The Sinister Screen Queen

The classroom was a dull and lifeless place.

The same stale air, the monotonous whining of the teacher's voice droning on, and the chatter of students who had long since tuned out.

Tanya had already checked out herself, she gazed out the window hoping something interesting happened.

The teacher, Mr. Greyson, paid her no mind, as expected.

Tanya had long ago ensured her mother's generous donations to the school granted her a free pass from most authority figures.

She didn't have friends here. At least, not the kind that mattered.

Everyone was too caught up in their small lives, their schoolwork, their meaningless ambitions. What was the point?

This place was a waste of time.

Her gaze drifted to her deskmate.

A petite girl with dark eyebrows and a faint smile scribbled notes in her notebook.

Her curly brown hair framed a youthful face, and her expressive greenish-blue eyes darted nervously at Tanya every few minutes, like a startled animal sensing danger.

The shy girl had barely said a word since the start.

She didn't fit in either, stuck in a sea of cliques and false friendships. Tanya didn't mind though.

She wasn't interested in making connections.

But something about this girl...

She had this... confidence radiating from her. Or maybe it was Tanya's boredom projecting onto her.

The girl's eyes flicked over to Tanya, meeting her gaze for a brief second before quickly looking away.

Someone has an admirer.

Tanya noticed the blush creeping up her neck and couldn't help smiling.

She hadn't done anything, but it was clear the girl felt the heat of Tanya's attention.

The class dragged on, but Tanya kept thinking back to the girl.

The way her long brown hair fell in soft waves, the way her eyes darted around the room nervously.

Tanya's lips quirked into a mischievous smile. Time for some fun.

The teacher was busy rambling on about whatever lesson they'd been assigned, and Tanya took the opportunity to nudge her deskmate's elbow with hers.

"Hey." Tanya whispered, not loud enough for the teacher to hear but just enough for the girl to flinch.

The girl looked up in surprise, her eyes wide and lips parted as if unsure what to do.

Tanya leaned in a little closer, just enough to be within the girl's personal space.

"Do you know what happens when you stare at someone for too long?"

The girl blinked, confused. "Wh-what?"

Tanya let the words sink in for a second. "It makes them think you like them."

"And, you know, people will start talking about you. It could be... embarrassing." Tanya said softly.

The girl's cheeks immediately turned bright red.

She ducked her head, her hair falling over her face like a shield, a small embarrassed laugh escaped her lips.

Tanya couldn't help but be entertained by the reaction.

"Just making sure you're aware." Tanya added in a sing-song voice.

The girl gave her a flustered look but didn't say anything. She probably didn't know how to respond. Tanya didn't expect her to.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and the students began gathering their things.

Tanya stood up, glancing once more at the girl who was still red-faced, fumbling with her books.

She decided to leave the girl with a final jab.

Do you have to torment this poor angel?

Definitely.

"You might want to be careful next time." Tanya said, her voice teasing.

"People might start thinking you're lovestruck."

The girl just nodded quickly, not saying a word as she scrambled to pack up her things.

Tanya watched for a moment, then turned and walked out of the classroom.

She felt a strange satisfaction from the encounter.

It was childish, yes, but sometimes it was the only way to get through the monotony of it all.

She'd made the girl uncomfortable, and that was enough for now.

Who cares?

Me!

Tanya walked down the empty corridors of the school.

She'd already decided to skip her next class.

It wasn't like anyone would notice most of the teachers were too busy to care.

She knew exactly how to work the system.

It was easy, get in, get out, and leave the rest behind. People come and go all the time.

I am pretty sure that's not how it works

That's how it works.

As she passed the bathrooms for the older girls, muffled voices reached her ears.

"Seriously, look at your face! Do you even have mirrors at home?"

Laughter followed, cruel and cutting. Tanya frowned, her steps slowing as she moved closer to the door.

"Those eyes do you even need to open them to see?"

"Or maybe she can't! Poor thing's probably blind as well as ugly."

The system pinged in her ear.

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

Objective 1: Stop the bullying

Reward: 500 EP

Objective 2: Stop the bullies indefinitely

 Reward: 2500 EP

Be the Hero/Reject

She stared at the message for a moment.

Tanya, stop those lowlife bullies. Casey shouts out a battle cry.

Stop the bullying? It was an unusual request for her because she is usually the one doing it. A little verbal abuse builds character.

Are you serious! Casey groans.

Tanya sighed, she wasn't about to be some hero or saviour.

Then a grin crept onto her face.

But… she didn't mind being the villain.

Inside, two older girls, probably 17 or 18, were laughing at a girl with delicate features.

She looked like she might be Japanese or Korean, with soft, dark eyes, and long, straight black hair that cascaded over her shoulders.

Tanya paused, taking in the scene. The two bullies were taunting the girl, who clenched her bag tightly in her arms.

"Look at those eyes." One of them mocked.

"Like a cat's or something. They're so tiny."

The other girl giggled. "Yeah, you look like a bug. Can you even see past your crooked nose?"

Tanya's lip curled, this was sickeningly familiar.

People always seemed to tear others down for things they couldn't control.

She'd done it herself, and it made her feel powerful. It intoxicated her that she could push someone around, and they could do nothing about it.

It's probably what these weaklings are also feeling.

Let's show them what happens when a mouse meets an apex predator.

You're not planning to kill them? Casey starts to worry.

Tanya stepped into the middle of the scene.

"That's funny, coming from two ugly girls." Tanya's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

The bullies turned to her, their ugly sneers faltering in confusion.

"What did you say?" One of them a tall girl with frizzy blonde hair snapped.

Tanya strolled closer, her smile growing.

"I said it's hilarious watching two wrinkly, fat sluts try to make themselves feel better by tearing down someone prettier than them."

The shorter bully, a brunette with a round face, flushed red. "Who do you think you are!?"

"Someone who's a lot better looking than you." Tanya said with a grin.

"Also, someone who's got better things to do than pick on people."

Tanya turned to the victim. "Don't let them get to you. You're a hundred times more beautiful than these two circus rejects."

The Asian girl's mouth fell open, stunned, her lips parted as she looked at Tanya.

The bullies were seething. One of them, a blonde with a harsh, red-tinted look, seemed ready to rip Tanya's hair off.

"Who do you think you are, little brat?" She hissed. "You're going to regret—"

Before she could finish, Tanya kicked her square in the chest, sending her crashing to the ground. The blonde gasped, and the wind knocked out of her.

"Did you ask for permission to talk?" Tanya sweetly smiled.

"Because you really should've."