300 Days With The Alpha Beta Triplets
TWO QUEENS

Bella:

Hanging out with Fae was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had made a deal, one I intended to keep in order to get her off my back and that of the triplets. I snuck out of class early, before the last bell rang, and waited until the doors opened. Then I made my way to Aubrey and Rebby's apartment. Fae had sent me a text with things I could say to Aubrey and Rebby to let her back in, and it was exhausting going through it.

When I arrived at the apartment, I was warmly greeted by the doorman. I took the elevator, which stopped at their floor. As it opened, a middle-aged woman mopping the finely tiled floors greeted me, continuing her work.

"Good day, ma'am," I replied. She stopped her work, holding the mop upright, her eyes on me.

"Are Aubrey and Rebby around?" I asked. She shook her head.

"They stepped out a while ago, but you can wait for them," she said, pointing to the living area. I thanked her and made my way to one couch, texting Fae, who showed up almost instantly with a woman dressed in a suit and glasses, carrying a large bag filled with things I was dying to know about.

"Bella," Fae said, strutting toward me. She took a seat across from me, and I tried my best to keep my curiosity in check, but I couldn't stop staring at the bag.

"Remember the text message I sent you? I hope you've gone over what to say when they ask what I must do to earn the position back?" she asked. I nodded, though uninterested.

I knew she would try to buy her way back into the Sapphire Belle if my plan failed, and even if she succeeded, she wouldn't leave me alone. But it would keep her busy for a while, as I figured out what to do with Sebastine.

The elevator dinged, and Aubrey and Rebby walked in, their faces barely visible behind the bags they carried. I stood up at once.

"Bella, you're here!" Rebby exclaimed, dropping the bags when she saw Fae. "Ah!" she screamed. "What is this backstabbing slut doing here?" she demanded. Fae sprang to her feet.

"Excuse me, last time I checked, your boyfriend asked for it and begged for it," Fae shot back.

Her words made my entire body weak. I had hoped this would go smoothly, but she was making things worse. Soon, they were shouting and exchanging insults, while Aubrey walked to her room to drop her bags. The help from earlier packed Rebby's bags, and the woman with Fae stood silently, like a statue.

Rebby grabbed Fae's ponytail, whirling her around and pushing her backward.

"Oh no, you don't!" Fae yelled, rushing at Rebby.

Before she could reach her, Aubrey blew a whistle, stopping them in their tracks. They stood inches apart, panting heavily, while Aubrey folded her arms with an eye roll.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?" she snapped. "You're fighting over a guy who probably doesn't give two shits about either of you. So he begged to have sex with you, Fae. Most guys do that. And Rebby, MOVE ON! You have a boyfriend now, and he got you all these nice things."

She walked to a couch, rubbing her temples, while I stood there watching Rebby and Fae in silence.

"She's right," Fae said, and my eyes widened. Fae admitting she was wrong? That was almost impossible. "Boys are stupid, and I don't want to lose my best friend over any of them."

That was the Fae I knew, always scheming, always ready to twist the narrative to fit her plans. Her words got to Rebby, who softened immediately. Fae grabbed her hand.

"I'm sorry, Rebby, and I've missed you. Please don't let this come between us. I'll do anything to make it up to want my best friends back."

you. I

Her words seemed convincing enough, but I wouldn't fall for them. Rebby did, though, throwing her arms around Fae in a hug. They deserved each other. It was none of my business. They hugged for a while, tears slipping out, which I could tell were fake from Fae's side. She was a snake.

"I got you guys gifts during the break because I couldn't stop thinking of you," Fae said as they pulled away. The woman who had been standing like a statue opened the large bag, pulling out two boxes.

"Limited edition," she said, handing the bags to Aubrey and Rebby.

They started talking, and I assumed my work was done. I stood up to leave, but they stopped me.

"Not so fast," Rebby said.

I sighed deeply, waiting for her to speak. "Do you even want this crown or not? When Fae was queen, she carried the crown with pride, but you treated us like some lousy boy who used and dumped us," she said. I paused, taking in her words.

I shrugged it off, then looked at Fae.

"You're right. I am some lousy boy to this group, and I'm sorry. I think Fae should have the crown back."

"What?" Fae exclaimed, dropping her jaw. "You have to be kidding. I just got back, and I have a lot to catch up on, and I-"

"It's perfect," Rebby said, and Aubrey sighed with an eye roll.

"Here we go again," Aubrey muttered, and I could only imagine what it was like to be in her shoes. Shoes I would never want to wear.

"Really?" Fae asked, and Rebby nodded, beaming with excitement. They hugged again.

"So what would it take to hand over to her? Does she have some special task or something?"

"Let her throw us a party. A school party for only the most popular kids at Howlstone. No losers allowed," I said. Rebby clapped, jumping in excitement like a kindergarten kid.

They started discussing party plans while I tried to sneak out.

"Bella should come up with the truth or dare games, strict ones," Fae said. I looked at her without a word. She continued explaining until I couldn't take it anymore.

"Got it," I muttered, then exited the room.

As I waited for a taxi downstairs, Fae walked up to me.

"Good to see you kept your end of the deal. I'll be off your back for now."

I didn't respond. A taxi approached, and I flagged it down, getting in. My phone beeped immediately, showing a picture of Fae and me together.

"Spotted: Queen B and ex-Queen. Can two queens coexist in peace? Not in the streets of Howlstone. This semester seems to hold an exciting path for everyone, and I am officially back to unravel them. Watch your backs because I am everywhere."

"Asshole," I muttered, tossing my phone into my bag as I leaned back, closing my eyes.