Maya and I were walking back, still buzzing from our little cafeteria scene.
"So," Maya wiggled her brows, nudging me. "That guy... another one added to your fan club?"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "He's sweet, that's all and he seems harmless"
Maya snorted. "Harmless. Girl, please. They all start harmless until they're writing you love songs." Yh, that was a certain guy from high school.
We both burst into laughter, causing a few students passing by to glance at us.
We reached a small crossroad between the two main lecture halls and slowed down.
"Well, I have to run to Literature," Maya said, making a dramatic sad face.
"Nooooo, don't leave me," I whined playfully.
"Don't worry. You'll survive," she laughed, giving me a wink before jogging off.
I turned, adjusting my bag on my shoulder, and started walking briskly. I didn't want to be late for my next class.
Just as I rounded the corner, three girls stepped right into my path. They were perfectly placed like a mini wall.
Before I could even react, one of them "accidentally" bumped into me hard with her shoulder.
I stumbled slightly but caught myself.
Still in a hurry, I smiled lightly. "Sorry," I said quickly, trying to brush past them.
But then I heard it.
"Ariana," a cold, sharp voice said.
I froze.
I didn't know any of these girls... how the hell did she know my name?
I turned slowly to find the one who had bumped into me - the leader - stepping closer with a smirk that screamed 'trouble.'
"You're the one," she said, voice dripping with disdain. "The one trying to cozy up to Ivan."
My brain clicked immediately. Ahhh... so she was the psycho who sent that threatening message.
I couldn't help it. I threw my head back and laughed hard - right in their faces.
They exchanged confused glances, clearly not expecting that reaction.
Still chuckling, I boldly walked right up to the leader, standing toe-to-toe with her.
I leaned in slightly and said sweetly,
"Maybe... just maybe... Ivan doesn't like desperate, clingy girls who throw themselves at him like trash on discount."
I smiled wider. "Tough luck, sweetheart."
Her eyes widened in fury.
"You bitch!" she snapped, stepping forward.
I tilted my head, mocking innocence.
"Ohhh... language. Is that how you usually seduce men?"
The girl's face turned a deep shade of red. Her minions gasped, waiting for her to explode.
"Ivan will never look at someone like you," she hissed, her voice trembling.
I smirked. "You're right. Because he can actually see quality when it's in front of him. Unlike you... still chasing a guy who probably forgot your name the minute you walked away."
Boom.
Dead silence.
The leader's nostrils flared, and before I could blink, one of her friends lunged at me, grabbing my hair and yanking hard.
"Argh!" I yelped in pain, but adrenaline kicked in instantly.
I grabbed her wrist, twisted it away, and smacked her across the face with a slap that echoed.
The girl stumbled back, clutching her cheek.
"You pull my hair again," I said coolly, "and next time you'll be picking your teeth off the floor."
I turned to leave, but the leader tried to slap me.
Bad move.
I caught her wrist mid-air with lightning reflexes and twisted it hard.
She yelped and actually dropped to her knees.
Students nearby started stopping, whispering, watching.
I leaned closer, whispering low enough for only her to hear.
"You ever come near me again, you'll be eating hospital food for months."
I shoved her wrist away and turned, flipping my hair dramatically.
But just then - wham - another hand yanked my hair again. I stumbled forward - and before I could react -
SLAP!
The leader was back on her feet and had slapped me. Hard.
My cheek stung sharply.
My blood boiled. I slowly turned, eyes burning.
Before she could finish her next word, my hand flew.
SLAP!
SLAP!
SLAP!
And a final, BIG SLAP!
Four sharp smacks, delivered with ruthless precision.
The last one sent her staggering back.
She grabbed her face, whimpering. Before she could recover, I slapped her one more time for good measure.
I leaned close and whispered icily,
"Next time, pick someone from your weight class."
And with that, I dusted my hands and walked away like nothing happened, leaving her sobbing messily behind.
________
Authoress' POV:
Ivan was scrolling lazily through his phone, half-listening to a group of guys argue about who had the fastest car on campus, when movement in the courtyard caught his attention.
He raised his eyes out of boredom more than interest - but what he saw made him pause.
Ariana.
Surrounded.
Three girls cornered her like vultures circling fresh meat.
He recognized their leader, she was one of those annoying girls who....wait....what where they trying to do.
He slipped his phone into his pocket, leaning one shoulder against the cold wall, arms folded loosely across his chest. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly, studying the scene with mild curiosity.
He expected her to crumble and cry but...she....she just laughed.
A sharp, fearless sound that turned a few heads nearby.
Ivan felt his lips twitch - a rare, genuine smile threatening to break through his usually cool facade.
