None of your concern

2

The days after Onika and Beyoncé's initial clash simmered with tension. Whispers followed Onika everywhere she went—rumors about the new girl who dared to stand up to the queen of the school. But Onika wasn't the only one causing waves. It wasn't long before she realized that Beyoncé didn't rule Crown Heights High alone. She had a crew, and they weren't to be underestimated.

There was Lauren, sharp-eyed and quick-witted, always one step ahead of everyone else. Some said she was Beyoncé's second-in-command, always at her side, always watching. Where Beyoncé was the muscle, Lauren was the strategist, her words cutting deep whenever she decided someone needed to be put in their place.

And then there was Rihanna. Bold, wild, and fiercely independent, Rihanna didn't follow Beyoncé's lead in the way Lauren did. She was more of a wild card—cool, laid-back, but unpredictable. Some said she could care less about Beyoncé's dominance, while others knew she was the one person who could challenge Beyoncé if she ever wanted to. But Rihanna played by her own rules, choosing when to get involved and when to step back.

Onika didn't know the full dynamics yet, but she could feel the weight of their presence when she passed them in the halls. It wasn't just Beyoncé she had to contend with. She'd made enemies with the entire hierarchy.

When Onika walked into the gym for basketball tryouts, she knew she was stepping into enemy territory. Beyoncé ruled the court, that much was obvious, but it was the way Lauren and Rihanna watched from the sidelines that made Onika feel the intensity of what she was up against. Lauren, her arms crossed, scanned the court like she was calculating every move being made. Rihanna leaned against the bleachers, a casual smirk on her face as if she found the whole thing amusing.

Onika laced up her sneakers, feeling their eyes on her. She didn't let it get to her. If anything, it only fueled her desire to prove that she wasn't intimidated by their little power circle.

When it was Onika's turn to hit the court, she moved with purpose. She wasn't Beyoncé—she didn't have the same height or muscle—but she was quick, sharp, and relentless. She knew how to hustle. As she dribbled down the court, weaving between the other girls, she could feel the weight of Beyoncé's gaze.

But Beyoncé wasn't the only one watching.

"Who's this girl think she is?" Rihanna muttered from the sidelines, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. There was a teasing lilt to her words, but it wasn't friendly.

Lauren chuckled softly, not taking her eyes off Onika. "She's got guts. I'll give her that," she said, her tone more measured. "But she doesn't know what she's up against."

Beyoncé, from her position at the other end of the court, smirked but stayed silent. She didn't need to say anything. She knew she'd get her chance to prove who really ran things.

Halfway through tryouts, Onika found herself facing Beyoncé directly in a one-on-one drill. The tension between them was palpable as they squared off on the court. Beyoncé's eyes narrowed, her expression cool and focused, while Onika stood her ground, refusing to back down.

"You ready for this?" Beyoncé muttered as she dribbled the ball in front of her, her tone dripping with challenge.

Onika didn't flinch. "I've been ready."

Beyoncé moved first, darting past Onika with a speed that took her by surprise. But Onika wasn't easily shaken. She followed Beyoncé closely, determined to keep up. The gym seemed to fade away as they moved, their focus entirely on each other.

On the sidelines, Lauren leaned forward, her sharp eyes flicking between the two girls. "B's not gonna let her walk away from this one easily," she said to Rihanna.

Rihanna smirked, crossing her arms. "Good. I like seeing someone try to knock Beyoncé down a peg. Let's see if she can keep up."

Onika blocked Beyoncé's path, cutting her off before she could make her next move. They collided, their bodies brushing against each other, the intensity between them flaring hotter. Beyoncé's eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and amusement. She hadn't expected Onika to be this quick.

For a split second, they were frozen in place, staring each other down.

"You think you can take me?" Beyoncé muttered, her voice low, almost dangerous.

Onika's heart pounded in her chest, but she wasn't about to let Beyoncé intimidate her. "I don't think," she shot back. "I know."

With a quick move, Beyoncé spun past her, breaking free and sprinting toward the hoop. Onika cursed under her breath, chasing after her, but by the time she reached the basket, Beyoncé had already scored. The ball hit the floor with a loud thud, echoing in the gym.

Beyoncé turned, chest heaving, sweat glistening on her skin, but there was a satisfied smirk on her face. "Nice try," she said, her voice carrying across the court. "But you're not there yet."

Onika clenched her jaw, the sting of the loss settling in. She'd been close, but not close enough. As she caught her breath, she noticed Rihanna watching her, a faint smile playing on her lips, like she found the whole thing amusing.

"Girl's got some fire in her," Rihanna said casually, loud enough for Beyoncé to hear. "I wouldn't count her out just yet."

Lauren raised an eyebrow, glancing at Rihanna. "You think she's worth the trouble?"

Rihanna shrugged, her eyes flicking back to Onika. "I think she's got potential. But we'll see."

Beyoncé shot them both a look, clearly unimpressed by the conversation. "Doesn't matter," she said coolly, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "She's not ready for this."

Onika stood at the other end of the court, watching as Beyoncé, Lauren, and Rihanna exchanged their quiet words. She could feel the weight of their judgment, but she didn't let it shake her. If anything, it fueled her determination.

She'd made it this far, and she wasn't about to back down now. The game was over for the day, but she knew this was just the beginning of something bigger. Beyoncé might have won this round, but Onika wasn't going anywhere.

As she walked off the court, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Lauren standing behind her, her eyes sharp and assessing.

"You put up a good fight," Lauren said, her voice neutral, but there was a hint of something else—respect, maybe. "But if you're planning on sticking around, you better get used to losing to her."

Onika raised an eyebrow, meeting Lauren's gaze. "I don't lose."

Lauren smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We'll see about that."

She walked away, leaving Onika standing alone, her heart still pounding from the game. She glanced back at Beyoncé, who was talking quietly with Rihanna. They hadn't noticed her watching, but the tension between them was still there, simmering beneath the surface.

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.