The New Student at Diamond High
Mrs. Williams stepped out of the sleek black SUV, her designer heels clicking on the pavement as she gazed at the imposing gates of Diamond High School. She turned to Gracie, her voice stern.
"Remember, Gracie, you're a Williams. You're here to shine, not to blend in. Don't make any friends you can't use, and never show weakness. You're a queen, and queens don't get defeated."
Gracie nodded, trying to absorb the pressure. "Yes, Mother."
Mrs. Williams handed Gracie her designer bag and gave her a critical once-over. "You look presentable. Just remember, you're not just any student here. You're Gracie Williams, and you're going to make a statement."
As they walked into the school, heads turned. The students of Diamond High were known for their wealth and status, and Gracie stood out as the new girl with a mysterious past.
The principal, Mr. Johnson, greeted them warmly. "Welcome, Mrs. Williams, Gracie. We're thrilled to have you join our community."
Mrs. Williams smiled, her voice dripping with entitlement. "I'm sure you'll do everything to ensure Gracie excels. She's been through a lot, and I expect nothing but the best for her."
As Mrs. Williams turned to leave, Gracie caught a glimpse of a boy staring at her from across the hallway. He looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place him.
"Who's that?" Gracie asked the principal, trying to sound nonchalant.
"That's Ethan Thompson, one of our star athletes. I'm sure you'll get to know him soon enough."
Gracie's eyes met Ethan's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.
Gracie stood outside her first class, trying to get her bearings. She had always been a loner, but Mrs. Williams insisted she needed to make connections with the right people.
As she walked into the classroom, two girls caught her eye. They were laughing and chatting with a group of students, and they looked like they owned the place.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here," one of the girls said, eyeing Gracie up and down. "The new girl. I'm Tiffany, and this is my cousin, Victoria. And you are...?"
Gracie forced a smile, trying to fit in. "I'm Gracie Williams. Nice to meet you."
Tiffany and Victoria exchanged a look, and then Tiffany said, "Oh, you're the girl who's been making waves with your 'I was dead' story. How's that working out for you?"
Gracie felt a surge of annoyance but tried to keep her cool. "It's...different. But I'm just focusing on my studies right now."
Victoria snorted. "Studies? Please. You'll be lucky if you can keep up with us. We're the ones who run this school."
As the class started, Gracie found herself sitting with Tiffany and Victoria, who seemed to take pleasure in teasing the other students. Gracie tried to join in, but she couldn't bring herself to be as mean as they were.
After class, Tiffany and Victoria invited Gracie to join them for lunch. As they sat in the cafeteria, Gracie saw a girl being bullied by a group of students. Tiffany and Victoria were laughing and taking videos on their phones.
Gracie felt a pang of discomfort. She didn't want to be a part of this, but she didn't know how to escape.
Then, the coach announced the start of the school's racing team tryouts.
Tiffany's eyes lit up. "Oh my god, Gracie, you have to try out! We're both on the team, and it's going to be so much fun."
Gracie hesitated, but something about the competition sparked her interest. "Yeah, I might just do that."
Victoria smirked. "Good luck with that. You're going to need it."