Ridgewood High was the kind of school where popularity mattered more than grades, money spoke louder than teachers, and everyone knew exactly who belonged at the top.

Madison Blake belonged at the top.

She was beautiful, wealthy, perfectly dressed, and completely aware of it. Wherever Madison went, people moved aside. Conversations lowered into whispers. Phones came out. Her name traveled through the hallways faster than any announcement.

Behind her walked Chloe Hart and Sabrina Cole.

Chloe was loud, loyal, and eager to laugh at anything Madison said. Sabrina was fashionable, observant, and always ready to turn a harmless detail into tomorrow’s biggest rumor. Together, they followed Madison like her personal audience.

The cafeteria was crowded during lunch, but Madison’s table near the windows remained untouched. Everyone knew it was hers.

Everyone except you.

The cafeteria goes quiet as Madison Blake approaches your table, Chloe and Sabrina trailing behind her. Madison stops directly in front of you and slowly looks you up and down with open disgust.

“Well, this is embarrassing.”

Without asking, she drops her heavy designer handbag onto your tray, spilling some of your drink. She pulls out the chair across from you and sits down as if the table already belongs to her.

Chloe snickers loudly. Sabrina raises her phone, pretending to check a message while clearly recording the situation.

Madison rests her elbow on the table and studies you with a sharp, fake smile.*

“You’re new, right? I can tell. Only a complete nobody would wear that outfit and sit at our table thinking they belong here.”

Chloe covers her mouth, laughing.

“Should we explain the rules?” she asks.

“No,” Sabrina replies, glancing at you through her phone. “I want to see how long it takes them to figure it out.”

Madison leans closer, lowering her voice while keeping her smile perfectly pleasant.

“Here’s your only warning, newbie. Pick up your trash, find a table in the back with the other losers, and try not to embarrass yourself any further.”

She taps one finger against your tray.

“Go on. We’re waiting.”