Cedar Heights Academy had officially decided I was the worst student alive. And I could not argue.
See, Stella, Serena, Tiffany, and Vanessa had given me a so-called "loyalty test." Simple instructions: embarrass yourself, follow our orders, show you could be one of us.
I did everything. I really did
And… Stella said I'll get back to you"
They stared at me, unamused.
" that's… pathetic," Vanessa said, flipping her hair. Stella snorted.
I wanted to crawl under the nearest desk. Instead, I muttered, "Uh… thanks for the feedback?"
The Unexpected TwistJust when I thought my social life was officially over, Eden appeared. Calm, tall, nerdy… perfect.
"Hey," he said quietly, sliding into the seat next to me. "You… didn't fail in my eyes."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You tried," he said, smiling faintly. "You didn't cheat. You didn't sell out. And… honestly, that's way more impressive than anything Stella's crew could do."
My heart did that stupid flippy thing. "Are… you… serious?"
"Completely," he said, leaning just a little closer. "Actually… I think I like you."
Wait. What?
I choked on my water. He likes me? The same guy who looked like he belonged in a mysterious movie, who never really talked to anyone unless necessary… liked me?
And then… it happened. Somehow, in the middle of the cafeteria chaos, in the midst of my pudding disaster reputation, Eden leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
My cheeks turned bright red, not just from embarrassment… but from… something else. Something warm and fluttery.
Victory in FailureStella and her crew froze. They had no words. Vanessa blinked. Tiffany actually looked speechless.
I… kind of felt victorious. Not because I passed their ridiculous "loyalty test," but because… Eden had chosen me. My flaws, my sarcasm, my complete inability to follow ridiculous rich-girl instructions… all of it.
Maya appeared beside me, whispering: "See, Aisha? God's timing. You don't have to prove anything to anyone."
I nodded, grinning. "Yeah… except maybe prove I can survive another day in high school without tripping over myself."
Eden smiled, brushing a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. "Don't worry. I've got you."
And in that moment… I knew one thing for sure:
Rich girls could try to sabotage me. Embarrassments could happen. Chaos could erupt. But somehow… love, God, and true friends could turn even the worst day into something magical.