Speedy in Another Life: My Rebirth as Thea Queen

Thea Queen stood at the edge of the stage, her diploma clutched tightly in her hands. At fourteen, she had just become the youngest graduate in the history of Star City High School. The applause from the audience was deafening, but Thea's mind was elsewhere. She scanned the crowd, her sharp eyes landing on her family. Moira and Robert were beaming with pride, while Oliver sat slouched in his seat, looking bored but offering a half-hearted clap. Tommy Merlyn, sitting beside him, gave her a thumbs-up and a grin.

For the graduation ceremony, Thea wore the traditional cap and gown, the dark green fabric of the gown flowing elegantly over her tall, 6'0" frame. The gown's sleeves were slightly rolled up at the cuffs, revealing a peek of the tailored white blazer she wore underneath. Beneath the blazer, she had chosen a silk camisole in a soft blush pink, adding a subtle pop of color. Her long legs were accentuated by sheer black stockings, and she completed the look with classic black pumps. Her dark hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded over her shoulders, and her makeup was minimal but elegant—a soft pink lip and a hint of mascara that made her green eyes stand out. She looked every bit the poised, confident young woman she had become, even in the traditional graduation attire.

As she stepped off the stage, Thea couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She was proud of her accomplishments, but she also knew this was just the beginning. Her next stop was college, and she was determined to make the most of it.

Later that evening, the Queen mansion was alive with celebration. Friends, family, and business associates filled the grand hall, toasting to Thea's success. Thea moved through the crowd with practiced ease, her tall frame commanding attention. She had started dressing more boldly lately, embracing a style that was equal parts confident and provocative. Tonight, she wore a sleek black dress that hugged her figure like a second skin. The neckline dipped just low enough to draw attention without crossing into scandalous territory, and the back was cut out in a daring crisscross pattern that revealed the smooth expanse of her skin. The slit up the side revealed her long, toned legs, and her black stiletto heels added an extra inch to her already impressive height. Her dark hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded over her shoulders, and her makeup was minimal but striking—a bold red lip and a subtle smoky eye that made her green eyes pop. She exchanged polite smiles and handshakes, but her mind was already racing ahead to the future.

Oliver, meanwhile, was holding court in the corner of the room, a glass of champagne in one hand and a smirk on his face. At twenty, he was the epitome of the carefree playboy, his reputation for scandal and excess growing with each passing day. He had already dropped out of two of the four colleges he'd attended, and the tabloids loved him for it.

Thea approached him, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Enjoying yourself, Ollie?"

Oliver grinned, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, Speedy. Congrats on the whole… genius thing. You're making the rest of us look bad."

Thea rolled her eyes. "You don't need my help for that."

Tommy, standing nearby, burst out laughing. "She's got you there, man."

Oliver shot him a glare but couldn't suppress a chuckle. "Whatever. You're just jealous because you didn't get an invite to the Merlyn family reunion."

Tommy's grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Yeah, well, at least I'm not the one getting roasted by my little sister."

Thea smirked, taking a sip of her sparkling cider. "Face it, Ollie. You're an easy target."

Oliver mock-glared at her, but there was no real malice in his expression. Despite his wild behavior, he had a soft spot for Thea, and she knew it. Still, she couldn't help but worry about him. The scandals, the dropouts, the endless parties—it was all a mask, and she wondered how long he could keep it up.

The next day, Thea found herself at the Lance household. Sara had invited her over to hang out, and Thea was grateful for the distraction. She had chosen a more casual but still eye-catching outfit for the visit: a cropped white tank top that showed off her toned midriff, paired with high-waisted denim shorts that accentuated her long legs. She wore a lightweight, oversized flannel shirt tied around her waist, adding a touch of laid-back cool to the look. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and she wore minimal makeup, letting her natural beauty shine through. The Lance home was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the opulence of the Queen mansion. Quentin Lance was in the kitchen when they arrived, flipping pancakes on the stove.

"Hey, kids," he said, glancing over his shoulder. "Pancakes for dinner. Don't tell your mom, Sara."

Sara rolled her eyes but grinned. "Dad, it's Thea. She doesn't care about your weird dinner choices."

Quentin chuckled, flipping a pancake with a flourish. "Good to know. Thea, you're always welcome here. Especially if you can keep this one out of trouble." He gestured to Sara, who stuck out her tongue in response.

As Thea sat down at the table, Quentin gave her an appraising look. "You know, Thea, you're looking… grown up. That outfit is, uh, something."

Thea raised an eyebrow, amused. "Thanks, I think."

Quentin held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying. You're not that little kid who used to follow Sara around anymore. Just don't let Oliver rub off on you, alright?"

Thea smirked. "Don't worry, Mr. Lance. I'm not planning on becoming a walking scandal anytime soon."

Quentin laughed, shaking his head. "Good to hear. You're already ten times more responsible than your brother."

After dinner, Sara dragged Thea into the living room, where a stack of board games sat on the coffee table. "Pick your poison," Sara said, gesturing dramatically. "Monopoly, Scrabble, or Risk?"

Thea grinned, grabbing the Scrabble box. "Let's see if you can keep up."

They spent the next hour playing, their laughter filling the room. Sara was fiercely competitive, but Thea held her own, her sharp mind and quick wit giving her the edge. As the game progressed, though, a tension crept into the air. Sara was quieter than usual, her expression thoughtful as she stared at the board.

At one point, Thea leaned forward to place her tiles, the neckline of her tank top dipping slightly. Sara's eyes flicked downward for just a moment before she quickly looked away, her cheeks tinged with pink. Thea noticed but didn't comment, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Do you ever feel like… like we're growing apart?" Sara asked suddenly, her voice soft.

Thea glanced at her, surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"

Sara sighed, setting down her tiles. "I don't know. It's just… you're fourteen, and I'm eighteen. We're in such different places in our lives. Sometimes it feels like we're not even on the same page anymore."

Thea hesitated, her chest tightening. She hadn't realized Sara felt that way. "I get it," she said finally. "But just because we're at different stages doesn't mean we're growing apart. You're still my best friend, Sara. That hasn't changed."

Sara looked at her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're right. I just… I don't want to lose this, you know?"

Thea reached out, squeezing Sara's hand. "You won't. I promise."

There was a moment of quiet between them, the kind of silence that felt heavy with unspoken words. Thea felt that warmth in her chest again, the one she couldn't quite name. She pushed it aside, focusing on the present.

Quentin, who had been passing by the living room, paused in the doorway. He watched the two girls for a moment, his sharp eyes catching the subtle tension between them. He didn't say anything, but a knowing look crossed his face before he quietly walked away, leaving them to their game.

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**Author's Note:**

Hey everyone!

As all of you can see I've made a decision on the question I asked in chapter 3. The love interest will be Sara. It was a I think 15 to 4 vote, in favor of Sara, though shout out to Alexia_Possible for giving a compel argument for Laurel and dude quit giving spoilers. Also how did you even guess that???

Once again, thank you for reading, and I hope you're as excited as I am to see where this story goes. Let me know what you think, and I'll see you in the next chapter!