LET'S BREAK THEM

CHAPTER 04: ARYA'S DOWNFALL

Step 3: Take everything Arya has.

Starting with her crown.

The morning bell hadn’t even rung yet and the school courtyard was already buzzing.

Like a hive. Like everyone could smell blood in the air.

I stood by the notice board, phone in hand, heart pounding so hard I could hear it.

My thumb hovered over the screen.

One more tap.

One tap and there’s no going back.

No undo button.

Post.

@Anonymous: PROOF - Arya Carter paid 5 girls $200 each to vote for her in Student Council. #ElectionFraud

Attached: bank transfers. Voice notes. A 10 second video of Arya laughing.

"Money makes people loyal, duh."

Her voice. Her laugh. Her words. Clear as day.

By first period, the whole school knew.

By second period, the teachers were whispering in the staff room.

By third period, the principal was on the phone with the school board.

“KUDO, did you see this?” Lila grabbed my arm in the hall. Eyes wide, panicked.

“Is this real? Did Arya really buy votes? I voted for her!”

I shrugged. Eyes down. Playing small. Playing innocent.

The girl who knows nothing.

"I don’t know. I just saw it online."

Lie.

The cleanest lie I’ve ever told. And it tasted like victory.

Then she walked in.

Arya.

No makeup. Hair messy. Hoodie up.

Hands shaking so bad she dropped her phone once and didn’t pick it up.

50 people turned to stare. 100.

The hallway parted for her like she was contagious.

"Cheater."

"Fraud."

"She bought her way in."

"She’s fake."

The whispers followed her like shadows.

Louder than they ever were for me. Meaner.

Her eyes searched the hallway. Frantic. Desperate.

For him.

Ben.

He was by his locker. Phone in hand. Jaw tight.

His tie was crooked. Dark circles under his eyes.

When he looked up and saw her, he didn’t move.

Didn’t smile.

Didn’t walk to her.

Didn’t put his arm around her like he always did. Like it was his job.

He just stared.

And then he looked away.

Back at his phone.

Arya’s face broke. "Ben—" Her voice cracked in front of everyone.

"Not now," he said. Quiet. Cold. Final.

And he walked away.

Down the hall.

Alone.

Didn’t look back.

Just like that, the golden couple cracked.

Right down the middle.

In front of the whole school.

By lunch, Arya was alone.

No friends. They all sat 3 tables away suddenly, laughing too loud.

No Ben.

Just her phone blowing up on the table. 200 comments. 300.

Calling her fake. Calling her desperate. Calling her everything she called me.

I sat two tables away, stirring cold noodles.

Alone. Like always.

But this time, everyone was looking at me too.

Not with pity.

With curiosity. With fear.

I should’ve felt happy.

This was revenge.

This was Step 3.

This was exactly what I planned for weeks.

So why did my chest feel tight?

Why did her face, crumpling in public, make my stomach turn?

Because I remember being her. Last week.

My phone buzzed on the table. Unknown number.

You think you’re smart? You have no idea who you’re messing with. -A

Arya.

Using a burner because hers was probably getting blown up too.

I stared at the text for a long time.

Then I smiled.

Slow.

And I didn’t reply.

I just locked my phone.

First blood.

The crown fell.

The friends left.

The boyfriend went cold.

But the war isn’t over.

Because Ben is still standing.

And the Carters don’t lose quietly.

They hit back.

`Chapter 03.

I took her crown.

Now I wait for the king to fall.

-K`