Chapter 36: A final year

Surprisingly, things stayed fine for Nefera even almost three years later, when Cleo's first day at high school was slowly but surely coming up.

Every creature at Monster High knew Nefera as being next in line to her father's throne - as she repeated that like crazy - and the uber bully and tyrant, a monster you better do not mess with. The students knowing that best were the fearleaders and the people that actually did mess with Nefera.

Most of that happened on accident, of course, as barely anyone was brave (or stupid?) enough to let things get that far. Also because Nefera liked to take any attempt of a student to shine brighter than her as a personal attack that she would repay generously... and not in a good way.

Nefera's grades were an absolute priority to her. Her slip up with Mr. Hack during her first year had been a one time thing that had taught her to better not disappoint her father. His disapproval didn't enlarge her ego, after all.

The princess' performance at school was a good mixture of bribing and blackmailing students and teachers, and using Daddy's amulets and spells just as a little... backup help.

Another business for her to take pride in was being the fear squad captain, because Nefera had won Mashionals three times in a row, and a fourth time would make her record holder for the title. Ah, unlife was sweet - if you had the right funds, of course.

Nefera's most challenging year was, of course, the one ahead of her. Not only was this the time she would write all her final exams, there was also the school ball celebrating the students' degrees where Nefera of course had to become Prom Queen. An even bigger challenge, though, would be Cleo's presence at school. Nefera had to crush her, there was no way around it.

On the very first day, Cleo stood before her sister, overthinking the past hours. She had done her best at appearing dominant and superior in front of all the students - as Ramses had made pretty clear that that was simply expected of her for being a de Nile - and it had worked, until now. Now, Cleo was in a vulnerable position.

"I say you made it," a gargoyle stated baldly.

"Same," a werecat nodded in agreement.

For a few next seconds, the gym was quiet.

Nefera, sitting in the middle of the two, lowered her head and smirked at Cleo from under her black fake lashes.

Cleo was visibly uncomfortable, but that feeling wasn't just composed of insecurity but anger as well. She hated her sister to be in control of her. Having to rely on Nefera was basically a death sentence.

As expected, Nefera was making most of her position, enjoying it to the fullest. "How do you think you were?"

Cleo crossed her arms. "I was...good. Like a true de Nile should always be."

Nefera fake smiled right at her. "Keep telling yourself that."

"Honestly," the werecat spoke up, "I think she was okay. Nothing super great, but with a bit of training-"

"You think I'm wasting my vulnerable time to train her?"

"Uh... You're captain. So, yeah."

This fake smile was directed at the werecat. "Think again."

"You have to let me pass," Cleo protested.

"Oh, do I, now?"

"Yes or what would..." her facial expression suddenly became sad as she realized... "No..."

Nefera smirked again. "Right. What would Daddy think? If you didn't make it?"

"That you're cruel."

"Or that you're just not as talented as me." Of course, that was a vision Nefera liked to imagine.

Cleo knew her sister was right. There was no way for her to convince her father of the fact that Nefera simply had something against her younger sister. She begged, "You have to give me a chance, because you know I was good enough."

Nefera shrugged carelessly. "You could have cheated as well."

Frankly, this statement took Cleo by surprise. "I would never-"

"Blah blah. Next!"

"Nefera!"

"Neither begging nor protesting will get you anywhere, little sis. I don't want you in my team. You're not good enough. It's as simple as that."

Cleo knew that she was in fact not the best at fearleading, but her skills were passable and being a fearleader was absolutely essential for anyone wanting to rule over the school. She tried a last time. "But... It's two against one!"

Nefera fake smiled a last time when she pointed at the exit. "The door is right there. Bye bye, loser."

The gargoyle and werecat exchanged looks as Cleo left in disappointment. There was nothing they could do.

"I thought the best comes last?" Nefera asked them with a smile. "Well, apparently not. Apparently, last comes the disappointment."

"Actually, Cleo wasn't last," the gargoyle said when looking at her list. "Three are still to come."

Nefera raised an eyebrow. "Three? Ugh, I'll be late at the salon, just because of them!"

"Actually, they're a trio."

It was then when the door opened, showing three werecats walking inside. One was orange, the other two black and white, looking strangely similar to each other.

The former stepped forward and said to the three judges, "I'm Toralei. Behind me are Meowlody and Purrsephone. Can we-".

Nefera yawned, expecting nothing. "Shoot."

"'Kay." She looked behind her, and her two friends stepped back to let her start her performance.

After the routine was performed almost flawlessly three times in a row by all of the attenders, even Nefera was surprised. She hadn't seen such talent in... ever.

She leaned forward, now interested in the three of them. To test them, she asked, with a smirk on her face, "What spell were you using?"

"Nothing but hard work and ambition," Toralei assured her. "Even though it kind of is in our blood. We're cats, after all."

"I like cats," Nefera judged when folding her papers, giving them no attention but saying, "You're on the squad. Congrats."