Chapter Two: The First Strike

Ava woke up the next morning with a strange sense of anticipation. Maybe it was the lingering tension from yesterday's showdown with Adriana, or maybe it was just the overwhelming reality of being in a place where she was not wanted. Either way, she had no choice but to get up and face whatever came her way.

Lily was already awake, sprawled across her bed with a fashion magazine in hand. "Morning, roomie."

Ava yawned. "Morning."

Lily sat up, grinning. "So… you really told Adriana off yesterday."

Ava groaned, running a hand through her messy curls. "It wasn't my smartest move."

"It was a legendary move," Lily corrected. "No one stands up to her. And now she's going to come for you."

Ava sighed. "Yeah, I figured."

Lily stretched her arms. "The good news? You're officially interesting. The bad news? Adriana doesn't let things go."

Ava stood, grabbing her uniform blazer off the desk chair. "Then I guess I'll have to be ready."

Lily watched her for a moment before shaking her head with amusement. "You are either the bravest person I've ever met… or the dumbest."

Ava smirked. "Maybe both "

Lily sat up, grinning. "So… you really told Adriana off yesterday"

Ava groaned, running a hand through her messy curls. "It wasn't my smartest move"

The first sign that Adriana had begun her revenge came before Ava even made it to cl

She had just reached her locker when she noticed something was off

Her lock was gone 

Frowning, she opened the metal door, and her stomach dropped 

Everything inside had been trashed. Books torn, papers crumpled, a bottle of ink poured over her notes. Someone had even gone so far as to take her extra sweater and rip it in half 

Whispers started around her. Students watching. Waiting to see how she would react

Ava clenched her jaw

She knew exactly who had done this 

Taking a deep breath, she methodically started cleaning up the mess, refusing to give the onlookers the reaction they were hoping for 

"Need help

Ava turned to see Theo standing there, hands in his pocket

She hesitated before nodding. "Thanks

Together, they gathered what could be salvaged. As Ava shoved the ruined books into her bag, Theo leaned in. "You should report this"

Ava scoffed. "To who? The teachers who pretend not to notice The Monarchs run this place"

Theo exhaled. "Yeah, fair point"

She shut her locker with more force than necessary. "I'm not giving her the satisfaction of seeing me break

Theo studied her before nodding. "Alright. But just so you know, this is only the beginning

Ava met his gaze. "Good

If Adriana was expecting Ava to crumble, she was sorely disappointed 

Ava went through her day as if nothing had happened, attending classes, taking notes, and ignoring the pointed looks and hushed whisper

By lunchtime, Lily had caught wind of what happened 

"That was her first strike," Lily muttered as they sat at a table outside. "She's testing you. Seeing if you'll crack

Ava stabbed at her salad with her fork. "She's going to have to try harder than that

Lily grinned. "I like you, Sinclair

Before Ava could respond, Adriana and her entourage strolled past their table 

Adriana paused just long enough to flash a saccharine smile. "Oh, Ava. I heard about your little… accident this morning. Such a shame. It must be hard being so… replaceable

Ava slowly set down her fork. "You know what's funny, Adriana

Adriana raised a perfectly arched brow

Ava leaned forward, her voice calm. "For someone who claims I don't belong here, you sure are spending a lot of time thinking about me

Lily choked on her water 

Adriana's smile twitched. "Careful, Sinclair. You don't want to make an enemy out of me

Ava met her gaze head-on. "I think we're past that point

The air between them crackle

Then, just as quickly as she had arrived, Adriana turned on her heel and walked away, her friends following 

Lily let out a low whistle. "Damn

Ava smirked. "If she wants to play games, I'll play

Lily grinned. "You have no idea what you've just started

That night, Ava lay in bed, staring at the ceiling 

She knew she had declared war, but she refused to regret it. She had spent her whole life fighting to be seen, to be taken seriously. She wasn't about to let some spoiled rich girl intimidate her no

But she wasn't stupid 

Adriana wasn't the kind of person to let this g

The question wasn't if she would retaliate 

It was how 

And Ava intended to be ready