The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over St. Clarine High School. The sprawling campus had always been a second home to Ardania, Krishina, Luna, and Jaena. Known as the "Quadro," they’d been inseparable since their early high school years.

No one could deny that Ardania stood out as the unspoken leader of the group. Her poise, grace, and confidence were qualities everyone admired, and even though the other three girls shone in their own ways, it was Ardania who seemed to draw the most attention. It wasn’t just because she was beautiful, though she certainly was—with her long, wavy hair, striking green eyes, and a smile that could light up a room. It was her aura, a kind of magnetism that made her the center of every room she entered.

Krishina, Luna, and Jaena adored Ardania, and not just because of how others admired her. They shared a deep bond, built over years of late-night study sessions, whispered secrets, and unwavering support for one another. They were always there for each other, through thick and thin, and their friendship had survived the tumultuous years of high school.

The Quadro had formed when they were freshmen, and since then, their bond had only grown stronger. Krishina was the academic genius, often found with her nose buried in books, tutoring the others whenever they needed help. Luna was the athletic one, always competing in track and field events and bringing home medals that the group would celebrate over pizza and ice cream. Jaena, the artist of the group, had a talent for turning any piece of paper into a masterpiece with just a few strokes of her pencil.

Ardania, though, was the glue that held them all together. She was the one who organized their weekend outings, planned study schedules, and always knew the right thing to say when one of them was feeling down. Together, they were an unbreakable team, and everyone at school knew it.

But not everyone appreciated the Quadro’s closeness. Saevana, for one, watched from the sidelines, her envy growing day by day. She wasn’t part of their group, though she had her own circle of friends—Aurora, Ishaira, and Patricia. They were close, but their bond wasn’t like the Quadro’s. And no matter how much Saevana tried to convince herself otherwise, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

It had all started innocently enough. Saevana had always admired Ardania from afar. Who wouldn’t? Ardania was everything Saevana wished she could be—confident, effortlessly popular, and always at the top of her game. But as the years went on, admiration turned into something darker. Saevana found herself studying Ardania’s every move, her outfits, her mannerisms, the way she spoke, even the way she walked. She began copying little things at first—a hairstyle here, a new phrase there. Her friends, Aurora, Ishaira, and Patricia, didn’t think much of it.

“You look good,” Aurora had said the first time Saevana showed up to school with her hair styled exactly like Ardania’s. “It’s a popular look. Nothing wrong with it.”

That had been all the encouragement Saevana needed. From then on, she started copying more and more of Ardania’s life. She’d scroll through Ardania’s social media, picking out outfits to replicate. When Ardania posted about her favorite book, Saevana made sure to read it too, so she could casually mention it in conversations at school. It was a subtle game of mimicry that no one seemed to notice—at first.

But the prom incident was the first time things had gone too far.

The Prom Incident

The annual St. Clarine High School prom was the event of the year, and Ardania had been looking forward to it for weeks. She’d spent hours picking out the perfect dress—a sleek, silver gown that hugged her curves in all the right places and shimmered under the light. Krishina, Luna, and Jaena had helped her choose it, spending an entire Saturday at the mall trying on dress after dress until they found “the one.”

“I can’t wait for you to wear this,” Jaena had said, grinning as Ardania twirled in front of the mirror. “You’re going to blow everyone away.”

“Definitely,” Luna agreed, snapping pictures on her phone. “You’re going to be the star of the night.”

And Ardania believed them. She knew the dress was perfect. It felt like a reflection of who she was—bold, confident, and a little bit glamorous.

Prom night arrived, and as Ardania and her friends stepped into the beautifully decorated gymnasium, she felt like she was on top of the world. The lights twinkled overhead, casting a soft glow on the crowd of students dancing, chatting, and laughing. She was surrounded by her best friends, and the night was already shaping up to be magical.

But then she saw her.

Saevana.

Wearing the exact same dress.

Ardania’s heart dropped into her stomach. For a moment, she thought it must be a mistake. Maybe Saevana had just happened to choose a similar dress? But no—this was no coincidence. The dress was identical, down to the last detail, and Saevana had even styled her hair the same way Ardania had.

