It started like any other typical day at school. Riley Matthews and Maya Hart were walking down the hallway, chatting about something trivial, until a disagreement turned into something much bigger.
"I can't believe you're acting like this, Maya!" Riley said, her voice rising in frustration. "You always think your life is harder than mine!"
Maya crossed her arms, her blue eyes narrowing. "Excuse me? *You* think *I* have it easy? Riley, look at you! Your parents are practically perfect, you always follow the rules, and everything just works out for you!"
Riley's face flushed. "Oh, so now I'm the *golden girl*? You think my life is *easy* just because I try to do the right thing?"
Maya scoffed. "You don't even get it, do you? You're always the one people rely on, but I have to figure everything out on my own! You have all this support, while I have to be strong all the time!"
Their argument spiraled as they each tried to prove their struggles were worse.
"I have it harder, Maya!" Riley shouted.
"No, *I* have it harder!" Maya shot back.
Finally, Riley threw her hands up in exasperation. "You know what, Maya? Maybe you should try living *my* life for once!"
Maya, without missing a beat, retorted, "And maybe *you* should try living *mine*!"
The tension was thick as they both stormed off in opposite directions. Neither of them noticed the strange flicker of light that seemed to swirl around them as they walked away