đInto the Clique
âThou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.â
The next day, I was ready to test my new resolve.
I had noticed something about Sandy: she loved her Coke mixed with Sprite. So, during recess, I spotted her sitting alone and seized my chance.
âWant me to grab you one?â I asked.
She raised a brow, then nodded. I returned with the drinks, and to my surprise, she smiled. We started talking. She even apologized for what she had said the other day. Before long, she was teaching me how to smack my lips with her gloss before we took selfies together.
Later that evening, I posted the photo on MiniChat, our schoolâs social media network. Within 20 minutes, I had 498 likesâmore than I had ever received in my life.
The following day, the Clique welcomed me like royalty. Walking down the hallway with them felt like striding across a red carpetâstudents staring, phones snapping, whispers trailing behind us. For the first time, I felt famous.
But fame has a way of changing you. My wardrobe began to shift. My attitude followed. I was blending in at lastâbut deep down, I felt it wasnât enough.
I didnât want to be seen as a wannabe. I wanted to be solid. Recognized. Legendary.
And to do that, I needed to pull off something bold.
The Clique thrived on reputation. Cindy, one of the girls, had once broken into the staffroom to retrieve her confiscated lip gloss. It made her a legendâfearless, untouchable.
I wasnât about to go that far, but I knew I needed my own stunt. Something that would prove I belonged.
Then the idea came.
The Clique loved guessing which SS2 students would be chosen as prefects. It was their favorite game.
âWhat if,â I suggested, leaning in, âyou didnât have to guess? What if you actually knew?â
They froze, staring at me.
âYou meanâŠ?â
âIâll get the list,â I said.
Their jaws dropped. For a moment, they thought I was crazy. But soon, their shock turned into excitement. And I knew then: I was going to do it.
đ Next in Episode 4: The Betrayal
Diana risks everything for the Cliqueâbut when the heat comes, they leave her to burn.