Reina's lips curved into a cold smile.
"Yes, I don't," she said flatly.
Amira stared at her, disbelief burning in her chest. "Then you never loved him. You were only playing with his heart."
Regina shook her head in disgust. "Why not just tell him the truth? At least it would hurt less than seeing you with another guy."
Reina laughed softly, a sound empty of warmth. "Tell him so he'll break up with me and I'll lose all this attention and care? I enjoy watching him slave away for me—all in the name of love."
"So that's it," Amira said, her voice turning icy. "You're using him. Being known as the Head Prefect's girlfriend is all you want."
"And?" Reina replied. "What's wrong with that?"
Amira clenched her fists. "I was right about you. You're heartless. You don't care about anyone's feelings."
Regina stepped forward angrily. "Every girl dreams of what you have! He copies your notes, does your assignments, buys you gifts, throws you birthday parties, protects you from punishment—and you repay him by destroying him?"
"Get out of my sight," Amira snapped, her voice shaking with rage. "Before I do something we'll both regret."
Reina smirked. "Fine. But don't even think of telling him. You won't like the consequences." She turned and walked away without looking back.
Amira exhaled sharply. "Why are some people so heartless?"
"I knew it," Regina muttered. "She's horrible."
Moments later, Amira left the classroom, her steps firm as she headed straight for the principal's office.
"What's wrong with her?" Henry asked Regina as he and Fred approached.
"You'll know soon," Regina replied quietly.
A knock echoed against the door.
"Come in," came Mr. Kelvin's voice.
"Good morning, sir," Amira greeted as she entered.
"Good morning, my princess," he said warmly. "How may I help you?"
"I need a letter of expulsion for Reina Clement," Amira said without hesitation.
Mr. Kelvin hesitated. "What happened?"
"She crossed a line," Amira replied calmly. "And seeing her would only make things worse."
"My princess—"
"That's not your concern," Amira said firmly. "Please do as I've asked."
After a brief phone call, Mrs. Anderson entered with the letter.
"Here you go, my princess."
"Thank you," Amira said, taking it before leaving.
Back in class, Reina was nowhere to be found.
Amira approached Henry, Fred, and Inaya. "Have any of you seen Reina?"
"No," Fred replied. "And she's my girlfriend."
"Your ex," Amira corrected.
"Ex?" they all echoed.
"Come with me," Amira said. "There's something you need to see."
Students followed out of curiosity.
They stopped at an empty classroom—or so it seemed.
Inside, Reina was wrapped around Jacob, laughter frozen on her lips when the door opened.
"What the hell is this?" Fred whispered, his world shattering.
"It's not what you think!" Reina cried, hurriedly fixing her skirt.
"Why?" Fred asked, tears spilling freely. "I loved you. I gave you everything. And this is how you repay me?"
Phones were raised. Whispers filled the air.
"I'm sorry," Reina sobbed, dropping to her knees. "It's the devil's work."
Henry stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.
Regina pulled Fred into her arms and led him away.
Amira stepped forward and handed Reina the letter.
"What's this?" Reina asked shakily.
"Open it."
Her face drained of color. "Expelled?"
"Yes," Amira said coldly. "You hurt my friend. Seeing you would destroy him—and honestly, I'd destroy you first. This is the easier solution."
She walked away without another word.
Henry followed, stunned. How could she do that?
At a quiet corner of the school, Fred sat broken.
"Why did she do this?" he kept asking.
"Fred, breathe," Regina whispered, holding him.
Amira knelt in front of him and took his hands. "I know you're hurting. But not everyone deserves your love or your tears. She doesn't."
He looked up at her, eyes red. "You should be a counselor."
She smiled faintly. "No. Business Administration."
"I'll stay home for a while," Fred said softly.
"She's not coming back," Amira assured him.
"Expelled?" Fred and Regina gasped.
Henry stared at her. "How?"
Amira took a breath. "I hid it to avoid fake friendships. But yes—I'm royalty."
"The daughter of King Alexander?" Henry asked.
She nodded. "Please keep it to yourselves."
"We understand," they said.
"For real?" she smiled.
"For real."
Back in class, Mr. Levi frowned. "Why are you late?"
"Sorry, sir," Amira replied.
"They were with me," she added.
"Sit down," he said.
Regina whispered, "I thought we'd be punished."
"Not on my watch," Amira smiled.
At the gate, Henry hesitated.
"So… we're still hanging out?"
Amira shook her head gently. "Stay with Fred. He needs you more right now."
"No, no—you shouldn't cancel your plans because of me. I'll be fine," Fred said softly.
Amira sighed, unconvinced. "I bet you're saying the opposite of what you feel. You may look fine on the outside, but you're still hurting inside."
Fred glanced at her. "Have you ever gone through heartbreak before?"
"No," Amira replied honestly. "But my elder sister has. We recently helped her move on from her ex—the man she loved just as deeply as you loved Reina. I saw what it took to help her heal. I can't say she has forgotten him completely, but the pain he caused her no longer controls her." She paused, then added gently, "And since you don't want us to cancel our plans, how about Regina keeping you company?"
