Your POV 

Since detention went for an hour, I expected the bus stop near the school to be empty of students, all of them already home or at the mall by now. But my eyes widen in surprise when I see someone waiting there, slumped on the bench and his eyes fixated on the floor. "Jack."

He glances up and grins, the grin not fitting in with the air of melancholy surrounding him. "Oh, hey (y/n)."

At that moment, the bus pulls up. Without further ado, Jack enters and sits right at the back. I hesitate before following his lead and sitting next to him. 

"Are you okay?" I ask tentatively, louder than I would usually dare on this bus as there are no Elites today. 

"Don't worry about it," Jack sighs before gazing out the window. "You've probably got a lot on your mind anyway, with Kurenai leaving and all."

It's silent for a while, the only noises being the sound of tires continuously running over roads. After a few moments, Jack breaks the silence, still not making eye-contact with me, "Why are you talking to me? I mean, you've got a boyfriend and all."

"Just because I have a boyfriend doesn't mean that I can't talk to guys," I say. "I would never cheat, and Shu knows that. Believe or not, we actually trust each other."

Something you and Ashley couldn't do, I add in my head. 

"But why bother making conversation with someone who's tried to make several moves on you? Don't you dislike me?"

Now he stares at me, genuinely confused. "Because I still see you as a friend. I never disliked you, I just disliked the way you would continue to break the boundaries I set up."

Jack glances away again, this time to the ceiling of the bus. "You're right. That was wrong. I...I'm sorry."

"Don't stress about it," I wave my hand. "It doesn't matter anymore."

History repeats itself with us falling silent again and Jack breaking the silence after a minute or so. "So...how's Ashley?"

He says it casually, no emotion detected. I raise my eyebrow, pressing for the reason why he wants to know how his ex is going but he remains muted. So I reply, "I don't know. Why would I care about how she is after everything she's done?"

"Oh," Jack says quietly, as if just remembering Ashley's horrid personality. Maybe she put up a front around him. "Right."

"How's Shu?" I ask, concerned. 

Jack shakes his head. "Don't know. He hasn't been at school because he's helping his parents or something."

"Oh yeah," I recall. "He did mention that. But how is he normally at school? You know...with the hierarchy and stuff."

Jack glances at me sideways. "What a mother you are."

"Answer the question," I roll my eyes.

"Alright," he rolls his eyes too in return. "Kurenai doesn't get bullied, if that's what you're implying. The guys dislike him for getting so popular with the girl Elites in such little time, but they don't do anything to him because they're scared that it will worsen their reputations among the girls even more. It's kinda funny, actually."

"And Kurenai simply does not care about the Elites and the whole system, so he befriends whoever he wants to befriend. So now he's ended up with a really diverse group. It's actually sorta cool."

I let the information sink in, glad that the popularity system hasn't messed him up. 

"Why don't you ask him?"

I blink. "Huh?"

"You two are dating," Jack states. "So you must be close. Why didn't you just...ask him the question yourself?"

"Well," I sigh. "It's kinda awkward when your best friend created majority of the system."

"I guess," Jack tips his head. 

For the third time it's silent, but this time I break it. "You know, you could always try dismantling the hierarchy."

Jack sends me a look that tells me to stop joking, but I exclaim, "I'm not joking!"

"Try and dismantle it, huh?" Jack says softly, a faraway look in his eyes. "I did dream of it once. But it's pointless. Caprice is too cunning. She's too bloodthirsty and ambitious. So it remains a dream."

"Well, you could at least try!" I say in frustration. "Instead of just contributing to it! You're one of the Elite Eight and I know for a fact that Hayden, your best friend doesn't like the system either. And Hayden's close friends with Abioye! And Abioye is dating Caprice! Caprice, cause of the trouble! And Ashley still likes you, and she's also the cause!"

The bus slows to a halt and I realize that I need to leave. Swallowing, I get up and sling my backpack over my shoulder. I start to walk away but I turn around and say, "You could do something, Jack."

Then I leave, his response unknown to me.

---------------------------

I literally just walk into the front yard when something expected rolls up; a white Tesla with my sister sitting in the driver's seat.

"Get in loser," Blair barks and I don't even have to listen to the rest to know that she's referencing Mean Girls. "We're going shopping."

I sigh in exasperation. "Now? I just got back from detention and I want to rest."

"There's no better way to rest than shopping," Blair's wearing black sunglasses but I can still see her roll her eyes heavily, as if shopping isn't exhausting. "Your social coming and what are you going to wear? Some eleven year old outfit? Some stripper outfit, no, pieces of cloth, that your 'friends' put you in?"

I scowl. "No-"

"So come on in," Blair beckons, sounding ridiculously similar to those promoters at fairs. "I don't have any more afternoons free after this. And I really want to spend some time with my little sister. I didn't even bring Jordan!"

