It had been three months since she had given birth before her body was back to the way it had been before. She hadn't even kept the scar, because something inside her didn't require a plastic surgeon, so there wouldn't be any marks on her body. It regenerated in an abnormal way. But she didn't want to worry about supernatural things. She still felt like a girl, and she found it strange that her friends were talking about the prom, which would be in two years' time. She thought they were getting ahead of themselves, and said so to one of her classmates, who stared at her as if she were nothing more than a worm.
"It may seem rash to you, who have a perfect life, princess of demons. But for us mere mortals, talking about something good that's going to happen, even if it's far away, instead of dwelling on our problems, is a relief. At least when we're inside the school, let us be happy. Leave us alone." The young woman said this and turned to leave, but he remembered something else and turned back to her. "By the way, you should know that your invitation is only symbolic. No one wants you at the ball." She spat out the words and walked away.
Anna was stunned. There was an inexplicable antagonism towards her, and she believed that the girl expressed the thoughts of many people there. Perhaps the majority. She lowered her head, and when she raised it again, Beth was standing right in front of her with a worried look on his face.
"Are you feeling all right?" She asked seriously.
Anna told her what had happened and about her suspicions that no one liked her there.
"It's not that they hate you, really... But you represent things that they are still struggling to achieve. And they're afraid of your family. They're superstitious people and believe that Judge Maxwell is the devil himself and what your father does... It's not a secret, Anna. I'm sorry."
"What do you mean? It's not my fault what they think about my family, I'm not them and... I have what they want? I don't even have a degree, Beth!"
"Anna... You arrive at school with a car that even the dean can't afford. And if that wasn't enough, your clothes are visibly expensive. And I'm not even talking about the bodyguards that are scattered inside and outside. They're subtle, but people aren't idiots. They know they're here for you."
"I didn't know it could upset people so much. I've always been kind to all of them."
"It doesn't matter, Anna. You wear these things, and even disdain the luxury you live in, when most here would give an arm to have the life you have. They just feel the need to hate you."
"What do they know about my life?"
"Very little. But that little is already a lot. Haven't you stopped to think that all this luxury wouldn't attract attention? The students themselves have investigated your life, and they know who your father is. If it weren't for that, you'd be beaten up every day before you left.
Anna thought. She needed to devote more time to the judo classes she practiced at the academy with Maxwell.
"How do you know all this?"
"They're my friends, Anna. They like me. I think they identify with me, because most of us here work and study. And they don't know about our connection."
"I work and study too!" Anna said indignantly.
"It's not the same. You don't have to keep to a timetable. Anna, wake up! You work for your husband, and your office is better than those of lawyers who already have degrees and experience."
"Do you think I didn't deserve this? Do you think Maxwell privileged me because I'm his wife?"
"Do you want to hear the truth, or do you want to remain my friend?" Beth asked sarcastically.
Anna looked at her with hatred.
"Why didn't you tell me about this before? I could have bought my clothes from moldy thrift stores, ridden my bike, and dispensed with the bodyguards to make everyone happy. You don't know what it's like to be hated without having done anything about it. And I work hard. Do they know that too?"
"Anna, I told you... This is just another reason they've found to say that you take advantage of your social position to work with a renowned judge, and that you probably get paid a fortune for it. It's envy, Anna. And that's an irremediable evil. But I understand their side. To get a position, much less important than yours, they know that years will pass, and you're already enjoying what you learn and besides..."
"On top of that?" Anna encouraged.
"They talk about your family. Your mother."
"What do they say?"
Beth looked at Anna's hair.
"They say you're a witch and they're afraid of your words. I didn't get that part right, but... There's something about your hair."
Anna grabbed her red curls. She knew that no one else's hair naturally looked like that. Blonde and straight on top, wavy and red at the ends.
"These people came to my party!"
"And that's when the change happened. They saw that it wasn't just at school, but everywhere, you get the best of the best, without effort. And they avoid talking in front of me, for obvious reasons, but I've heard them say that you're nothing more than a mafioso, usurping their rightful place."
"Beth... I'm leaving this school and going to a simpler one, and I'm going to do everything differently. I'm going to change my everyday clothes with Helen, we have the same body. I'll take the bus and I'll do without the bodyguards."
"You can't do that."
"Why not?"
"Anna, you can change your clothes, but you can't change the other things!"
"Something's going on, and you're not telling me." She stared at her with great certainty in her words.
"Look... You're being followed. And we still don't know who the mastermind is. Here, we can protect you, because we're undercover and pass as students, but if you change schools, and we all get there at the same time, it'll raise suspicions."
"Since when are you following me?"
Beth stared at her as if she were stupid, and shook her head negatively.
"Since we arrived from England. But before, it was just some detectives, who we found out were taking orders from the United States and were just looking for news. They're still chasing her, but without the zeal and interest of before. We managed to distract them with a double of yours. But now there are men in black suits, armed at all times, trying to catch up with you. I and the others have always hindered their attempts, but this chase is getting much more tense... Strange, that it started after you moved into the mansion."