Xwen stepped into the grand marble-floored foyer of Amara's mansion, the soft click of his designer sneakers barely making a sound against the polished surface. The marble floors gleamed under the chandelier's golden glow, reflecting his silhouette as he made his way upstairs. The air inside the mansion scented of expensive perfume and ambition.
A faint trace of vanilla and jasmine—Amara's signature scent—lingered in the air, blending with the sterile chill of central air conditioning. He smirked, already knowing where she was.
He could hear the faint strains of pop music and the unmistakable sound of his girl in her element. The rhythmic bass of pop music pulsed faintly from upstairs, mingling with the occasional burst of excited chatter—her voice, perfectly tuned for an audience —effortlessly switching between excitement and charm.
Typical. She was live again.
He found her in her room, bathed in the soft glow of ring lights. Her phone was propped up on a sleek, golden stand, her face reflected in the camera as she streamed.
As expected, she was live on TikTok, mid "Get Ready With Me" routine, already rocking a flawless face and a casual-chic outfit that screamed "I woke up like this" even though he knew it took her two hours.
He leaned against her doorway, watching as she sat bathed in the soft glow of ring lights, her phone propped up at the perfect angle. Her makeup was already flawless, yet she still meticulously blended concealer, her long lashes fluttering as she spoke.
"...and OMG, you guys are blowing up my comments! Y'all are the absolute best! Okay, so next up is concealer, and then we're gonna contour like a Kardashian… hashtag #grwm, hashtag #flawless, hashtag #queenAmara! Don't forget to follow and like for more!" she shrieked in mock excitement, winking at the camera. She blew a kiss at the camera. Her live counter showed over 500k viewers
Yeah, she was kind of a big deal.
Xwen leaned against the doorframe, admiring his girl. She was a force of nature, beautiful and confident, and he was lucky as hell to call her his. After a few moments, with a lazy flick of his wrist, he tossed her designer jacket onto the bed casually.
"Hey, handsome," she cooed, catching sight of him in the mirror, her voice smooth and sultry. She shot another wink at the camera. "Gotta go, babes! BF just arrived. Stay tuned for the after-school lookbook! Love ya!" She ended the live with a flourish, grabbing her jacket and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
She turned to him with a teasing smile. "You're such a distraction, you know that?"
"You love it." Xwen stepped closer, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"And you love that I love it." She pressed a quick kiss to his lips before reaching for her Chanel handbag. "Ready?"
"Always."
"You always make me late," he chuckled, pulling her close for a proper kiss.
"And you love it when I do," she replied singsongly. As they walked downstairs toward the garage, where his sleek black Lamborghini awaited, Xwen casually asked, "Amanda?"
Amara's smile faltered, her tone instantly clipped "What about her?" Amara replied, not bothering to hide the slight annoyance in her tone.
"Where's she?"
"Probably in her car. Who cares? She might be gone by now
Xwen shrugged, smirking. "Nothing. Just asking."
Xwen shrugged with a smirk. "You'll always be you." He playfully mocked.
"You keep falling harder every day, huh? Face it. I'm irresistible." She tossed her hair the way Glinda taught Elphaba to in the movie, Wicked.
"You're so bad at this" he teased. "Don't you ever do this in the presence of Ariana Grande or Cynthia Erivo" he joked.
"Whatever."
"Hope you didn't forget your tab again."
Amara rolled her eyes, playfully shoving him. "Haha, not funny." She kissed him on the lips. "Got it," she whispered, referencing the expensive champagne she planned to "borrow" from her dad's cellar.
"And you say you're not the obsessed one," he grinned, looking down at her. "Get in the car."
"And that's why you love me." She tossed her hair before extending a perfectly manicured hand. "Door?"
"Not today."
Amara pouted. "Not even for your princess?"
"Won't you open the door for your princess?" she teased, striking a pose.
"Not today," he repeated, heading to the driver's side of his Lamborghini. "Won't you get in?" he asked when he noticed Amara still standing outside.
She folded her arms, unmoving. "Not till you open the door like a gentleman," she insisted, a playful glint in her eyes.
Xwen groaned dramatically, but he couldn't resist her charm. He rushed to her side, scooped her up from behind, spinning her around a few times, her laughter echoing through the garage.
"You're gonna ruin my dress!" she protested playfully, as he spun her around.
"I don't care cause it's worth it," he said, his voice husky. He carried her to the car and he finally set her down gently, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Happy now, princess?"
Amara smoothed down her dress, pretending to be annoyed. "Lucky for you, I'm in a forgiving mood." She said with a playful pout on her lips.
