Chapter three - The glow-up gets louder.

I walked into school the next morning expecting chaos.

I mean — the pre-coronation party? My sudden not-so-hideous face? The black shimmering dress that basically broke the room? The way Maddox flirted with me like he hadn’t spent years calling me swamp creature?

Yeah. I expected drama.

But… nope.

They ignored me.

Just like before.

Mocking whispers floated around like always — something about rogue trash sneaking into a royal event. I even caught one girl snickering, “She probably stole that dress.”

The audacity.

I didn’t respond, though. Didn’t flinch. Just kept walking, like I didn’t hear a damn thing.

Let them talk.

But the triplets?

They didn’t say anything either.

They just stared.

Jaxon. Maddox. Kyren. All of them.

Jaxon leaning against his locker, Maddox lounging on the stair rail like it was a throne, Kyren in the hall, arms crossed, eyes on me like I was a puzzle they suddenly couldn’t solve.

Not a word.

Not a smirk.

Just… silence.

And intense, lingering stares that were getting way too distracting.

I was still rolling my eyes over it when Naomi and Tessa cornered me near the courtyard at lunch.

“You’ve been avoiding us,” Naomi said, slipping her arm through mine.

“I have not.”

“Then why didn’t you come sit with us?” Tessa asked, dramatically offended. “You owe us.”

“I owe you?”

Naomi smirked. “Yeah. For depriving us of that glowing goddess energy.” she said theatrically.

I snorted.

“You’ve got a killer face card and frankly amazing boobs,” Tessa added casually. “But your closet is screaming for help.” I frowned.

“I don’t have money for—”

“Shh.” Naomi actually put a finger to my lips. “Don’t insult us.”

“We’re taking you shopping. That’s final.”

***

I tried to argue. I really really did.

But the next thing I knew, I was in the back seat of Naomi’s convertible, wind tearing through my curls as we headed downtown, blasting music loud enough to turn heads.

They bought me everything.

Tops, jeans, skirts, makeup, new boots, hair accessories I didn't know existed, even a new phone— they handed me items like I was their personal doll and I swear, every time I asked the price, they laughed like I told a joke.

At some point I gave up.

I hadn’t laughed this much in years.

And when we all sat on the bench outside the mall with ice cream in hand, Tessa suddenly asked, “So… when’s your birthday?”

I hesitated. “Uh... tomorrow.”

They both froze.

Naomi nearly dropped her cone. “*Tomorrow?!!” They both screamed.

Tessa blinked. “Wait — the day of the triplets’ coronation-slash-graduation bonanza?”

I nodded, sheepishly at the twins while licking my ice cream.

“Daphne Hathaway,” Naomi said like I had committed a crime. “You mean to tell us your birthday is tomorrow and you didn’t say anything?”

“No one’s ever cared before.”

They stared at me, visibly guilty and offended on my behalf.

“Well, we care now,” Tessa said, grabbing her phone. “We’re celebrating. Tonight. We're going to my house. We’ll teach you how to properly blend foundation, highlight your cheekbones, and make you even more lethal.”

I laughed. “Are you saying I’m not already?”

They both smirked.

“You’re dangerous,” Naomi said, linking arms with me again. “I love it.”

And for the first time in a long time…

…I believed them.