saved you from walking the unnecessary 120 meters. Pay up. My hands on waist gesture emphasized authority. To my surprise, she grinned. What is so amusing about being extorted? Here, keep the change. I gotta run. Im late. Soleil handed me 5 dollars and sprinted to the direction Im pointing. I hate that foolish innocence.