Chapter Eighteen – The Breaking Point By Monday, the whispers had turned into open laughter. Yn walked into school and felt it instantly — the stares, the smirks, the way people didn’t bother lowering their voices anymore. Someone had taped a printout of the cafeteria fight meme to her locker. Across the top, in bold red letters, it read: Drama Queen Down. She ripped it off, but the damage was already done. A group of sophomores nearby snickered. One of them muttered, “Careful, she might hit you.” Every hallway felt longer than the last. Even Freya seemed quieter, unsure how to help. At lunch, Yn sat alone. Her usual table was full — but not with her friends. They’d drifted away, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. Across the room, Lila was holding court, telling some exaggerated version of the fight, her friends laughing like it was the funniest thing they’d ever heard. By the time Yn got home, she was exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with schoolwork. Her mom was waiting in the kitchen, arms crossed. “I got another call from the principal today.” Yn’s stomach sank. “It wasn’t—” Her mom cut her off. “I don’t even recognize you anymore. You used to be focused, driven. Now all I hear about are fights and drama. I’m disappointed, Yn.” The words landed heavier than any insult at school. Yn went to her room without another word, shutting the door quietly. She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the cheer trophies on her shelf. They didn’t feel like hers anymore. She hadn’t been to practice in days. She hadn’t laughed in longer. The spark that used to push her — the one that made her fight for every stunt, every routine — was gone. And for the first time, she didn’t know if she wanted it back.
