The Sinister Screen Queen

The late afternoon sun painted the school parking lot in warm hues as Tanya leaned casually against a post, fiddling with her phone.

It wasn't just any phone it was a Vertu Signature, its sleek body gleaming with hints of gold.

"Damn." She muttered under her breath. "This thing is ridiculous."

Your mother really spoiled you. Casey chimed in, her voice dripping with mock awe. Gold accents, hand-crafted, ridiculously overpriced this phone was peak luxury for this era.

"Yeah, it's amazing, but honestly? Compared to the phones in the future, this is basically a brick. No apps, no touch screen, no high-speed internet... just a glorified paperweight that happens to look good."

Casey gasped in mock offense. Excuse me? This is art a handcrafted phone with sapphire crystal screens, actual gold accents, and a concierge service! The phones of your so-called future don't have soul. They're all mass-produced plastic bricks!

Tanya rolled her eyes. "You sound like some snob at a tech museum."

Ignoring the indignation coming from Casey, Tanya explored the phone's settings, her fingers brushing over the tactile buttons. She paused when she stumbled upon the digital wallet section.

Her eyes widened slightly. "Hello there."

She spotted a few hundred pounds in cash logged in her account. Then, something else caught her attention, her card balance.

"Wait, I have £9,000 left?" She whispered quietly.

Memories bubbled up, reminding her of her lifestyle. Her mother, ever indulgent, deposited £10,000 into her account every month. And apparently, she made a habit of blowing through it before the month was over.

"Ugh. I should've been more frugal. Imagine if I'd saved more."

Casey snickered. You? Frugal? Past-you and current-you are cut from the same reckless cloth.

"Rude." Tanya grumbled though she couldn't deny the truth.

She pocketed the phone as Keira emerged from the school building, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she spotted Tanya standing there… on time.

"You're… early." Keira said slowly as if testing out the words. "You're never early."

Tanya shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf."

Is it a rotten leaf?

Keira stopped a few steps away. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing's going on. Can't I be punctual for once?"

"No." Keira said bluntly. "You're always late. It's basically your thing. Did something happen? Did you fail a test or get detention?"

Tanya sighed dramatically. "God, you're suspicious. Maybe I just felt like being early today. Ever think of that?"

Keira raised an eyebrow. "No. Never."

Tanya suppressed a smirk, enjoying her stepsister's confusion. Before she could say more, Keira glanced at her own phone. "Anyway, Mom's picking us up soon, but she said we're dropping me off at the field first for training."

"Training? Right. The whole football practice for the movie." Tanya muttered, half to herself.

Keira frowned. "Don't sound so dismissive. You know how important this is to me."

"Relax, I get it. You're the star." Tanya said, waving her hand dismissively. "Sounds thrilling. Have fun with that."

Keira studied Tanya's face. "You're acting... weird."

Tanya grinned. "Weird? I thought I was being refreshingly charming."

"No, you're being suspiciously... agreeable," Keira replied, squinting at her.

Tanya clapped her hands together. "Look at the time! Gotta go. See you at home."

"What?!" Keira exclaimed, watching as Tanya spun on her heel and began walking away. "Where are you going? Mom's picking us up here!"

Tanya gave a little wave without turning around.

Keira groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Tanya! Seriously?!"

Tanya chuckled to herself as she rounded a corner, out of sight. Mission accomplished. Milk Keira.

You just love messing with her, don't you? Casey sighed.

"Absolutely." Tanya replied with a smirk. "It's the little joys in life."

Tanya strolled through the busy London streets, her eyes taking in every detail. The city felt different, not quite the sprawling metropolis she remembered but not as small as the London she'd read about from the early 2000s.

"Things have changed a lot." Tanya's gaze caught on a group of teenagers loitering near a record store.

Her steps were unhurried, the click of her shoes against the pavement drowned out by the chatter of passersby and the hum of traffic.

Casey's voice echoed in her head. Have you noticed her yet?

Tanya didn't break her stride. "Noticed who?"

Your little shadow. She's been tailing you since you left school. It's kind of adorable, really.