He watched, amused, as Ariana boldly stepped closer to the girl, said something that made the girls exchange confused glances like idiots.
Then it escalated.
The girl's sidekick grabbed Ariana's hair.
Ivan straightened slightly, a flicker of tension in his body. His jaw clenched. For a split second, instinct screamed at him to interfere - but he stopped himself.
Let's see what you'll do, princess.
Ariana didn't disappoint.
She didn't shriek or panic.
No, she yanked herself free and landed a slap so clean and brutal that even Ivan - who'd witnessed actual fights before - let out a low grunt of impressed approval.
And she didn't stop there.
Another slap.
And another.
And a final one that sent Cassie stumbling backward, clutching her face like a wounded animal.
Ivan pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, smirking openly now.
"Wow....that was unexpected!"
He watched Ariana throw a cocky remark over her shoulder, the kind that left the girl red-faced and shaking with rage, before walking away like nothing had happened, her steps confident, unhurried.
Ivan chuckled under his breath.
"Feisty little thing," he murmured, more to himself than anyone.
He pushed off the wall and tucked his hands into his pockets, his lazy strides taking him toward his class - but his mind was elsewhere.
He couldn't remember the last time a girl surprised him like that.
But Ariana?
She hadn't even glanced around to see who might be watching.
She wasn't performing for anyone.
She just was.
Dangerous, wild, untamed.
Ivan shook his head slightly, a low laugh rumbling from his chest.
________
Ariana's POV:
I rubbed my cheek lightly as I walked back into the class, ignoring the stares from a few people who had probably heard about my little "performance" earlier.
God, my face was still burning - not just from the slap but from the whole messy drama.
Thankfully, lectures kept me distracted, and when the final bell rang, I packed my books quickly and made my way to the lecturer's office, just like he had asked.
Standing in front of his door, I took a deep breath before knocking.
"Come in," his deep voice called.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. He was already seated behind his huge mahogany desk, glasses perched on his nose, flipping through some papers. Without looking up, he gestured toward the seat opposite him.
"Sit down, Miss Ariana."
I obeyed, feeling a tiny twist of nerves in my stomach.
What did he want to talk about?
Was he about to reprimand me for checking my phone during class?
Was he angry? He is not right?
He looked up - and his expression wasn't angry at all. It was... serious. Thoughtful.
"I'll get straight to the point," he said, folding his hands in front of him. "You have potential, Miss Ariana. Raw, rare potential."
I blinked, completely caught off guard.
He continued, "There's a society in this school. It's called the Elite Society or Elite club. Only the best of the best get invited. Top-tier intellects... and, admittedly, those with certain influential backgrounds."
I nodded slowly, my heart thudding a little faster.
"Joining it," he went on, "means opening doors you can't even imagine. Connections to the biggest firms, international internships, sponsorships. It's... career-changing."
He paused. "Life-changing."
I swallowed, barely daring to believe what I was hearing.
"But," he leaned back in his chair, "before you get too excited, know this - the Elite Club isn't handed out like candy. First, you must prove yourself to the president and the vice president. If they think you're worthy, then, and only then, will you be presented to the board for approval."
I just stared at him, barely able to sit still.
"And why am I telling you this?" he said, one eyebrow slightly raised. "Because after what I saw today - your composure under pressure, your brilliance when you answered that question - I believe you deserve a shot."
I swear my heart grew three sizes.
He actually believed in me.
Someone actually believed in me.
I pressed my lips together, trying hard not to let the emotion spill onto my face. I wanted to jump up, scream, hug someone - hug him even - but I just smiled brightly instead.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice cracking a little.
He gave a small, rare smile. "Don't thank me yet. Impress them first. Then you can celebrate."
I nodded fiercely. "I will. I promise."
As I left his office, I practically floated down the hallway. My chest felt full, like I could burst from happiness.
This - this was why I came here.
Not for the parties, not for the boys, not for the drama.
But for this.
For a future.
And for once, it felt like it might actually happen. God! Thank you so much.
____
The moment I stepped out of Professor Langston's office, I spotted Maya waiting for me a little down the hall, leaning lazily against a pillar, her phone in hand.
As soon as she saw me, her face lit up. "Well?" she asked, practically bouncing toward me. "What did he say? You're not expelled, right?" she teased, eyes twinkling.
I let a mischievous grin tug at my lips. "Oh, you wish. Guess who's about to become a member of the Elite Club?"
Maya froze mid-step, her mouth hanging open for a full three seconds before she let out a screech that had students turning to look at us.
"NO. FREAKING. WAY!"
I laughed, pulling her into a quick hug as she jumped up and down like an overexcited puppy. "Yes way. He said I have to be evaluated first by the president and vice president, but... it's happening, Maya! I still can't believe it."
