(At Aila's house)
Aila can't sleep thinking about what happened earlier... She can't explain the tension she felt, it is the first time someone other than her family was that physically close to her.
"Thick face. Why would I be thrilled with him?"
"Why does he think Vince is making romantic advances with me?" Aila was pissed at the thought.
Her phone rang, It's Reese.
"Hello Sis! , I've heard of the encounter earlier; do you know Rachelle is really mad at you right now?"
Aila can't help but laugh.
"I am really impressed with the speed and efficiency of the school gossip, they deserve an award!"
"I am part of that, what award will you be giving me?"
"Lunch will be on me tomorrow! Now tell me what I did this time to make Rachelle mad?"
"Well, you see; Ken can't seem to stop talking about you he is like a love-struck puppy right now."
"Huh? What is there to talk about me?"
"He said your eyes are mesmerizing, he said your scent is so alluring, he said he can't stop thinking about you since day one, remember when he went up to us during lunch?"
Aila vividly remembers that encounter, she thought Ken was a self-absorbed pervert.
"Hmm... What does it have to do with Rachelle's anger with me?"
"Girl! I know you are smart, I bet you have the highest IQ of our batch, but when it comes to these things you really are clueless!"
Reese was laughing at her.
"Yeah, I wonder why you know a lot about these things!" Aila bluntly said to Reese.
"Hush Girl! This is my turf!"
"So as you probably have noticed, Kenneth is the most popular guy in school, and Rachelle is the hottest girl; well at least before you came here"
Aila sighed.
"Who declares this stuff? No one ranks us so why is she so agitated? ; it's not like she'll get anything out of it, I mean my conscience is clear, I didn't do anything or even thought of competing with her"
"Precisely the point my dear, she's so mad that you're not even trying yet you are now the hottest girl on campus... I mean you're just you... Effortlessly gorgeous."
"Hey, stop flattering me! I can't give you anything more than lunch for tomorrow."
---
(School the next day)
Aila was really sleepy when their class adviser announced something that woke her up.
"Alright class, next month is our School's book week. I have chosen Aila, Ken, and Vince, as representatives of our class, so please attend the meeting for your roles"
Aila hates these types of events because she isn't a great dancer.
She has this mindset, that she is not confident in doing something, that she knows she doesn't excel at. This is how she was raised, she cannot settle for anything less than perfect. Because that is what society will demand from her when the right time comes.
"Shall we? .." Vince said to her, she willingly obliged and they walked together on the way to the studio.
Ken looked so annoyed that Aila did not even look at her while she's so nice to Vince.
At the rehearsal studio, some students were already there.
"Rachelle! Ken is coming, he was chosen to be in the play!!"
Tracy was thrilled to inform her friend, however, their smile quickly faded when they noticed that Aila was also with Ken.
"That bi*ch really knows how to ruin my day" Rachelle whispered to Tracy.
The chatter was silenced by the loud clapping of the instructor.
"I need you to pair up guys so I can choose your roles"
Ken was about to approach Aila, but suddenly...
"Ken, let's pair up, please," Rachelle went up to Ken.
Ken nodded, so as not to embarrass Rachelle.
"Aila, can we be together?" Vince's face was serious as he asked Aila.
"Us?! Together? ...." Aila stuttered at what Vince said.
"I mean, let's just pair up for the play, but if it means something else to you we can..."
"Ok...ok brother, stop it right there"
Aila stopped Vince so he would not continue what he was about to say.
"Shoot! , what's gotten into me? Why would I give a different meaning to what Vince said... Haiist it's Ken's fault! He shoved these ideas to me yesterday, this is so awkward"... Aila thought to herself.
Their instructor is already looking around when his eyes focused on Aila.
"You must be Aila, I've heard about you from the drama club they want to recruit you... Well, let's see if your performance in the show would be good, I might take it into consideration, my dear..."
Aila was surprised that even the drama club is talking about her.
"Wow, so what? I don't even have plans in joining the drama club, I'm only here for my grades and now they are pressuring me as if I begged them for me to be here." Words that she could never verbalize but just could not help blurting out in her mind.
The instructor pulled Aila's hand dragging her as he walked around the dance studio, he positioned her next to Ken
"You look better together, dear; so you will be Cinderella and you Ken will be Prince Charming"
Ken's joy was obvious, he smiled and winked at Aila...
Aila "..."
Aila's heart was pounding and she could feel the heat on her face, she bowed her head down so that Ken would not notice her definite reddened cheek.
"But sir! Ken and I are partners!" Rachelle protested as she grabbed Ken away from Aila.
The instructor raised his eyebrows and fiercely stared at Rachelle and said...
"Rachelle, the last time I checked, I am still the one calling the shots here! So go back to your position and be one of Cinderella's step-sister."
Rachelle frowned as she felt humiliated, her wrath was emanating from her aura that most people there were afraid to even look at her, but, not Aila, she was her usual self... Indifferent.
This attitude of Aila infuriated Rachelle more, the fact that she can't seem to intimidate the new girl.
The new girl who stole the spotlight from her... The new girl who stole the attention of the guy she fancies.