Chapter 3 THE SCHOOL QUEEN

"Amelia, hurry up! You're going to miss your bus!"

"I'm coming, Mom!"

Amelia rushed downstairs, carrying her backpack in one hand and trying to finish tying her hair with the other.

Her mother looked at her and smiled.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"Good morning, Mom."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes."

"That's good. I've packed your lunch."

Amelia took the lunchbox from the kitchen counter.

"Thank you."

Her mother studied her for a moment.

"Amelia, is everything alright at school?"

Amelia stopped.

"Why?"

"You've been unusually quiet these days."

"I'm fine, Mom. Just tired."

Her mother wasn't completely convinced, but she didn't want to pressure her.

"Alright. Have a good day."

Amelia kissed her cheek and hurried outside.

---

Westwood High School was already busy when Amelia arrived.

Students were standing around the entrance, talking about the upcoming basketball game.

As usual, Jessica Montgomery was surrounded by her friends.

She stood near the school fountain, holding a pink drink while Brianna showed her something on her phone.

"Did you see the pictures from yesterday?" Tiffany asked.

Jessica smiled.

"Of course. I looked amazing."

"You always do," Brianna replied.

Jessica flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder.

Just then, Ryan Mitchell arrived with Lucas and Ethan.

"Good morning, ladies," Lucas greeted.

Jessica immediately turned towards Ryan.

"Ryan!"

"Hey, Jessica."

She smiled brightly.

"You're coming to my birthday party next Saturday, right?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Jessica frowned.

"Ryan, you promised!"

"I said I'd try."

Lucas laughed.

"Just go, bro. She's been planning that party for weeks."

Ryan shook his head.

"Alright. I'll come."

Jessica's face lit up.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

She happily hugged his arm.

Amelia walked past them at that moment.

Jessica noticed her immediately.

"Amelia!"

Amelia stopped reluctantly.

"Yes?"

Jessica smiled.

"I almost forgot. Are you coming to my birthday party?"

Amelia looked surprised.

"Your birthday party?"

"Yes. Why? Don't you want to come?"

Brianna and Tiffany exchanged amused looks.

Amelia knew Jessica was up to something.

"I don't think I'll be able to."

Jessica shrugged.

"That's fine. I just thought I'd invite everyone."

Lucas glanced at Amelia.

"Are you actually inviting her?"

Jessica laughed.

"Why not? I'm being nice."

Ryan checked his phone without paying much attention to the conversation.

Amelia adjusted her backpack.

"Well, I have class."

She walked away.

Jessica watched her disappear.

"Can you imagine her at my party?" she whispered to Brianna.

The girls laughed.

---

During English class, the teacher announced a group assignment.

"I want everyone to work in groups of four. You'll be presenting your projects next Friday."

Students immediately began moving their chairs.

Amelia looked around, waiting for someone to invite her.

Jessica quickly joined Ryan, Lucas and Brianna.

"Ryan, we're together, right?"

"Sure."

Tiffany joined another group.

Soon, every student had found a team.

Except Amelia.

She stood beside her desk, holding her notebook.

The teacher noticed.

"Amelia, you can join Jessica's group."

Jessica's smile disappeared.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes, Jessica?"

"Can Amelia work with another group?"

The teacher frowned.

"Why?"

Jessica forced a smile.

"No reason. I just thought she might prefer another group."

Amelia looked down.

The teacher shook her head.

"There's no other group with space. She'll work with you."

Jessica sighed.

"Fine."

Amelia quietly took an empty chair.

Lucas leaned towards Ryan.

"Looks like we've got another member."

Ryan shrugged.

"Let's just finish the assignment."

He opened his notebook and began writing.

Jessica looked irritated.

She had wanted to spend the lesson sitting beside Ryan, not dealing with Amelia.

---

After school, Amelia was walking towards the bus stop when someone called her.

"Hey, Amelia!"

She turned and saw a boy from her mathematics class.

His name was Daniel.

"Yes?"

Daniel held out a notebook.

"You forgot this in class."

Amelia looked surprised.

"Oh! Thank you."

"No problem."

She accepted it.

Daniel smiled politely and walked away.

Amelia smiled a little.

It was a small thing, but at least someone had spoken to her without making fun of her.

She continued walking.

Across the parking lot, Jessica was getting into her car when she noticed Amelia smiling.

"What is she smiling about?" she asked.

Brianna looked through the window.

"Who?"

"Amelia."

Tiffany laughed.

"Maybe someone finally agreed to be her friend."

Jessica rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. Let's go."

But she wasn't finished with Amelia.

Not even close.

---

That evening, Amelia received a message from her class group chat.

She opened it and saw several students discussing their group assignment.

Then Jessica sent a message.

Jessica: Amelia, don't forget you're responsible for researching our topic.

Amelia: Okay.

Jessica: And please make sure you do it properly. We don't want our grades suffering.

A few laughing emojis appeared.

Lucas sent a message.

Lucas: Relax, Jessica. It's just an assignment.

Jessica: I'm only making sure we do well.

Amelia put her phone down.

She knew exactly what Jessica was doing.

Jessica wanted her to feel like she didn't belong, even in a group project.

Amelia opened her notebook and started working.

She wasn't going to give Jessica another reason to embarrass her.

For once, she wanted to prove that she could do something well.

And she intended to do exactly that.