Chapter Text
If tutoring didn't feed the monster in her little sister’s stomach and her university application forms shinier, you wouldn't catch Lena wasting her time tutoring obscenely spoiled brats. But here she was.
“What was the question again?” Lena sighs when she hears a bored voice ask. She revels in his audacity to sound tired.
I’ve been talking for an hour while he alternated from zoning out and opening his phone so he could check the time and he had the nerve to sound tired? What does he even have to be tired about?
Fifth time now, she thinks. This is their fifth session and Lena is still yet to see a single thought pass through his dazed and blank eyes. It didn’t surprise her. He’s hardly the first annoying, entitled, rich brat she had encountered in her years offering her services, and actually going to the academy they all spawn from. Walk through a hall and you’ll probably come across at least ten of them. But no matter how much Lena wants to take pity on herself, she closes her eyes and takes a calming breath.
“I think you’ve just had enough for the day, we can continue the rest on the next session.” She says as she packs her things and internally rolls her eyes. No, he didn’t. I doubt he even absorbed anything.
But Lena tells herself what she has always does since forever: this is what’s paying the bills, this is what’s paying the babysitter watching Mali so she could be here. But the boy just shrugged at her and said nothing. That didn’t surprise Lena either. Of course he would. To be clear, Lena did not care if he’s actually learning anything. She shows up, does what is required of her, and if it doesn’t translate because the brat chose to daydream instead of listen, that’s not her problem anymore. Besides, their families would probably just build a fucking library in their great son’s university of choosing as a donation and he’d be there for moving in day.
It was pathetic and it never fails to make Lena laugh. But she doesn’t really care if tutoring airheads like them drains her more than her own coursework. She cares if their dues arrive on her bank account, she cares if Mali’s daycare is paid for in time. She cares if she will always have the money to keep a stock of Mali’s favorite chocolate drink in their refrigerator.
Mali is Lena’s entire world. Everything Lena does and Lena thinks about revolves around her adorable, but incredibly smart and sharp seven-year old little monster, or sister rather.
Mali’s entire world is Lena too. Given that their parents died in a crash when Lena was in middle school and Mali was at that age that she barely made memories of them, let alone actually remember. So, when Lena came across an ad that was offering a full-ride high school scholarship in one of the most prestigious academies in the country, she made it her mission to not just get in, but be one of the best they’d ever seen. So she packed her and Mali’s bags, along with the little money their parents left them, and left the comfortable, plush mountains of Chiang Mai. Lena is now the go-to tutor of half of the dumbasses in said academy, she thinks she could say she succeeded in her mission.
Still, if you were to ask Lena, she'd tell you that if she wasn't so determined to be a doctor and make sure that Mali reached all her dreams too, she wouldn't be here. Like the other scholarship kids that started to fall off one by one because they couldn't handle the pressure, and by pressure meaning the insufferable, indomitable brats that make up most of the academy population. At least though, Lena thinks, she gets to enjoy the privileges one of the most prestigious high schools in the country can offer.
“She’s lost again. You think if I take Mali out for ice cream without permission she’ll finally pay proper attention to us?” Lena gets startled out of her thoughts when she hears a voice behind her. Jayna is standing there with a shit-eating grin on her otherwise very flawless face.
Jayna Stevens came from considerably new money. Being half American on her dad’s side, they brought their ventures into the Thai market and succeeded. Her dad’s company is just among the most successful there is in the country. But she is never one to boast, nor one to keep still if someone around her ever needs help or is in trouble.
“What have I told you about jokingly kidnapping my sister?” Lena turns around and deadpans while Jayna continues to stand there and look at her with nothing but mischief on her face. Her skin seemingly still gleaming even in such sweltering, Bangkok heat. Jayna is beautiful, and it's hard to be angry at someone when they're that amazing to look at.
“That you'll manually twist our limbs off our bodies if we ever actually do it?” Jane responds as she slings an arm around Lena's neck.
“Correct.” Lena answered, hitting her arm playfully.
And in true Jane fashion, she clutches her arm dramatically, whining at Lena while she tries to hide her amusement.
Just like every student in the academy, Jane is excessively wealthy, having come from very old money that came from her ancestors' various financial ventures. Lena has no idea what these ventures are, and neither does Jane.
The three of them couldn't be any more different, because Lena, on the other hand, lived from paycheck to paycheck. They were rich, Lena isn't. And no matter how much the two offered to help her, she never accepted any monetary assistance from them. Because Mali is hers, and Mali is Lena’s responsibility to keep.
