Erven Elite Through The Golden Lens

Chapter:1

The Butterfly Effect

Drenched in water from head to toe. The school shirt sticking to my skin. Water dripping from the mess of my hair.

This was my state when I first met her.

The washroom floor was already wet. The laughter of the girls responsible for my sorry state still echoed from the hallway.

It was my third day at Erven Elite High School, and I had already made a big mess. And now there was also a spectator.

My eyes lingered on her to gauge her reaction. I wasn't sure if she was an ally or an enemy.

She was dressed in a floral pleated skirt matched with a similar floral corset under a furry, yet not gaudy, small open jacket.

In this summer?

She was from the Drama Club. I could tell since only they had the perk of ditching the school uniform without breaking the rules.

"Despicable."

Her words brought me out of my spiralling thoughts.

I noticed the hint of a sneer on her pretty face.

Despicable.

I was here, shivering in an empty washroom. Late for my core class. After suffering utter humiliation from rich brats with daddy's money.

And that's what she had to say.

I didn't expect any kindness or sympathy from her. But her blatant words of provocation made my temper flare.

"Excuse me?"

I followed her with my eyes as she walked past the puddle of water I had created on the floor, towards the private locker.

"I said despicable. Are you deaf too?"

My eyelids twitched, and my lips let out a small, offended laugh.

Same.

All of these brats were the same.

She opened the locker with a key and took out a purse, rummaging through its contents. Ignoring me as if I didn't exist right beside her.

This felt like a bigger humiliation than those bullies.

My hands clenched into tiny fists.

If I wrapped my fingers around that pale stretch of neck and twisted it, would she be able to say anything more?

I shook my head as soon as the thought surfaced.

I wasn't sure, but there could be a camera in the hallway leading to the washroom. I could easily be caught walking out alone.

And I didn't have any gloves to cover my fingerprints.

"If only you had shown those eyes to those girls. Would they have had the courage to do much?"

I schooled my expression instantly, appearing harmless and offended.

"Now, now. Don't give me those expressions. I deal with actors every day. Do you think you can survive by bowing your head? Is this your best strategy?" she scoffed.

"Then pray tell me what strategy I should use in this glamorous hellhole of your school."

I folded my arms over my chest.

Her eyes gleamed as if she had found what she was looking for in the bag.

When she took it out, I saw that it was a butterfly hairclip.

She clipped her bangs back and turned to me.

"Fight. Climb. Get leverage. Make connections. Bow only to those you can't defeat until you find their weakness."

With that, she left, bypassing me without a single glance back.

By the basin lay the key to the union locker with a spare school dress.

By the time I had changed, Tara and Scarlet had found their way to the washroom looking for me.

They both let out a collective sigh of relief when they found me alright.

"Great Gods of Elara. You're alright. I was worried as hell," Scarlet said.

Tara rushed to help me dry my hair, taking the dryer from my hands.

"Cassie did that."

"How do you know?" I asked, letting her take care of my hair.

Not because I trusted her. But because I was aware that she had no motive to harm me.

"Who else could it be?" Scarlet chimed in.

"Anyone," I put in.

There wasn't any lack of people who hated me after what happened in the morning.

"Well... yes. You have become kind of popular among a certain faction of girls," Scarlet said cautiously.

"Don't overcomplicate it. It's just a horde of fangirls. They'll quiet down after the next big gossip."

Tara turned off the dryer.

"It's just that Cassie is petty enough to act on such a small incident," she said in her indifferent tone.

"That's no small thing," Scarlet said.

Then she looked at me.

"I mean... it's just... I'm curious too. Why would you come to school in Mayur's car?"

"Accident," I shrugged off swiftly.

"Accident? Half of the class is dying to have such a casual 'accident' so they can ride in the same car as Mayur Roy."

Scarlet said it glumly, then added, "Not even his exes have ever driven in his car. You're kinda lucky."

"Not a single one?"

I stored the information carefully in my mind. This I wasn't aware of.