"You're lucky I love you," she said, winking at him.
"I know." He winked back before sliding into the car.
He then went over to his side and sat. He chuckled and started the engine. As they drove out of the garage, through the city, Amara, ever the multitasker, scrolled through her phone, her brows furrowing.
Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather" filled the car, and they sang along for a few minutes, between stolen glances. Amara still scrolling through her phone, suddenly gasped.
"Oh my god," she said, her eyes wide. "This is insane."
"What is it?" Xwen asked, his curiosity piqued.
She turned her phone towards him. "Look at this," she said? her voice a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Brittany's live stream. Angel of the Devil is at it again. She posted another video—this time, it's a GRWM. She's so obsessed with trying to one-up me."
Xwen barely spared the screen a glance. "Just ignore her. She's looking for a reaction."
"I know," Amara said, but her tone suggested otherwise. "It's just… she's so irritating. She's literally copying everything I do! I just did this 'Get Ready With Me' live stream from my room few minutes back! Now she's doing one too. Right after mine,"
Xwen shrugged. "Everyone does those," he said. "It's not exactly groundbreaking."
"But she's doing it now, right after my live stream," Amara pointed out. "It's like she's trying to capitalize on it, trying to steal my spotlight."
Xwen reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry about her," he said. "You're the one everyone's talking about. You're the one who's trending. That loser can try all she wants, but she'll never be you."
Xwen smirked when he read the look on her face. "Maybe she just wants to be you."
"She wants to be me, but she'll never be me." Amara huffed. "I should call her out. Expose her."
"Or," Xwen said, squeezing her thigh, "you could stay unbothered and let her embarrass herself." "You're the one who's trending, babe. Let her try—she'll never be you."
Amara took a deep breath before locking her phone. "Ugh. Fine. You win." She smiled, her mood slightly improved.
They discussed Amara's upcoming fashion show, where she was set to debut her new line of athleisure wear. They talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and stolen kisses.
***
As they pulled up to the prestigious Prevailers Academy, Amara flipped down the mirror and checked her reflection in the mirror. "Hair okay?" she asked, flipping her long, dark locks.
"Perfect," Xwen assured her, giving her hand a squeeze.
As Amara stepped out of the car, it was like a spotlight had found her. Heads turned, whispers erupted and phone snapped photos. She smirked.
She owned this place.
It was her world, and everyone else was just living in it. She owned the hallway, her confidence radiating with every step.
The school bell rang, a jarring reminder of their academic obligations. "Come on, slowpoke," Amara called, already halfway to their first class. Xwen jogged to catch up, a fond smile on his face.
They slipped into their AP Literature class just as Mr. Thompson was starting his lecture. As they settled into their seats in the back row, the door opened again, and Superintendent Brooks, a stern-looking woman with a severe bob and piercing grey eyes, entered the classroom. Her presence commanded attention, an aura of authority radiating from her. Beside her stood a new student, a girl who looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.
"Class, please welcome our newest student, Munnay Xane," Superintendent Brooks announced, her voice crisp and professional.
Xwen's breath caught.
Munnay was beautiful, in a quiet, unassuming way. Her eyes were a striking mix of ocean blue and amber, framed by long lashes. She had a shy smile, but a hint of sadness lingered in her expression. Her long, wavy hair was a cascade of dark brown, and her pale skin seemed to glow in the sunlight streaming through the windows. She wore a simple, elegant dress that did little to hide her natural beauty.
Xwen felt a jolt, an unexpected connection to this new girl. It was confusing, surprising, and a little unsettling. He couldn't explain it, but he felt drawn to her, a sense of… recognition? He couldn't take his eyes off her. Amara, noticing his distraction, playfully nudged him with her elbow, a slight frown creasing her brow. He quickly glanced at her and smiled reassuringly, but his focus was still on Munnay.
The moment Xwen's gaze locked onto hers, something inside him shifted. It was subtle—a flicker of familiarity, a jolt in his chest. He didn't know why, but it unnerved him.
A soft elbow jab brought him back to reality.
Amara shot Xwen a glare again, nudging his ribs. "What's with you?"
"Nothing," he muttered, forcing himself to focus.
But his mind kept drifting back to Munnay all over again.
"Staring much?" Amara muttered, eyes narrowing slightly.
Xwen forced a chuckle. "Just trying to figure out where I've seen her before."
Amara rolled her eyes. "You haven't."
Who is she? He couldn't place her—but she felt like a wound he'd forgotten.
