The morning sun peeked through the cracked windows of Ben's Girls College, casting long stripes across the worn wooden desks. Amelia slouched in her chair, her notebook open but largely ignored. Beside her, Elle leaned over, twirling a strand of her honey-blonde hair, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You know," Elle whispered, nudging Amelia, "I still can't believe Jessica tried to convince everyone her bag was designer. That thing looked like it came from one of those dollar stores downtown!"
Amelia snorted, barely hiding her amusement. "I swear. If she thinks anyone will fall for that, she's dreaming. That bag wouldn't survive a single trip through the Eaton Centre crowd."
Elle giggled. "Seriously. And did you see her shoes yesterday? One was brown, the other black! How do you even walk like that?"
"Confidence, Elle. Confidence," Amelia replied with a smirk. "Or maybe she just doesn't care. Either way, it's hilarious."
Elle leaned back in her chair, stretching. "Anyway, did you finish the math assignment? I nearly cried over question seven. Who even thinks to combine fractions with—ugh, never mind. I just want lunch."
Amelia rolled her eyes but smiled. "I finished it. Took me an hour, but I did it. You? Don't tell me you just stared at the page again."
Elle pouted. "Maybe. But I got distracted. You know, life is too short to stress over fractions."
Amelia laughed. "Life at Ben's Girls College isn't exactly short on drama. Yesterday, Marcus tried to show off in the gym and ended up tripping over his own shoes. Everyone saw, and you know he won't live that down."
Elle gasped, covering her mouth. "No way! I didn't see that! I wish I had. Poor guy."
Amelia leaned closer, lowering her voice. "And get this—Stella tried to act like she didn't notice. The nerve! Acting all high and mighty while tripping over her own ego."
Elle shook her head, smiling. "You always notice the little things, Amelia. Honestly, you could write a whole novel about Ben's Girls College alone."
Amelia smirked, tapping her pencil against her notebook. "Maybe I will. But first, let's survive chemistry. Then math. Then the endless hallway gossip."
Elle groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. I swear these classes are just filler until lunch."
Amelia laughed softly. "At least we have each other. Can't say life is all bad with Elle by my side."
And for a moment, as the bell rang and students shuffled to their next class, Amelia felt a small surge of hope—hope that maybe surviving Ben's Girls College wouldn't be
as unbearable as she thought.