Lucy looked herself in the mirror . Today was her first day in a new school . In her old school , a prestigious academy , she was the most popular girl in school , she got confessions almost every alternate day , sometimes the same person would ask her out two or three times . She was top in studies , belonged to a rich family and all students , boys and girls ,accepted that she was drop-dead gorgeous . Although that wasn't what one would call the girl looking back at her in the mirror . Her hair was tied into a messy bun and slightly tinted glasses that hid her beautiful brown eyes . She had no make-up on and her chest was bandaged to hide her most obvious assets . Covering her body was a loose uniform , which consisted of a white full-sleved shirt coved by a light-green vest with the golden insignia saying 'Foire high' on the upper ,left part of it . A longer than necessary ,dark-green skirt with an yellow stripe at the bottom ,extended to her knees , while white socks and brown shoes hid the remaining of her killer legs . A belt with a pouch that contained her keys hung around her waist . She carried it wherever she went . Those keys belonged to her mother and letting it out of her sight was out of the question . Besides , she knew she was likely to be bullied , looking the way she does now . But all the more reason to have protection . Lucy let out a sigh and then with a determined face grabbed her bag and headed out of her apartment . She was living alone because she ran away from home .

Flashback:-
Lucy's POV-
After my mom died , my father became cold and obsessed with his business empire . His company 'Love & Lucky' ,where he began as employee and rose to the position of owner , was one of the top companies in the world with branches in almost every country . I had spent most of my life working hard to become the perfect daughter , I studied , went to business parties and changed almost everything about myself to make him happy . The only thing I did not change was my love for my spirits . Their keys were one of the few things I have left of my mother . No matter how hard I had to work , I would always find time to train with my spirits . They're all really nice(except Aquarius) ,though Taurus is a pervert . Recently , I had accepted the fact that my father...he...he just isn't my father anymore or rather , I'm just not his daughter . In his eyes , I'm just an unwanted reminder of his dead wife who he only sees as a possible asset for the company , the beautiful heiress . I always kept a bag with nessesities, clothes and money hidden under my bed so that I could escape if it became too unbearable . The time finally came when my father introduced me to Sting, the youngest owner of a very promising company ,...as my fiancé .He did not ask or mention anything about it . Simply stated it like a fact and left us alone after saying that I should bear a male heir . While looking at my so-called 'father's' retreating back . Sting moved his lips to my ear and wishpered in a seductive voice which caused me to cringe in disgust .
"Don't worry, if it's a girl , we'll just keep trying ...again...and again..."
*slap*
His head recoiled to the side from the force of my slap. Without a second thought ,I ran. I ran to my room , wiped the tears from my eyes and locked the door .I took out the bag , simultaneously stripping out of my gown and changing into a jeans pant and a blue-checked shirt with a dark-blue hoodie on top . I had bought these clothes in preparation of this moment . I knew that no noble of the modern world would wear such things , heck! No one even knows I have clothes like these . Finally , slinging my bag on to my shoulder and my keys on the belt around my hip , I took a rope that I 'borrowed' and trying it onto my room's balcony , let it down to the garden below . I began to lower myself down when a knock was heard on the door ,followed by the sound of my personal maid , Maria shouting.
"Miss Lucy , Your father insists that you come out of the room and go back to your...fiancé ."
I smiled , noticing the slight hesitation before the word 'fiancé'. I knew Maria didn't like it either . Well! She won't have to worry about me anymore .
"MARIA, TELL MY FATHER...GOODBYE!"
And with that I climbed down and ran for the garden wall .
"Open, Gate to the maiden , Virgo !"
A pink-haired girl in a maid's outfit appeared before me .
"Is it time for my punishment , princess ?"
She's the first stellar spirit that I had , which was not given to me by my mother .I defeated her previous owner who traded her in exchange for letting him go when he tried to rob a stationary shop . I agreed only because I knew that the police were waiting outside . I couldn't stand the idea of letting a stellar-spirit stay with someone who would give her up so easily.
"No ,and it never will be , can you please dig under the wall so that I can escape? "
Virgo seemed slightly surprised and looked at my bag, my clothes and at the rope that extended from my balcony ...and smiled .
"Of course , my princess"
Once we were out , I ran to the home of my closest friend from sabre tooth academy, Yukino. She was a stellar-spirit mage like me and the second most popular girl in school .
I saw her leaving her compound as I got close . I called out her name and she turned to face me with a smile which turned into a frown .Her face was filled with shock and ... embarrassment ?.She quickly led me into the compound and looked at me from head to toe .
"What are you doing dressed like That? ...In public "
"I'm leaving ."
I don't know how I expected her to react , but I Did Not expected her lips to slightly curve upwards as her eyes showed no trace of sadness . A sharp pain shot through my heart as I realised ..., she's glad that I'm leaving .
"Where are you are going ?...never mind , I don't want to lie when your father's workers come looking..."
"Answer me one thing ...the truth ."
She looked at me and my doubts were confirmed by the look on her face.
"...Were you my friend ...only because of my ...status ?"
She seemed a Bit ashamed but nodded .
"Boys would chase you , you got good grades and you even had a strong magic aura , I knew that my status would become higher if I was your friend .It was a lie . Me coming to you because I was interested in stellar-spirits like you were ,although it's true that I like them, Me laughing when you complained about the boys , It was so unfair .I mean you were a freaking bookworm , but everyone loved you cause you had a beautiful body and a rich dad And You Didn't Even Like It..."
My mind was blank as her words seeped through .

'everyone loved you cause you had a beautiful body and a rich dad'

Was that all they saw ?A pretty face with a rich inheritance ?
"...I see , goodbye then ,... Yukino "
I left the compound and began to run . I reached the train station and asked for a ticket to the the first train that went to Foire ,the one place I knew father would not come , the place he met my mother .

Present:-
Lucy walked to the school , She had gotten in due to her exceptional grades. A sweet woman named Mavis talked to the principal for her. One day Lucy helped carry her groceries . There were lots because she was preparing for some party . During the chit-chat that passed between them , Mavis learned that Lucy was educated and intelligent and yet was not going to school that semester . When asked the reason , Lucy replied with a laugh.
"No way I can pay school fees , I can hardly afford an apartment right now"
Mavis , realising her potential , got her to write the entrance exams for Foire high . Apparently , her grades were good enough for a merit for the next year .No fees nessesary . Mavis kindly offered to pay for the uniform and supplies saying that it was an investment , not charity and that Lucy could pay her back when she gets a job.
Lucy stood before the gates of her school , all the students were wearing the same uniform as her , except that the girl's skirts were much shorter and their tops much tighter and the boys had the same top ,only the sleeves were not puffy and they had plain dark-green pants . If anyone she knew saw her know , they would not recognise her . But ...

'you were a freaking bookworm , but everyone loved you cause you had a beautiful body and a rich dad'

...she wanted friends ,...real friends who saw and liked her for who she was and if she was ever confessed to , she wanted it to be because the guy liked her for her heart and mind , not for her body or money and even though there was a good chance that she would be bullied and ignored . She was sure that it would hurt a lot less than people pretending to be nice to you .No looks, No money .
Let's see how the world likes the real Lucy Heartfillia .