Serena

Serena was closing her locker after fetching the book she needed for the next class when a masculine voice resonated. She turned to find Oliver- one of the hot studs of her school.

“Hey,” he approached, flashing his charming smile. Serena smiled back, already having a hunch as to why he was there.

“How are you and…..where is your bestie?” his eyes keenly searched around. Serena already knew he didn’t care about her well-being, he just wanted to know where Shanice was. 

“She is in a meeting with the principal,” so she gave him the answer he was looking for, politely so. Oliver was hitting on Shanice for a long time. However, Shanice wasn’t interested in him.    

The boy rubbed the back of his neck- a nervous tic. He then reached inside his back pocket and fished out a note.  

“Umm….can you like give it to her?” he asked. Serena sighed inwardly. His twentieth love note this month. She pitied the boy. He was good-looking but he wasn’t the only one vying for Shanice’s attention. Shanice was the Goddess of Central High. The prima donna. Boys flocked her everywhere she went in the hope of getting one glance from her. 

Shanice, however, wasn’t just a pretty face. She was smart, kind, competitive, and the first female president of their college student council. The woman was as flawless as a diamond.   

Like always, Serena took the note, maintaining her smile. Boys often reached out to her to get to her bestie. She was like her manager.  

“You are awesome,” Oliver chirped before giving her a mock salute and sprinting off to God knows where. 

Serena glanced down at the note and heaved another sigh. 

…

Serena found Shanice in their usual spot in the canteen and made her way toward their table. Like always, Shanice had everyone’s attention without even trying. Serena noticed guys from other tables checking her out now and then. With rose-gold hair, hazel eyes, and remarkable features to match, she was an attention magnet. However, Shanice’s entire focus was on her phone. It seemed she was reading something. 

“Reed?” Serena guessed and slumped down in the chair across from her. Shanice smiled in confirmation. Reed and Shanice were in an on-and-off relationship for long. She didn’t know what was the real deal between them. They liked each other but never stuck together for long. Reed’s parents were one of the richest families in their town. They owned their school. For obvious reasons, Reed was given a lot of leeway. He would barely attend school, always out world touring. Serena believed they made the perfect couple, considering Reed was a stunner himself.    

Serena slid the note towards Shanice. Her bestie glanced down at the note before giving her a confused look. 

“ What is it?” she asked. 

“Open up,” Serena nodded towards the note. Shanice took the note and opened it. 

Her eyes glided over the words. With a neutral face, she folded the paper and put it back on the table.   

Serena sent a knowing smile her way. 

“So what’s your response?” she teased. Shanice sighed. 

“You know it already, I am not interested in him,” she answered dryly. 

"He is cute though," Serena shrugged. 

"And crazy too if he thinks he can get me by writing these horribly spelled letters. Tell him to chase girls of his status. I don't date storekeepers," Shanice shot back. Serena was taken aback by her rude reply and the haughty tone her voice had adopted. 

"He is not a storekeeper, his father is. And how does that even matter?" Serena asked, genuinely confused. Shanice quickly realised her mistake. 

"You know I didn't mean it that way. It's just the principal is stressing me out and then him. Of course, no work is big or small but he really should stop acting so desperate," she explained in her honey-coated voice. Serena was too naive to doubt her.

"I am just so tired of being chased by boys all the time. Their non-stop compliments irritate me now. No matter how much I shut them off they just don't take the damn hint. Trust me, you are so lucky you don't have to face this, Rena. I wish we could switch our bodies like they do in the movies. Maybe then I will have some peace," Shanice sighed as though exhausted. 

Serena flashed her an awkward smile not sure how to take her statement. It didn't sound right, in fact, a little humiliating but she brushed it off, certain Shanice meant well. 

“So how did the meeting go?” Serena questioned, curious. 

“The principal has agreed to expand students’ parking space. He was adamant but you know me I don’t stop until I get what I want,” Shanice winked at Serena. The statement was true. Shanice competitive side was scary. She was an absolute monster. But other than that, she was a sweet girl. Very down to the earth and understanding as a friend. Serena and Shanice were bff since middle school. Before befriending Shanice, Serena was constantly bullied. But it all ended when one day Shanice came to her rescue and chased off her bullies. Since then they became inseparable. 

          

“Hey,” Serena turned her face to see Adam coming their way, his eyes set on Shanice. 

“For you. I heard you have a thing for Oreo shake,” Adam leaned over their table and bored his admiring gaze into Shanice, totally ignoring Serena. Adam was a popular jock. Shanice glanced briefly at the shake before bringing her attention back to him. She smirked.  

“Is it free or Will I have to pay for it?” Shanice flirted. Shanice and Adam were fuck buddies.   

“You can pay me tonight. I’ll bring chocolate,” he winked at her. She smiled in response. 

 Serena watched them, used to their explicit conversation by now. Adam was another Shanice die-heart fan. Adam left shortly after setting their night date.

The bell rang. 

“I’ll see you in Maths,” Serena got up from her seat to go to her class. Shanice gave her a nod and they both parted to get to their respective classes.  

.........

“Have you done the homework?” Serena asked Ayleen.

“What homework?” Ayleen asked, genuinely confused. Serena gave her a “you can’t be serious look.” Ayleen was completely unbothered. 

“The homework that Mr. Assman gave us yesterday,” Serena reminded her. Ayleen rolled her eyes. 

“You have done it?” Ayleen shot back at her. Serena nodded. She was a goody two shoes. She didn’t have a choice though. She was tired of being passed around in the name of foster care. She wanted to be a doctor and have a stable life. 

“Show me. I’ll just copy,” Ayleen shrugged. Serena rolled her eyes but passed her copy to Ayleen. 

“Do you know the principal has finally decided to expand the parking space,” Serena told Ayleen. Ayleen was like a lone wolf. A tomboy with a resting bitch face. She rides a motorcycle to school and wouldn't run it over people if they tried to bother her. For obvious reasons, she doesn’t have many friends. In fact, her list of friends starts and ends with Serena.         

“How so?” Ayleen asked without moving her eyes up from the copy she was writing in. 

“Shanice told me. She persuaded him,” Serena explained. 

“How? By fucking him?” Ayleen spat. The girl never liked Shanice from the beginning. Serena couldn’t understand why. 

“I don’t get it. What is your problem with her? Why do you keep making snide remarks about her?” Serena argued, not liking this offending remark about her best friend. Ayleen looked up from her copy to Serena. Ayleen wouldn’t deny that she was jealous of their friendship. Serena was the best best friend one could have. But her judgment of Shanice didn’t stem from that. Serena was too naive to look beyond Shanice's facade. Shanice was nice and sweet only because she was the “jewel in the crown.” She has a wealthy background, supportive friends, attention, and striking beauty- everything that a person could dream of. She was confident and assured that she was unbeatable. And she wasn’t some bimbo, she was smart enough to know how to have people keep liking her. Ayleen had caught the superior look in her eyes several times she tried acting modest. She believed she was above everyone and that’s where her supposed sweetness came from. She is agreeable because there is no one to contest her. Her true nature will come out when someone threatens her reign.                   

“Because she is a pretending bitch,” Ayleen summed up in one line. She knew Serena wouldn’t believe her so she didn’t bother to explain. 

“You don’t know her,” Serena countered, annoyed. 

“You value her a lot. I truly hope you don’t regret it in the future,” Ayleen replied sincerely. Serena was too innocent to see how Shanice was undermining her. Her loyalty to Shanice was admirable, but Ayleen knew it was going to hurt her really bad someday. Some day she will regret befriending Shanice.