Chapter Text
Everyone in the entire school would agree that there were certain social hierarchies that could not be topped, like, at all.
At the bottom of the social pyramid, there were the nerdy, geeky, weird kids at the bottom, the quiet kids just barely above them.
From there we go to the middle of the social pyramid, where the normal kids are. The kids that did sports and/or any school related clubs or activities that weren’t fucking boring or lame like the Book club or something were usually automatically there as long as it didn’t get cancelled out by their weirdness.
Finally, at the top of the hierarchy, the apex predators you could say, that was where they were. Who are they you may ask? Well, it would be none other than the following.
Amelia F. Jones, quite literally the peak of the school. A random teenage girl who somehow climbed her way to the top of the social pyramid almost effortlessly. She embodies the stereotypical popular girl. Captain of the cheerleading team, blonde, tan, nice (to your face), pretty, however, she’s.. well, pretty loud, but it’s not like that makes her less liked, hell that probably makes her more liked. She’s kinda a bitch but like isn’t everyone?
Anya Braginskiya, she looks so nice but she’s uhm, pretty intimidating. She basically became popular just cause no one wanted to piss her off. Even teachers are scared of her and that’s kinda crazy. At first glance she looks like a sweetie, until you actually observe her for more than 5 seconds. She has like a bunch of “minions” but it’s probably because she like threatened them or something.
Alice Kirkland, a preppy English school girl that is always mad at something for some reason. Straight A’s, everyone tries to be friends with her because she’s lowkey loaded (she gets shit talked behind her back obviously). She came from like a fancy British boarding school from London or something, don’t know, don’t care.
Marianne Bonnefoy, how she doesn’t get dress coded is beyond my understanding. She’s one of the more tolerable girls that are popular if you ignore her passionate actions for love (basically horniness). She’s always on some love is love type shit and honestly, I live for that.
Wang Chun Yan, nothing about her really gives popular energy but at the same time it just feels correct. She’s not really in the center of the room, but when she is, you notice. One of the more sane girls in the friend group, however you can’t really read her and I wouldn’t bother trying to.
They sat comfortably at the top, not ever worrying about anything happening to their authority. They were basically untouchable, because who in their right mind would do anything to them and die socially?
Compared to this little monarchy thing or whatever you want to call it, our main characters are kind of… mediocre.
Monika Beilschmidt, the leader of the group, she’s one of the newer students, but that doesn’t stop her from having a reputation,a reputation of having a stick up her ass. A lot of people say she would be hot if she actually cared and wasn’t a… never mind.
Felicia Vargas, arguably the most popular out of them. She was nice, however it kinda annoys people whenever she just does nothing other than be there. Honestly, a power move though because people still help (by people I mean Monika). She’s that one person that talks to everyone and is actually nice? Who would’ve guessed.
Sakura Honda, the foreign exchange student that was quiet and a little bit awkward. Someone really needs to teach her how to dress because I fear almost all of her items are clashing, but in a cute way. She could count her friends on her fingers which is honestly kind of sad.
Those 3 are in their own independent little student organization, the Newspaper club. They get around like 10 viewers every week if they’re lucky, so not a lot of influence on the school.
At the cafeteria, all the tables were separated by social groups. Of course the ones at the top of the food chain sat in the center of the cafeteria, just the right spot to get attention.
On the other hand, the trio sat at the far bottom left of the cafeteria, right next to the weird theatre kids.
There sat Monika, Felicia, and Sakura.
Felicia was wearing a comfortable muted red Henley top with light washed flared jeans and a beat up pair of converses. Her hair was tied with a cute moss green claw clip and a simple white headband, contrasting her brown hair.
On the other hand, Monika dressed like she was gonna go work out, with her black tank top, camo jacket, cargo pants, and of course, her signature combat boots, it totally made her look like a wannabe member of the military. The only thing out of place was the white headphones around her neck showing, woah, personality.
Sakura was the one dressed the most… unique between them. With her purple mini skirt over grey jeans, an oversized jacket with about 2 shirts underneath, a toothpaste teal polo and a navy blue tank top. With her plaid scarf and abundance of hair clips, it made her look more cutesy than anything.
“Why do we have to sit heree! It smells...” Felicia asked begrudgingly while picking at the unhealthy school lunch.
Monika crossed her arms. “It gives us peace, and at least we won’t get bothered by anyone,” Monika said matter of factly.
“Well we’re surrounded by social rejects so I don’t really know if we won’t get bothered,” Sakura said, looking up at them.
Monika sighed. “It’s not like there’s any other place for us to sit at. Anyways, we have more present concerns, like what should our next topic for the paper be?” Monika questioned.
Sakura raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think people care enough for us to be putting this much effort into this...” Sakura said, fixing her scarf.
