A Game of Small Wins

Rosewood Academy – Midweek

Ariella walked into school with her chin slightly raised, her steps quiet but steady.

She wasn’t trying to make a scene. Not anymore.

Let the others talk. Let Melody pretend nothing had changed.

Because things had.

Every move Ariella made now had a purpose.

---

8:00 AM – Library Before Class

Tasha was already there, sitting near the window with two coffees and a stack of textbooks.

“You really came,” she said, surprised but smiling.

“I said I would,” Ariella replied, sliding into the seat across from her.

She had spent years ignoring girls like Tasha—kind, quiet, invisible. Now, she saw something more important: loyalty that couldn’t be bought.

They studied for thirty minutes, quietly going over world history notes and quiz flashcards. Ariella asked real questions. Tasha answered confidently, slowly growing more at ease.

“You’re actually really smart,” Ariella said.

Tasha blinked, then looked down shyly. “I just like reading.”

“You should speak up more.”

Tasha smiled. “Maybe with you around, I will.”

Ariella didn’t say it out loud, but she meant it:

With me around, you won’t be forgotten this time.

---

Later That Morning – Hallway Between Classes

Luca stood alone near the lockers again, eyes half-focused on his phone. Most people were too afraid to approach him.

Ariella wasn’t most people.

“Hey,” she said as she passed by. “Science class again tomorrow?”

He glanced up. “Yeah.”

A pause.

Then: “You were right.”

Ariella raised a brow. “About what?”

“People do change.”

That was it. He looked back down at his phone.

But Ariella smiled as she walked away.

Small win.

---

Lunchtime – Courtyard Tables

Cassie Vaughn was louder than usual today, seated at the popular table with Melody and two other girls who laughed at all her jokes.

Ariella, on the other hand, sat with Tasha under the trees.

She didn’t try to compete. She didn’t try to reclaim her spot at the center of the courtyard.

Instead, she let people notice her shift.

Some glanced her way, confused.

Others whispered.

And Melody?

Melody watched every move with a frozen smile on her face.

When Jace Carter strolled past their table, he stopped mid-step.

“Well, well. The queen sits with the quiet girl now?”

Tasha immediately looked down, flustered.

Ariella tilted her head. “Maybe I got tired of fake people.”

Jace let out a low laugh. “Didn’t think you were the type to change your crowd.”

“I didn’t think you were the type to notice.”

He grinned at that, surprised.

Luca passed by moments later. Jace turned to call him over, but Ariella stood up.

“Hey,” she said to Luca. “Want to join us?”

Luca paused. The courtyard went silent.

He glanced at Jace, who shrugged, amused.

Luca didn’t say anything. But instead of walking away, he sat down—next to Ariella.

Silence again.

Melody stared from across the courtyard like she’d been slapped.

Ariella bit back a smile.

Another small win.

---

Afternoon Class – Public Speaking

In their past life, Melody had set Ariella up during this class.

She’d secretly switched Ariella’s flash drive right before a speech, replacing it with an embarrassing video clip. Ariella had frozen onstage. Everyone had laughed.

This time, Ariella was ready.

She checked her flash drive three times before handing it over. Then, for good measure, she swapped it for a new one right before class started.

“Be careful with that,” she said sweetly to the teacher. “It’s got my whole speech.”

Melody sat two rows back, watching her too closely.

When it was time to present, Ariella walked calmly to the front.

Her speech wasn’t just good—it was strong, confident, and real.

She spoke about image vs. reality. About how people wear masks. About how strength doesn’t come from attention, but from being able to walk alone.

Her words echoed through the room.

When she finished, there was a pause—then light applause.

Even Luca clapped once. Quietly.

Melody’s eyes burned holes into the back of her head.

Not this time, Ariella thought.

---

End of School – Girls’ Bathroom

Cassie cornered Melody at the sink.

“What’s with her?” she asked. “She’s acting like she’s better than everyone now.”

Melody wiped her lipstick and tried to keep her voice calm.

“She’s trying to prove something.”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “Well, it’s working. People are talking.”

Melody stayed quiet.

Because deep down, she was afraid Cassie was right.

Ariella wasn’t just changing.

She was rising again.

Only this time… Melody had no control over her.

---

Evening – Ariella’s Room

Ariella scrolled through old text messages she had saved in a hidden folder—proof from her past life of betrayals, screenshots, and whispers she hadn’t understood before.

She used to think the fall was sudden.

But now she could see the signs had always been there.

She opened a fresh notebook, turned to the first page, and wrote:

People who helped destroy me last time: – Melody

– Cassie

– Unknown sender

– A teacher? (still unclear)

– The boy I never saw coming…

She paused, gripping the pen tighter.

This time, she’d be ready for all of them.

---

Text Notification – 10:45 PM

Unknown Number:

You're moving pieces. But don’t forget: some games are rigged from the start.

Ariella stared at the message.

She didn’t reply.

But she added a new line to her list:

> – Find out who keeps texting me.