Her voice at the end is so soft and pleading I can't help but give in. "You're paying, though."

"Hell yeah!" Blair exclaims loudly, dropping the sweet act. 

I clamber into the luxurious car and she gestures proudly to the back seat. "See, I didn't even bring Jordan this time!"

"You told me," I say in amusement. "Acting as if one minute away from him is torture."

Blair rolls out of the driveway. "It is!"

At least he's not in a whole damn different galaxy.

"Oh," Blair says, realizing she struck a nerve. "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," I wave my hand. "I take it you heard the news too?"

Blair shrugs. "Just because I've mostly moved out of this house doesn't mean that I don't get told any family business, especially about my little sister's boyfriend."

"Oh, I see now," I grin. "You wanted to take me shopping just so you could ask about all the details."

"Smart," Blair grins back, turning left. "So, have you guys kissed? Like, properly this time?"

"Why do you need to know?" I look out the window, but it's too late. She's already seen the blush that widens her grin.

She squeals, "You totally have! How was it?"

I ponder over it before say in a shushed voice, "The first or the second kiss?"

"Oh my gosh!" Blair shrieks so excitedly that I join in. "Look at you!"

"I know, right?" I scream so loudly in happiness that I think the people in the car over can hear us.

We go on, babbling and gushing about our boyfriends and romantic experiences for the next few minutes before we eventually reach Petunia Mall. A few paparazzi have followed us to get a glimpse of Blair, but we don't mind. 

We're laughing about how one of Blair's ex's farted during a make-out once when we officially enter the mall. To my delight most of the Elites aren't here. Good. I don't want to have to look at any snobby trash for the rest of my evening.

So, unbothered, Blair and I tour the mall and shop for outfits not just for the social but for everyday wear.

We've made it through JayJays, H&M and multiple thrift stores, browsing at the graphic t-shirt section of Cotton On while finishing laughing at the thought of Gen Z as lawyers when Blair says, "(y/n), I'm so glad that we get to spend time together."

"Me too," I smile. "And I'm glad that our relationship has improved. Few months ago were toxic as hell."

"Yeah," Blair smiles back. She opens her mouth to respond before closing it. 

Noticing this small action, I say, "If you want to say anything, you can. Sisters shouldn't keep secrets from each other. But then again, I'm not going to force you."

"Thanks," she says tightly. "But I think I should tell you this. Sisters shouldn't keep secrets from each other, right?"

When I nod, she continues. "You know how I've been blowing up on social media as an influencer rather than a singer lately?"

I nod again and Blair bites her lip. "Only thirty percent of those followers are real."

I blink and I'm reeling in shock from this revelation. "What, so the rest you buy?"

When Blair nods, I exclaim, "But that's like fifteen million!"

"Keep it down!" Blair waves her hands frantically, her eyes scanning the room. She drops her voice to a whisper. "It's a secret, remember? I just had to. In order to keep up with all of those other influencers who've recently been moving to the music industry."

"I didn't think you were that desperate," I clench my jaw. "Imagine breaking your morals and values for clout."

"Look," she grits her teeth. "I know it's wrong, I don't need you to tell me. But it would help if you could give some word of advice instead of bashing me."

In the few moments after this the conversation drops and tension heightens. But finally I sigh and say, "You're right. I'm sorry. We should figure out how to get you out of this hole. Together."

"Thank you," Blair says sharply, but she visibly relaxes.

In silence, the two of us go to the pay register occupied by a pretty Elite with a nose stud before leaving Cotton On. By now the sun has almost finished saying goodbye, but I don't need to worry since my parents know that I'm together with Blair.

Hanging lights have started to glow and the sky is a dark blue tainted by small strips of gold, still refusing to go away. But then I jolt my concentration away from the scenery when I accidently bump into someone striding with extreme purpose.

"Sorry," we begin to apologize in unison before our eyes widen in recognition.

"(y/n)?"

"Esme?" I say incredulously. "What are you doing here, walking so purposefully?"

Esme tips her head in the direction of JayJays, where Georgia Rosser is waiting at the entrance. Esme warily eyes Blair (who quickly gets out her phone and pretends to look uninterested) before whispering what I suspected, "I'm going to confess."

"Are you ready?" 

"I am," Esme says firmly, though her voice wobbles at the end. "I need to be. Friends don't keep secrets from each other. I'm just...worried that we won't be friends after."

"Put away that worry," I quickly give her a tight hug. "We're not here to make regrets, remember?"

"You're right," Esme murmurs before flashing me a big grin. "I'm going to go now. Wish me luck!"

And as I watch her go up and nervously confess, to my disappointment Esme's grin disappears and is replaced by tears.

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