She finally walked away, but not before freezing mid-step and giving me a smirk.
"Fiona Marvin… bravo." Her tone dripped with amusement. "Look who's lecturing me. Besides, I wouldn't want to start a feud with an old friend." She chuckled softly and left.
Strangely, no one around us reacted.
Typical. Drama only exists when it wants to.
After Art class, Aviva and I headed toward the cafeteria. I was starving. Silver and her group stayed behind which was rarely a good sign.
"Girls, someone is really getting on my nerves," Silver said as she stretched lazily in her chair, glaring at the three in front of her.
"Silver, who? No one dares cross you," said Tresia curly black hair, blue eyes, confident as always.
"I know, Tresia," Silver sighed dramatically, "but some people still don't fear me."
"Get to the point," said Lila's twin Ramila, the blonde with green eyes.
"Yes, speak," Camila added, her aquamarine eyes sharper than her sister's.
Silver rolled her eyes. "Fine. It's Fiona. My old bestie."
The gasps were instant.
"And what exactly are you planning?" one of them asked.
They didn't answer. They just smirked in that unsettling, synchronized way girls like them tend to do.
Back in the cafeteria, Aviva and I settled in, scanning the overly fancy menu. The place looked more like a luxury restaurant than a school café ice-blue tiles, scented candles, flowers, pristine tablecloths. Even the chairs sparkled.
"So, Fiona," Aviva nudged me, "what are you ordering?"
I blinked out of my thoughts. "I… don't know. I'm not really hungry." I tossed the menu aside, scratching my head.
"Something is definitely bugging you," Aviva said, narrowing her eyes. "You've been staring at nothing since we sat down."
I sighed. "Just thinking about how I'm going to handle my project. That's all."
And maybe a glowing-hands situation I can never explain.
"Ohhh, let me guess your partner is… Twilight?" she teased.
"Maybe…" I muttered, sipping water. She didn't need to be dragged into my supernatural chaos.
"Girl, it's just a project. But if you're thinking about someone, at least make it Sir Lewis." She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Delete that thought immediately," I deadpanned.
Aviva rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if you'll ever like a guy kiss one, love one… or more."
"I can't," I muttered. "My parents would bury me alive." Especially Dad. And honestly… no one had caught my interest yet.
"Anyway," she said with a bright smile, "let's eat."
My stomach agreed loudly.
"You pick for me," I told her. "I can't think right now."
Aviva ordered enough food to feed a small community. When it arrived, the smell alone revived me. We started eating, and for a moment everything was normal until Silver's group and Caesar's crew sat at a very large table, glaring our way.
Silver leaned close to her friends. "Remember the plan. Don't ruin it."
Their idea was simple and petty: dump food on me. High-school villain basics.
But before they could act, someone ran into Ramila. The tray she held flew into the air like a catapult and then all chaos broke loose.
Pizza. Drinks. Mashed potatoes. Everything.
A cafeteria-wide food fight exploded.
"Aviva, let's go!" I yelled but she was already gleefully launching food like a soldier in battle.
Ramila sprinted back to Silver. "It wasn't my fault! Someone bumped me!"
Silver groaned. "Everyone just leave–"
But karma moved faster than her mouth.
A plate hit her square in the face.
Her scream echoed as she grabbed her boyfriend and stormed out, her group trailing behind.
I was dodging flying slices of pizza when my foot slid on something wet. The world tilted. My eyes squeezed shut.
When I opened them…
I realized exactly who had caught me.
Twilight.
Again.
My chest pressed against his, his hands steady on my waist. My hair had fallen across his cheek, brushing against his skin.
And suddenly, the noise around us faded like the world decided we didn't exist for a moment.
Just him.
Just me.
Just that impossible, accidental closeness I wasn't ready for.