New Hallways

Momo adjusted her bright pink backpack and walked through the tall glass doors of Riverside High School. The hallways stretched endlessly in both directions, filled with teenagers who looked like giants compared to her elementary school friends.

"This place is huge," she whispered to herself, clutching her schedule.

A group of older girls walked past, their perfectly styled hair bouncing with each step. Momo smoothed down her own golden curls and straightened her colorful sweater. She had spent twenty minutes picking out the perfect first-day outfit.

"Lost already?"

Momo turned around. A boy with messy brown hair and warm hazel eyes stood behind her, holding a stack of books. He was tall and lean, probably a sophomore.

"I'm looking for room 204," she said, holding up her schedule.

"I'm Liam," he said with a friendly smile. "Follow me. I'm headed that way."

As they walked down the crowded hallway, Momo felt her heart skip a beat. High school was going to be interesting.

The Challenge Begins

They reached room 204 just as the first bell rang. Liam handed her a folded piece of paper.

"See you around, Momo," he said with that same warm smile.

She watched him disappear into the crowd before unfolding the paper. It was a flyer announcing the Spring Formal dance in three weeks.

"Attention students!" Principal Martinez's voice crackled through the intercom. "We're excited to announce our first-ever Prom Queen competition for the Spring Formal. Nominations open today!"

Momo's heart raced. A prom queen contest meant a chance to catch Liam's attention properly. She imagined dancing with him under the gymnasium lights.

"Did you hear that?" squealed a girl with short auburn hair rushing up to her. "I'm Jessica, by the way. We're in the same homeroom."

Before Momo could respond, three older girls surrounded them. The tallest one, with perfectly straightened black hair, looked Momo up and down.

"You must be the new girl," she said coolly. "I'm Victoria Chen. Just so you know, I've won every school competition since seventh grade."

Victoria's friends nodded in agreement, their matching designer bags swinging as they walked away.

Jessica whispered, "She's not kidding. Victoria always wins everything."