**Chapter 5: "The Social Divide"**

As the days went by, the social hierarchy of the school became more apparent. Amari found herself among the popular crowd, surrounded by friends and admirers. They would sit together at lunch, study together in the library, and hang out together after school. Amari had always been drawn to the spotlight, and she reveled in the attention. On the other hand, Nigee was relegated to the outskirts of the social scene. He would sit alone at lunch, often eating in the cafeteria's courtyard to avoid the crowds. His classmates would sometimes make fun of him, calling him names or teasing him about his clothes. Nigee tried to brush it off, but it was hard to ignore the feeling of being an outcast. As Amari walked down the hallway, she couldn't help but notice the divide between her social circle and Nigee's. She would see him sitting alone, or being teased by their classmates, and she would feel a pang of sympathy. But she quickly pushed it aside, telling herself that Nigee was just being his usual annoying self. Nigee, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel like he was stuck in a rut. He would watch Amari and her friends laughing and having fun, and he would feel a deep sense of longing. He wished he could be part of their group, to be accepted and liked by Amari and her friends. But every time he tried to approach them, he would get pushed away or teased. One day, Amari's friend, Rachel, approached her in the hallway. "Hey, Amari, have you seen Nigee's new shoes?" she asked, giggling. "They're so ugly!" Amari followed Rachel's gaze to Nigee, who was standing across the hallway, wearing a pair of worn-out sneakers. She couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, they're pretty bad," she said, agreeing with Rachel. Nigee, who was standing within earshot, felt a sting from Amari's words. He looked up, catching her eye, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Amari felt a flash of guilt, but she quickly looked away, telling herself that she was just joking. As the days went by, the social divide between Amari and Nigee seemed to grow wider. They would pass each other in the hallway, exchanging awkward smiles or hostile glances. Nigee's feelings of inadequacy deepened, and he began to wonder if he would ever be able to bridge the gap between them. Despite the tension between them, Nigee couldn't help but feel drawn to Amari. He would watch her from afar, admiring her beauty and her confidence. He wished he could be more like her, to be accepted and liked by everyone. But for now, Nigee was stuck on the outside, looking in. He would have to find a way to change that, to find a way to connect with Amari and break down the social barriers that separated them. Little did he know, it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to try. As Nigee walked away, Amari couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. She saw the sadness in his eyes, the feeling of being an outcast. For a moment, she wondered if she had been too harsh on him, if she had misjudged him entirely. But the moment passed, and Amari pushed the thought aside. She had her own life to live, her own friends to hang out with. Nigee was just a minor annoyance, a pesky classmate who constantly disrupted her day. Or so she thought.