For the first time since I started high school, I look forward to the school's social events. I don't mean to brag, but I think I have good chances of standing out for my own merit and not because a particular circumstance has turned me into the laughingstock of the situation.

With more and more tension piling up inside The Burden of Breaking Hearts, it's crystal clear the three remaining girls are toast. They can't count on Lyndall for a while, since he got suspended after he was caught texting during classes multiple times and showed attitude when confronted about it.

They can't also rely on Jeff either, though. He has also been suspended, but for an altercation with a student not part of the Club. He's always been an agent of chaos, by the way, so I'm not worried about his impact. The ones I have to take down, at this point, are Ashlea, Meghan and Hope. They're now a sad little clique against the world.

Yes: the school body's support towards them has plummeted since the latest exposé. I've managed to destroy everything around them, brick by brick, with patience and perseverance. I may have lost my friends in the process, but that club can't keep existing and cause more damage than all the other school related factors combined.

I can't wait to go to the ball. On my own, of course. I won't let myself be swayed by Tre's pathetic attempt to capture my heart again. He's had his chance to prove his integrity wouldn't waver in front of the Club, but he wasted it. He may not be as lucky as Peri or Brix, who have at least accepted to collaborate with me to enact my plan.

However, it doesn't mean I can resent him forever. He can do the right thing and join forces with me to put an end to this farce once for all. It's up to him. I do have expectations, but won't force him. I hope his conscience, if he still has one, guides him to the right direction.

***

There's a saying reciting, "One for all, all for one." If only I had realized earlier... My efforts are paying nonetheless. The internal divisions inside the Club are becoming unberable as time goes by. There's no way the three vipers' ego gets on their way as they try to eat the others up.

For example, this is what happens during today's lunch break. Ashlea, who feels bored without her favorite ass kisser, absolutely wants another guy at her feet, but no-one wants to play that part. This doesn't sit well with Meghan and Hope, who both believe she's washed up. Wow, I really have to agree with them on this.

Little by little, frustration mounts among the trio, who would burn each other to the ground if they could. Peri, Salinda and I chuckle as we pass by. In particular, Salinda comments, "They reek of desperation! I can't believe I was that close to someone with a serial obsession over boys!"

Peri replies with a disgusted expression on her face, "Please... Spare me the details! I guess she and that other loser, Lyndall, deserve each other." I join them in showing my disapproval with my thumbs down.

Unfortunately, Meghan is the one who notices our reaction and storms towards us, shouting at us. "So what? Do you think you can judge us? No guy would even approach you, loser..."

Brix, who has surprisingly stayed silent until now, intervenes. "Stop yapping, crybaby! And, remember, staying single is much better than being locked in a toxic relationship for social media consensus." Only a little sense of decorum keeps Meghan from blatantly flipping her the bird.

Still, that's not enough to keep her attitude in check. "Excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you are to judge us? Toxic? How dare you?" She has as little comprehension skills as a bag of frozen peas.

I shake my head. "Meghan, Meghan... Stop making a fool out of yourself. You're being filmed, you know?" I point at Salinda holding an impromptu, and perhaps unauthorized, live on TikTok. As expected, it spreads like wildfire. So much that even a teacher leaves comments under it.

Instead of helping her, Hope freezes, while Ashlea shrugs and ignores her. Meghan storms out of the canteen without eating. I guess her time in The Burden of Breaking Hearts is close to being over.

***

"Wow... We terrorized her so much that she considered denouncing us for instigating bullying against her." Brix can't contain her laughter as she utters these words. What turned out to be the main attraction to that club at first is actually their biggest limitation, as well as the reason why they're trapped in their delusion.

Peri changes subject, handing me a white note. "Oh, Rieleigh, this is a note from Tre. He attached it to your locker. I saw him do so and thought it'd be good to warn you."

"Pass it," I say. "I want to read it."

"Are you sure?" asks Salinda. "It could be a trap."

"I don't think Tre is as ruthless as Ashlea and her minions. There's a chance you could be right, though." Despite this suspicion, I opt for reading the note loud, in front of the others.

'Rieleigh, thank you for opening our eyes! The Burden of Breaking Hearts is a dangerous, borderline cultish entity whose goal isn't to help people deal with love and friendship related issues. It helps to create cliques, fostering a hostile environment and crystalizing the social ladder instead of breaking it.

'I was such a fool to lure you in. I should've been honest with you from the get go. I cost you your friendship with Peri and Brix, and that's unforgivable on my part. So, please, give me this one shot to fix it. I've heard somehow that Ashlea got a quiz cancelled on suspicion of you cheating. That's a blatant lie. I have evidence that it's a set up from her.

'Come see me in the parking lot on Monday after classes. I promise, I will give you everything. No more traps.' For some reason, I believe him. There's no way he's lying on yet another of Ashlea's schemes. Since the quiz is a matter solely involving senior year, I doubt she asked Meghan or Hope for help. She must've worked on her own.

Although Salinda is unconvinced, I have to trust Tre. This part may not be in my original plan, but it's the best shot to take Ashlea down by mile. If it works, there goes The Burden of Breaking Hearts.

"How about we cheer for the imminent downfall of that cove of fuckers?" Peri's offer, though enticing, is premature.

I warn her. "Let's not celebrate ahead of time. She might have one last card to play, her riskiest one. It's better not to take anything for granted."

"You're right, Rieleigh. We'll do things in grand. When The Burden of Breaking Hearts is done, it'll be the beginning of a new era." Peri's statement has a nice ring to it. A new era. Hopefully, this means drama stays out and everyone will do their part to foster a healthy environment in the school halls.

But there's only one way to do so. Defeating what's left of that crooked club.