“When are you ever not violent?” Jayna asks as she pulls open her locker, a piece of paper falling off it and into the floor. Jane and Lena share a snickering look, as Jayna reads the letter, a soft smile blooming from her lips.
“Secret admirer?” Lena jokes, the teasing rich in her tone and smile. “She's not a secret, more like a pain in my ass.” Jayna says.
She's talking about Ginny. Ginny has about declared her love for Jayna on multiple occasions over the course of a year. Always with letters and flowers, always with compliments, always with Jayna's favorite snacks. And Jayna has yet to either pay her attention or reject her.
“Reject her and get it over with then.” Lena tells her sarcastically, while Jane nodded her agreement.
Lena couldn't wrap her head around it. Jayna accepted everything; the flowers, the snacks, the declaration of love. But she also never once expressed an interest nor had she rejected her.
“I enjoy the attention.” Jayna shrugs at Lena as she closes the locker again.
That’s fair.
“Or you could give her a shot.” Jane grins through her suggestion as Lena and Jayna's heads snap towards her.
“Oh no, I would destroy her.” Jayna laughs.
“I bet she'd be into that.” Lena giggles, playfully pushing her.
“Would it be so bad to give it a chance? She's also very pretty to look at.” Jane adds. Even Lena couldn't disagree with that.
Besides from the fact that Ginny keeps horrible company, Lena didn't know the girl. All she knows is that she has long, black hair that seems to take a life of its own when she's dancing, has an obscenely toned upper body, and is very attractive. And that Jayna finds the lovesick puppy act endearing.
“Have you forgotten who her best friend is? The fact that you're even entertaining the idea when she's friends with M—”
“I've been having such a good day, please don't.”
They share a look towards each other, which they seem to be doing a lot when they talk about her, Lena notices, while laughing. But Lena doesn't find it funny in the slightest. Just the mention of the girl’s name tightens her chest and awakens a different kind of rage that she only feels whenever she's thinking about her, which is what's funny because she manages to think of her a lot. It makes Lena so irrationally angry.
“Being with Ginny means we'd have to see her all the time. I'm not so cruel to do that to you.”
Jayna can pretend all she wants that the reason she didn't want to give Ginny a chance is because of Lena. Which is ridiculous because she has expressed multiple times now that she wouldn't mind Jayna dating her, in fact, she'd be happy about it. Regardless of who she keeps around her, Ginny is a good person. She's kind, and has constantly defended Lena against the devil she calls a best friend, even lectures her about it too in front of her.
Although it does make Lena think of why Ginny is still friends with her. Long history? Obligation? Debt? Lena laughs at the last one. She simply just didn't understand why anyone would willingly stay around her.
The loud ring of the bell, along with the dramatic groaning of her friends, snaps Lena out of her thoughts.
“Lena, you sure Mr. Pom's math test is easy?” Jane asks.
“Yes, how many times do I have to tell you?” Lena jests, annoyed from the question Jane has been repeating since last night.
“Well, everything is easy for you, could you blame me for being doubtful?” Jane answers, pouting.
“You're right, they are.” Lena cockily replies.
Lena has never been one to be modest about being academically gifted. There is a reason why she's the go-to tutor in the academy. Lena also knows that there's no one in this affluent place that works harder and excels as much as she does. She earned the right to boast.
Lena arrives at the classroom and makes her way to her seat, as the professor starts off with an announcement that the class will be delayed half an hour because he needed to tend to important matters.
He hadn't even finished his sentence when the students started scrambling out of the room.
Lena obviously didn't leave. Instead, she takes her general biology textbook out and starts revising. She just couldn't risk not being accepted into her dream university. It was something that she couldn't afford.
She had a clear plan from then. Pass the entrance exam, biology as a pre-med, and then medical school in the same university.
Lena had wanted to fantasize more about her future when she got interrupted by the sound of clacking heels and a presence behind her.
“I bet that book turns you on.”
The hairs on the back of Lena's neck prickled. She knew that voice, she'd know it anywhere. Her jaw clenched and her lungs burned as she tried to compose herself and turned her head.
Miu Taechamongkalapiwat.
The devil incarnate herself. Her deep-brown eyes looking down on Lena through her beautifully long lashes, all while she has her arms crossed against her chest, her teeth sank into her plump, bottom lip. Smirking as she provoked Lena and smiling at her like she's completely beneath her feet.
