The party
Mariam came from a low-class background. Anyone who knew her story often wondered how a girl like her ended up living in a wealthy neighborhood and attending a prestigious school like Dominic High.
It all began five years ago.
Her mother, Ms. Esther, worked as a housekeeper for a foreign couple—Mr. and Mrs. James. They rarely visited their home, but while they were away, Ms. Esther maintained everything. She and Mariam lived in the house, caring for it as if it were their own.
The couple was generous. They paid for everything, including Mariam's school fees. Thanks to them, Mariam earned a place at one of the best schools in the city—a school filled with rich brats who could detect "poor" from a kilometer away.
From the very first day, they knew Mariam wasn't one of them.
So they treated her like an outcast.
Especially the Ice Queen and her crew.
But this time… they invited her to a party.
For once, Mariam felt seen. Included. Like she belonged.
How could she refuse something like that?
So she made up her mind.
She was going.
---
The theme was all black. Her mother had bought her a simple but cute black top. Mariam paired it with black baggy jeans and added a little lip gloss.
For once, when she looked at herself in the mirror, she thought—
I actually look good.
Her phone rang.
Brian.
She hesitated before answering.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey," Brian replied. "What are you doing?"
"Oh… just studying as usual."
"Well, my parents went out on a date, and I'm super bored. Wanna come over? We could play games or something."
Normally, Mariam would never turn him down. She treasured their time together. But if she missed this party, she'd return to being invisible—or worse, hated again.
"Um… I can't," she said softly. "I have to help my mom cook later. I want to spend time with her tonight. Sorry… maybe next time."
"It's okay," Brian said. Then added, "As long as you're not going to that God-forsaken party."
"I told you four days ago—I'm not going," she lied quietly.
"I know," he replied. "You barely lie."
The guilt stabbed her immediately.
"Anyway," Brian continued, "have fun bonding with your mom."
"Thanks."
When the call ended, Mariam felt awful. That was the first time she had ever lied to him.
And it hurt.
She looked at her reflection again.
"I'm going to have fun," she whispered—more to convince herself than anything else.
---
She took a cab to Samantha's house.
The moment she arrived, she froze.
Cars lined the driveway. LED lights glowed against the mansion. Music thumped so loudly it vibrated through the air.
Inside, bodies moved everywhere—dancing, shouting, recording TikToks, laughing without care.
As soon as Mariam stepped inside, anxiety swallowed her whole.
"What is she doing here?" someone scoffed.
"She's got some nerve," another voice mocked.
All her excitement vanished.
She had no friends here. No one to stand beside. Everyone formed tight circles, laughing and drinking like they owned the world.
She stood there—alone.
Until—
"Mariam!"
She turned to see Tia walking toward her with unexpected enthusiasm.
"You made it!"
"Yes… I did."
Tia glanced around. "Where's Brian?"
"He couldn't come."
"He was supposed to watch everything…" Tia muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing. Come on—let's join the others."
Despite the knot in her stomach, Mariam followed her. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad.
They entered a room where Samantha was getting glammed up, Michelle seated beside her. Steven and Victor joked in the corner.
"Everyone," Tia announced dramatically, "behold—Mariam!"
Michelle stood up, eyes scanning her.
"Wow. You actually look like a human being."
"Thanks… I guess."
That was when Mariam realized—
She'd made a mistake.
"Steven! Victor!" Michelle called. "How does she look?"
Steven burst out laughing.
"She actually came. What a loser."
Victor looked directly at Mariam.
"You… look good."
The room went silent.
Everyone stared at him as if he'd committed a crime.
"As if inviting her without my permission wasn't enough," Samantha said coldly as she stood up. "You brought her in here too? You really have no shame."
She walked out.
Steven grabbed a glass of juice and approached Mariam.
"Don't worry," he said. "She's always like that. Here—drink."
As Mariam reached for it, he tilted his hand.
The juice spilled all over her clothes.
"Oh no," he said mockingly. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay…" Mariam whispered, even as her voice trembled.
She rushed out, tears threatening to fall, and locked herself in the bathroom.
She stared at her reflection while trying to clean up.
Pathetic.
Who was she kidding?
She didn't belong here. She never had. If the Ice Queen hated her, everyone else would follow.
She needed to leave.
The door opened.
Tia walked in.
"I'm really sorry about that jerk," she said softly. "Here—wear this instead."
She handed Mariam a dress that looked disturbingly similar to a maid's uniform from old movies.
"No… I can't wear this," Mariam said, stepping back. "Why should I?"
"Because—"
Michelle entered behind her.
"Last time I checked, your mom was a maid," she said with a cruel smile. "Like mother, like daughter."
Before Mariam could escape, they blocked the door.
"You know what we can do if you don't listen," Tia whispered.
Mariam froze.
She knew exactly what they meant.
The video.
The one from last year.
She had no choice.
If only Brian were here…
---
Meanwhile, Brian had just finished a movie. The boredom returned almost instantly.
A thought crossed his mind.
Why don't I check the party?
He'd watch over Mariam. Make sure she was safe.
It was an AS party anyway—every Grade 12 learner was supposed to be welcome.
He called her.
No answer.
So he drove to her house.
Ms. Esther opened the door.
"Oh, Brian," she said warmly. "Is the party over already?"
"The party?"
"Mariam said there was a Grade 12 party."
His stomach dropped.
He didn't say another word.
He ran to his car and sped off.
---
The party was chaos—music, lights, people everywhere.
Brian searched desperately.
Then the crowd shifted.
Someone had arrived.
Samantha.
She wore a purple corset dress, tiny flowers braided into her hair. She looked unreal—elegant, untouchable.
"Good evening, everyone," she announced. "Congratulations on making it to AS level. We deserve this celebration."
The crowd screamed.
She silenced them with one gesture.
"This year will be unforgettable," she said. "Free activities. Big plans. Mark my words."
Cheers erupted again.
Brian barely noticed.
Because he finally saw Mariam.
In a maid's dress. Serving drinks. Being laughed at.
"Got yourself a side hustle?" someone sneered.
"You never fail to be pathetic," another added.
Brian snapped.
He walked straight to her.
"Why?" he asked quietly. "Why?"
Tears filled her eyes.
"I'm sorry I lied…"
He looked past her.
And saw them.
The Ice Queen's crew.
He took Mariam's hand—firm, protective—and walked toward them.
"You did this," he said. "Didn't you?"
Silence.
"Mariam volunteered," Tia said smugly.
"She needed a job," Michelle added. "We were generous."
"Really?" Brian replied calmly. "Because last time I checked—you invited her."
He turned to Samantha.
"Ice Queen," he said. "What did you threaten her with?"
Samantha met his gaze.
Cold. Unreadable.
Then she walked away.
"She doesn't answer to anyone," Steven said. "We do the talking."
Brian tightened his grip on Mariam's hand.
"You started this," he said. "Don't blame me for what comes next."
He walked out with her.
---
The ride home was silent.
"Brian… I'm sorry," Mariam whispered.
"It's not your fault," he said. "Never apologize for cruelty you didn't create."
He dropped her off and drove away, thoughts spiraling.
How could people be so heartless?
And Samantha… she seemed too controlled to stoop this low.
But she had.
---
Mariam went straight to her room. She didn't hear her mother calling.
She curled into a corner and cried herself to sleep.
Just when things felt better—
They shattered again.
---
Brian stopped his car to drink some water.
That's when he saw someone running toward him in a black hoodie.
At first, he thought it was a thief.
Then the figure stepped under a streetlight.
And he froze.
It was the Ice Queen.