Tanya let her gaze drift casually to the shop windows lining the street.

She passed a betting shop, its flashy neon signs promising quick wins and quicker losses, then a jewellery store showcasing gaudy gold necklaces. She glanced at the reflection in the glass.

Sure enough, there was a petite figure with curly brown hair hovering awkwardly a few steps behind her.

"I had a feeling someone was watching." Tanya muttered under her breath, more amused than alarmed.

It's your shy desk mate Casey teased. She's persistent, I'll give her that.

Tanya snorts, the girl wasn't exactly sneaky.

Tanya walked past a few more shops, purposefully weaving through a dense crowd near a bus stop. Then she slipped out of sight into a quiet alley.

Moments later, a girl appeared at the alley's mouth, glancing around frantically.

Tanya stepped out from behind her.

"Boo!"

The girl shrieked, stumbling back and nearly dropping her bag. Heads turned briefly, but most passersby ignored the scene, too busy with their own lives.

"Looking for me?" Tanya held in a giggle.

The girl's greenish-blue eyes widened in horror. "Y-you scared me! Don't do that!"

"Don't stalk people then." Tanya shot back, arching an eyebrow. "Why are you following me?"

"I—I wasn't! I mean, I'm not! I was… going home!" Her voice rose defensively, but her jittery beautiful eyes gave her away.

"Right." Tanya said, moving closer.

The girl backed up instinctively, clutching her bag.

Tanya leaned in close enough to make her uncomfortable, then walked past her, leaving the girl flustered.

The girl hesitated, then hurried after Tanya, clutching her bag tightly.

They walked in silence for a while, the bustling streets providing a soundtrack to their awkward companionship.

"Where are we heading?" Tanya's companion blurted out as she clutched her bag strap like a lifeline.

Tanya glanced at her sidelong. "I thought you were going home?"

"I... uh, got a bit lost." Her blush deepened.

Tanya rolled her eyes. "Of course you did."

The brown-haired girl offered a nervous smile. "I'm Emilia."

"We are in the same class. I sit next to you."

"I noticed." Tanya replied dryly.

Emilia puffed out her cheeks slightly. "You're Tanya. Of course, I know your name too."

"Lucky me." Tanya was indifferent, but she couldn't help smiling at the girl's enthusiasm.

As they walked, Emilia kept glancing at Tanya, as if summoning the courage to speak.

"Why are you walking? You never do that."

Tanya's steps slowed. She turned to Emilia. "Why are you following me?"

Emilia bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I was... worried."

"Worried?"

"Well... you never walk from school. I just thought it was weird and..." Emilia trailed off, looking anywhere but at Tanya.

Casey snickered. She's adorable. A little awkward, though. Might faint if you sneeze too loudly.

Tanya ignored her system.

"You were worried? About me?" Her lips curved into a small smile. "That's cute."

Emilia's head shot up. "Really?"

"And creepy." Tanya added, causing Emilia's head to shoot down again.

Tanya chuckled softly. "I can take care of myself, Emilia. But thanks."

Emilia brightened, her nervousness melting into a smile. "Oh, um, you're welcome!"

They continued walking, Emilia slowly growing more comfortable. She asked questions—harmless things like Tanya's favourite shops or if she liked the city.

As they passed near Stamford Bridge, she pointed at the stadium.

"Do you like football?" Emilia asked eagerly.

"Of course." If Tanya had said otherwise she's pretty sure she won't be making it home alive. "What's your favourite team?"

"Liverpool!" Emilia declared proudly.

Then Emilia frowned, mock serious. "You're not an Everton fan, are you?"

Tanya smirked along. "What if I am?"

Emilia gasped dramatically. "Then we can't be friends. Sorry, those are the rules."

"Will you disappear if I am?" Tanya asked.

Emilia hesitated, then grinned. "No, but I will make an exception. Reluctantly."

"Unfortunately, I am not an Everton fan." Tanya said, amused.

Emilia's face lit up. "Phew! So, who do you support?"

Before Tanya could answer, a figure emerged from a nearby alley.

A man in a hooded sweatshirt walked toward them, his face obscured by the shadow of his hood.