The Power In Presence

As Julianna stepped out into the now empty assembly hall,the echoes of the morning's proceedings faded into the background . Her heels clicked softly against the polished floors as she made her way towards her classroom, effortlessly slipping her way into the familiar rhythm of her world.The scent of expensive perfumes and fresh books filled the air , as students dressed in their pristine uniforms moved through the hallways,some sluggishly dragging themselves to class while others energized by the first day of the semester .

Her class a place occupied by the school's brightest minds,was already buzzing with conversations.

....."Baby"..... she heard a familiar voice call out, her eyes caught Dahlia one of her closest friends waving at her and gesturing her to come to sit beside her , near Dahlia was another familiar face also a close friends of hers ".....Jules...." Noah also called out to her.

"...Good morning guys, how was your school break..." Julianna asked," ....ugh...baby... don't get me started that's what I wanted to ask you, I saw your IG posts and they were so good, people in the comments were also fawning over your beauty girl", Dahlia said.

"..Enough like you didn't also post a lot of things about your trip to Bora-Bora,every one hour you always posted especially on your story"...Noah retorted.

"Well it's not like I wanted to enjoy the experience alone , so I decided to post it so everyone could share in on my happiness", said Dahlia. "Right,Miss I need attention 24/7" ,Noah replied .

"....Alright guys enough, I didn't even post a lot you know I just happened to accompany my parents on their business trip and took a few pictures", Julianna said.

"...Oh right Noah I saw your artworks the ones you posted on IG, you've really improved a lot this time compared to last semester". Julianna chimed in.

"Yeah,I joined an art school this time and got a lot of feedback from the teachers there",Noah said.

"Ummm...guys , Dahlia started I came across this hate account on IG dedicated to us".

"I guess we are Influencers now huh, a hate account sounds like the person behind it has nothing better to do" , said Noah.

" If my guess is right I'm pretty sure it's a student that goes here",Dahlia said.

"Well don't worry Lia , a hate account is nothing let the person behind it keep doing what they are doing, let's get ready for class", Julianna replied.

" It doesn't have a lot of followers so I'm sure it won't garner attention",Dahlia said .

Lia , Jules said not to worry about it,okay instead worry about how your grades are gonna improve this semester,Noah said while chuckling. "Ughhh...you "Dahlia retorted unable to say another word as she was pissed at Noah.

Their class teacher Mr.Smith walked in at the moment moving to stand in front of the class ."Ok class settle down"." I welcome you all to this new semester I'm your class teacher through out your duration in this class and I hope we respect and be kind to each other ", Are we clear guys ?,Yes .the students chorused .

" I will now be appointing a class monitor that is going to be in charge of you and that will represent me when I am not here,understand" . Murmurs erupted throughout the classroom as they were wondering who is gonna get the position as teachers were the one who usually appointed class monitors from watching them the previous semester.

"Silence", Mr Smith shouted, I will now announce the name of your class monitor and it is Julianna Sinclair,whispers erupted again in the classroom but this time much quieter.

A student whispered "well it's no surprise after all she was the top student and most well behaved student last session".

Julianna stood and thanked the teacher for appointing her as the class monitor and said she would do her best to as the class monitor. After that the teacher began lessons of the day, as more teachers came into the classroom to teach soon it was already lunch time.

The Cafeteria -- La Créme

La Créme presence could be felt at the cafeteria.Their table strategically located near the center , was where social influence and power thrived . Unlike the other tables ,where student sat based on friend groups or grade levels ,La Créme was an exception - sophomores and seniors mixed holding conversations that others wish the could only be part of.

Julianna sat between Dahlia and Noah, effortlessly cutting in between her meal while half listening to the conversations around her. Caleb across from her, focused on his food , only occasionally responding to the others. Sienna sat further down watching from the edge . Here she felt the weight of her position .She was close but not close enough .No one paid her much attention , and she felt like a background character in their world. She wasn't unpopular,she also had her followers but nothing compared to those sitting at this table.This was one of the main reasons she needed Caleb, it's not like she didn't like him ,she did ,but she also liked the social presence and influence he came with.She was far away from Caleb and her usual crowd.They weren't ignoring her,but they were not acknowledging her as well.She wanted so badly to fit in but power wasn't given it was taken and she didn't have it.

