CHAPTER NINE
Scene Two – Present Day
Middleford High School – Class Break
The courtyard buzzed with the usual midday chaos slamming lockers, shrieks of laughter, feet pounding against tiled floors as students rushed toward vending machines or gathered in noisy friend circles.
But Jenny sat away from it all.
She was perched on a shaded pavement edge near the music block, hugging her knees to her chest, eyes locked on the same chipped tile on the floor. She'd barely moved in fifteen minutes.
To anyone walking past, she might've looked like she was just zoning out maybe tired, maybe bored but inside her head, it was a storm.
Betrothed. Engaged. Promised. The words bounced around her brain like tennis balls against concrete.
Why did Julia have to bring it up last night? Why now? Things were finally… normal. She had her circle. Her routines.She was just Jenny.
Now, it felt like that fragile glass of peace was cracking.
She barely even remembered what Prince Henry looked like. They'd only met three times three! And that was three years ago. No vibes. No chemistry. Not even awkward glances. Just royal formality and that weird lemony cologne he wore. He did not even bother to call or check up on her.
All though the deal was that they'd stay away from each other until Jenny's ripe for proper marriage.
She hated being reminded of her betrothal. It was her biggest secret. She hid it from everyone even Patel. You can not blame her. How is she supposed to tell everyone that she's a prince betrothed? How will they react?
And worse… what if they started seeing her differently? Like she wasn't just Jenny anymore, but "Jenny the royal fiancée." That kind of news could catapult her into some unwanted version of high school celebrity.
Like Claire. Or Kris. Or Trey. Always in the center of attention. The hallway whispers. The looks. The fake friends.
Jenny had spent so long building a low-key, invisible zone around herself. She liked being under the radar.
And Patel…
Her fingers twitched at the thought of him.
He was different. Quirky. Real. A little awkward but sweet always saying the weirdest things, but in a way that made her grin when she remembered them at night.
They'd gotten close. Closer than she expected. But lately… she'd felt something she couldn't name. Something between friendship and a flutter. Like a smile tucked between heartbeats.
But if he finds out I'm betrothed…
Would he back away?
Would he start treating her like someone untouchable?
Would she lose him?
She squeezed her knees tighter.
Mira saw her from afar. Although she didn't really like Jenny, she didn't hate her still. She noticed that jenny wasn't her usual smiling or sweet self today which got her a little worried. She barely smiled nor spoke to anyone. Mira decided to walk up to her.
"Hey."
Jenny looked up.
Mira stood above her, arms folded, one eyebrow raised.
"Hi Mira," Jenny said, forcing a smile that barely reached her cheeks.
"You okay?" Mira asked, tilting her head. "You've been sitting here like a sad rom-com lead. And not the cool kind. The kind with unresolved daddy issues and a Pinterest board titled 'Rainy Moods.'"
Jenny let out a tiny laugh. Mira always had a way of cutting through the drama with sarcasm.
"I'm fine," Jenny said quickly. "Just… feeling a little ill."
Mira stared. Not in disbelief — but in the "try again" kind of way.
"Since when do you 'just feel a little ill' and go all gothic-dream-girl?" She asked
"I'm just… off today," she said lamely.
"Did you eat anything? Take meds?"
Jenny arched an eyebrow. "Do I look like I take meds?"
Mira rolled her eyes. "I meant Panadol, not Prozac."
Jenny laughed at Mira's humor.
Before she could respond, another voice broke in.
"Jenny! Mira!"
Both girls turned.
Patel.
He was jogging toward them, hoodie flapping, bag strap threatening to fall off, glasses slightly fogged from running through the humid air.
Mira groaned under her breath. "Why does he run like he's being chased by pigeons?"
"Because he was chased by pigeons once," Jenny whispered with a soft laugh. "He told me last week."
Patel skidded to a stop, panting slightly. "Okay, first of all rude , second, Jenny, are you okay?"
Jenny blinked. "Yeah, I…."
"You were totally off this morning," he cut in, concerned. "Like, you didn't even look at me in the hallway. And in class, you barely spoke. Did I do something? Was it the duck meme?"
Jenny blinked again. "What duck meme?"
"You know… the one with the duck in sunglasses sipping orange juice. I sent it at 11:43 p.m. last night. Prime meme time."
"Oh." Jenny laughed. "That duck was actually kind of iconic."
Patel's face lit up. "Right? I knew it!"
Mira, arms still folded, muttered, "The duck had more style than you, though."
"Jealousy isn't cute, Mira," Patel replied with a grin.
"Neither is that mustard-yellow hoodie," she shot back.