Superintendent Brooks assigned Munnay a seat near the front and then left the classroom, her intimidating presence lingering even after she was gone. Mr. Thompson resumed his lecture, but Xwen found it hard to concentrate. His mind kept drifting back to Munnay, her sad smile, her captivating eyes. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something… familiar about her. Something he couldn't quite place.
At the end of the class, Mr. Thompson announced a new project, assigning students partners. "Mandy, you'll be working with Munnay," he said, glancing at his list.
Amara's eyebrows shot up. She exchanged a look with her clique, a silent message passing between them. This was going to be interesting.
Throughout the day, Mandy and Munnay spent their time together, working on the assignment. They chatted, and seemed to be getting along well. Amara's clique watched them from a distance, whispering and giggling amongst themselves.
Lunch was bustling. Amara and her clique dominated their usual table, perfectly positioned in the center of attention. Across the room, Munnay sat with Mandy, chatting in hushed voices. Amara, never one to shy away from a confrontation, decided to make her move.
'Time to play.' Amara's gaze darkened. "Look at them, " she scoffed. "Acting like besties already."
Her friends snickered anticipating the drama.
"Wanna go say hi?"
Without hesitation, she grabbed a tray of food, her friends trailing behind her like loyal soldiers, and marched towards their table.
"Well, well, well," Amara drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She stopped behind Munnay, a malicious glint in her eyes. "Look who it is. The new girl and… you." Her eyes flicked dismissively over her twin sister.
"Having fun, ladies?" Amara continued, her voice loud enough to draw the attention of nearby tables. She leaned closer to Munnay, her smile fake. Munnay shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"So, tell me, new girl. How's your first day at Prevailers Academy? Made any real friends yet?"
Before she could answer, Mandy cut in, her voice surprisingly steady. "Actually, yeah. We're having a great day."
Amara raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh, really? That's nice. Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're the only two people in this entire cafeteria who aren't completely disgusted by your presence."
A hush fell over the surrounding tables. All eyes were on the confrontation. Munnay looked down at her food, her smile gone. Mandy glared at Amara, her fists clenched.
Before things could escalate, Xwen appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. He placed a firm hand on Amara's shoulder, his touch surprisingly firm. "Amara," he said quietly, his voice a warning.
Amara turned to him, her eyes flashing with anger. "What? I'm just trying to make our new student feel welcome," she said, her voice laced with false sweetness.
Xwen's jaw tightened. He knew Amara was trying to provoke Munnay, to embarrass her in front of the entire school. He wasn't going to let her.
"Let's go," he said, gently pulling her away. He gave Munnay and Mandy a reassuring nod before leading Amara and her friends out of the cafeteria.
As they walked away, Amara huffed, clearly annoyed. "What was that about?" she demanded.
Xwen stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression serious. "That wasn't cool, Amara," he said, his voice low. "Munnay is new here. She doesn't know anyone asides your sis and they seem to be getting along. You don't have to be mean to her."
Amara scoffed. "I wasn't being mean," she retorted. "I was just stating the obvious."
Xwen sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I don't know what's going on with you today, but you need to chill out."
Amara crossed her arms, her expression defiant. "Fine," she said, her voice clipped. "Whatever."
Xwen held her gaze. "Let's go."
She studied him, then scoffed. "Fine."
As they walked away, she leaned in. "You're way too interested in her."
Xwen said nothing.
They walked in silence for a few moments, the tension between them thick. Finally, Amara spoke, her voice softer now. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just... I don't know. I'm just not in a good mood today."
Xwen stopped and turned to face her, his expression softening. "It's okay," he said gently. "Everyone has bad days. Just try to be a little nicer to Munnay, okay?"
Amara nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "Okay," she said. "I will."
They continued walking, the tension between them dissipating. As they reached the school gates, Xwen stopped and turned to Amara, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You know," he said, "I think I know how to cheer you up."
Amara raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, yeah?" she challenged. "And what's that?"
Xwen leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'll tell you later," he said, his breath tickling her ear. "But it involves a bottle of champagne and a very expensive hotel room. No phones."
Amara's eyes widened, a mischievous glint mirroring his own. "Oh, really?" she purred, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And what makes you think I'm in the mood for that?"
Xwen chuckled, pulling her close for a kiss. "Because I know you," he said, his voice husky. "And I know you love a little bit of trouble."
Amara smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're right," she said. "I do."
They kissed again, their lips lingering for a moment before they reluctantly broke apart. "I'll see you later," Xwen said, giving her a wink. "And don't forget about our little date tonight."
Amara grinned, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I won't," she promised. "I'll be counting down the minutes."
But as Amara scrolled her phone later, her smile suddenly faded.
A message had popped up.
"You have no idea who she really is."