----
The sun was slipping through the branches when Lavinia agreed to Rocky's offer to go for a light walk after school.
They walked together along a dirt path winding between the trees, laughter scattering around them.
Rocky, as always, was lighthearted, listening to Lavinia with enthusiasm as she mimicked the teachers in irresistibly funny ways.
Lavinia laughed warmly — something she hadn't done in a long time.
They sat by the edge of the small river. Rocky threw pebbles, trying to skip them over the tiny waves, and every time he failed, he pretended to collapse dramatically.
"Do you know?" he said suddenly, watching the reflection of the sky in the water,
"You're like this stream… you look calm, but inside you, there's a flow that never stops."
Her cheeks flushed before unexpected footsteps interrupted them.
His old friend appeared — the same boy who had been there during Rocky's first clash with Lavinia.
Lavinia's gaze toward him was stern, as if he were about to steal something that belonged to her.
The boy called out, "Rocky!" and waved at him.
"Maybe I should go now, Lavinia. I'll see you later."
Lavinia had hoped to spend more time with him.
"Alright… see you tomorrow at school. Goodbye."
Lavinia returned home at sunset. The sun was kissing the horizon, and the colors blended like a watercolor painting.
But what surprised her were the sounds — the laughter and the shouts of children.
In the yard, Mikel was playing basketball with the neighborhood kids, moving among them with agile steps. The moment she saw him, her heart skipped a beat…
It was him — the same boy who used to force her, back in childhood, to practice with him every day, despite her constant complaining and shouting.
Every afternoon, he would grab the basketball and knock on her door.
"Come on, you've got ten shots today!"
"Nooo, I hate it!"
"If you don't play, I'll tell your mom you broke her vase!"
And so… she learned. She became skilled without realizing she was storing a memory full of movement, laughter, and sweat mixed with hope.
"Lavinia! Come here!"
one of the kids shouted.
She ran hesitantly, but they caught her and pulled her gently.
"We need you on my team!" said a little boy.
She looked at Mikel, who only watched her in silence, but didn't object.
And the game began…
Lavinia played with remarkable skill — laughing, dodging defense, shooting with precision, while everyone cheered for her excitedly.
Michael's eyes never left her; he watched her with a mix of memories and wonder.
When it ended, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and turned to leave…
But his voice stopped her:
"Lavinia… I know everything about Mira already!"
She froze. Then turned to him. "What do you mean?" she asked.
He said quietly,
"I need some time… to expose her…"
Then fell silent.
As for her, she walked away slowly, thinking about his words.
The next morning
Her day was a repeat of the past…
The same hatred, the same looks, the same mocking words.
And in the last class, while she was staring into nothing, an idea fell into her mind.
A plan. A devilish plan.
She set down her pen and smiled so no one could see.
"Maybe this is my chance… to prove I can change my future."
---
School court
Michael was on the court, training with determination.
Running, jumping, shooting the ball with precision.
On the bleachers, Mira clapped and shouted his name, surrounded by her friends.
But Lavinia was waiting for her moment.
When Mira and her friends went back to the classroom to grab their bags, they found Lavinia sitting alone in the last seat, distant and sad.
"Oh, look who's here… the fallen queen," Mira said mockingly.
Lavinia didn't reply. She kept looking down.
One of the girls added,
"You've become all alone. No one wants you now."
Mira raised an eyebrow and said,
"Do you remember our first meeting? You were the star back in middle school, and I… I was just the new girl following you like a shadow. You were everything. I wanted to be like you — in your style, your clothes, even your laugh."
She paused, then leaned closer and whispered,
"And now? I've stolen Mikel from you. You were just a path… a path I used to reach him."
"I honestly pity you. You're just a naïve, stupid girl… Mikel's obedient dog."
Mira turned to leave, laughing mockingly.
But at the door… she stopped.
Mikel, Rocky, and several students were standing there. They had heard everything.
Shock spread across Mira's face. She took a step back.
Lavinia stood up calmly, smiled, and said in a steady voice,
"I'm good at planning too, Mira."
Then she walked past her without looking back.
Mira began trying to justify her words, but Michael said nothing.
Disappointment was clear on his face — silent betrayal, and a quiet sense of relief in his heart.
"Mira, I didn't expect you to be that kind of person… You deceived me," Mikel said coldly.
Mira sat on the floor, holding her head, crying.
"No, Mikel… she's the one who made me say those things."
---
Outside
Lavinia walked out with Rocky.
He looked at her with a faint smile.
"That was… incredible. Revenge done softly."
She smiled and whispered,
"Thank you for your help… you're the one who told Michael to come."
He nodded in agreement.
"So, will you go back to being who you were? That bright, laughing girl who even the teachers couldn't handle?"
She looked at him as the wind played with her long black hair.
The sun was setting, and the sky was painted in shades of orange.
Her eyes shone with new courage.
"Yes, I will."
In that moment, Rocky's heart skipped a beat.
He looked at her deeply… as if seeing her for the first time all over again.
---
Lavinia returned home, her heart racing with excitement.
Had she really changed her fate?
She opened her desk drawer, took out the album, and gazed at it with eyes eager for answers.
And just as she opened the first page…
There was a knock on her door.
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