POV: Rachel
Rachel sat on her queen-sized bed, flipping through her phone while Mimi painted her nails and Freda scrolled lazily through TikTok on the couch. The air in her room smelled like vanilla perfume and designer lotion.
It was one of those lazy holiday afternoons when the girls gathered to gist, gossip, and brag.
"Can you imagine," Mimi said, rolling her eyes, "some random guy from the junior class had the guts to DM me saying, 'Hey babe, can I take you out?' Like, excuse me? You don't even have a car!"
Rachel laughed mockingly, tossing her phone aside. "These broke boys don't know their level. Always trying to shoot their shot like they're rich."
Freda joined in with a laugh. "Last week, one messaged me saying I have 'wife material' vibes. I almost blocked him immediately. What am I — a tailor?"
The girls burst into laughter.
Rachel smirked proudly, flipping her long braided hair behind her shoulder. "That's why I don't waste my time with small boys. The only guy that matches my level is Bryan."
Mimi looked up, curious. "You mean Bryan Benson?"
Rachel grinned confidently. "Who else? That boy is mine. Everyone in Fabulous High knows it. Bryan and I are the school's most perfect match — we're both rich, good-looking, and classy. He might act stubborn, but he'll come around."
Freda laughed sarcastically. "Rachel, please. You've been saying that since last term. If he wanted you, he'd have made it official by now."
Rachel's smile faded slightly. "He's just taking his time. You know boys like to act tough. Bryan flirts with others, but I know deep down, I'm the only one he truly wants."
Freda smirked, crossing her arms. "You sure about that?"
Rachel frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Freda leaned forward, her tone sharp. "It means Bryan doesn't want you, Rachel. You're just obsessed. The way you cling to him like he's your property—it's embarrassing."
The room fell silent for a moment. Mimi froze, glancing between them nervously.
Rachel blinked, her voice dropping. "Freda, say that again."
Freda didn't flinch. "You heard me. You're not his girlfriend, Rachel. You're just his shadow. Always bragging, always chasing him around like a lost puppy. It's pathetic."
Rachel's jaw tightened, her hand curling into a fist. "Watch your mouth."
Freda stood up slowly, smirking. "Or what? You'll scream his name again in class like you always do? You think Bryan likes that loud, fake attitude of yours? Please."
Mimi gasped softly. "Guys, stop—"
But Rachel was already standing, her anger bubbling. "You think you're better than me, Freda? You think Bryan would ever look your way?"
Freda rolled her eyes. "He already does. At least I don't throw myself at him. And honestly?" She looked Rachel up and down. "You're not even all that pretty. Stop acting like a queen when you're just a spoiled brat in heels."
The words hit Rachel like a slap — so she returned the favor.
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the room.
Everyone froze.
Freda's hand flew to her cheek, her eyes wide in shock. Mimi's mouth dropped open. The air grew heavy with silence.
Rachel stood there breathing hard, her chest rising and falling. "Don't you ever talk to me like that again."
Freda's shock turned to fury. Her voice dropped, cold and sharp. "You made a big mistake, Rachel."
Rachel glared. "You deserved it."
Freda stepped closer, her eyes blazing. "You think you're untouchable because of money? Let's see how long that fake confidence lasts. You're not a queen — you're a joke. Disgusting, loud, and overrated."
Rachel blinked, trying to maintain her composure, but her lips trembled. Freda grabbed her purse and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Mimi just sat there frozen, staring at Rachel. "Rachel…" she whispered. "You shouldn't have slapped her."
Rachel didn't reply. She just stood there, her reflection glaring back at her from the mirror. Her chest felt tight, her hands shaking slightly.
Finally, she muttered under her breath, "No one takes Bryan from me. No one."
POV: Joe
Joe drove home that evening, his mind racing faster than his car. He couldn't even focus on the road — the image of Maria standing at the gate kept flashing before his eyes.
That glow. That confidence. That beauty.
"Damn," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "That can't be Maria. There's no way that's Maria."