The conversation drifted between topics vacation, school ,upcoming events -- until Dahlia casually dropped ,"Bora Bora was insane.

Immediately the attention shifts ,Cassian a close friend of Caleb's and also on of La Créme leaned in ." That reminds me how was the yatch party ?"

Dahlia smirked ,tapping her perfectly manicured nails against her cup."Perfect".

Julianna nodded."It looked Incredible".

"Beyond ",Dahlia said,scrolling through her phone, I didn't even post all the pictures I took there . Noah pointed out "You had celebrities there,right ? I mean didn't you meet that popular actor--".

Dahlia waved a hand."Oh,him?Yeah .Boring.

The group laughed, the conversation flowing effortlessly .Sienna however felt disconnected.So,she tried starting a conversation.

Guys, I heard Mr Strickland might introduce a new grading system this term she said staring in Caleb's direction ,"If it's percentage based,it could mess with the rankings ".

Caleb didn't react but Savannah another close friend of Caleb's and also one of La Créme looked in her direction.

"That wouldn't change anything for us" she said setting down her drink ."No offence but most of us are at least top students or solidly average."

Cassian popped a fry into his mouth "Right? No matter how they graded us, we are not going to suddenly start failing.We are all exceptionally good in our area of expertise ".

Noah leaned back, grinning ."Exactly if it's percentage based,so what?"

Caleb looking at the group stated."It's not something to get worked up about ."

Dahlia laughed ."I could fail physics and still survive".

Julianna finally chimed in ."Grading system don't define us,we define them".

Right.... Sienna answered awkwardly .

Everyone nodded in agreement .

So,Caleb,Cassian chimed in, "how did you fall in love with the beautiful Sienna here"? He asked Caleb, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Drop it Cassian, enough of this nonsense".

"Oh my is someone getting shy now"Savannah said supporting Cassian in the teasing.

Savi , "I did not expect this from you".

"He's getting defensive guys,he must really love her",said Noah joining in on the teasing.

"Enough of this" ,shouted Caleb.

Sienna felt utterly embarrassed Caleb did that.

Julianna's expression was unreadable and the three who teased were laughing since they made a bet on Caleb and Sienna's relationship on how long it would last. Since Caleb has a playboy reputation known for changing girlfriends like clothes.

"What exactly are you guys up to?," Dahlia asked .

"Nothing we just wanted to ask about the lovely relationship", Cassian replied stifling a laugh.

The bell rung signaling that lunch break was over. The group all left to drop their plates and head to their respective classes.

The last class had just ended and school was finally over , students began organizing their things ready to leave. Julianna and her friends left the class together, she parted ways with them and went to meet the class teacher to go over her role as the class monitor ,by the time she was done most students had already left school.

She lingered at the entrance scrolling through her phone as if she had all the time in the world.

She didn't need to turn around to know someone was approaching.

"Julianna".

She locked her phone and turned already knowing who it was.

Sienna stood there,arms crossed,expression neutral but eyes sharp.

"Can we talk?"

Julianna didn't respond right away.Sbe simply studied Sienna as if already knowing where this was going.

Sienna exhaled,voice calm but firm "I want you to reduce the time you spend with Caleb."

It wasn't an accusation .It wasn't a plea.

It was a request a bold one

For a moment ,Julianna said nothing.

Then she simply nodded."Alright"

Sienna blinked .Too easy

She had expected pushbacks,questions, something.But Julianna just ...agreed.

Goodbye then,Sienna ,Julianna said as she turned and walked away.

As she watched Julianna walk away,disappearing into the evening, something gnawed at her.

This didn't feel like victory.

It felt like a warning.

While stranded in her thoughts,she heard Caleb ask her did you see Julianna here,we were supposed to go together.

She blinked,then swallowed hard,ummm...yeah I saw her leaving a while ago.

Something shifted in Caleb's eyes as he said "She left?"

Yeah, replied Sienna.

I guess she had something to do then.

Alright Sienna , Let's go .

Huh? ,"Are you deaf ,Sienna ? I said let's go ". Caleb said.

Oh...ok , replied Sienna.

Caleb kept wondering why Julianna didn't text or call if she had something to do, that thought was on his mind till he left school for home.