Jenny burst out laughing. Just like that, the mood lightened. The awkward tension inside her chest loosened …just a little.
But it didn't last long.
"Jenny, darling!"
Every head turned.
Claire.
Walking toward them with the kind of drama that made people move. Claire never walked ….she arrived. Her hair bounced like it had its own theme music. Lulu, Britney, Agnes, and some other senior with a Chanel bag followed like perfectly programmed backup dancers.
Mira stiffened.
Jenny blinked. "Oh no."
Claire smiled like she'd just spotted a lonely peasant in a fairytale. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere."
Jenny stood awkwardly as Claire approached, ignoring Mira's withering stare. Without warning, Claire threw an arm around Jenny's shoulders and hugged her like they were best friends from birth.
"You've been totally MIA today, sweetie," Claire said, voice dripping with artificial honey. "That's so not like you."
"I've just been… not feeling well," Jenny said carefully.
Claire waved it off with a manicured hand. "Ugh, illness is so last season."
Mira rolled her eyes hard enough to injure something.
Claire turned to glance at Mira and Patel like they were weeds in her garden.
"You know, Jenny," she began, loud enough for them to hear, "you really shouldn't be hanging around with… simpletons."
Mira wanted to give her a response something but Patel held her back.
Jenny's back stiffened. "They're my friends, Claire."
Claire gave a laugh the kind that sounded too perfect to be real.
"Friends? Sweetie, what do you need friends for when you've got me?"
Mira made a noise that was somewhere between a cough and a scoff. Patel looked like he was biting his tongue to stay silent.
Before Jenny could respond, Claire flipped topics like a channel change.
"Anyway, party tonight! Don't even think about not coming. You promised. It's going to be iconic. You better be there. Dress to slay."
"Claire, I'm really not…."
"Shhh!" Claire giggled, putting a finger to Jenny's lips. "No excuses. You're coming. Period."
And with that, she turned on her heel, strutting off like a peacock on a runway.
But just before she could fully leave…
Mira stepped forward.
She grabbed Patel's hand firmly then looked Claire dead in the eye.
And spat.
Right on Claire's expensive heels.
Britney gasped.
Lulu choked.
Agnes let out a strangled "OH MY GOSH!"
Jenny's jaw dropped.
Claire clenched her fist and Mira looked at her with the facial expression that stated "what you gonna do about it?"
Claire just brushed Mira with her shoulder and stormed off with her crew.
Jenny stared at Mira. "Did you just…?"
Mira wiped her mouth. "It's called a statement."
Patel, still being held by the hand, looked around. " Girl, you've got lots of guts"
"Yeah, I heard so."
Jenny exhaled and sat back down.
The weight in her chest? Still there.
But now it had company confusion, laughter, anxiety, and something else she couldn't quite name.
Later That Evening
The Party – Kris's Cousin's Mansion
Jenny exhaled sharply, her fingers gripping the wheel of Julia's sleek black Mercedes. "Okay, this is fine," she mumbled to herself, trying to hide the growing anxiety twisting her stomach.
"I'm not eighteen, don't have a license, and yet... here I am. Blackmailing my sister to let me drive myself to a party like some high school drama queen." She huffed. "Classic Jenny."
The estate loomed ahead;huge, flashy, and obnoxiously expensive. Dozens of sleek cars;Benz, Porsche, even a white Bentley lined the vast driveway. The place practically screamed Old Money's Teen Dreams.
Three bouncers, built like retired wrestlers, stood at the entrance like guardians of Olympus.
"Invite?" one asked gruffly.
Jenny pulled out her phone and showed them the invite Claire had forwarded.
They nodded, one of them smirking. "You're looking gorgeous tonight, miss."
"Thanks," she muttered, feeling weirdly like an undercover Cinderella.
She stepped inside and was instantly hit by loud EDM beats, flashing neon lights, and the unmistakable scent of expensive perfume and rebellion. Teens swayed to the music, some grinding without rhythm or shame. A few lounged by the pool, already tipsy, and some were straight up making out in the water.
"What the heck... is this a party or a teen Netflix show gone rogue?"
Cue balls cracked at the billiards table. Others posed with bottles of Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider like it was Dom Pérignon. The elite were out tonight and they came to flex.
Some guys stared, whistled, or shamelessly winked at her. One guy literally paused mid-lap dance, jaw slack. His girlfriend slapped his head. Jenny chuckled inwardly.
"Jenny darling!"
Ugh. Cue the fakest voice in Middleford City.
