"Brian, breakfast's ready!" Mrs. Ablis shouted, her voice a perfect mix of sweetness and authority.
Brian—already awake, which was unusual—got out of bed. Today was his first day at Dominic High for 12th grade, and he was curious. Mariam, his best friend, had told him all about a so-called "Queen" who ruled the school. He had laughed when she first mentioned it. Utterly ridiculous, he thought.
He went downstairs and hugged his mother.
"Good morning, Mother."
"Good morning, my son. Excited, I see?"
Brian grinned. "Mmm 😋 pancakes. Delicious as always." He took a bite.
"Of course," she said. "It's your first day as a senior, so you need something special. But don't eat it all—leave some for Mariam."
Brian nodded. The reason he switched schools wasn't just curiosity—it was Mariam. She was smart but shy, often bullied. Brian was fed up with seeing her suffer. Today, he intended to find out who was responsible and, if necessary, teach them a lesson.
Mariam arrived in the kitchen and hugged Mrs. Ablis.
"Good morning, Mrs. Ablis."
"Good morning, dear. I told you to start calling me Mother."
Mariam smiled awkwardly and sat next to Brian.
"Wow… this uniform…"
"What?" Brian interrupted, striking a pose. "It looks good on me, doesn't it? Everything does." He flashed a classic narcissistic grin.
Mariam shook her head. "I was going to say it looks weird, but… you do you."
"Huh," Brian said, mock-offended. "I'll get you for that."
Mariam laughed. "Anyway… are you ready for your first day?"
"I was born ready," Brian replied. "So you and Mother can stop treating me like a freshman."
"Technically, you kind of are…" Mariam teased.
"I swear I won't drive you in my car."
"I'm sorry, King Brian," she said, bowing slightly. "You aren't a freshman; you are just a man. So can King Brian escort us to the torture chamber called school in his royal carriage?"
Brian couldn't help but grin. Mariam was like the sister he never had.
---
Dominic High
Brian had massive school pride for his old school, Success High, but Dominic High was… impressive. Their blazers were silk—gold with white stripes—paired with a white pullover, black shirt, and trousers. Sharp. Clean. Eye-catching.
"This has to be the tallest school building I've ever seen," he admitted.
"Yes, isn't it?" Mariam said.
"Let's enter, shall we?"
---
School Tour
Brian's eyes widened as they stepped into the grand foyer.
"Whoa… this place is massive."
Mariam led him past trophy cases filled with academic and sports awards.
"That's the library," she said, pointing to a glass-paneled room. "Three floors of books. You'll love it."
Brian grinned. "A library like this? I might actually spend more time here than in class."
They passed the auditorium, covered in posters advertising performances and events, then the science wing—its labs looking more like mini research centers.
Finally, they reached the cafeteria.
"Best burgers in the city," Mariam teased. "Today's menu is gourmet."
Brian smirked. "Now this is a school I can get behind."
---
The Arrival
Just as they finished the tour, a sleek black Mercedes-Benz pulled up in front of the school.
"Guys, the Ice Queen is here!" someone shouted.
"The Ice Queen?" another voice echoed.
Students rushed to the entrance, waving posters:
WELCOME BACK, ICE QUEEN!
THE PRINCESS HAS ARRIVED!
Brian frowned. "Uh… who's the Ice Queen again?" He draped an arm over Mariam's shoulder.
"Her real name's Samantha," Mariam whispered. "Ever since her parents died, she never shows emotions. She's ruthless—hence the nickname."
Brian raised an eyebrow. "Okay… but why is she so famous? Bullies at my old school weren't like this."
"That's because you think she's just an average bully," Mariam said. "Samantha Andreas is beautiful, wealthy, and runs her late parents' clothing company, Clothè. She models for it and is the most followed student on every social media platform."
Brian gulped. I wanted to fight all that?
This is going to be harder than I thought.
The car doors opened.
Samantha stepped out, flanked by two girls—her minions. She walked like she was on a red carpet, expressionless, accepting flowers from students.
Brian muttered, "Is this a matric dance or something?"
Mariam rolled her eyes. "Ignore it. Let's get to class."
---
Cafeteria Conversation
After lunch, they sat together.
"Did I show you the cafeteria during the tour?" Mariam asked. "Today they made burgers. Was that ever a thing at your old school?"
"At least once a month," Brian murmured.
"Anyway—guess what," he added.
"You need to use the bathroom?" Mariam joked.
"No," he said, pretending to be offended. "I realized two things."
"Which are?"
"First, she has serious emotion-management issues. If you confront her and she stays calm, you end up embarrassed."
Mariam nodded. "Makes sense. But I probably won't need to deal with her directly—her minions do the bullying."
"And second?"
"Well…" Brian hesitated. "Her beauty is… unmatched."
Mariam blinked. Brian never complimented girls—only her.
"Wow," she murmured. "Anyway… notice how everyone's staring at us?"
Brian glanced around. Students were whispering, pointing.
"Well," he said, standing up, "you should know by now… I turn heads wherever I go."
Mariam smiled awkwardly. Trouble was coming. Even the Ice Queen herself was staring.
---
⭐ The Popular Table
"So that's the new boy?" Michelle asked.
"Yep," Tia said. "Cute, right?"
"What do you know about him?" Samantha asked.
"His father owns Drop n Shop—international," Tia said. "One brother. Former Success High student."
"How do you always know this?" Steven asked.
"The internet," Tia replied.
Victor snorted.
Samantha's jaw tightened as she watched Mariam laugh with Brian.
"Let's pay Mariam a visit," Steven said.
Victor stayed behind with Samantha.
"I wanted to ask you out," Victor said quietly.
"Not interested."
"Lunch? Friends?"
Samantha met his eyes. Cold. Blank.
"Not. Interested."
Victor backed away. Five years of rejection—and counting.
---
⭐ The Confrontation
Michelle hugged Mariam tightly.
"You're choking her," Brian snapped.
Tia slid beside him. "You'd be perfect for my friend Samantha."
Brian met Samantha's gaze once.
"Not interested."
Steven scoffed. "You prefer a low-life like her?"
Brian grabbed his collar.
"Don't you dare," he growled.
"We're inviting you to the AS party," Michelle interrupted.
Brian released him. "We heard you. Leave."
"You'll regret it," Tia said.
Michelle squeezed Mariam's shoulders.
"You are coming."
---
⭐ Aftermath
"Something is seriously wrong with them," Brian muttered.
Mariam wasn't listening. She was already imagining the party.
"Mariam," Brian said. "You're not going."
"I want to go."
"They'll humiliate you."
"They won't. Maybe they've changed."
"I know what's best for you."
"Fine," she said softly.
The bell rang.
But Brian didn't know one thing—
Mariam was going to that party. No matter what.