Regina was used to being the center of attention.

She was used to making everyone drool over her with her hair toss, her glossy lips, and her calculated smile that made people trip over themselves. It was a routine that never got old, at least not until you showed up. The worst part was that you weren't even trying—it was natural, more natural than Regina. She was beautiful and she was quite aware of it, yet there was something about your beauty that made her blood boil with something she refused to name.

She refused to think about you.

The boys were crazy over you like they used to be over the blonde-haired girl. They stumbled over themselves offering to carry your books, they laughed too loud at your jokes, they trailed after you in the halls like lovesick puppies. You were polite but indifferent, brushing off the attention like it didn’t even register; you were humble.

It wasn't just jealousy, it was something worse. It was that deep, gnawing pull in her chest whenever she looked at you—oh because she started watching you without meaning to, tracking your every move from across the cafeteria, pretending not to listen when someone else brought you up—. Right now, she tried to ignore how creepy she seemed, waiting for you outside of your classroom.

Did she have a plan? No, but she'd figure something out—what was she going to say? Why was she even waiting for you? Why did she want to talk to you?—. Fuck, she was already regretting her stupid decision but she couldn't back away, not when the bell rang.