The early morning air in 10th grade, Class B buzzed with chaos, yet somehow it felt alive.
Chairs scraped against the tiled floor as students trickled in, some in twos, some in threes. A boy sprinted past the doorway, nearly knocking over another, who yelled,
"Hey!"
Near the windows, a small group of girls huddled close, their voices loud punctuated by sudden burst of laughter.
At the back, a serious-looking student had his nose buried deep in a thick textbook, completely oblivious to the noise around him. Meanwhile, a few latecomers slipped through the door, tossing quick greetings.
"Morning!"
"Did you finish the math?"
"Move! That's my seat!"
The classroom hummed with life, in a messy, familiar way.
The trio entered together.
Sally and Selene slid into their usual seats, the middle spots of the first row, while Rhea flopped into the desk behind them with a dramatic sigh, running a hand through her hair.
"Why is it so loud this morning?" Selene murmured, placing her bag down neatly.
"It's always loud," Sally replied absentmindedly, already rummaging through her bag. Her brow furrowed slightly, lips pressed together.
"You just notice it more when you're tired."
Rhea leaned forward suddenly, eyes sparkling.
"BREAKING NEWS."
Neither of them looked up.
Rhea's grin widened. "Today is the day! The basketball game challenge between Class D and us!"
Selene arched a brow, tapping her pen lightly on the desk. "Since when are classes issuing challenges like rival camps?"
Rhea waved one hand dramatically, her grin widening. "No, no, not about the class in general, this is about the heartthrobs! Both classes want to know whose prince is more… awesome. By all accounts, their appearances are on par."
Sally let out a soft scoff.
High school logic.
"I'm going to cheer our Alex up," Rhea declared, clasping her hands together dramatically.
Sally's lips twitched slightly. "I don't think you need to stress over that. Maria and her crew are already on it. I heard they even went to other classes asking for support. Aish… what can devoted fans not do for their idol?"
Rhea tilted her head "Of course, if you love someone, you naturally want them to feel loved, and do everything possible to make that happen." she placed a hand over her chest, her turning dreamy.
Selene glanced sideways at Sally, who was still digging through her bag, brow tightening in concentration.
"Are you coming?" she asked calmly,
Sally didn't even look up. "Hmmm… no."
"Why not?" Rhea whined, dragging out the words.
Sally opened her mouth, but Selene cut in first, tone lightly sarcastic but playful: "What do you mean 'why not'? The little princess's life is clearly set and monitored… unlike ours."
Sally finally looked up and blinked. "Well… I wouldn't phrase it like that, but yes. I'm going with Rowan after school."
Rhea groaned loudly, throwing her head back, arms flailing dramatically.
"What's the deal with your uncle? If he doesn't let you have fun now, then when will you? This is the age we have to be free,and love freely!"
A few nearby students glanced over at her theatrical gesture.
"He doesn't want anything fun for me," she muttered, barely audible.
"What?" Selene turned toward her.
But before Sally could repeat herself, the classroom door slid open.
The teacher walked in.
Almost Instantly, the noise dimmed into scattered whispers as students hurried to their seats, books were pulled out, chairs aligned. Within moments, the first lesson of the day began. Sally glanced outside the window her expression calm but soon turned back to focus on the class.
...
The restaurant radiated poshness.
Crystal chandeliers scattered soft light across polished concrete floors, while the faint scent of vanilla and polished wood lingered in the air.
A pianist coaxed a gentle melody from a glossy black grand piano in the corner. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city skyline, reflecting the bright afternoon sun.
Tables draped in ivory linens were set with perfectly aligned silverware and delicate glassware, each piece intricately designed.
At a corner table sat three women, their presence alone demanding attention.
The first, in her early thirties, wore a sharply tailored ivory blazer dress, gold buttons gleaming under the chandeliers. Her sleek blonde hair fell straight to her shoulders. She sat upright, legs crossed neatly, hand delicately holding a glass of wine.
Beside her, a woman in her mid-thirties wore a flowing emerald satin dress. Her dark curls were pinned into a flawless low bun, secured with a minimalist designer clip. She leaned back leisurely, posture relaxed yet deliberate, radiating effortless poise.
The third, also in her mid-thirties, wore a sky-blue knee-length lace dress. Her hair was pulled into a perfect chignon, every strand in place. She sat straight-backed, chin lifted slightly, surveying the room with quiet authority.