Maya pulled back, her hands gripping my shoulders dramatically. "Do you even realize what that means?! Girl, you're about to secure your future! Money! Fame! Connections! Everything!"
I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. "I know, right?! Joining it means opening doors I can't imagine. Connections to bigger firms, international internship, sponsorship. It's career changing, no, life changing"
"I'm proud of you Ria"
My chest felt like it might burst. I'm proud of myself too"
We walked side by side through the buzzing hallway, our excitement filling the air around us.
Then Maya nudged me lightly with her elbow, a sly smirk creeping onto her lips. "And here I thought the highlight of your day was slapping that witch to another dimension."
I laughed at what she said. Rumor indeed spread fast in this school.
"My girls told me and do you know what they are calling you now....Queen of slaps" I laughed glaring at her.
Those girls and that incident weren't even in my mind now. Now I have a major focus. Learning hard so I could meet the president and the vice of Elite society and impress them.
_________
Maya POV
We were still laughing and talking when I saw someone approa
Ethan.
My breath hitched.
He was even more gorgeous up close. That messy hair, those charming grey eyes, the way he carried himself like he didn't have a care in the world. And now... he was smiling.
At her.
Ariana grinned and called out his name, running over without hesitation.
He slowed, turned, and flashed her a smile so bright it could've powered the entire city.
I just stood there like an idiot, heart hammering in my chest.
He is my crush, the truth I haven't told Ariana yet.
He didn't even glance at me.
Not once.
And that stupid part of me - the part that still believed in fairy tales - ached quietly.
I watched as Ariana chatted animatedly with him for a moment before he nodded and headed toward his sleek car, still grinning.
She looked back at me and waved excitedly.
I smiled and waved back like everything was fine.
But deep down, I knew the truth. I was Maya - the sidekick.
She was Ariana - the star.
And Ethan? He was way, way out of my league. When will be ever notice me?
I hugged myself a little tighter, whispering under my breath, "Focus, Maya. You've got bigger dreams than stupid crushes."
Still, as Ariana skipped back to me, I couldn't help but tease her.
"See you tomorrow Queen of slaps" I said and she smiled.
_______
Ariana's POV
As Maya and I were talking, I spotted Ethan waiting by his car, arms casually crossed over his chest, that signature boyish grin lighting up his face the second he saw me.
"Ari!" He called, pushing off the car and walking toward me with a slight bounce to his steps.
I smiled "hey"
I told Maya that I would be going home with him. She nodded and I left, walking to Ethan's car happily l.
"Happy that your boyfriend is picking you up" he said, his eyes twinkled with mischief as he opened the passenger door for me with a playful bow.
I smirked, tossing my bag in and sliding into the seat. "Of cos I am, babe?"
Ethan laughed and climbed into the driver's seat.
______
As he pulled out of the parking lot, a moment of comfortable silence settled between us, before Ethan casually asked, "By the way... who was that girl you were with?"
I side-eyed him, a slow, knowing smile spreading across my face. "Hmm? Oh, you mean Maya?" I said innocently, fluttering my lashes dramatically.
Ethan kept his eyes on the road but I caught the slight lift of his brow. "Yeah, Maya," he said, pretending to be indifferent but failing miserably.
I smirked. "Why? You planning to ask for her number already, Romeo?"
Ethan chuckled, "No! I mean... maybe... I just... she seemed cool and she's pretty too, that's all."
I grinned wickedly. "Relax, loverboy. Maya is the best. Sweet, smart, loyal... basically everything you're not."
Ethan clutched his chest as if I'd wounded him. "Wow. And here I thought we were bonding."
"We are!" I said with mock seriousness. "That's why I'm warning you now, hurt her, and you'll mysteriously find your car tires slashed."
He burst out laughing, throwing his head back. "Fine. Remind me never to get on your bad side."
"You're already halfway there," I teased, sticking my tongue out at him.
He shook his head, still laughing, as we crossed the street together.
It was stupid how easy it felt — like I'd known him for years instead of just a few days.
"But tell me, are you interested in her already? I mean, she's cute, sweet, and probably ten times better than the Instagram models you follow."
Ethan smiled, a low sound that made my stomach flip in the most annoying way. "Is that so? You seem awfully invested in my taste, Ariana."
I gasped, placing a hand over my heart dramatically. "I'm just being a good citizen. Encouraging good taste."
He snorted. "Uh-huh. Right."
I laughed again, loving how easily banter flowed between us.
"Besides," I added, teasing, "you should thank me. If you two get married, I expect front-row seats at the wedding. And lots of cake."
Ethan looked at me and shook his head before smiling.