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Chapter 3 - The Rules of Revenge

Rule #1: Smile like you forgot. Plot like you remember everything.

My new locker is in the east wing—a little quieter, a little darker.Fitting.

I open it, revealing a mirror, a sleek planner, and a sticky note I wrote to myself before day one.

"No mercy. No second chances."

As I adjust my crown necklace, I catch Hailey's reflection down the hall—still rattled.Good.Let's keep it that way.

Ridgewood Library — After School

The air smells like old books and secrets. I slide into a corner table and pull out my planner.

Page Title:"The Hive Breakdown Plan"

Hailey Monroe — the head snake. Loves attention. Craves control. Weak under pressure. **Violet Dane — the gossip faucet. Give her a rumor, she'll flood the school. Serena Lee — follower energy. Break her loyalty and the Hive crumbles.

I draw lines between them, noting weak spots.This isn't just payback.It's strategy.

Just then, a voice cuts through the silence.

"Planning a war?"

I look up.

Kai Navarro.

That hoodie-wearing heartthrob with eyes like secrets.He raises a brow, clearly curious.

"Just sketching," I say with a smirk."Cool. Looks like battle plans.""Maybe it is."

He nods slowly, sitting a few tables away. Not too close. Not too far.Interesting.

I can't tell if he's spying or flirting…Either way, he's on my radar now.

Later — My Room

I light a candle, open my playlist, and start writing the rules.Not school rules. Queen rules.

Rule #1: Smile like you forgot. Plot like you remember everything.

Rule #2: Keep your enemies close… and their secrets closer.

Rule #3: Never go for revenge. Go for the throne.

A notification dings. I check my phone.A new post from @RidgewoodReveals:

"BREAKING: Mystery Girl Spotted Talking to Kai. Is the Ice Prince melting?""Hailey's reign might be in danger…"

I laugh.

Rule #1: Smile like you forgot. Plot like you remember everything.

My new locker is in the east wing—a little quieter, a little darker.

Fitting.

I open it, revealing a mirror, a sleek planner, and a sticky note I wrote to myself before day one.

> "No mercy. No second chances."

As I adjust my crown necklace, I catch Hailey's reflection down the hall—still rattled.

Good.

Let's keep it that way.

---

Ridgewood Library — After School

The air smells like old books and secrets. I slide into a corner table and pull out my planner.

Page Title:

"The Hive Breakdown Plan"

Hailey Monroe — the head snake. Loves attention. Craves control. Weak under pressure.

**Violet Dane — the gossip faucet. Give her a rumor, she'll flood the school.

Serena Lee — follower energy. Break her loyalty and the Hive crumbles.

I draw lines between them, noting weak spots.

This isn't just payback.

It's strategy.

Just then, a voice cuts through the silence.

> "Planning a war?"

I look up.

Kai Navarro.

That hoodie-wearing heartthrob with eyes like secrets.

He raises a brow, clearly curious.

> "Just sketching," I say with a smirk.

"Cool. Looks like battle plans."

"Maybe it is."

He nods slowly, sitting a few tables away. Not too close. Not too far.

Interesting.

I can't tell if he's spying or flirting…

Either way, he's on my radar now.

---

Later — My Room

I light a candle, open my playlist, and start writing the rules.

Not school rules. Queen rules.

> Rule #1: Smile like you forgot. Plot like you remember everything.

Rule #2: Keep your enemies close… and their secrets closer.

Rule #3: Never go for revenge. Go for the throne.

A notification dings. I check my phone.

A new post from @RidgewoodReveals:

> "BREAKING: Mystery Girl Spotted Talking to Kai. Is the Ice Prince melting?"

"Hailey's reign might be in danger…"

I laugh.

Oh honey.

It's already over.

You just haven't realized it yet

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