I sit in the corner of the cafeteria, poking at my purple mush. I'm exactly sure what it is, but it tastes alright. In the middle of the cafeteria, Sophie is laughing loudly at something one of her friends said.

Maruca pokes me in the shoulder. "Earth to Mare. Are you okay?"

I look at her, irritatedly. "Don't call me that." Taking a breath, I add, "I'm fine."

Someone plops down next to me and I turn to see Stina taking a bite of the mush. "Someone's in a mood today."

"I'm not in a mood," I exasperate. "It's just . . ."

I glance at Sophie's group again. I can't help thinking that I belong there with her, laughing and gossiping and scheming. 

My friends follow my gaze. Maruca just rolls her eyes and sighs while Stina frowns, looking them up and down. 

Stina says, "Honestly, I don't know why you want to be with them anyway."

I raise an eyebrow at her before shaking my head. "I just don't understand how she can pretend we're friends when she needs us and forget we exist the moment she doesn't."

Maruca nods as she sips her lushberry juice. She brushes her dreadlocks over her shoulder, gazing at Biana laughing with Linh. "They'll drop you the moment they find someone better."

Stina squeezes her hand, smiling softly at our friend. Maruca took it really hard when Biana ditched her for Sophie. The two used to be inseparable. They'd do everything together, so when Biana decided---out of the blue---to become friends with Sophie, a girl she made it clear she didn't like, Maruca felt betrayed.

She doesn't like talking about it. Everything I know about their falling out is what Stina's told me and what I've picked up from conversations in the halls. 

Changing the subject, I say, "Are you guys ready for Elementalism?"

Stina groans. "Of course not. Sir Ascal is horrible."

"He's not that bad," Maruca contributes. 

"He thinks he's sooo funny and makes us all listen to his unbearably long stories about his boring life. You think that's not bad?" Stina retorts.

Maruca sighs in defeat. "You're right. He sucks."

Stina smiles. "So we're all in agreement?" 

We nod. I don't know about Maruca but I'm personally too tired to listen to Stina list all the reasons why Sir Ascal is the worst.

The bell rings and students start to get up, throwing away their leftovers and putting away their trays. We wait a little bit before standing, letting the bulk of the crowd to exit before disposing of our food. Mine is practically untouched.

"My place after school?" Stina asks before we enter Sir Ascal's classroom. He hates students talking, says it hurts his head, but we all know it's because he's jealous of our social lives.

I nod, seeing Maruca do the same as we take our seats which are not as close together as I would like.

Halfway through the class, something hits me in the head. I turn quickly to see Stina point to floor behind me. I pick up the crumpled paper she threw at me and unfurl it. On it is a single sentence written in her cursive handwriting: 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔.

I roll my eyes at her, but she just smiles and throws something at Maruca. The rest of the lesson I'm half-focused on the boring words coming out of Sir Ascal's mouth and half-focused on the papers Stina's throwing, making sure to catch them to prevent our mentor from hearing the noise.

After some time, the door to the room opens. Sophie Foster walks in and gives something to Sir Ascal. He thanks her and tells us he has to step out for a moment, following Sophie into the halls.

Maruca throws a note to Stina, who promptly reads it before tossing it to me. It says: ꜱᴏᴘʜɪᴇ ᴛʜɪɴᴋꜱ ꜱʜᴇ'ꜱ ꜱᴏᴏᴏ ɪᴍᴘᴏʀᴛᴀɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴍᴀᴢɪɴɢ.

Maruca's not wrong. Sophie does think she's better than everyone. She's used me so many times, I wonder if she's even aware of it.

I just hope that one day, she gets what she deserves.