Turnover: Ugly Duckling

Episode Three

Three

The entire arena was filled with students, the fact that Theodore's father Douglas Lancelot had won the elections in France and was the president was a boost to his popularity as an international superstar, the arena was mostly filled with ‘Theonation’ his fan club A fleet of Rolls Royce drove in and the arena erupted into cheers chanting Theo's name, suddenly the cars came to a halt and a man stepped out, the crowd quieted

⭐: Wait isn't that Mercedes' manager?

Someone asked and one stone erupted into countless waves the crowd craned their neck to sight the music goddess who had risen to fame in less than a year, the daughter of the third richest man Salvatore Florence. The wait was not long. A beautifully well endowed figure stepped out, her skin shiny as gloss, 6 '9 quite tall for a lady but it did not diminish her beauty, another lady looking sassy with her deep blue eyes Delaney, one of Mercedes two besties “No Mercy…” she yelled excitedly and the fans yelled back in reply to the fandom slogan “Just Mercedes” “it's Mercedes guys your one and only” she yelled her face reddening from ecstasy and the crowd erupted into cheers : Oh my she glows like the sun”

“Marry me Mercedes” “She smells like luxury” “her clothes worth more than 1 million dollars”

Mercedes’ fans ‘Merciless’ were no less than Theo's, they were a strong toxic bunch, a lot of people rallied around her but she did not respond, they loved her arrogance, her sassy, her eyes were cold and indifferent as she kept silent.

Suddenly a car drove in recklessly and the crowd made way to avoid being hit, the car finally came to a halt in front of Mercedes’ convoy and Sharon came out looking at Mercedes disdainfully

“Going somewhere, Mercedes? Or are you just running before you get exposed as the sham that you are?”

Delaney laughs softly and walls over her blue eyes sharp, cold , penetrating

“Funny. I was just thinking the same about you except you don’t run, you hide behind other people’s names and call it dignity what King Charles youngest daughter? you're just an abandoned child, an attention seeker.” she said derisively and Sharon's eyes bulged

“At least I don’t steal what isn’t mine.” she yelled and Delany tilted her head enjoying watching her lose composure

“No, you just stand there and watch while life passes you by… then cry when someone bolder takes it.”

Sharon's eyes narrowed

“You really think defending her makes you important? You’re just a background character in someone else’s mess” she said and Delany smirked

“And yet here you are… arguing with me instead of stopping her. That must sting… being this useless and self-righteous.”

Sharon's voice raises a notch higher

“She’s destroying Theo. And you’re helping her do it.”

Delaney leans in closer

“No… what’s destroying him is the fact that someone like her could take everything

and someone like you couldn’t even keep his attention you think everyone is blind to see your hopeless obsession for Theo.”

Sharon laughs and then her eyes go cold, venomous

“You think this ends well for you? For her? Everyone knows she's just gaining fame because of her father's wealth”

“Oh, I don’t care how it ends. I just know you won’t be part of it.”

Sharon turned to Mercedes, ignoring Delaney now

“You’re not untouchable, Mercedes. Sooner or later, people will see you for what you are.” she says and Mercedes smirks her tone soft bordering on the edge of boredom

“They already do.”

She says stepping closer

“Difference is… they still choose me.”

Sharon's jaws tightens and her face contorts

“That’s not power. That’s manipulation.” she roars and Mercedes smirks

“No, Sharon… this is power.” her eyes flick to Delany and she smiles making ‘Merciless’ scream in delight

“I take what I want…

and the only thing you’ve ever taken is offense.

She said glancing over Sharon slowly then she turned towards her fans “Thank you Merciless for supporting me. I love y'all and I'll be holding a concert in a week y'all must be there okay” she said and walked back to her car her fans' screams echoed as the cars drove off.

Delaney walked closer looking at the screaming, ecstatic crowd whispers, with mock pity

“You came here to stop her… but look at you.” You can’t even stand in her shadow without disappearing.” she said then walked to her car entered and drove off.

*

“You really need to see this Theo” Zephyr said handing Theo his phone as the descended from the helicopter in the school's airfield, he had only gotten more handsome in the one year hiatus that EHS had taken “Well, I expected nothing more from Mercedes” he said then turned to Connie, his assistant “Make arrangements I'll have a concert same day as Mercedes” he said and Connie nodded. Zephyr looked confused “I thought… isn't Santi gonna be mad we're opposing his cousin?” He asked but Theo ignored him walking towards the teaching building his eyes holding nothing but utter emptiness.