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Present. Still Monday, 16:03

Chanel

To rise, to rule.

Power really is addicting. People would always hunt down different kinds of monstrosities for it. They'd even be the monsters if needed.

The reason? No one knows for sure. It can be things like rage, greed, probably even jealousy. Everyone, at some point, would desire to float above everything. I should know.

The big question is what to do and how to maintain such power. To control it to an extent that it doesn't seem as fleeting as it is. How does a queen bathe herself in it?

A snap of fingers was all it took to pull me out of a trance.

"I'm sorry?" I asked, knitting my eyebrows, wriggling in my seat for comfort.

Jodi mocked a smile, played with a handful of her slick, black hair, then tossed it back. "And she listens." She clasped her hands. "I was asking about your plans now that you've knocked you-know-who off the radar."

"Not off the radar, Jodi." I forced a smile. "Maddie... Madison, for sure, still has connections even though she has no face to show the school. Or to everyone, for that matter. She has friends in high places, you know?"

"Figures. But just not you guys." Jodi cackled at her humor, her voice echoing through the little café. Her confidence was radiant, almost infectious.

It was probably just because she sealed the deal of being the next queen bee in line since she's with me. If Maddie was still around, she wouldn't stand a chance. Hell, even the current eleventh graders didn't have a fight for the throne. They were too weak and, as Madison said, "weren't mainstream material." Thus, they weren't fit to rule.

She went ahead to get wipes from her Birkin bag and deliberately dabbed one along her rosy lips. Jodi held out two small tubes. "Color and gloss or just plain gloss?" I chose the first one so she could do two things at once. "Thanks."

I took a timid bite of my croissant, my nostrils satisfied by the scent of good butter, watching as Jodi stood up, whisking away crumbs of food from her blazer.

"Enjoy your food, ladies. I promised my girls a celebration of some sort."

"I thought I was invisible," Adela muttered, appearing shocked to the core.

She laughed softly. "You aren't, silly."

Without so much as a proper farewell, Jodi treaded past the glass door where a white Audi was waiting for her. Squeals could be heard as she entered, merry laughter trailing behind as the car drove away. She was already making her own circle. Smart move.

Adela and I probably won't be seeing her again. I mean, sure, we could still smile and nod if ever we met along the halls, but nothing else would happen after that. Well, nothing as significant as the past few days. And we'd most likely be acquaintances, at best. Plus, she was only in it for the throne.

At least she was decent enough to pay for the food.

"Gosh," I heard Adela complain, "they were, like, soooo noiseyy, my ears drummed."

I smiled and shrugged.

"Oh my, God. Wanna go to Taco Bell?"

I grimaced, resting a hand on my stomach. That would've been a nice idea if we haven't already eaten... and if I didn't have an image to uphold. "I might just explode now. And Adela, you can't even finish your café au lait."

"Trueness." She gasped. "How about my house? And I rheally have to pee, ya know?"

"Can't you just use the one he-"

"Puh-LEEZEEEEEE."

I reached behind to soothe my ponytail, buying time so I could calculate my words. "Fine, fine. But next time, I get to choose where we go."

Her face immediately shone. Adela jumped, turning red from fighting urine, and gently grabbed my arm. "The waterworks," she whispered as if her life depended on those words.

The moment I had my hands on my purse, Adela proceeded to drag me outside – practically pushing me inside her gold Bentley – eager to kick the gas and drive me to Hemingway Manor.