Jenny turned and saw Claire, dressed like royalty in a body-hugging sapphire gown, holding a diamond-cut glass of sparkling cider.
"Hey Claire," Jenny said, forcing a polite smile.
"I'm sooo glad you made it! Girl, you're looking dashing!"
Claire hugged her tightly. Jenny barely hugged back. She wasn't in the mood for forced closeness.
"Come, let's meet the birthday boy!" Claire squealed, grabbing her hand.
Jenny was dragged through the crowd until they found Kris, the Senator's son, looking suave in a black tux and designer shades indoors.
"Heyyy, Jenny," he greeted, giving her a hug that lingered just a bit too long. He leaned in and sniffed her hair. Jenny froze. Is this guy literally sniffing me?
Claire quickly inserted herself between them. "Too much touchy, Kris," she snapped playfully but firmly.
Jenny spotted Trey and some boys laughing with a crowd of girls. He gave her a lazy nod of recognition. Lulu, Britney, and Agnes were giggling near the bar with some seniors who often missed classes but never a party.
Claire and Kris led her to meet Stanley, Kris's cousin and the party host.
He was drop-dead handsome, with a killer smile and dimples that looked like they were crafted by a Hollywood makeup team.
"Hi there," Stanley said, taking her hand and kissing it. "I'm Stanley. You must be Jenny."
"Yeah. Nice to meet you," Jenny replied politely.
"Nice? No. This is a blessing. You're stunning."
Boy, tone it down, she thought, trying not to visibly cringe. She gave him a polite smile.
They all sat down. Stanley parked himself beside her like he owned the seat and the air around it.
"So, Jenny," Stanley began, casually sipping his cider, "what's your favorite color?"
"Uh... blue."
"Beautiful, just like your eyes. Do you model? You should."
Jenny forced a laugh. "No, I don't."
"Are you seeing anyone? Or should I be hopeful tonight?"
Jenny blinked. Whoa, okay, slow your Romeo roll.
"I'd rather not talk about personal stuff," she said sweetly but firmly.
"Ouch." Stanley laughed. "Fair enough."
Suddenly, a loud splash followed by panicked screams echoed from the pool area.
"Someone nearly drowned," Kris said, jumping to his feet.
"Let's go check it out," Stanley said, giving Jenny a wink. "Don't miss me too much."
"I'll try," she muttered.
As they left, Jenny let out a huge breath of relief. "Thank God. One more minute and I might've dunked myself in that pool."
Her phone rang. She smiled.
Patel.
She quickly reached for it.
Before she could answer, Claire snatched the phone and declined the call.
"Claire! What are you doing?!" Jenny cried.
"Girl, we're at a party. You're not taking calls from... him."
"That was important!"
"It was Patel, wasn't it? Ugh, Jenny. I've told you. Stop hanging out with losers."
Jenny's smile vanished. "He's not a loser. He's my friend."
Claire rolled her eyes. "You're an epitome of radiance, Jenny. The face of beauty and grace. And you're wasting your energy on that poor excuse of a nerd? He's a stain on your rep. You're too pretty for…."
".....For what? For being human?!" Jenny cut in, standing up. Her voice raised. "If you really think beauty is all that matters, Claire, then maybe you should marry a mirror."
People nearby turned.
Claire looked shocked. "Excuse me?!"
Jenny took a breath. "You heard me. And for the record, I'd rather be friends with someone real and kind than be admired by people who think status makes them better."
Just then, Kris and Stanley returned.
"Whoa, what's going on here?" Kris asked.
"Nothing," Jenny said, grabbing her purse. "Just realizing I should've stayed home."
She turned and walked out.
Claire stood frozen. "Did... did she just insult me? ME?!"
Kris chuckled and hugged her. "Don't take it personally. Jenny's different."
Claire pouted. "She's impossible."
Kris smirked. "Leave Jenny and ….Patel to me. I'll handle him. My way."
Meanwhile, Jenny was speeding down the road, anger and regret spinning in her head.
"Why did I yell at Claire? Ugh. I lost it. She was annoying but... was I too harsh? Maybe I should call and apologize when I get home. "
Her phone rang again. Patel.
"Okay, pick up carefully this time," she said, grabbing the phone.
As she reached for it, the car swerved and
BAM!
Into a truck.
A loud crash. The screech of tires. Glass shattering.
Darkness.
The truck driver stumbled out, horrified. People gathered around the crash.
Inside the mangled car, Jenny lay unconscious. Her forehead had a small gash, blood trailing down her cheek.
"Somebody help!Call an ambulance!" someone yelled.
The scene blurred in chaos.