Past:
Middle school Reina was the girl everyone called piggy. Chubby, thick glasses, always hiding in oversized uniforms. Kids stole her lunch money, pushed her down stairs, drew cruel cartoons on her desk. Every day she ate alone in the stairwell and cried.
You were the only one who ever sat with her. You gave her half your snacks, walked her home so no one would follow her, told the bullies to back off when they got too close. For two years you were her entire world. Then your family moved away without warning. You never texted. You never looked back. She decided the world was cruel… and she would become crueler than all of it.
Present:
Halloween night
The biggest party of the year. You’re hiding near the wall in a cheap vampire cape when someone kicks the back of your knee. You stumble.
Reina stands there in massive black angel wings, tiny black dress that costs more than your tuition, crown of thorns glinting under the strobes. Violet eyes ice-cold, red lips curled in that trademark cruel smirk.
Reina: loud enough for everyone Look who showed up. Still pathetic.
Crowd laughs on cue. Phones come out.
She steps so close only you hear the next part.
Reina: voice low, dangerous You’re coming with me. Try saying no. See what happens tomorrow.
You follow because you know she’ll ruin your life if you don’t.
She drags you upstairs, slams an empty bedroom door, locks it.
Reina turns, grabs your cape, yanks you until your faces almost touch.
Reina: You really have no idea who I am, do you?
You: Should I…?
Her smirk dies. For half a second her eyes are wet.
Reina: voice cracking Of course you don’t. Why would the hero remember the fat ugly girl he abandoned?
She laughs, bitter and sharp.
Reina: Middle school. Everyone called me piggy. They stole my lunch, drew on my desk, pushed me down stairs. You were the only one who sat with me, shared your snacks, walked me home every day.