|09| The Mini Devils

Brianna slid into a seat near the center table. The chair beside her remained empty. No one questioned it. She crossed her legs, lifted her chin slightly, and only then did she smile. It was beautiful. Polite. Empty.

“She doesn’t look real,” I said before I could stop myself.

Shirley dramatically grabbed my hand. “She isn't real.”

 “Why does everyone look like they’re holding their breath?” 

Shirley leaned closer to us, lowering her voice. “Because Brianna doesn’t compete. She eats people alive.”

 Penny raised her eyebrows.

"She has influence, attention, money, and connections. ”

Brianna laughed at something someone said. It wasn’t loud, but it carried. I watched as two girls leaned in closer to her, nodding eagerly, their smiles tight at the edges. 

“She’s Oswald Kendricks’ daughter,” Shirley added.

Penny blinked. “I’ve never heard of him.”

Shirley stopped walking.

“Wait, you seriously don't know who he is?”

We nodded together.

For a moment, Shirley just looked at us, like she was deciding how much truth we could handle.

“Oswald Kendricks owns half the skyline in three countries,” she said finally. “Real estate. Shipping. Private aviation. His name pretty much opens every of opportunity.”

Penny let out a soft, incredulous laugh. “You’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not,” Shirley said. “He had a private jet customized for Brianna when she turned eight. Pink leather seats. Her initials stitched into the headrests.”

Penny stared across the room, eyes wide. “When I was eight, I asked for a pony and my mum told me to stop being dramatic.”

I smiled weakly, but my eyes stayed on Brianna.

She shifted in her seat, and immediately someone moved to adjust the chair beside her, even though she hadn’t asked. Her gaze lifted, sweeping the room lazily.

And then it found me. It wasn’t hostile. That would have been easier.

It was curious. Like she was doing a quick appraisal to decide if I was furniture or a person.

My chest tightened. I looked away first.

“She’s one of them,” Shirley continued softly.

“One of who?” I asked.

“The Mini Devils. The elite queens of Newton Prep.”

Penny groaned. “Please tell me that’s a joke.” 

“It started as one,” Shirley said. “But it ended up establishing a monarchy,  we've all become victims to.”

“How many are there?” I asked.

“Three,” she replied. “And they don’t like each other.”

That surprised me. “Then why group them together?”

“Because power recognizes power,” Shirley said. “Even when it’s divided.”

She shifted slightly, angling her body so she could gesture without being obvious.

“Brianna rules the social bloodstream. Dance team, cheer, parties, donors’ events. If your name matters here, she can make it matter more or erase it completely.”

My stomach flipped.

“And the others?” Penny asked.

Shirley’s eyes flicked to the far end of the room, where a girl dressed in black lounged like rules were optional. She didn't have a uniform on like the rest of us. Ink peeked from beneath her sleeve. She laughed loudly and unapologetically.

“That’s Ruby Steele,” Shirley said. “She's the most dangerous girl in Newton Prep. Rules the goth world like it's the easiest thing to do.”

Ruby’s gaze swept the room and paused, sharp and assessing. Not on me. On Brianna.

Brianna didn’t look back.

“And the third?” I asked.

Shirley’s mouth curved again, this time sharper. “Lola Rocinno? She's a former child actress and a sought after top model. She's almost never in school, but whenever she comes around, it gets quite chaotic.”

“Sounds exhausting,” Penny muttered.

“It is,” Shirley agreed. “For everyone else.”

I swallowed, my grip tightening on my schedule.

Shirley looked at me then, really looked, like she was weighing something fragile.

“Don’t try to impress them,” she said. “And definitely don’t challenge them. Avoid them at all costs.”

Penny exhaled. “Good. Because I don’t think my personality can handle them anyway.”

Brianna stood abruptly, and the movement sent another ripple through the room. She adjusted her blazer, whispered something to the girl beside her, and walked past our table.

She didn’t slow down. But as she passed, she spoke.

“We need new uniforms this year,” she said lightly, not looking at us. “They’ve cheapened the fabric.”

Then she was gone.

Penny stared after her, stunned. “Wait, was that… to us?”

“I think so,” I whispered.

Shirley let out a quiet breath and said through an awkward smile. “I reckon you will have a great experience at Newton Prep.”