"Of course. Why would I lie? Once, Cassie's driver was stuck in a jam, and she asked Mayur to drop her home. He refused her with a 'Know your limits' in front of the whole class."

"No wonder she's after me. But this truly was an accident. I missed the bus, and he happened to be passing by the stand. He offered to drop me since we were going in the same direction."

I clarified as we left the washroom.

It was recess, and we had no extra classes to attend. I thought it would be better to clarify things as soon as possible. With a gossiper like Scarlet, this was easier done.

"How did he even know you?" Tara frowned. "It's been only three days on campus."

I ran my mind as fast as I could for an answer.

"The school uniform, Tara," Scarlet said. "How else?"

Tara gave me a stare.

She did not believe me.

I didn't need her to. Scarlet was enough to let the whole school know it was just a coincidence.

"There's news that he will be running for the school union. He must be doing goodwill before the elections," Scarlet said.

I gave a nod.

"Yeah. It must be that."

The cafeteria of Erven Elite was humongous. And free for all students.

It was one of those schools they showed in movies. Rich heirs, student unions, pining, backstabbing, and now free five-star food.

Cliché.

I clicked my tongue.

Scarlet had already ordered our food. The next classes were Science and History, both of them with Scarlet.

I felt both relief and a headache.

To put it mildly, she liked gossip.

To say it bluntly, she was the school's news reporter.

She knew everyone.

And everything.

"I don't see Mayur anywhere," she pouted.

"Why do you even want him?" Tara frowned.

She didn't like Mayur much, I observed.

"Gossip," Scarlet said shamelessly.

Then, as her eyes fell on me, she clarified, "Not with you. I meant about the elections. If he is really standing for Vice President, I would like to take an interview for my blog."

"Why not President?" I asked offhandedly.

Mayur didn't lack funds, popularity, or ambition to compete for that.

The two gave me a look.

"Do you even know who the President for the last two years is?" Tara asked.

And, to be honest, I had no idea.

"It's still my third day, remember."

"Princess Nimisha," she explained. "From the main branch of the Wadiyar royal family. There's no way Mayur would stand up against her."

"Not that he needs to. He and Nimisha come from the same circle. He's actually running for Vice President because of a bet," Scarlet revealed.

Tara rolled her eyes at the dramatic revelation.

Finishing her meal, she stood up instantly.

"I have Geography..." and left.

I watched her retreating back.

Her expressions were off.

Scarlet leaned towards me.

"She doesn't like the princess."

Then she gave me the I'll tell you later expression.

Honestly, I didn't care much about it. Liking and disliking were normal human traits, and I didn't want to pry too much.

I just wanted to complete my classes and have a smooth year without causing a complaint to Mother.

She had finally found some happy moments in her life with her marriage. I didn't want to make her worried about me settling into a new environment.

I was easy to adapt and fold.

Just one year, and I would apply for a foreign scholarship.

With that in mind, I slung my bag over my shoulder and left for Science class.

The classes went by in a blur.

Nothing special.

Just lectures, notes, and more lectures.

The most school-like part of the day.

When the bell rang, the students bolted out of the prison with sonic speed.

The hallway filled with chatter.

In the crowd, my morning gossip was forgotten, and I was very grateful for that.

Scarlet accompanied me to the school gate.

I had a feeling she wanted to check if Mayur would come to pick me up.

I was sure he wouldn't.

Then I spotted the green-eyed boy walking in our direction with his lopsided smile.

With his tie loose and blazer in hand, he gave the impression of someone coming out after a long business deal.

I froze in my spot.

Why was he coming towards me?

Didn't he say no one in the school should know?

Scarlet looked between us with hawk-like eyes.

I was wondering if I should step on his shoes if he approached me.

He passed by.

And my fast-and-furious heart calmed down with a sigh.

Beside me, I heard Scarlet squeak.

"It's Karcy... Oh, I didn't know she came to school today. I missed taking a photo."

I turned and found Mayur offering to carry a bag for a girl.

And I stared.

It was the girl from the washroom.

The crowd around me buzzed.

Scarlet clicked photos for her blog.

"This is gonna go viral."