Song: Confident by Demi Lovato

At the epicenter of the hive, where authority and supremacy intertwined, an enthralling enigma thrived—a queen unlike any other. She wielded mastery over manipulation, an artful command over all she surveyed. Her name resonated through the buzzing corridors, instilling dread in the hearts of those who dared cross her path. She was the Queen Bee.

In the hierarchy of this high school purgatory, she reigned supreme, though it was a dubious distinction. Yet, she harbored ambitions beyond the confines of these infernal walls, dreaming of a day when her dominion would extend far beyond, echoing in the minds of thousands.

The piercing ring of the bell brought Victoria out of her reverie, eliciting a resigned sigh that formed a subtle pout upon her meticulously sculpted lips.

But, for now, high school would have to suffice.

Retrieving her backpack from the floor, she nonchalantly thrust it into the hands of her nearest underling, leaving her literature class in pursuit of the sole commodity she held dear in this realm.

Nourishment.

Her Louboutins clicked and clacked with every step as she traversed the space between her and the cafeteria, a spectacle that garnered a spectrum of reactions. Some gazed at her with admiration, while others simmered with profound resentment, and she relished every response.

Not a single pair of eyes passed over her unnoticed, although her exterior suggested otherwise. Each glance propelled her higher, elevating her beyond cloud nine. By the time she reached the cafeteria, she might as well have journeyed to the moon and back.

Selecting a tray with regal indifference, she proceeded to the front of the line, indifferent to the irritated glares that trailed in her wake. No one dared impede her progress.

And no one ever would.

Now armed with her tray of gourmet cafeteria food, Victoria sauntered gracefully to her customary table at the heart of the bustling cafeteria. She had already noted the seating arrangement, the subtle hierarchy of her high school's social jungle. Nicole, her ostensible best friend, was engaged in animated conversation with her loyal underling, Soria. Nicole often liked to emphasize the word 'friend' rather than 'servant,' but to Victoria, the distinction was clear, and she despised Soria's presence entirely.

The usual crowd occupied the neighboring tables, a symphony of teenage chatter and laughter. In this cacophonous assembly, Victoria's discerning eye was drawn to a mop of unmistakable blonde hair that seemed to anticipate her arrival. Matthias sat among his basketball team comrades, regaling them with one of his trademark humorous anecdotes. He was not the stereotypical dumb blonde; his wit and charisma made him stand out. However, like Victoria, he did not always choose to employ his talents for the "greater good."

"Hey, babe." Victoria greeted him with a peck on the cheek as she settled into her seat and placed her tray on the table. Matthias responded with one of his signature lopsided smiles, their usual banter effortlessly resuming.

"God, you won't believe what happened in Miss Newton's class today," Victoria began, frustration lacing her voice as she took a bite of a succulent strawberry. "That old hag had the audacity to give us a pop quiz, without notice! The world has gone mad, I tell you"

She ended her overly dramatic performance with a huff as she took another bite of her strawberry, savoring the sweet nectar.

Matthias chuckled at his friend's exasperation, daring to steal a strawberry from her plate. "Well, if they warned you about a pop quiz, it wouldn't be much of a pop quiz, now would it?"

With a roll of her eyes, she playfully smacked his hand away before he could snatch another strawberry. Pouting, she turned her attention toward Nicole, feigning interest in the latest lunchtime gossip.

"That hurt," Matthias mock-complained.

"I know," Victoria retorted with a mischievous grin.

He nudged his shoulder against hers, and despite herself, a small, genuine smile blossomed on her lips. In that fleeting moment, they resembled any ordinary couple, save for the fact that they weren't a couple at all. In her sixteen years on this spinning sphere, Matthias was the only male she knew that didn't want to lay with her or lay a curse on her.

Despite the widespread assumption that they were a couple, the duo, in reality, had never seen each other through romantic lenses. They cherished their deep friendship, even though their actions often contradicted this platonic dynamic, as they had been caught in intimate moments on multiple occasions. Victoria found it challenging to pinpoint the precise nature of their connection, but she valued their relationship immensely.

"What is actually wrong with you, I have practice today, you freak!" 

Victoria, now back in reality watched, amidst a crowd of onlookers, as an unexpected incident unfolded before her eyes. Joshua, a friend of Matthias, was evidently harassing a young girl who had accidentally thrown up all over his shoes. From the looks of it, it wasn't just any shoes either. It was the Retro Jordan's his parents had made him save to buy.

He'd been talking about wearing them all summer and now some pauper girl had most likely ruined them. It was hardly surprising that he was infuriated. 

Intrigued by the commotion, Victoria shifted her attention, anticipating Matthias's reaction. However, to her astonishment, he was conspicuously absent.

Her curiosity piqued, Victoria watched as Matthias intervened, firmly telling Joshua to leave the girl alone, emphasizing that it had been an unintended mishap. All eyes, including Victoria's, were now fixed on Matthias. As he helped the girl to her feet and escorted her to the nurse's office, Victoria couldn't shake the feeling that she had just witnessed something extraordinary, an electric connection between the two.

The very same Matthias, who typically only engaged in conversations with her or his regular weekly hookup, was now assisting a complete stranger he had never encountered before. 

Maybe the world really had gone mad.

A peculiar sensation welled up within her—an ambiguous blend of disgust, intrigue, and perhaps even a hint of jealousy. But amidst these rampant emotions, one thing was abundantly clear as a sickly sweet smile overtook her lips.

This newcomer needed to be shown her place in their intricate dynamic.