Chapter 3 TENSION BETWEEN

News flash spread through the hallways of Rosewood Elite like wildfire.

"Did you see her fall?"

"Someone slowed it down and added music."

"She was wearing heels, for crying out loud." Who wears heels all the time? They laughed.

By noon, the video had been reposted on almost every student's snap, with the captions. The Queen Bee had fallen and Rosewood was buzzing.

But Aria didn't break.

She left the nurse's office with her head held up high and a bandage on her elbow. She felt proud because she was strong. Bella and Tina walked beside her, pretending to care but really just acting.

"I swear someone poured that soda on purpose," Bella said, trying to keep the atmosphere lively.

"Maybe one of the Drama kids," Tina added, with gritted teeth. "They're always dramatic." They both giggled

Aria didn't respond. She had bigger suspects.

She walked with a calculated move through the main hallway, her Louis heel clicking with renewed fury. Then she saw Hope laughing with Marcus near the Soda machines.

Hope's smile faded the moment she spotted Aria. Marcus followed her gaze, then gave Aria a polite nod. It made her angrier.

She swept past them, her presence leaving a trail of tension behind.

In the lunchroom, Hope sat beside Marcus, their trays untouched.

"You okay?" he asked.

Hope exhaled. "Aria's not Nice."

"Never has been. Don't let her get in your head."

"I'm trying not to."

Just then, Jayden slid into the seat across from them, balancing a water bottle in one hand and his phone in the other. "You survived another day in the Rosewood jungle. Congrats."

Hope smiled. "Barely."

"You'll get used to it," he said. "Ignore the noise."

"But the noise wears designer heels and threatens people," she replied.

Jayden laughed, really laughed and the sound made her stomach flutter.

He leaned closer, eyes suddenly serious. "You're different, you know? You don't flinch around all this."

Hope shrugged. "I grew up around people who really struggle. Fancy lockers and perfect hair don't scare me."

Jayden looked impressed and had a kind of spark and affection for her. "You should hang out with us more. Game night at Zayne's this weekend. You in?"

Hope blinked. "Me?"

"Yeah. You."

She glanced at Marcus. He raised his eyebrows and smirked like told you so.

"Okay," she said quietly. "I'm sorry I can't."

Okay dear I won't force you. Jayden whispered to her

Later that day, Aria sat in the media room with Bella and Tina. Her makeup was flawless again, but the fire behind her eyes hadn't dimmed.

"I want to know everything about her," Aria said coldly.

Bella blinked. "Who?"

"Hope," Aria snapped. "Where she lives. What she does after school. Her dad's income. I want everything."

Tina hesitated. "You think she's a threat?"

"She's a spark and I can feel it" Aria said. "And sparks burn things down if you let them."

Bella leaned in. Heard Jayden invited her to the game night at Zayne's house.

Really! And why would he invite her, she is a nobody, Aria blurted out.

"You're going too, right?" Tina asked. "Obviously, he'll see you and wouldn't look at your direction". Bella snapped.

He never notice me but I can see from his eyes the way he stares towards me Aria hissed. "He just got distracted. And distractions... needs to be removed."

The girls exchanged glances, then nodded. Aria's fall might have gone viral, but she wasn't out of the game.

She was just warming up.

Outside by the courtyard steps, Hope sat beneath a tree with a book. A shadow fell over the page.

Zayne stood there, grinning.

"Didn't expect to see you reading during break."

"I like staying in a quiet place."

That means you wouldn't be a fan of game night then because it's always Loud as hell.

She laughed.

"I'm Zayne, by the way," he said. "Jayden's best friend, and unofficial party planner. If you need a ride Saturday, I got you."

Hope smiled politely. "Thanks. But I've got other plans."

Zayne nodded and walked away but kept looking back.

Aria watched everything from behind a pillar.

Her smile was slow. And well calculated.

"They all think she's sweet," she muttered.

"Let's see how sweet she is under pressure."

Later that week...

In the girl's locker room, Hope opened her bag to find her shoes missing and in place of her shoe she saw a note which read "You don't belong here you wretched, poor,girl from the street".

Her stomach tightened. She looked around but couldn't fathom out who could have dropped the note instead laughter echoed from shadows No one looked suspicious nor guilty.

But she knew.

She shoved the note into her pocket and walked out barefoot.

In the hallway, she bumped right into Aria.

"Oh dear," Aria muttered. "Lose something?"

Hope stared at her. "Don't you ever get tired of playing villain?"

Aria leaned closer, smiling razor-sharp. "Villains win when the heroes are too soft."

Aria turned sharply and started walking away, giving a cold smile. Hope stood frozen, eyes filled with tears, as the whispers and stares grew louder around her.

From a shadowed corner, Jayden clenched his fists with anger and unable to watch Hope being humiliated any longer, without hesitating, he ran through the hallway and caught up with Aria.

"Aria!" he called out, his voice sharp and steady.

She stopped and turned, A quick flash of surprise showed in her eyes.

"What do you want, Jayden?" she asked calmly.

He took a step closer, lowering his voice but full of warning. "If you don't want to see what I'm capable of, stay away from Hope."

Aria's smile faded for a moment, but then she raised an eyebrow. "Are you threatening me because of that low life?"

"It's a promise," Jayden said firmly before turning and walking back toward Hope.

Aria felt embarrassed, "why his he picking on me," is it because of that low life bitch? she asked no one in particular.

She hissed and walked away....