Chapter 9: Fuming and Snapping

Across the hall stood a fuming Mark, fists clenched, his jaw locked so tight it might snap. He watched as Liam kissed Maya—kissed her—and not just a peck either. It was the kind of kiss that made people look twice. It was bold. Confident. Intimate.

Mark didn’t like it. Not one bit.

His gaze followed the blue-haired girl until she disappeared down the corridor with her giggling friends. Her hair bounced with every step. She even glanced back for a second—maybe not at him—but he caught it. And damn, did it mess with his head.

“Yo dude, you look like a tomato,” Johnny said, biting into a protein bar as he stared at Mark's red face. “You good?”

Mark blinked, snapping out of his glare match with the hallway. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

“Thinking about what to do with that girl, maybe?” Johnny smirked. “She’s got your nerves in a blender.”

Mark exhaled sharply. “She acts like she owns the school.”

Johnny shrugged. “I don’t know, man... she barely talks. She’s kind of... lowkey.”

“She talks to me with zero respect,” Mark growled, crossing his arms tightly.

Johnny raised a brow. “She’s hot though.”

Mark shot him a look that could slice bone. “What?”

Johnny didn’t back down. “Look around. All these girls? They’re the same copy-paste model. But her? She’s different. Curvy. Confident. Real. You know it’s true.”

Mark looked away, jaw twitching. “Don’t talk about her like she’s something to eat. Have some damn respect.”

Johnny blinked. “Okay... what’s really going on with you two?”

“Nothing,” Mark snapped too quickly. “Just respect people, is all.”

Johnny gave him a look that said, Yeah right, dude. But he didn’t push it.

Mark narrowed his eyes, an idea forming. “It’s time someone put her and her little girl gang in their place.”

Johnny’s ears perked up. “Now we’re talking. What’s the plan?”

Mark’s lips curled into a devilish smirk. “She’s too strong to go for directly… so we go for her friends. I know exactly what to do.”

---

At the cafeteria table, things were a whole different vibe.

Maya was still catching her breath from the kiss. Her lips tingled. Her heart was doing the Wiggles dance. She tried to act normal—cool, calm, collected—but her friends weren’t letting it slide.

Mina blinked slowly. “Okay... what the hell just happened?”

Emma leaned across the table with a smirk. “You remember when Evie dragged her to that restaurant? Liam was the waiter. He was checking her out like menu special of the day, and even gave her his number. Been flirting ever since.”

Mina nodded slowly. “He’s hot. Like... way-too-perfect hot.”

Kerrie shrugged. “Not really my type.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “No one asked, K.”

Maya grinned. “Now, now, Em—that’s my daughter you’re talking to. Show some manners.”

Emma snorted. “She’s not your child, flame.”

“Excuse me?” Maya gasped dramatically. “I birthed her. Emotionally, at least.”

The table erupted in laughter, their banter drawing some attention from nearby students. But before the good vibes could settle in, an all-too-familiar voice pierced the air like a needle through a balloon.

“What the hell do you want,” Maya hissed without even turning around.

Luke stood awkwardly beside their table, looking like a wet dog trying to act cute. “I don’t want us to be over.”

Maya stood up slowly, her eyes daggers. “Well, that’s unfortunate. Because we are. Took your sweet time to apologize, huh?”

“I just... didn’t know what to say,” he stammered. “But I’m really sorry.”

Mina raised a brow. “Sorry doesn’t erase betrayal.”

Kerrie added, “You’ve known her for years, and this is how you treat her?”

Emma cracked her knuckles. “If Maya ever even thinks of forgiving you, I will personally hit her with a chair.”

Luke pleaded, “Can I just talk to her? Alone. Please?”

The girls grumbled but backed off. Maya sighed. “Fine. But if I smell even a whiff of bullshit, I’m out. Em—grab my tray.”

Emma scowled but obeyed. “You owe me.”

---

They walked in silence to the small park near the bus stop. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the empty playground. They stopped beneath the slide, a space they’d once sat under together after school... laughing. Kissing. Whispering secrets.

Not anymore.

Maya crossed her arms, eyes cold. “Make it fast.”

Luke shifted on his feet. “Okay, listen... I know I was a complete dick. And yeah, I kissed her. We kissed for a while. But after that fight with Emma, I thought you were mad at me too. You didn’t reach out, so I assumed—”

“Assumed?!” Maya’s voice cracked through the quiet. “I texted you every single day. You ignored me, ghosted me, avoided eye contact at school. And you just assumed I was done?”

“I didn’t know what else to think,” he muttered.

She stepped closer, fire blazing behind her eyes. “I actually loved you, Luke. Like... for real. And I would've forgiven you for a lot. But you didn’t fight for me. Not once. You folded the moment someone thinner and shinier looked your way.”

He opened his mouth but she cut him off.

“You know what? I’m glad this happened. I was with someone who saw me as a trophy, not a person. You kissed her because you thought I wouldn’t find out—or wouldn’t care. That I’d just stay, like a loyal little idiot.”

Her voice cracked but she didn’t cry. Not this time.

“And now? Now I’ve met someone who sees me. Who wants me.”

She turned on her heel with one last glance. “Enjoy the girl. She’s all yours.”

Luke stood under the slide, stunned. Silenced. Shattered.

---

As Maya approached the station, her breath caught.

Emma—sweet, stubborn Emma—was on the ground, her knees scraped, her eyes wide with terror as three boys surrounded her, laughing.

Maya didn’t think. She launched forward, adrenaline surging through her like wildfire. She punched the closest one—hard. He stumbled back with a yelp.

Emma clung to her arm. “J-Jason... he stole the crystal. The one... the only one... I’m scared, Maya.”

Maya hugged her tightly, protectively. “We’ll get it back. I swear.”

A cold voice echoed above them.

“I don’t think so.”

Mark stood over them, arms crossed, a cruel grin on his lips. His minions flanked him like shadows.

“Looks like the hero showed up,” he sneered. “How touching.”