A waiter departed after serving their dessert. Silence lasted exactly two seconds.
"Did you see her smug look last night?" the woman in ivory began, her voice low as she lifted her wine.
"Her head was practically in the clouds. The pose… the smirk… she's walking around like she owns the world."
Emerald scoffed, swirling her wine. "And that dress? Not even close to her style before. You can spot someone who hasn't tasted wealth from a mile away."
"What was that she said?"
Ivory asked, straightened in her chair.
" 'Step into a life,' my foot. She's stepping on everyone else while she's at it." she spat.
"Well, I can't really blame her," pantsuit said. "It's that Kingsley heir's fault. Does he think engagement is a joke?"
Emerald arched an eyebrow. "I heard she refused to attend her best friend's gallery opening because it wasn't 'exclusive enough.' "
Ivory laughed softly, tapping her nail against the glass.
"Not exclusive enough? She used to beg for invites to everything! And now she's suddenly… untouchable."
"Those bootlickers too," Emerald added, leaning in conspiratorially. "Already swarming around her. Oh, how low. I heard the Kingsley heir's ex was at the party. Really? why show yourself there? Not everything deserves a response."
"Aren't they all the same?"
Pantsuit said, tone calm but sharp.
"Acting like special beings who can't be bothered , just like someone we know, suddenly sitting on top of the world."
Ivory eyebrow lifted. "Who?"
Emerald smirked. "Who else?" She gave a look, eyes narrowing with amusement.
"Ohhhh," Ivory nodded knowingly, laughter escaping her lips.
"The Fredericks had gone soft. Why else would her husband get that lucky?"
"Having a manipulative husband is rare," Emerald's grin widened.
"Not everyone gets that kind of 'luck'."
The three women exchanged knowing looks before bursting into laughter.
"It's all about the image now. The glamour, the look-at-me life. She wants us to see her as untouchable," Pantsuit said, taking a bite of dessert.
She looked up, and froze. The other two were staring silently at something behind her.
"What's wrong with both of you?"
Then came the sound.
Click. Click. Click.
The echo of heels across the marble floor was sharp,
"You all should stop this gossiping habit, or at least do it while I'm here."
Elena had arrived.
She wore a floor-length gown of deep champagne silk that caught the light with every subtle movement, the fabric flowing around her like liquid elegance. The neckline was modest yet sculpted, tracing her collarbones before tapering into long, fitted sleeves. A thin belt of understated gold rested at her waist, emphasizing her poised figure without appearing excessive.
Her hair was swept into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, soft strands escaping deliberately to frame her face. The style gave her an effortless refinement, the kind that suggested she had not tried too hard, yet somehow looked flawless.
Elena sat with one leg crossed over the other, posture straight.
Across from her, Ivory shifted slightly in her chair, the faint creak betraying her discomfort.
"Elena, you look absolutely gorgeous today," Ivory said warmly, as though their earlier mockery had never existed.
Elena offered a gracious smile, lowering her handbag onto the table with unhurried ease.
"And radiant as usual. Is that a new model?"
Emerald asked, her eyes lingering a moment too long on the leather.
Before Elena could respond,
Pantsuit leaned forward, not wanting to be left out.
"Oh, I've just introduced a new range at the boutique, perhaps you'll find time to visit?"
"Alright, I'll see when I have time," Elena replied politely, already signalling to the waiter with a small lift of her fingers.
Menus arrived, and soon the conversation drifted toward their children.
Ivory sighed theatrically, pressing the back of her hand lightly to her chest.
"My Daniel barely sleeps these days.Even though I clearly told him I don't expect much, as long as he's happy, but he's still wanting to make me proud.Watching him study late into the night sometimes wears me down."
She shook her head, but the pride in her eyes betrayed her complaint.
"Tell me about it," Emerald added.
"Lily insists she must be first in everything. I worry she puts too much pressure on herself."
Pantsuit chuckled lightly, smoothing an invisible crease from her sleeve.
"At least yours study willingly. Mine? Academics aren't quite his passion, though his basketball coach praises him endlessly."
She sighed, every word gleamed with pride.
"But his dad doesn't want him to immerse himself in that yet, he wants him to focus more on scholarly pursuit, as the heir, afterall. Yet, I can't help but support him seeing how much joy the sport brings to him."
Emerald turned to Elena.
"And Sally? How is she doing?"
A softness touched Elena's features instantly.
