Miss Bold in disguise

My wealthy and beautiful roommate Nora Miller looked down on me for being from the countryside. She teamed up with the others in the dorm to exclude me.

She loudly announced in the dorm, inviting everyone to her idol's concert. Someone asked if they should take me with them.

She scoffed, "Look at her clothes, they're obviously from a discount retailer. Taking someone like her to my idol's concert would be embarrassing."

Later, when a well-known rich guy, Kellan Lambert, who happened to be my childhood friend, publicly revealed our relationship, he was wearing a shirt bought from that same retailer.

1.

I had just turned down my dad Jake Palmer's offer to buy me a mink coat. After hanging up the phone with my dad, I heard the unrestrained laughter from the dorm.

They were mimicking my accent, perfectly imitating me.

No need to guess, it was the same isolation tactic from Nora and our roommates again.

It all started with our first introductions in the dorm.

They said they were local city ladies. I mentioned I was from a rural area in Triuy shistan.

Who would have thought that in the 21st century, someone would still feel superior for being a city dweller?

Since then, Nora's sarcasm became increasingly apparent. First, she mocked my rustic suitcase. Then, she pinched her nose at the local specialties inside, dramatically exclaiming, "Do you smell that?"

The other two roommates, Rita Holt and Sallie Nash, were confused.

She widened her eyes, "It's the scent of being poor. Some people are so poor that even their belongings carry that smell... unbearable."

I stared at my suitcase. It was a custom design by a well-known designer, arranged by my mom herself.

The leather was scratched and worn by my mom when she used to carry groceries, indeed looking quite shabby. But the specialties inside were truffles, my dad's favorite. He guarded them like treasure, and here they were being scorned. Looks like I would have to enjoy them alone.

Seeing I didn't respond, the other Rita and Sallie quickly tried to ease the tension.

At the time, I thought they were different from Nora. I took out two exquisite bracelets from my bag, giving one for each of them.

Thinking back now, it was painful. They were nearly ten thousand each, just gone down the drain. Because a week later, under Nora's sweet talk, Rita and Sallie completely switched sides, becoming her loyal followers.

Their roles were clear. Nora would insult, and they would echo her words.

Within a month of starting school, everything from my skincare products to shoes, blankets, and glasses was criticized and ridiculed.

Initially, considering our four years together, I tried to explain. But they didn't believe me at all. Instead, they accused me of being vain and buying fake stuff.

Later, I realized it was better if they didn't believe me, so they wouldn't latch onto me for my money.

Being a simple country woman was fine. At least it met my parents' expectations for me to be low-key.

I did think about changing dorms, but at the start of the semester, all beds were taken, so I had to wait.

I even thought about moving out and living off-campus, but that would make it harder to see Kellan, whose dorm was right across from ours.

It was convenient for me to keep an eye on him.

2.

Nora's sharp mockery snapped me back to reality.

She had a disdainful smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "What are you looking at? Am I wrong? Your clothes are indeed from a discount retailer!"

I was totally speechless and gave her an eye roll. What was wrong with buying from there? I didn't steal or rob. I spent my own money. Why should it matter if it was cheap or expensive?

Seeing my eye roll, Nora was furious.

She deliberately raised her chin, scanning the dorm, "Recently, my dad gave me some more allowance. How about I treat you all to my idol's concert?"

Rita and Sallie squealed with excitement, "Nora, you're amazing! Who's your idol?"

"Mathew Blake." Nora lifted her chin, like a proud peacock.

"Mathew, the famous singer!" Rita said.

"His concert tickets are hard to get and expensive. Wow, Nora, you're incredible!" Sallie exclaimed.

"Isn't it?" Rita added.

Their constant shrieking drew curious students from the neighboring dorms.

Nora straightened her back, giving me a sidelong glance, and casually said, "It's just a small amount. My dad wants me to get along with you all. Everyone here gets a ticket."

Rita was in disbelief and pointed at me, "Jenessa Palmer is going too?"

Nora sneered, her smile mocking as she looked me up and down, "Taking someone in discount clothes to my idol's concert, isn't that embarrassing?"