Chapter Fifteen – Lunchtime Showdown The cafeteria was loud, but not loud enough to drown out the tension. Yn could feel it — the way conversations dipped whenever she walked past, the way phones tilted just enough to catch her in frame. She was halfway to her table when Lila’s voice cut through the noise. “Well, well… if it isn’t the school’s favorite drama queen.” Yn froze. Lila was standing near the lunch line, her friends flanking her like bodyguards. The smirk on her face was pure provocation. “Still bleeding from Friday?” Lila taunted, loud enough for half the room to hear. Yn’s chest tightened. “You really want to do this here?” “Oh, I do,” Lila said, stepping closer. “Because everyone needs to see who you really are.” The crowd’s chatter shifted into a low hum — anticipation. Yn tried to walk away, but Lila blocked her path, shoving her tray aside. “What’s wrong? Afraid you’ll lose again?” Something in Yn snapped. She shoved Lila back, hard enough to make her stumble. Gasps rippled through the room. Lila recovered instantly, lunging forward. Her hand grabbed Yn’s hair, yanking her toward the tables. Yn retaliated, grabbing Lila’s arm and twisting, sending them both crashing into a chair. The cafeteria erupted. Students scrambled to get their phones out, shouting over each other. Freya rushed forward, yelling for them to stop, but neither girl listened. Lila swung, catching Yn in the shoulder, and Yn countered with a shove that sent Lila’s lunch flying across the floor. Malachi appeared from the basketball table, pushing through the crowd. “Enough!” he barked, grabbing Lila’s arm. Mekonnen was right behind him, pulling Yn away. The principal’s voice boomed from the doorway. “Both of you — my office. Now.” As they were dragged out, the crowd was still buzzing, phones recording every second. Yn knew this wasn’t just another fight — this was the one that would define the rest of the year. And judging by the look Lila shot her, it wasn’t over. Not even close.