“Are you serious?” Krishina whispered, her eyes narrowing as she stared across the room at Saevana. “She copied your entire look!”

Luna crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. “Does she not realize how obvious this is? She’s trying to be you, Ardania.”

Jaena frowned, glancing between Ardania and Saevana. “This is so weird. Why would she do this?”

Ardania tried to shrug it off, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort gnawing at her. It wasn’t just the dress—it was everything. The copying had been subtle at first, but now it was impossible to ignore. Saevana wasn’t just inspired by Ardania anymore—she was trying to be her.

to be continued...

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The buzz around school hadn’t settled since the prom incident. Ardania’s friends, the Quadro, were still talking about how awkward and unsettling it was that Saevana had copied her dress so closely. Despite Ardania’s efforts to shake it off, it continued to haunt her, especially when she’d catch Saevana watching her in class or in the hallways. It was as if Saevana had crossed an invisible line, and now, nothing felt quite the same.

Yet, Ardania was determined to put the prom behind her. She wanted to focus on more important things, like her upcoming family dinner—a tradition that her family held dear. Twice a month, Ardania’s relatives gathered at her home to enjoy each other’s company, share stories, and keep the family bond alive. This time was special because Ardania had been asked to help prepare the food, a rite of passage in her family that meant she was officially stepping into her role as a young adult.

On the night of the dinner, Ardania felt a surge of excitement as she dressed in a simple yet elegant lavender dress. She knew her family would be there to celebrate her, and nothing was going to ruin it. As she took one last look in the mirror, she felt a sense of pride wash over her. This night was hers.

The Dinner That Wasn’t

The table was set, and the aroma of home-cooked dishes filled the air. Ardania’s parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were all there, chatting and laughing as they gathered around the table. She joined them, basking in the warmth of family and the joy of shared traditions. For the first time in weeks, she felt truly at ease.

Then, just as they began passing around the food, the doorbell rang. Ardania’s mother glanced at her father, a hint of confusion on her face.

“Did we invite anyone else?” she asked, her voice low.

Her father shook his head, just as curious. Ardania, feeling a twinge of unease, stood up to check the door. As she opened it, her heart dropped.

There stood Saevana, dressed in the exact same lavender dress.

Ardania’s breath caught as she took in the sight. The dress, the hairstyle, even the small details of her jewelry were identical. It was as if Saevana had been keeping tabs on Ardania’s every move and was determined to mirror it down to the last detail.

“Hey, Ardania!” Saevana’s smile was wide and unbothered, as if her presence here was the most natural thing in the world. “I heard you were having a family dinner tonight. Hope you don’t mind if I join?”

Ardania’s mind raced, scrambling for an explanation. How does she even know about this? The dinner was supposed to be private—an intimate gathering for close family members only. She couldn’t fathom how Saevana had found out, let alone had the audacity to show up uninvited.

“Uh, Saevana,” Ardania stammered, barely able to mask her shock. “This…this is a family dinner. It’s not really open to guests.”

Saevana’s face faltered for a moment, but only for a moment. She quickly regained her composure, shrugging as if her being here was no big deal. “Oh, I didn’t realize! I just thought it’d be fun to join you, especially since we’re so close. And, by the way, love the dress! Great minds think alike, huh?”

Behind Ardania, the murmurs of her family grew louder. She could sense her parents’ confusion and her cousins’ curiosity. She felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck as she struggled to find the right words to politely ask Saevana to leave.

“Actually, Saevana, tonight is a bit of a…family-only thing,” she said as gently as she could, hoping to convey the message without offending her.

“Oh, I totally understand,” Saevana replied, but her eyes glinted with a determination that made Ardania uneasy. “I’ll just stop by to say hi then. Don’t worry, I won’t stay long.”

Ardania felt trapped, unsure of how to handle the situation without causing a scene. She reluctantly stepped aside to let Saevana in, hoping she would indeed keep her promise and leave after a few minutes.