Felicia opened her eyes and looked at the both of them. “It’s okay! Maybe they’ll actually notice it if it’s eye catching enough!” Felicia said happily with a lazy smile on her face.
“Something that will catch their eye...” Monika thought out loud.
“Maybe gossip or controversies?” Sakura suggested, tapping her fingernails on the table.
Monika looked like she was taken aback, suddenly shaking her head. “Hell no, could you imagine what they would say about us?” Monika whisper shouted, putting her hands on the table.
Then, suddenly, the once noisy, disgusting, and chaotic cafeteria died down. Monika looked at the center of the cafeteria and of course, there they were.
“... So yeah dude we should totally look for some more!” Amelia exclaimed, the first part of her sentence was incomprehensible. She was wearing her staple outfit, a miniskirt, a crop top tied at the front, boots, a necklace with the initial A on it, and a bomber jacket (to avoid dress code).
The group sat at the basically reserved table, the surrounding people becoming quieter and looking at them in awe for the millionth time.
“Da, we should, I’m curious if there are others.” Anya nodded approvingly. She fixed her long gorgeous hair, making sure not to tangle it. She was wearing a pretty basic outfit, however it matched her. Dark wash jeans, fur boots, and a simple muted pink turtleneck.
“I feel like that’s not that important right now,” Alice said matter of factly. She dusted off her plaid skirt, tucked in her cream polo shirt, and fixed her loafers.
Marianne chuckled. “We should think about it though, I mean what could be the worst that happens?” She explains. Marianne was wearing a gorgeous olive silk halter top with the most flattering bootcut jeans, silver hoops, and of course, heels.
“I agree with her. We should think about it,” Chun Yan said. Her outfit screamed unique but not too unique that it’s weird. She wore an empire waist wrap shirt that was a lovely shade of maroon accompanied by dark grey capris and a kitten heel.
As they talked about stuff, like gossip and shit, Marianne looked in their direction, raising an eyebrow.
“They’re looking at us,” Sakura said to the others.
“Who?” Felicia asked, turning her head.
Before Monika or Sakura could respond, the group already made their way to their table.
“Hey! Are you guys available after class?” Amelia asked, her face already showing that she expected a yes.
“Uhm, we’re not busy so I guess..?” Monika said, trying hard not to stare.
“Great, 4 PM, outside the school gates alright!” Amelia said, already walking away. Marianne waved goodbye, Monika’s mouth slightly agape.
“What was that?” Sakura asked, still trying to process the short conversation, if you could even call it one.
“I think.. I think they invited us to hang out?” Felicia offered with a smile.
They all knew that this was a chance to have more influence so they nervously played it off and anxiously waited for the day to end, hoping not to blow the chance.
When the bell finally rang, they scurried to the outside of the school gates, still panting a little. Felicia was fixing her hair, Monika was simply taking deep breaths, and Sakura was just trying to act normal.
Finally, they arrived...15 minutes later. Whatever, that’s not even that bad, and at least they could mentally prepare. Monika sighed before looking at them.
“Sorry we’re late, Amelia took a while.” Alice said while rolling her eyes.
“Hey! It’s not my fault Feliks got me in trouble with the teacher!” Amelia exclaimed.
“All you do is complain. Anyways, why are we forgetting about our new company?” Marianne smiled at them.
“Let’s go now, yes?” Anya said with a subtle smile, already walking to her Cadillac, the rest following suit not long after.
As they sat in the car seats, a presence of uncomfortable silence surrounding them, Amelia finally decided to break it.
“So.. what do you guys like doing in your freetime?” She asked them, her charisma flowing through her words easily.
“Well we’re in the newspaper club so there’s that…we do other stuff too though," Monika said just trying to be nonchalant.
“Well, since we’re going to the mall, I’d figure you’d want us to help upgrade your outfits,” Amelia said.
Sakura looked at Monika and Felicia with a slightly nervous look on her face. “Oh, there’s no need for that, we wouldn’t want to trouble you after all," Sakura replied, her thick accent incorporating itself into her speech.
The girls looked at each other with a face that was a mix between remorse and trying not to laugh. Chun Yan, the more responsible of the bunch, raised an eyebrow at their expressions.
Marianne put her arm around them. “No really it’s fine! We love to help people in dire need.” Marianne beamed at them with pleasure.
Felicia, Monika, and Sakura looked at each other, wondering why they were so… eager to do this with them.
“We’re here now, get out, I’ll park the car," Anya said in a very sickly sweet tone while still looking nice. They left the car and entered the mall, the smell of air conditioning and fresh pastries hitting their noses.
“Go ahead, I’ll wait here for Anya. I’ll just call you when she gets here.” Chun Yan simply said, waving them away with her hand.
As the group walked to the escalator, the three girls feeling very out of place, they looked around for clothing stores.
Amelia took off her jacket and was in the process of tying it around her waist. “Hey! Why don’t remove that jacket, your outfit would look way better without it,” She said to Monika.
