By now, everyone at Oakridge knew something had shifted.
Baker Rehanile no longer walked with the same circle.
She walked with Cassie.
And Marisa.
And sometimes Lincoln.
Whispers followed them.
"Why is Baker hanging with them now?"
"Didn't she used to hate Cassie?"
"Is this some weird alliance?"
One afternoon near the lockers, a girl from Baker's old group muttered loud enough to be heard—
"Guess the queen bee lost her throne."
Cassie stopped walking.
Baker didn't.
But Cassie turned.
"Say that again," Cassie said calmly.
The hallway went quiet.
The girl blinked. "I was just joking."
"Then make it funny," Cassie replied.
Marisa stared at her. "Ohhhh."
Baker glanced sideways at Cassie, a slow grin forming.
"Careful," Baker murmured. "You're glowing."
Cassie looked down — her fingertips faintly humming blue.
She forced it down.
"I don't need defending," Baker said quietly.
"I know," Cassie replied. "But I want to."
For a moment, Baker's expression softened in a way no one else ever saw.
---
The Break-Up
Later that week, Troy leaned casually against the lockers, waiting.
Baker walked up to him.
M.J. and Wesley hovered nearby, pretending not to watch.
Troy smiled. "You've been hard to catch lately."
Baker crossed her arms.
"We need to talk."
Troy blinked. "That sentence is never good."
"It's not dramatic," Baker said. "It's honest."
Troy studied her. "Okay…"
Baker exhaled.
"I messed up."
"That's new," M.J. muttered under his breath.
Baker shot him a look before continuing.
"I was with you because it made sense. Popular meets popular. Predictable storyline."
Troy frowned slightly. "And?"
"And I realized I don't like predictable."
Silence.
Troy folded his arms now. "So this is about Cassie?"
Baker smirked faintly. "This is about me."
Troy held her gaze. "You're breaking up with me."
"Yes."
"Because you're bored?"
"Because I was wrong."
He laughed softly — not angry, just surprised.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Troy nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Baker blinked. "Okay?"
"I don't beg," Troy replied simply.
A pause.
Then he added quietly—
"Just don't pretend it was mutual."
Baker didn't flinch.
"It wasn't."
He walked off without another word.
Wesley leaned toward M.J. "That was less dramatic than expected."
M.J. cleared his throat.
"Uh… so… you're single now?"
Baker turned slowly.
"Milton John."
He straightened immediately. "Yes?"
"You've liked me since seventh grade."
M.J.'s face turned red instantly. "I—what? No—maybe—"
She stepped closer.
"You still do?"
"…Yes."
"Good."
He blinked. "Good?"
Baker shrugged.
"I'm trying something different."
Wesley whispered, "Is he breathing?"
M.J. finally managed, "So… are you saying—"
"I'm saying," Baker cut in smoothly, "if you mess this up, I will create the illusion of your worst nightmare in front of the entire cafeteria."
M.J. swallowed. "Understood."
She smiled faintly.
"Relax. I'm kidding."
"…Right?" he asked nervously.
Baker only smirked.
---
Marisa's Announcement
Later, under the bleachers, Marisa dropped her bombshell.
"I have news."
Cassie looked up. "Good news or chaos news?"
"Romantic chaos."
Baker leaned back. "Continue."
"I may or may not be going out with Miller Trailer."
Cassie blinked. "The tall one with the deep voice?"
"Yes."
Baker tilted her head. "Solid choice."
Marisa pointed dramatically. "He asked if I liked science fiction. I said yes. He said good because dating me will feel like entering another dimension."
Cassie burst out laughing.
"That's terrible."
"I know!" Marisa beamed. "I love it."
Baker nodded approvingly. "Confidence with mild stupidity. Acceptable."
---
The Cassie Problem
Which left one person.
Cassie.
And one boy.
Troy.
Cassie sat on the steps one afternoon pretending to read.
She wasn't reading.
She was staring at Troy across the courtyard.
Marisa leaned down beside her.
"You're melting."
"I am not."
"You are staring like you're calculating his DNA."
Baker joined them.
"Just go talk to him."
"I can't," Cassie whispered.
"Why?" Baker challenged.
"Because when I stand near him my heart beats like it's plugged into a generator!"
Baker smirked. "That sounds like a you problem."
As if summoned by fate, Troy walked over.
"Hey."
Cassie froze.
"…Hi."
"Can I sit?"
"Sure."
He sat.
Too close.
Way too close.
Cassie felt it immediately—
The hum beneath her skin.
Her eyes flickered faint blue.
Baker nudged Marisa. "Three… two…"
Cassie stood abruptly.
"I just remembered I left my notebook—somewhere—important—goodbye!"
And she ran.
Troy stared after her.
"…Did I say something?"
Marisa coughed. "You exist."
Baker folded her arms.
"She short-circuits when she likes someone."
Troy's eyes widened slightly.
"…She what?"
Baker leaned closer.
"Hypothetically speaking."
Troy smirked slowly.
"Good to know."
---
Advice Hour
Later that day, Cassie groaned into her pillow.
"I'm hopeless."
Baker lay upside down on the bed.
"You are electrically unstable around him."
"That's not funny!"
"It's extremely funny."
Marisa chimed in from the chair.
"You just need exposure therapy."
"I am not electrocuting my crush for practice!"
Baker rolled over.
"Then control it."
"How?"
"Focus on something else when you're near him."
Cassie blinked. "Like what?"
"Math."
"That will make it worse!"
They all laughed.
Then Baker grew slightly more serious.
"Listen. If he runs because your eyes flash… he's not worth it."
Cassie looked at her.
"And if he doesn't?"
Baker smirked.
"Then you might finally stop sprinting away like a startled squirrel."
Marisa nodded.
"And for the record? He watches you when you're not looking."
Cassie's heart skipped.
"He does not."
"He does," Baker confirmed calmly. "I notice patterns."
Cassie fell back dramatically.
"This is a disaster."
Baker and Marisa exchanged a glance.
Then both burst out laughing.
For a few precious minutes…
There were no agencies.
No queens.
No ancient crowns.
Just three girls navigating crushes and chaos.
Outside, Troy leaned against the fence, watching Cassie through the window as she laughed.
And for once—
He decided not to wait forever.
But timing…
Was everything.
And Cassie's timing still came with sparks.