Love Rectangled

One : Queen Bee

Present

BANG!

The deafening slam of the door echoed as I strutted into Pinewood High. Everyone paused mid-conversation and turned to stare. I gave them a passing glance, flipped my hair, and carried on like the queen I was.

My expensive T-strap heels clicked against the floor as I ascended the steps to the hallway, head high, chest out. Longing glances followed me and I smirked when the crowd instinctively parted to let me pass.

The Queen has arrived, b*tches.

Every girl envied me. Every guy wanted me. After all I was the Queen Bee—captain of the cheerleaders, the hottest, and the most popular girl in school.

Pulling out my new iPhone, I adjusted the Prada bag on my shoulder and checked myself on the front camera. My long, wavy brown hair bounced elegantly as I strode down the hallway and Emily caught up to me.

"Good morning, Lexi," she greeted, trying to match my pace.

"Morning, Em." I slid my phone back into my bag. "Status update?"

She handed me a folded paper and I scanned it.

“We have three classes together, and our optional is Home Economics.”

“That’s good.” I grinned and squealed. “You know how much I love cooking.”

She nodded. “And you have, um…” She hesitated, looking away.

“I have what?” I raised a brow.

“…Calculus. With Ivy.” My jaw clenched.

“Nastiest subject with the nastiest person. What could possibly be worse?” I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Give me something good.”

“You gained over a hundred new freshman followers overnight,” she rushed.

“Now that’s more like it.” I beamed.

She adjusted her thick black-rimmed glasses. “We have English first—”

“Em.” I stopped and turned to her, placing my hands on her shoulders. “When are you going to ditch those hideous glasses?” I asked flatly.

She blinked, her ears flushing red. “I need them…”

“There’s this invention called contact lenses.” I gave her a look.

“Ye-yes, but I’m scared they’ll, like… break in my eyes or melt or—” I tightened my grip on her shoulders to cut her off.

“Senior year, Em. Do you really want to go to college without ever having dated anyone?”

“I—I…” She looked down, shoulders sagging. “I want to.”

“Then change yourself.” I leaned in and whispered, “Or else no guy will ever look at you.”

“O-okay.” She shifted uncomfortably.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Em.” I tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m your only real friend. If I don’t tell you what’s right and wrong, who will?”