Henry nodded in agreement. "That actually makes sense."
"So we're good, right?" Amira asked Fred.
"Yeah," he replied quietly.
"So no one is asking for my opinion?" Regina said dryly.
"That's because your answer is obviously yes," Amira said with a knowing smile.
Regina rolled her eyes but said nothing.
"Okay, bye," they all said to one another as the boys walked away and their car arrived.
"Why on earth did you suggest that?" Regina asked as they got into the car.
"Suggest what?" Amira asked innocently.
"Can you stop pretending?" Regina said.
Amira laughed. "He's your crush, Regina. And this is the perfect opportunity to get closer to him. If I were you, I'd be thanking me—I just did you a huge favor."
Regina scoffed but said nothing.
When they got home, they went straight to their rooms, took their baths, changed, and headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch. An hour later, everything was ready.
"What time is it?" Amira asked as she served the food.
"4:30 p.m.," Regina replied.
"Good. We still have an hour and thirty minutes till six."
Regina nodded, setting a plate on the dining table.
"Tiana, please inform everyone that lunch is served," Regina said.
"Yes, my princess," Tiana replied and left.
"Get water while I bring the juice," Amira added.
Soon enough, everyone was seated, drinks were poured, and they began to eat.
"Excellent work, my angels," Queen Mirabel said proudly.
"Thank you, Mom," they replied together.
"Dad," Amira said, "we're going to see a friend by 6 p.m."
"A friend?" King Richard asked.
"Yes—a male friend," Regina added.
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure he's just a friend?"
"We've never lied to you, Dad," Amira replied calmly. "And we won't start now."
"Alright," he said. "Just be home before 10."
"Thank you, Dad," Amira said, standing up.
"Already done eating?" Queen Mirabel asked.
"Yes," Amira replied. "And it's already 5 p.m."
They went upstairs, finished their assignments, and dressed up—off-shoulder red fitted knee-length gowns, black heels, black earrings, red purses, and their hair neatly packed into buns.
"It's 5:50 already," Amira said. "Let's go."
"You both look gorgeous," Richard complimented.
"Thank you," they replied.
"Take care of yourselves," Queen Mirabel said.
They kissed her cheek and left.
They took a cab to the T-junction, where Henry was already waiting.
"Hi, Henry," Amira greeted.
"Hi, Princess," he smiled. "You both really look like royalty."
"Hi," Regina greeted.
"Hi," he replied. "So, can I have your number?"
"Sure—0743526178," she said.
"Got it," he replied, then gave her the address.
"Okay. I'll get going," she said.
Amira hugged Regina. "Take care of yourself—and him."
"I will," Regina replied.
"And call me if anything happens," Henry added.
"No problem," Regina said before boarding a cab and leaving.
"You know you look cute, right?" Amira teased Henry.
"Thanks," he replied, opening the car door.
"So where are we going?" she asked as she got in.
"If I tell you, it won't be a surprise," he said with a smile.
Meanwhile, Regina arrived at Fred's house and rang the doorbell. No response.
She rang again. Still nothing.
Worried, she let herself in.
"Is he alright?" she murmured.
"Fred?" she called. No answer.
She went upstairs, checking room after room until she found him.
"Oh my goodness," she gasped.
Fred was sprawled on the bed, bottles scattered around, clearly trying to drink himself into numbness.
"Are you serious right now?" she asked, taking the bottle from his hand.
"Let me drink my sorrow away," he slurred. "How could she do this to me after everything I gave her? It's not fair…"
"I must be dreaming," he continued weakly. "Please… get my Reina for me."
Amira was right, Regina thought sadly. He hasn't moved on at all.
"You need to sleep," she said gently, helping him onto the bed and covering him with a blanket. He fell asleep almost immediately.
"You'll be okay when you wake up," she whispered before leaving the room.
She wandered into the kitchen. "Let's see what you have here," she said to herself.
She gathered ingredients and prepared mac and cheese with banana pudding, then went back to check on Fred.
She knocked—no response.
She entered.
"Are you still sleeping?" she asked, closing the door—only to turn and see Fred standing there, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.
Her breath caught.
His chest was perfectly built, his abs well-defined, water dripping from his hair, making him look even more attractive.
Oh gosh, she thought. He's cute normally—but this?
"Don't you think you should take a picture? It lasts longer," Fred said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"I—sorry," she said quickly, embarrassed.
"When did you arrive?" he asked.
"You don't remember?" she replied.
"Would I be asking if I did?" he said.
"About two or three hours ago," she answered. "You were drinking and crying over Reina."
"So you helped me to bed?" he asked.
"Obviously."
"Sorry for the inconvenience."
"It's nothing."
"Did I say anything stupid?" he asked hesitantly.
"You were crying and begging me to bring Reina back," she said with a smirk. "But no—you didn't inconvenience me."
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that," he said quietly.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," Regina replied. "We're friends—and heartbreak does that to people."
"Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome. I made lunch, so come eat when you're ready."
"You cooked?" he asked, genuinely surprised.