Enemies Living Under The Same Roof

Chapter 1.

Maya’s POV.

"Please,” I begged, my voice trembling. "Please, just open it."

I was struggling to breathe. My palm slammed against the bathroom door again, but it was useless, laughter cut through from the other side.

I heard Tiffany giggle.

"Did she say something?" Jaxon asked, his voice filled with joy.

The walls of the bathroom pressed in. I pressed my forehead to the cool wood, tears dripping down my nose, my chin. I didn't care anymore. I couldn't.

"I….I…I….can't breathe." I stammered. "Please. Jaxon. Please."

"Maybe if you weren't so big, you'd have more air." Tiffany's voice.

More laughter. My legs folded.

I slid down the door while they were still laughing, landed on something hard.

"Don't cry," Tiffany called out. "You're already ugly. Don't give us nightmares.”

After what felt like an eternity, the door burst open. I threw my arm up, but it was too late.

The light burned. When I lowered my arm, Tiffany was there. Perfect blonde hair, pink lips and smile.

She bent down. Her voice went soft, like she actually cared.

"Aww. You okay in there?" She tilted her head. "So… you still want to be a cheerleader ?"

My whole body shook. My jaw hurt from clenching.

"No," was the curt response I managed to give.

Her smile grew. She straightened up, looked back at the others.

"See? That's more like it." She flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Come on, guys. The smell in here is ruining my perfume."

Their footsteps faded. The hallway went quiet.

I sat on the floor for a long time. I don't know how long. My body shook and I couldn't make it stop.

Hot tears kept coming even when I had nothing left. Finally, I crawled out. My backpack was soaked.

I opened it, my geography book. The pages were wet and wrinkled, the words blurred into nothing.

I wiped my tears and lifted my bag to hide my face as I walked out of the bathroom. Not like they'd care, but they'd come for me again.

I was seen as the ugly, chubby girl, who wore rags to school. That gave most students the upper hand against me, and they made sure to show me just how worthless I am.

I hated this school. But what choice did I have? Leaving meant becoming exactly what my father said I was….useless.

Being bullied by Jaxson was not enough, Tiffany took joy in making my life a living hell.

She used every opportunity to prove she was better than me in all aspects and I never argued.

I pushed open the school gate and stepped out into the cold and headed home.

The house was dark when I opened the door.

"Where the hell have you been?!" His voice hit me before I even got the door closed.

He was on the couch. Same spot he always was, empty beer cans on the table. His eyes red and mean.

I didn't answer. What was the point?

"Useless," he spat. "Lazy and useless. Coming in here at all hours. You know what? Quit school. You're not smart enough for it anyway. Get a job. Pull your weight around here for once."

My father's usual words. I'd heard them so many times they didn't even feel like words anymore. Just noise.

I walked past him. Up the stairs, my room was small. I sat on my bed and stared at the wall until my breathing went back to normal. Then I opened my laptop.

He said he'd stop paying. He meant it. He always meant the cruel things. So I needed money, fast.

I don't know what I did to deserve such hatred from my dad. He hated me ever since my mum ran away from him. But who wouldn't run away?

I scrolled through job listings. Fast food. Retail. Nothing that would pay enough, nothing that would work with school. Then I saw it.

“Live-in tutor and babysitter. Private residence. Room and board plus salary. Start immediately.”

My fingers shook as I typed out the application. I didn't have time to be careful or perfect, I just hit send and hoped.

An hour later, my phone buzzed.

The message came; “You're hired. Can you move in today?”

Today? I stared at the message.

I packed before I could think about it. There was no time. I wasn't wanted here anyway.

My clothes, my ruined book, a photo of my mom before she left. Not much else. My whole life fit in one bag.

I went downstairs. He was still on the couch. Still watching TV.

"I got a job," I said. "Live-in. I'm leaving." I paused. "Today."

He didn't look at me. Just waved his hand. "Good. Less money I have to spend."

I waited. For something, anything, a look, a word. But there was nothing. I walked out the door.

The address took me to Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. I didn't need anyone to tell me this was elite.

I stood in front of the big gates, made a quick cross sign, and pressed the bell.

A man opened the door. Old, grey face. He looked at me like I was a package being delivered.

“Maya,” I managed to say.

"Follow me," he commanded.

I followed, the house was huge. Marble floors. Stairs that curved. Paintings on the walls that probably cost more than everything I'd ever owned.

"Your room is upstairs. Don't go into the east wing. Don't touch anything that doesn't belong to you. Meals are in the kitchen. Questions?"

"No," I whispered.

He stopped at a door. "Wait here. I'll get him."

He disappeared. I stood in the hallway. My hands were sweating. I wiped them on my jeans.

This was it. This was my fresh start. Away from school, from my dad. away from Jaxson….

Footsteps on the stairs.

I straightened my back, pasted on a smile. Ready to meet the boy I'd be taking care of.

I turned around, the smile died on my lips.

Jaxson stood in front of me.

Of all the houses in Beverly Hills…

It had to be his?

The butler's voice came from somewhere behind. "This is the boy you're to tutor.”

Jaxson smiled evilly.

Living in the same house with my bully? Fuck!