Feels like a Dream...

'~_*SIX-CONFRONTATION*_~'

The next morning, Avery wakes up with a mixture of excitement and unease. The thrill of winning the Halloween costume contest is still fresh, but the lingering tension with Kali and Alice gnaws at her thoughts. She pushes herself out of bed, determined not to let it ruin her day.

After brushing her teeth-more carefully than usual-she takes a moment to study herself in the mirror. Her costume from the previous night still hangs on the back of her door, a reminder of the victory. But as she looks at her reflection, the insecurities from yesterday creep back in. She forces a smile, trying to shake off the doubts.

Once dressed in her usual school clothes, Avery heads downstairs, grabbing a quick breakfast before heading out the door. The crisp autumn air greets her as she steps outside, and she pulls her jacket tighter around her. The walk to school is quiet, her mind replaying the events of the past few days-Daily and Kali's argument, the contest, and the looks Kali and Alice gave her after she won.

When Avery arrives at school, the halls are buzzing with post-Halloween chatter. Students are comparing costumes, sharing pictures, and recounting their favorite moments from the night before. Avery spots her friends near their usual lockers, and she heads over, trying to push aside the lingering anxiety.

"Morning, Avery!" Daily greets her with a bright smile, still riding the high of their group's success. "Can you believe we took three of the top spots? We totally rocked it!"

Kasey grins, adjusting her backpack. "I think we made quite the impression. Even the teachers were talking about our costumes."

"Yeah," Avery agrees, though her voice lacks the enthusiasm of her friends. "It was fun."

As they chat, Avery notices Kali and Alice further down the hall, standing together by the lockers. They're talking in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally flicking toward Avery's group. The uneasy feeling in Avery's stomach tightens. She tries to focus on the conversation with her friends, but her attention keeps drifting back to Kali and Alice.

Eve, who's been quiet until now, nudges Avery gently. "You okay? You seem a little distracted."

Avery forces a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about the contest, I guess."

Eve gives her a knowing look but doesn't press further. Instead, she turns the conversation to more neutral ground, talking about the upcoming weekend and potential plans.

The day progresses as usual, but Avery can't shake the feeling that something is off. During class, she catches glimpses of Kali and Alice, always together, always whispering. The looks they give her and her friends are unreadable, but it's clear they're not done with whatever they started.

At lunch, the tension reaches a peak. Avery and her friends are sitting at their usual table, chatting and laughing, when Kali and Alice walk past, deliberately close. Avery feels their eyes on her, and she stiffens, her grip on her sandwich tightening.

"What's their problem?" Kasey mutters, glancing over at them.

"Ignore them," Daily says firmly, though her voice is tinged with irritation. "They're just trying to get under our skin."

Avery nods, but she can't help but feel that there's more to it than that. Kali and Alice aren't the type to just let things go, and the looks they've been giving her make it clear that they're planning something. But what?

As lunch ends and the group heads back to class, Avery lingers behind, her thoughts racing. She knows she should just let it go, focus on her friends and the good things happening in her life. But the tension between her and Kali and Alice feels like a storm brewing on the horizon, and she can't ignore it.