Monika abruptly stopped and looked at Amelia. “Uh, sure I guess," She said, complying, tying it around her waist.
“That looks way better now dude!” Amelia exclaimed, putting a hand on Monika’s shoulder, her posture becoming straight.
Felicia and Sakura looked at their friend, not being used to her wearing something more… revealing. Marianne nodded approvingly while Alice just sighed.
“Stop trying to make people look like whores, Amelia," Alice said while burying her head into her hand.
Okay, that was pretty stupid because they were literally walking. Unbeknownst to Alice, there was a corner, almost bumping face first into it. Thank goodness Felicia was actually looking, and right before she walked into the wall, Felicia stopped her.
“There’s a wall there!” Felicia said worryingly.
Alice momentarily stopped and huffed in embarrassment. “Thanks," She replied monotonously.
“Ha! That’s what you get for trying to talk about self expression," Marianne teased Alice.
Before she could reply, Amelia’s phone suddenly rang. She took her bedazzled flip phone out and answered. There was something said on the other line, probably something along the lines of ‘where are you?’
“Uh yeah! we’re going to that one store that you basically bought out once on the second floor. Meet us there!” Amelia said and after a few seconds closed her flip phone.
Monika, Felicia, and Sakura just trailed behind them, letting them lead the way.
“What do you think they’re going to make us do?” Sakura whispered to them.
“Well, they seem nice so I’m not worried!” Felicia said cheerfully.
Monika had a feeling that there were ulterior motives but was unsure. “Let’s just play along for now, I mean, what can we lose?” Monika said.
When they finally made their way to the store, they waited about two minutes tops before Anya and Chun Yan arrived.
“Finally! Come on, let’s get them some new clothes!” Amelia exclaimed and dragged them inside.
The trio looked uncomfortable, especially Sakura. They looked at the abundance of different clothing options, wondering which ones they would be forced into.
“Do we really need to do this...?” Monika asked them, scratching her head.
“Well, you don’t look bad per se, however we feel like it would be better if you could—,” Marianne hesitated. “Ah how do i put this, your current outfits are a little… all over the place, but we can help with that!” She said, giving them a playful wink.
The girls just stood there, uncomfortably before they were dragged by the others, thrown into dressing rooms with a bunch of different clothes.
When they finally came out, they looked like different people. Monika looked at Felicia and Sakura a little shocked by the way they looked so different. Likewise, they reacted similarly.
Monika was wearing something more casual with the help of Amelia and Marianne. She wore a navy blue halter top, complementing her eyes, paired with a low rise dark wash flared jeans and some random white sneakers. The outfit was accompanied by a cute belt and a black shoulder bag. This really made her look like a different person, and you could tell she didn’t pick it.
“Dude, that totally fits you! Aren’t I great!” Amelia said smugly.
“It doesn’t have to be major,” Anya stated, crossing her arms.
On the other hand, Felicia’s outfit change wasn’t that major, but still helped her. She wore a white cream zip up, which made her look softer, paired with a chocolate brown plaid skirt and the same pair of beat up converse. Her green claw clip was changed for a simple pink ribbon.
“Oh please, you’re not the only one who can do miracles," Alice replied.
Finally, Sakura looked like she was the most changed. She was wearing a white ribbed tank top underneath a pink cardigan, a flowy beige midi skirt, and ballet flats. She looked like more... simple, yeah let’s say that.
The group looked at them approvingly, already talking about what else to add.
They looked at themselves in the mirrors, wondering how they managed to look so different. They shortly changed after a while, finally back in their comfortable outfits.
At the register there was hesitation, unsure if they really wanted to change this drastically. The trio looked at each other, like they were expecting for one of them to say something.
“So, uh, we’ll pay for it now I guess?” Monika offered so that they could get this over with.
“Nah don’t worry about it, it’s not that much,” Amelia said, already tapping her card.
They didn’t know what to do so they just stood there, like a deer in headlights. The bags were handed to them, just like it was spare change.
When they all finally went their own ways, Monika just crashed into her couch, contemplating putting up with this. Then suddenly, her boisterous sister entered the living room.
She stood near the couch wearing a flashy outfit, a total 180 from what Monika wore. She wore a black leather jacket over a cherry red tube top, a metallic silver skirt paired with knee high boots. Her long, messy, white hair pulled the whole look together.
“Oh hey there! Didn’t see you there! Why’re ya home so late?” Julia said way too loudly for a 10 feet distance.
Monika sighed. “Uh yeah, I just went somewhere after class,” She replied.
“Uh huh, anyways I’ll be going now!” Julia said already halfway through the door, not giving Monika the chance to respond.
Nothing really changed for everyone else, they reacted like it was normal. She couldn’t believe she would ever think something so trivial would ever be major in her life.
Unfortunately, it did.