Lena actually first saw Miu during their first day orientation. She had thought Miu was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. Radiant smile, gorgeous eyes that seemed to hide something that made Lena desperate to find out what it was. The same chocolate-brown hair that caught the rays of the sun so beautifully it left Lena in awe. That was all until Miu opened her mouth.
Miu is all the stereotypical popular girl would be. Rich. Captain of the dance troupe. Everyone worships the ground she walks on. She's also infuriatingly annoying and it grates on Lena in levels she couldn't comprehend.
“Aww, you wanna make sure?” Lena replies sarcastically.
Miu scowls in my response. Then she scoffs. “In your dreams, queer.”
There it is. She'd been using the fact that Lena is lesbian to berate her ever since someone caught wind of an ex-girlfriend she had left in Chiang Mai and decided it was gossip-worthy. It's not even like Lena is the only queer girl that is out in the academy. Most people didn't even have an issue with it. Lena just had the biggest target on her back because Miu hates her, and everyone is always out for a piece of a Taechamongkalapiwat.
Of course, Lena has never let Miu get to her. Lena always fought back. No matter that she’s exhausted from all the part-time jobs she took aside from tutoring and that she has a seven-year old to feed at home. Lena took it upon herself to make Miu’s life as difficult as she makes Lena's to be. And it angers Miu beyond comprehension. It wasn't just the fact that Lena was poor and gay that irritated Miu. No, it was more than that. It was the fact that Lena refuses to bow down to Miu Taechamongkalapiwat. Everyone in this place worshipped Miu except Lena.
She is the heiress to the Taechamongkalapiwat empire after all. Centuries old money. Fortune that has been passed down generations. She quite literally is the richest person in the country. She also has never worked hard for anything in her life, that Lena was sure of.
“Never in my dreams because the only time I'd ever dream of you is if I am having a nightmare.” Lena retorts, her tone leaking boredom.
Not my best, but to be fair I was up last night and tired from finishing Mali’s school project after she all but fell asleep on top of the posterboard.
Miu laughs. The same cruel laughter Lena is sure she heard even in her sleep “Are you that scared of me?”
Lena had to stifle a giggle. Miu is rude, sure. She is also cruel, selfish, conniving, and manipulative. But Miu had never terrified Lena.
“You? Terrifying? Come on, Miu.” Lena laughs mockingly on her face. “Sure, you're a bitch, but you'll never scare me.”
Miu takes a step towards her, leaning closer as Lena tries to fight the urge to breathe her in. Her own breath gets stuck in her throat as Miu’s voice drops. “Do not make me show you how scary I can be. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to send you back to the mountains. Perhaps you’d make a better farmer than a doctor?”
Lena's jaw clenched at that. Of course, leave it to the great Miu Taechamongkalapiwat to never let her forget that her family held power no one in the country can even begin to comprehend. At least, she didn't mention Lena's dead parents. That would've been too low even for her.
“I wouldn’t mind Chiang Mai because I know to myself that I’d make a better anything if I were to be compared to you.”
Miu closes her eyes and takes a breath to calm herself down. She did it often when Lena was not giving her the attention she wanted.
“When are you gonna get tired of pretending I don't affect you?”
Lena rolls her eyes on the comment. Even if it is true, that doesn't mean Lena can't be angry about it.
“You, when are you gonna get tired of spewing the same crap all the time? Entertain me, Miu. All the classism is getting boring.”
God no. Its never boring. Countless violent outbursts of push and pull, and Lena still feels the same thrill thrumming in her veins, the same rapid rhythm of her heart when they play their little game.
She. When Miu plays this game. Because Lena didn't like playing with her.
Do I?
Lena realizes the time she'd been wasting being here and listening to Miu’s nonsense. She really had to take advantage of the time to revise. So she stands up and doesn't wait anymore for whatever retort Miu has left, and packs her bags.
Lena takes maybe three steps until she feels being yanked back by her arm, her body colliding with another and being met by Miu’s dark and cold eyes staring down at her. Miu's jaw clenched, her eyes unwavering.
“You leave when I say you can.” A shiver ran down Lena's spine, her insides freezing with her words. Miu pinning her to her desk, the tone, the arrogant look on her face, and the control she clearly gets off so hard on.
Miu can think again. Because Lena would rather burn in hell than let Miu Taechamongkalapiwat tell her what to do.
Lena pushes Miu as hard as she can so that her back hits the desks. “Touch me again and I'll fucking kill you.”
Lena doesn't wait for a response and storms off the classroom. Because being in close proximity with Miu makes Lena's skin itch and her blood boil beyond measure.
She fucking hates Miu Taechamongkalapiwat.