The next morning began like any other. My mom, as usual, stormed into my room to wake me up with her no-nonsense tone. The same routine—rise, shine, and get going. I followed my usual soldier-like discipline, did my chores, and left for school.
Once at school, I settled into my bench, trying to push away the thoughts that had been lingering in my mind. She was there, of course, patrolling the class as usual. We didn't speak much, but our glances often crossed, the occasional eye contact sharing more than words ever could. It wasn't just me, though; it was like that with everyone.
A few minutes later, the teacher came in, her voice commanding the room's attention. She announced the holidays, and in an instant, the atmosphere shifted. Every kid's face lit up with excitement, their chatter becoming a storm of joy. It was like the room had suddenly come alive, and for a moment, I couldn't help but get swept up in it.
Then, the teacher handed out the holiday assignments, and the mood quickly turned. The kids who had been so full of energy a moment ago seemed to deflate. They sat there, drained, like oranges whose juice had been fully sucked.
Lunchtime arrived soon after, and as expected, we all made our way to the terrace. As I walked with Nitesh, I couldn't help but observe my classmates. They were... unique creatures, each one different, a mix of personalities and quirks that somehow worked together. I couldn't quite understand how they all stayed friends, considering how different they were, but I didn't dwell on it.
We gathered in our usual spot, and as always, the conversation turned to the more absurd topics. One of the boys, the classic "playboy" type, began speaking animatedly about a girl in our class. "She's my dream girl," he said with a dramatic sigh. We all groaned in response. This wasn't the first time he'd made such declarations.
Nitesh leaned over to me. "That's the third empress of the class," he said quietly.
"Third empress?" I repeated, confused.
"Yeah," he replied, grinning. "This class is ruled by three empresses."
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
Nitesh leaned back, clearly enjoying the opportunity to explain. The others, sensing a story, leaned in to listen too. "Our class has always been ruled by three girls," he began. "They've been at the top for as long as anyone can remember. They've never been challenged, and no one really tries to. We all just kind of... fall in line."
I was intrigued, though I didn't quite understand. "So, they just... rule?"
"Yep," Nitesh said with a nod. "They have a group, and they do... things. Plans, schemes. It's not all about schoolwork, either. They've got bigger ambitions—controlling the school, dictating the social scene. It's like some kind of secret society."
I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. "Wait, so she's in that group? Is she... planning something, like... a terrorist attack or a pirate takeover?" I said, half-joking.
Nitesh just laughed. "You have no idea, man. But yeah, she's part of the top three. The boys? We don't have a say in any of it. The first, second, and third positions in this class are like VIP slots—reserved for the girls."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Our class was ruled by girls, and none of the boys had ever even come close to stepping into those positions. How pathetic.
The playboy kid, still oblivious to our conversation, was going on about how much he liked the girl in question. "Dude, I really think I like her. Help me out here!" he begged. But, as usual, no one paid him any mind. Everyone just ignored him, as if it were his own battle to fight.
I found it amusing, really. The whole dynamic—how everyone just followed the rules, how things were so neatly divided between the "empresses" and the rest of us.
Eventually, the bell rang, and we all shuffled back to class. The rest of the day passed in a blur, and I went home, ate dinner, and went to bed as usual. But tonight was different. As I lay in bed, I began to think about the events of the day. The conversation on the terrace, the strange revelation about the three empresses, and how everything seemed to fit into place in some bizarre way.
I started to think about why I was even going to school in the first place. Back then, it had been a habit, something I just did. But now, there was something more to it—a reason to look forward to the days. Maybe it wasn't just about the lessons or the routine. Maybe it was about the people, the connections, and the stories waiting to unfold.
As I drifted off to sleep, I realized that school had become more than just a place. It had become a world of its own, with its rules, its stories, and its mysteries. And somehow, I was right in the middle of it all.