LUXURY AFTER LOSS

Chapter One: First Day, New Rules Rhodesia had always been her mother’s pride a soft-spoken, obedient girl who never strayed too far from home, never raised her voice, and never questioned the rules. At just sixteen, she had already carved out a reputation in her old school: the girl who said “no” politely, the one who read romance novels instead of watching wild TV shows, the one who still wore socks above her ankles and crossed herself every morning before class. So when she got into Meadowcrest High, her parents were overjoyed. It was a prestigious school, bigger, bolder, and more diverse than her quiet neighborhood could prepare her for. “Don’t lose focus,” her father warned that morning, adjusting his tie at the door. “Remember where you come from.” Her mother kissed her forehead three times once for protection, once for guidance, and once for strength. Rhodesia smiled, heart fluttering with nerves. Her white blouse was crisp, her skirt ironed straight. Her braids were neatly tied back with blue ribbons. She carried her backpack like it held everything that mattered. But Meadowcrest wasn’t the school she imagined. The moment she stepped through the gates, the atmosphere changed. Loud music blared from someone’s speaker in the back. Girls in tight jeans and glossy lips strolled past in confident clusters. Boys leaned on railings, eyes following every move like hawks. There was something electric in the air a kind of freedom she hadn’t tasted before. That was when she met Lilian. Lilian was leaning against the cafeteria wall, chewing bubblegum and laughing with a voice that could slice air. She wore her uniform like it was a suggestion skirt rolled up, shirt half-buttoned, long braids dyed wine-red. She spotted Rhodesia from across the yard and waved her over like she already knew her. “You’re new, right?” she asked, eyes sharp like a blade wrapped in velvet. Rhodesia nodded. “Yes. I’m Rhodesia.” “Pretty name. I’m Lilian. And these are my girls Tasha and Brie.” Tasha, tall and curvy, barely nodded. Brie, with her perfect skin and fake nails, gave a lazy wave. Rhodesia smiled politely. Something about them felt dangerous… but also exciting. By the end of that day, Rhodesia had eaten lunch with them, borrowed Brie’s lip gloss, and laughed at jokes she didn’t quite understand. She wasn’t sure what drew her in maybe it was the way they walked like they owned the ground, or the fact that every boy stared when they passed. She went home that day different. Not on the outside her uniform was still neat, her ribbons still tight but inside, something had cracked open. That night, her mother asked, “How was your first day?” Rhodesia smiled. “Fine. Just new.” She didn’t mention the way Lilian talked about cutting classes, or how Brie had a boyfriend ten years older, or how Tasha bragged about faking her period to skip gym. She didn’t mention the rush she felt being noticed. Instead, she opened her novel and stared at the page without reading. Something about Meadowcrest had changed her already. And it was only the first day.