cover made by my crazy buddy @sweatertowns
All Melissa Darnell wanted was a peaceful life in her last year of high school. Too bad she wouldn't be getting any of that after punching a guy, getting blackmailed by some feminist student and dealing wit...
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"At least we get to wear fancy dresses," Annalise Carrington commented while crossing her legs together. "Feels good, you know, Mel, knowing that my considerable resources aren't put to waste." The redhead was wearing a pretty green long dress that almost reached the floor with an asymmetric neckline. Although Annalise's considerable height and added with killer pair of high heels prevented her from tripping over the dress. "I mean, you look dashing with that baby blue vintage dress, Melissa."
Melissa was aware that Annalise was trying to defuse her fear and irrational paranoia and it was working. Maybe among other things listed below Annalise's job description, miracle worker was one of them. It was almost impossible to put back the lid on the bottles once Melissa's bottled-in feelings started to pour.
Considering that they just ruined one of the most prolific pageant competitions disguised under a mere school dance, Melissa should worry about her perfect track record with teachers. For the first time, she's sitting in front of Headmaster Richards' office, worrying about her scholarship and future instead of waiting in elation that she just won another award or anything academic related.
"Why so serious, good old Melissa?"
"Stop sounding like Joker and I am not old," Melissa retorted with a scoff, her hand brushed Annalise's arms as they're waiting for the Headmaster's verdict. "This is an uncharted territory for me, in case you have forgotten."
"I think since the moment I blackmailed you, you've been walking around uncharted territory for a while," Annalise pointed out, wearing her usual brand of sneer that would set fear and panic within the people she ought to destroy. The world was lucky that Annalise was on their side, setting aside her shady methods and questionable morals. "You should be used to it by now, honestly, mate."
Melissa did not say anything, preferring not to intervene with her (batshit crazy) friend's ramblings. Annalise was a dangerous enemy and useful (albeit, insufferable) ally. Well aware that her excellent grades and her status as valedictorian at stake, Melissa could not do anything but to watch everything she worked so hard for fell apart.
Although to be fair, she realized she would gladly put anything at stake to bring back the balance that had been tipped for so long. Maybe Annalise had been influencing her more than Melissa would love to admit, but maybe the grades, the numbers written across a paper, they were as superficial as everything that Melissa frowned upon.
"To be a part of something greater than who you are," Annalise had once said so long ago, "it is the greatest privilege that not all people can say and I'm offering you that very same privilege, Melissa."
If there's anyone who could convince a straitlaced former gifted kid with raging perfectionism problem to participate in high school hijinks, it was Annalise Carrington. The redhead could make participating in high school hijinks as if one was making a huge change by contributing to the revolution. But then again, that's what Annalise's purpose was. To cause a huge uproar that would smooth her intention to revolutionize the St. Bernard's student body.
