By lunchtime, the rumors had spread everywhere.
And I meant everywhere.
Hallways.
Classrooms.
Even people I barely talked to were suddenly looking at me like I was part of some reality show.
"This is so annoying," I muttered, shutting my locker a little harder than necessary.
Ethan leaned against the locker next to mine like he had nothing better to do.
"Fame comes with a price," he said.
"I didn't ask for fame."
"Too late."
Austin stood on my other side, quieter as usual, but I could tell he was paying attention to everything.
"You holding up?" he asked.
"I was," I said, "until everyone decided my life was public entertainment."
Ethan nodded thoughtfully.
"Valid."
Before I could say anything else, a group of girls walked past us.
I heard it.
My name.
Then—
"That's her."
I clenched my jaw.
Ethan straightened slightly.
Austin's expression darkened.
"Ignore them," Austin said quietly.
"I'm trying to."
But then—
Another voice.
Louder this time.
"Oh look. The girl who steals other people's situations."
I froze.
I knew that voice.
I turned slowly.
Mary.
Standing there with her arms crossed, surrounded by a couple of girls who looked way too entertained.
Ethan muttered under his breath.
"Here we go."
Austin stepped forward slightly.
"Mary, don't start."
She ignored him.
Her eyes were locked on me.
"You really like attention, don't you?" she said.
I exhaled slowly.
"I'm not doing this."
I turned back toward my locker.
Big mistake.
"Of course you're not," Mary continued.
"Because you know you're wrong."
That did it.
I turned back around.
"I didn't do anything wrong."
Mary laughed.
"Right. You just show up, act innocent, and suddenly—
She gestured between me and Austin.
"—this happens."
Austin's voice got firmer.
"Mary. Stop."
She snapped her gaze to him.
"You don't get to tell me to stop."
Then she looked back at me.
"You think you're special or something?"
I crossed my arms.
"No."
"Then why are you acting like it?"
"I'm not acting like anything."
She stepped closer.
Too close.
"You went after him knowing—"
"I didn't go after anyone," I interrupted.
"Yes, you did."
"No, I didn't."
"Yes, you—"
"Enough."
Austin's voice cut through sharply.
For a second, everything went quiet.
But Mary wasn't done.
She looked at me again, eyes narrowed.
"You know what? You're fake."
That word hit harder than it should've.
Something in my chest snapped.
"I'm not fake."
"You are," she said. "You pretend to be all nice, but you knew exactly what you were doing."
My hands clenched at my sides.
"I didn't steal anything from you."
Mary scoffed.
"Please. You think he would've looked at you if I was still around?"
That was it.
That was the line.
Before I could stop myself—
I stepped forward.
"Don't talk about me like that."
Mary didn't back down.
"Or what?"
And that…
That was the moment everything tipped over.
I grabbed her wrist and shoved it away from me when she tried to point in my face.
"Don't point at me."
She pushed back.
"Don't touch me!"
And suddenly—
We were both moving at the same time.
Not planned.
Not thought out.
Just reaction.
I shoved her back.
She stumbled but came right back, grabbing at my arm.
"Hey!" Ethan shouted.
"Stop!" Austin said sharply.
But it was already happening.
Mary tried to push me again, but this time I stepped aside and shoved her harder.
She lost her balance and nearly fell, grabbing onto my sleeve.
I pulled free.
"Back off!"
"Make me!" she snapped.
She lunged again—
But this time I was ready.
I blocked her hands and pushed her back again, stronger.
She stumbled and hit one of the lockers behind her with a loud clang.
The hallway went completely silent.
Everyone was staring now.
Mary looked shocked for a second.
Like she didn't expect me to actually fight back.
I was breathing hard.
"So stop," I said, my voice shaking slightly.
"Stop coming at me like I did something to you."
For a moment, she didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Then her expression shifted.
Not angry.
Not smug.
Just… frustrated
"You don't get it," she said quietly.
"Then explain it without attacking me," I shot back.
Silence
Austin stepped between us slightly.
"That's enough," he said firmly.
Ethan moved closer too.
"Yeah. We're done here."
Mary looked at Austin.
Something unreadable passed across her face.
Then she looked at me one last time.
"This isn't over," she said.
Then she turned and walked away.
Just like that.
The tension in the hallway slowly started to break.
Whispers filled the space again.
"Oh my gosh…"
"Did you see that?"
"She actually stood up to her…"
I suddenly became very aware of everything.
Of everyone watching.
Of what just happened.
My hands were still shaking.
"Hey," Austin said softly.
I looked at him.
"You okay?"
"I… yeah."
Ethan stared at me like I had just unlocked a new level.
"Remind me to never get on your bad side."
I let out a shaky breath.
"I didn't plan that."
Austin nodded.
"I know."
"But…" I looked down at my hands. "She wouldn't stop."
"You had the right to defend yourself," he said.
Ethan nodded.
"Exactly. That was self-defense. Certified."
I let out a small laugh.
"Certified?"
"Absolutely."
I shook my head.
"This day just got worse."
Austin tilted his head.
"Or better."
I looked at him.
"How is that better?"
"You didn't let her walk over you."
I paused.
Because…
He wasn't wrong.
Ethan grinned.
"And now everyone knows you're not someone to mess with."
I rolled my eyes.
"Great. That's exactly the reputation I wanted."
Austin smiled slightly.
"I like it."
My heart did that stupid flip again.
Even now.
After everything.
"Of course you do," I muttered.
Ethan stretched.
"Well, that was entertaining."
I shoved him lightly.
"You're unbelievable."
"Thank you."
Austin glanced down the hallway where Mary had disappeared.
Then back at me.
"Come on," he said.
"Let's get out of here."
I nodded.
Because honestly?
I needed air.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
A break from all the drama.
Even though something told me—
This wasn't the end of it.