But Saevana did not leave. Instead, she lingered, introducing herself to Ardania’s relatives with a warmth that left them both confused and charmed. Ardania’s family, being polite, welcomed her with open arms, though Ardania could see the questions in their eyes. Her aunts and cousins gave her puzzled looks, clearly wondering why she hadn’t mentioned inviting a friend.

Trying to salvage the evening, Ardania led Saevana toward the food, hoping to subtly steer her toward the door afterward. But Saevana seemed oblivious, chatting animatedly with Ardania’s cousins as if she were a regular guest. She laughed, commented on the delicious food, and even shared anecdotes that sounded strangely familiar—stories Ardania had told her friends in private, stories Saevana couldn’t have known unless she’d been listening in.

With each passing moment, Ardania’s frustration grew. Saevana had crossed another line, and this time, it was personal. This was her family’s space, her private world, and Saevana had barged in uninvited, stealing not only Ardania’s dress but also her stories, her identity.

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After the family dinner fiasco, Ardania’s discomfort and frustration with Saevana continued to build. Everywhere she went, it seemed like Saevana was there too—dressed like her, talking like her, even hanging out in places she frequented. Ardania’s friends noticed it too, especially Krishina, who couldn’t hide her irritation.

“Isn’t she taking it too far?” Krishina muttered one day, eyeing Saevana from across the school cafeteria, where she sat, mirroring Ardania’s exact outfit—again.

Ardania sighed, feeling a heaviness settle in her chest. She had tried to ignore Saevana’s behavior, tried to convince herself it was just a phase, but this wasn’t just admiration. It was something deeper, something that made her skin prickle with discomfort.

“Maybe she just doesn’t realize how weird this is?” Luna suggested, though even she sounded unsure.

“No,” Ardania replied quietly, shaking her head. “She knows. And I think it’s time I finally do something about it.”

Her friends nodded in support, their expressions resolute. They knew it was time for Ardania to reclaim her sense of self, to draw a line that Saevana wouldn’t be able to cross. And Ardania knew she couldn’t just ignore it anymore. This behavior was affecting her friendships, her sense of security, and her life.

The Confrontation Begins

Ardania spent the weekend preparing, rehearsing what she would say to Saevana. She wanted to be firm but fair, assertive but not cruel. By Monday morning, she felt ready. She spotted Saevana in the hallway, surrounded by her own friends—Aurora, Ishaira, and Patricia, who seemed oblivious to the way Saevana was behaving.

Taking a deep breath, Ardania walked up to Saevana and gently tapped her on the shoulder.

“Saevana, can we talk?” Ardania asked, keeping her voice as steady as she could. Her friends stood a few steps behind her, lending silent support.

Saevana turned, her eyes widening for a brief moment before a slow smile spread across her face. “Of course, Ardania! I’ve been wanting to talk to you too. We’re so much alike, after all.”

Ardania forced a smile, even as her frustration simmered beneath the surface. “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

They walked a few steps away from their friends, and Ardania took a deep breath, summoning all her courage. She felt her pulse quicken, but she steadied herself, remembering that this was her moment to take back control.

“Saevana, I’ve noticed that you’ve been…imitating me lately,” Ardania began, her tone careful. “And while I understand that friends can inspire each other, this feels different. I’m starting to feel like you’re not respecting my boundaries.”

For a moment, Saevana looked genuinely surprised, as if the thought of crossing a line had never occurred to her. But then her face hardened, and she let out a soft, dismissive laugh.

“Boundaries?” she repeated, arching an eyebrow. “Ardania, I just admire you! Is that so bad? I thought you’d be flattered.”

Ardania shook her head, keeping her tone gentle but firm. “Admiration is one thing, Saevana. But this isn’t admiration—it’s copying. It’s making me feel like I don’t have space to be myself.”

Saevana’s smile faltered, and for a moment, Ardania thought she saw a flicker of anger flash in her eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a calm, practiced smile.

“Oh, come on, Ardania,” Saevana said, her voice light. “You’re overreacting. If anything, you should be honored that I want to be like you.”

Ardania’s frustration flared, and she took a step back, her patience wearing thin. “No, Saevana. This isn’t about honor or admiration. It’s about respect. I need you to stop copying me.”

to be continue.........