“Huh?” Qadir waspletely lost. "What are you talking about?”


    "You''ll find out eventually," Queenie replied, her expression turning serious. "My idol can do a lot more than just dance."


    The three of them chatted cheerfully,pletely oblivious to Jolene staring daggers at Juniper from a corner.


    "Qadir is following Juniper around like a lost puppy," one of her friendsined.


    "I can''t believe Juniper is actually Master Lunar," another added, bewildered. “But being a good dancer is useless if your grades suck."


    "You have to do something, Jolene, or Qadir''s really going to get stolen away."


    To them, Juniper was just a fake heiress who''d been kicked out of her home and now lived in the slums. With bad grades and only dancing to her name, she was utterly ssless and obviously needed totch onto someone rich. And at Aurora High, no one was richer than Qadir.


    Jolene used to talk to Qadir all the time; they were pretty close. But ever since Juniper showed up, he hadn''t given Jolene the time of day.


    Jolene stood frozen, her hands clenched into tight fists, her eyes burning with hatred. She hadn''t forgotten the p Juniper had given her. Sooner orter, she would make her pay for everything.


    ...


    After they finished their fondue, Qadir generously offered to buy everyone milkshakes.


    "I''m full, so I''ll go get them," Dolce, the ss president, volunteered. "I know a ce that makes the best shakes."


    "Sounds good." Qadir handed her some cash with avish gesture. “Get whatever you want, don''t hold back. We''ll meet you there after we finish off the meat."


    "Go on," Juniper nodded, pulling out her phone to continue her search for information on Jimmie. His flight was scheduled tond in Era City at six tomorrow evening.


    He was a national icon, incredibly famous. That meant he''d be surrounded by security, so she had to figure out a way to get close enough to snag a lock of his hair.


    As she was pondering her options, Queenie suddenly eximed, "Juniper, I think Dolce''s in trouble."


    Juniper looked up and saw a group of students in Era High uniforms pointing and jeering at Dolce. They weren''t far, and their taunts were loud and clear.


    "Damn, another Aurora High student. Why do we run into them everywhere? Such a jinx."


    "Seriously. This food court used to be exclusively for Era High. Then the Aurora kids started showing up. What gives them the right to hang out in the same ce as us?"


    “Look at her, fat as a pig, and still stuffing her face? She should spend less time eating and more time studying to get some brains in that head."


    Dolce, who was already a bit chubby, blushed crimson as they pointed and insulted her.


    "Don''t cut in line! Get to the back!" the one they called Waheed shouted, arrogantly turning the tables on her.


    "I didn''t cut!" Dolce retorted, her face flushed. She had clearly been there first.


    "Oh yeah? Who saw you?" Waheed draped his uniform jacket over his shoulders, smirking like amon thug. "Everyone behind me saw you cut in line."


    He sneered, "So this is the kind of student they raise at Aurora High, the school that got lucky and beat my goddess on the news? No ss at all.”


    Era High was still bitter about Aurora High''s victory, which had been a public humiliation. To make matters worse, Ynda was Waheed''s personal goddess, and he was determined to stand up for her. Seeing Dolce, small and alone, he figured she''d be an easy target.


    "Let''s go check it out." Juniper stood up and started walking over.


    “Juniper, wait for Qadir," Queenie said, grabbing her arm worriedly. "They''re all guys. You''ll be at a disadvantage."


    Of all the times for Qadir to go to the restroom, it had to be now.


    A disadvantage? The thought made Juniper chuckle. The person who could put her at a disadvantage hadn''t been born yet.