"She's doing exceptionally well," she said, her voice smooth but threaded with quiet satisfaction. "She ranked top in her class last year again, and her teachers constantly remark on her discipline. Honestly, sometimes I wonder where she gets that focus from."
Ivory's smile held, though the urge to roll her eyes prickled behind it.
Where else, if not her parents?
"Top again? That's… impressive," she replied, lifting her glass for a sip she did not seem to need.
Emerald gave a soft laugh, musical laugh.
"Some children are simply born exceptional," she said.
"You must be very proud."
"I am," Elena admitted without hesitation.
"She has also taken an interest in golf and is showing remarkable skill quite rare, considering most children her age find it terribly boring."
"That's really wonderful, Sally never ceases to amaze. Children should engage in sports, not just academics. Awareness of one's strengths helps to fit into society gracefully as they grow."
"Of course," Elena replied calmly,
Ivory set her glass down with deliberate care.
"You've always been very intentional with Sally," she said. "The right schools, the right environment… it certainly shows."
There was admiration in her tone, yet slightly envious.
She traced the rim of her glass before speaking again, her voice airy, almost reflective.
"How time flies…" she said. "I hope she doesn't miss her mother too much."
Silence fell.
Emerald's eyes snapped toward her. Pantsuit shifted sharply, shooting ivory a sharp warning look.
She seemed to realize her misstep a heartbeat too late
"I–I mean," Ivory stammered, color rising in her cheeks, "children often seek warmth from their parents."
Across the table, Pantsuit internally winced, the faintest grimace crossing her face before she masked it behind her glass.
Elena did not immediately respond. She lifted her glass instead, taking a slow sip before setting it down with deliberate care.
"Yes, how else can my Sally be that bubbly?" she said smoothly.
"She is getting the warmth she needs."
The temperature at the table seemed to drop.
Emerald inhaled, clearly intending to steer the conversation elsewhere.
But Elena wasn't done.
"Every child requires attentive guidance," she added, tilting her head thoughtfully. Her gaze slid to Ivory.
"Especially after… unfortunate school incidents."
Ivory's fingers froze around her glass.
"Children make mistakes," she said with a nervous laugh.
Elena gave a soft, almost sympathetic hum.
"Of course. Though when certain substances are found in a student's locker…" She let the sentence trail off, lifting one shoulder in a mild shrug.
"One hopes the child learns discretion, if nothing else."
The color rose higher in Ivory's cheeks.
"My Daniel was implicated," she said, the calm in her voice stretched thin.
"The matter was misunderstood."
Elena's expression remained serene. "It really isn't wise to keep spoiling a child like that."
Ivory's face flushed a violent red.
"Hey! Don't go around talking about what you don't know." she said, struggling to keep her voice level despite the anger tightening her throat.
Elena chuckled softly, the sound devoid of humor.
"Drugs were found on him," she said. "And he covered it up with that ridiculous line 'I don't know how it got there'. Tell me, how else would it get there? He couldn't even lie convincingly."
She tilted her head, eyes cool.
"Well… the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"You— you…" Ivory shot to her feet, her chair scraping harshly against the floor.
Emerald and Pantsuit rose halfway, hands reaching to calm her.
Elena remained seated.
Unbothered.
She lifted her drink and took a measured sip.
"Always acting all mighty, calling us gossipers, and who is it now snooping into other families' affairs and running her mouth, huh?!" Ivory snapped, pointing a trembling finger.
"I wouldn't call it snooping,"
Elena calmly replied.
She rose then,smooth and unhurried, picking up her bag before stepping closer. With gentle firmness, she pressed Ivory's hand downward.
"But I will advise you to keep those fingers to yourself," she continued quietly.
"Least I become angry and... run my mouth to others as well. Discretion benefits everyone here."
Then she leaned in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"After all… I have been very discreet."
The meaning settled heavily between them.
Elena turned to the others, her expression serene once more.
"The energy has soured," she said pleasantly,
"I think I'll take my leave. My daughter will be home soon, and I prefer to be there when she arrives."
Then she looked at Ivory one last time.
And smiled.
It was a beautiful smile.
It carried no warmth whatsoever.
Elena walked away without another word, the soft glide of her gown trailing behind her like the closing note of a performance.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Ivory stood rigid, fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Emerald stepped forward. "Ivory, don't let her..."
Ivory swung her arm away.
Snatching up her bag, she strode toward the exit, her heels striking the floor sharply.