He couldn't wait to tell Bryan.
As soon as he got home, he dropped his car keys on the couch and pulled out his phone.
📞 Joe: "Bro, you need to pick up right now."
📞 Bryan: "What's your problem, man? It's late."
📞 Joe: "Forget the time, Bryan. You won't believe who I saw today."
Bryan groaned on the other end. "If it's about some random chick again, I'm hanging up."
Joe rolled his eyes. "No, this one isn't random. It's Maria."
Silence.
Then a small scoff. "Maria? That Maria?"
"Yeah," Joe said quickly, pacing around the living room. "You remember the fat girl you used to call a pig? The one who fainted during the race?"
Bryan chuckled lightly. "Bro, stop playing. Don't tell me you saw that one again. What, she came to beg you for leftover lunch money?"
Joe's expression hardened. "Nah, Bryan. You don't get it. She's different. I'm telling you, she's—" he paused, trying to find the right word, "—she's stunning, bro. I'm talking beautiful. Like, she doesn't even look like the same person."
Bryan laughed loudly. "Joe, are you drunk? Maria? Beautiful? Please, don't insult the word."
Joe ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "I'm serious! I saw her with Becky today. She came out of the gate looking like some goddess. Fair skin, perfect curves, clean skin — bro, if you see her, you'll freeze."
Bryan's laughter faded a little. "You mean that Maria from Fabulous High? Chubby Maria?"
"Yes!" Joe said firmly. "Same girl. Except she's not chubby anymore. She's— I don't even know how to describe it."
Bryan went quiet for a few seconds, then chuckled again — but this time, it sounded forced. "You must've seen someone else. Maria can't just turn beautiful overnight. Maybe she used a filter in real life."
Joe sighed. "You'll see for yourself when school resumes."
Bryan scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, sure. Let's see how this supposed 'transformation' looks in real life. I'm not buying it."
Joe smirked slightly. "You're only saying that because you can't imagine the pig turning into a princess."
Bryan chuckled darkly. "Bro, please. Even if she did, she's still Maria. I don't care if she paints herself gold — I can't be with her. I was just… being nice when she collapsed that day."
Joe raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I remember how scared you were. You almost lost your mind when she fainted."
Bryan frowned. "I wasn't scared. I was just… shocked, okay? Anyone would've reacted that way."
Joe folded his arms, smirking. "You even visited her in the hospital, remember? You brought juice and everything. You sure that wasn't care?"
Bryan went quiet for a moment, staring at the ceiling. "I was just… being decent. Don't twist it. She's not my type."
Joe laughed softly. "Well, get ready, bro. Because your 'not my type' girl looks better than half the girls in this city now. Even Rachel will faint when she sees her."
Bryan rolled his eyes, still trying to sound unbothered. "We'll see. But I doubt anything's changed. Some people just can't be transformed, no matter how hard they try."
Joe leaned back on his couch, a sly smile forming. "Keep that same energy when you see her. I'll be right there watching your face."
Bryan scoffed. "Whatever."
Joe chuckled, changing the subject. "Anyway, forget Maria for a sec. My date with Becky went great today."
That caught Bryan's attention. "Oh really?"
Joe grinned. "Yeah. We hung out at the café. She's not like the other girls, man — she's chill, funny, smart. I actually enjoyed myself."
Bryan laughed. "Joe? The same Joe who said relationships are stress?"
Joe smirked. "Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want. But I think I like this one for real."
Bryan chuckled again. "You? Falling? Impossible."
Joe laughed too, then grew serious again. "But bro… about Maria — I'm telling you, you'll be shocked. She's not the same person anymore."
Bryan leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly. "Fine. Let school reopen. I'll see this miracle beauty for myself. But I doubt anything will change the truth."
Joe grinned. "And what truth is that?"
Bryan looked away, his tone sharp but low. "That I could never fall for someone like Maria."
Joe just smiled knowingly. "We'll see, bro. We'll see."