It had been five months since Karina was admitted into Park View High School, and nothing interesting had been going on. Brianna still bullied non-celebrities but never did so to Karina and Drea. This made Karina believe that Brianna had a soft spot for her and considered her as family.
---
"School has been really boring lately, no events! Let's go to a party," Brianna suggested.
Karina was quick to counter it inwardly, but she didn't say it out loud because the last time she did, Brianna threatened to call off their friendship. And now that Mr. Friedemann had a successful business contract still in progress, she had to be careful. The only person who could counter Brianna was Drea, and Karina hoped Drea would say no.
"What about your boyfriend?" Drea asked.
"I dumped his sorry butt yesterday after he couldn't make a cup of coffee for me the way I wanted it," Brianna said.
Karina inwardly pitied the boy. Anyone who got to be Brianna's boyfriend was also signing a contract with the Devil.
"So I was thinking, since everything is eventless around here, I'll get a new boyfriend, but this time... I'll break his heart," Brianna said.
Karina got goosebumps at her words. Breaking an innocent boy's heart wasn't why she came to this school.
"Can we do something else?" Karina murmured.
"We're still going to the party," Brianna replied sternly.
Karina didn't say any more. Drea, sensing the coldness, began to suggest people for the task. They finally agreed to target a boy who was once a DJ at one of the parties they attended. His name was Axel, and he attended their school on a scholarship. Axel worked different shifts to survive, and Brianna knew just how to get him.
---
"Hi, you must be Axel. My name is..."
"I know who you are. Brianna Connor, daughter of a wealthy billionaire who is also, surprisingly, a big bully and discriminator in school," Axel said.
Of course, he had to be harsh to her. She bullied his kind, and he wouldn't let her do it to him.
Drea and Karina were standing afar off, watching the whole drama.
"Ooh, he's got a hot tongue," Drea whispered.
Brianna got really angry and swore to crush his heart to powder dust.
"Well, that's how you see me, but I've changed," Brianna said.
Karina could also testify to that, Brianna never bullied anyone in front of them (Drea and Karina).
"Like I believe that," Axel muttered.
Brianna secretly rolled her eyes at his words. She never bullied anyone in the open, but there was always a secret chamber where she could do what she did best. She hated that Karina girl and wanted Karina to trust her- just so she could break her life.
Axel began to walk away, but Brianna stood in front of him.
"You might be wondering why I'm here. Well, turns out I need a boyfriend, and you meet all the requirements," Brianna said.
"I'm not interested," Axel replied coldly and began to walk away.
"I'll pay you $5,000 every week," Brianna said almost immediately.
Axel paused in his tracks. That offer was really tempting. His grandmother had been in the hospital for almost a week now, and he really needed that money. If he earned $5,000 a week combined with his monthly salary of $20,000 from his side hustles, he'd be able to pay her bills by the end of the year.
"Meet me in the library if you're interested. I'll be waiting during recess," Brianna said and walked away.
No one could refuse money, especially someone in need.
Karina watched the whole episode unfold. So Brianna would be paying Axel $20,000 every month… for heartbreak? Nice! Even though the Friedemanns were rich, they didn't even give her that much as a monthly allowance.
---
[At the library]
"Do you think that Axel guy is going to come?" Karina asked.
"No one can refuse my money," Brianna stated, and as luck would have it, Axel walked into the library at that moment.
"Wow, you came. We were just discussing getting a new guy to be my boyfriend, and here you are," Brianna lied.
Axel said nothing and just took his seat.
"So this boyfriend stuff… what would I be doing to earn that kind of money?"
"Just random boyfriend duties," Brianna said, then continued, "These are my friends, Drea and Karina."
"Hi," Axel said and only Karina responded.
That evening, Brianna and her crew walked and discussed like best friends. Their discussion was mainly about the new boyfriend.
"Karina, you'll handle calls and text messages. Drea, you'll arrange spots for dates and outings. With this, I can say OPERATION BREAK HIS HEART has commenced."
---
"Goodbye, guys! I can't wait for tomorrow," Karina said and waved after getting off Brianna's SUV.
"Me neither," Brianna waved back.
Karina was over the moon. Brianna actually responded! Brianna actually responded! she squealed, and it so happened that Mr. Friedemann had just arrived home at that moment.
"Finally someone's getting useful. Persuade her to tell her dad to invest in our company," Mr. Friedemann said and walked into the house.
Karina didn't take those words to heart and skipped happily into the house.
---
[At the Connors' residence]
Brianna looked into the night as she thought about that day's events.
"Everything is falling into place," she murmured and walked to her planning board.
"Karina, you want to use me to pave way for your dad's company, and in the process, you think you're better at being beautiful than me. Your character is as fake as your face full of makeup," Brianna cursed as she checked her plans.
"You're so dumb, Karina," she continued. She had assigned Karina to handle phone calls so that Karina might fall in love with Axel and then they could break both their hearts together.
Considering Karina's personality, it wouldn't even take long for her to fall in love, just a few midnight calls and texts, and the work would be done. Brianna had already informed Axel that this would be one of his 'boyfriend duties.'
She had it all planned and wanted Karina to trust her blindly so the betrayal would hit harder. As for Drea (her cousin), she always did as she was told- as long as the Connor family still took care of her.
---
The next day, they skipped school alongside Axel, who complained the whole way that it was wrong to attend a party.
Brianna just wanted to flaunt her rich life in Axel's face and this kept going on for two weeks.
Karina always chipped in about "the investment" at any given opportunity, and finally, her request was granted.
---
At the end of that week, Mr. and Mrs. Friedemann celebrated their company's successful partnership with a party. Mr. Friedemann also received news that someone had tried to frame the company, but the culprit had been caught.
He took the forged document in his hand and began filing a case for the culprit's jail term. The evidence had to be held safely and he needed a trustworthy person. He finally gave it to Karina, since she was the most responsible of the three children he had. Mr Friedmann had trust issues and to him it would be safer to keep important documents where he could see it.
---
"Ann, how are you? Mom and Dad must be so proud of me to throw such a party. I'm glad I've got a sister like you, always supporting me and having my back. I love you," Karina said.
Annelise hugged her in response.
"I love you too," Annelise said slowly.
Of all the Friedemanns, only her siblings cared for her. Their parents hadn't visited her that month at therapy, so she obviously had to cherish the ones she had.
Karina had hope that week and felt like a human being with a family.
But little did she know… this episode was going to change her life… forever.