Julian wiped down the counter, slid a napkin toward Titi with a polite smile. "For your mouth," he said, before clearing the last plate. He followed us out, still in his full chef suit, checking that we had everything. He kissed both Renae and me on the forehead, shook Titi's hand firmly, then jogged to his car.
The engine roared to life as he reversed, honked the horn, and shouted out the window: "Go conquer the world, my warriors! And remember—don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh at waffles!"
We waved back, half amused, half embarrassed, as he sped off down the street.
The moment his car disappeared, Renae turned, eyes blazing. "We aren't friends, bitch. Not because we're going to school together."
She hopped into the backseat with me, leaving the front for Titi.
Titi slid behind the wheel, her smile sweet, her tone calm. "Relax. I'm just giving you a ride."
Renae spat venom. "Ride? More like a death sentence."
I added, "Why the fuck are you even here, Titi?"
Titi's lips curled, but her voice stayed smooth. "And I will repeat it again since you two fucking idiots didn't understand last time—I'm apologizing. My dad's pissed, my card's blocked, and I'm trying to atone for my sins. That's all."
Her hands gripped the wheel, knuckles tight. Inside, she wanted to scream eat shit and fuck off, wanted to tell us she wished we'd both die. But outwardly, she smiled, answering every harsh remark with syrupy calm.
Renae glared at her reflection in the rearview mirror. "Fake bitch."
Titi's smile widened. "Sweetheart, you'll thank me one day."
The car rolled forward, tension thick as smoke. Every mile felt like a battlefield—Renae's curses, my sharp retorts, and Titi's sugar coated replies hiding the poison underneath.
Titi's car pulled into the lot, sleek and out of place among the usual student rides. As we stepped out, a few shocked faces turned our way. Whispers rippled.
Fabian's jaw practically hit the ground. He jogged over, eyes wide. "You guys tried to kill each other yesterday, and now you're friends today?" he asked, voice dripping with disbelief.
Renae shot back instantly, sharp as a blade. "Thank our dad. Titi's dad is pissed, and mine was late for work. So he asked the devil itself to take us to school."
Fabian blinked, still stunned, before shaking his head. "Unreal."
Titi finally let her rage come to the front as she answered, her voice edged with pure venom. "Your dad may have shoved me into this, but if it were up to me… I'd watch both of them crawl to school on their knees before I ever played chauffeur. Don't you get it? I'm not here for being here's sake. I would much rather watch you two fucking burn."
Fabian blinked, then smirked nervously. "There's the Titi I know…"
But before she could spit more fire, she spotted Joseph approaching. Instantly, her mask slid back into place. She plastered on a sweet smile, pulling Renae and me into a stiff, uncomfortable hug that felt like shackles.
"See? We're all good," she cooed, loud enough for Joseph to hear.
Joseph slowed, eyes flicking over the scene, pausing only long enough to glance at Titi. "I'm impressed, Titi. Keep it up," he said casually, before striding off, not bothering to wait for a reply.
Titi's smirk lingered, her eyes sharp even as she held us close, squeezing just enough to remind us… she still hated our guts.
Releasing us, she walked off, catching up to her friends, leaving us puzzled, trying to figure out what just happened and what sick game this child was up to. Fabian, Renae, and I looked at each other, all of us seeming to be thinking the same thing.
"So the famous Renae and Veronica who got their hearing on the first day at USC… wow!" a familiar voice spoke up from behind us. Turning in the direction, we saw Kevon...with his two minions beside him.. Mr. crisp polo shirt and the another one from yesterday.
"Look, today is not the day for this. I have to deal with Cruella. I'm not in the mood to deal with more assholes," I warned.
"Well, my apologies. My name is Travis Henriques, and this is Jay Pearson," Travis spoke with a whole different demeanor from yesterday.
"Are you sick? Do you have amnesia? What is it? Are there cameras hidden?" I asked, completely disturbed that this asshole was literally out to behead us yesterday, and now everybody was acting nice.
"Did you get hit by One Punch or Rasengan from Naruto? Honestly, what is it?" I continued, furious at these assholes' double personalities.
Travis smirked. "More like Super Saiyan Beast from Dragon Ball Z. Straight from my brother."
"What brother?" Renae asked, curious but already leaning into the anime chaos.
"This brother," Kevon answered, pointing at himself—Kevon Alexander, Renae's art advisor.
Shock. Mind blown. Fabian burst out laughing. I froze, stunned that such a nice guy could have an asshole brother.
Kevon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, Travis is my half brother. He's Vegeta to my Goku. Always pissed, always trying to prove he's stronger."
Travis shot back instantly. "Don't flatter yourself. You're more like Krillin—always hanging around, never the main event."
"Krillin? Please. I'm the one who actually trains people. You're the one who shows up like Pain from Naruto, wrecking shit just to prove a point." Kevon's tone sharpened, but his grin stayed.
That comeback from Kevon hit harder than just playful anime banter—it carried weight, like there was something deeper simmering beneath the surface. The way he threw "Pain from Naruto" at Travis wasn't just a reference; it felt personal, like he was calling out a pattern he'd seen before.
I leaned in, trying to ease the tension before it snapped, eyes wide. "So basically, you're saying this is like a crossover episode? Naruto meets Dragon Ball Z meets Attack on Titan? Because yesterday Travis was the Titan, and today you're acting like the Survey Corps trying to keep him in check."
The words hung in the air, half joke, half attempt to diffuse the storm. But even as I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just anime talk—it was a rivalry rooted in something real, something raw. The way Kevon's grin stayed sharp, the way Travis's smirk twisted darker… it was like watching two characters locked in a long running arc, one that had spilled out of manga panels and into our reality.
The parking lot felt alive, buzzing like a battle scene. Every word was a strike, every reference a weapon. And I couldn't help but wonder—was this just dialogue, or the start of a war that had been waiting to ignite
Jay's eyes lit up, practically glowing. "Finally! Someone who gets it. Veronica, you're speaking my language. This is literally manga dialogue right now."
Travis laughed darkly. "Nah, I'm more like Madara Uchiha. I don't need anyone's approval. I'll burn the whole world down if I feel like it."
Kevon shook his head. "And I'm Itachi. I'll play the villain if I have to, but it's all for the bigger picture. You wouldn't understand."
Fabian clutched his stomach, laughing harder. "This is insane. You guys sound like you're about to start a shonen battle right here in the parking lot."
Renae finally threw in one line, sharp but amused. "More like filler episode energy." She stopped, realizing listening was better than trying to keep up.
I crossed my arms, smirking. "If this is filler, then I'm the main character who's about to unlock a new power arc like Jing Woo from Solo Leveling. Don't test me."
Jay leaned closer, eyes locked on me. "Veronica, you're basically the female protagonist in a battle manga. Keep throwing those references—I swear you're leveling up every time you speak."
Kevon chuckled. "Careful, Jay. She's more like Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail. Strong, sharp, and she'll cut you down if you underestimate her."
Travis sneered. "Nah, she's more like Yuno from Black Clover. Pretty face, sharp tongue, but dangerous when she decides to unleash."
I tilted my head, smiling dangerously. "Call me whatever you want. Just remember—main characters don't die. They evolve."
The parking lot buzzed like a manga panel mid battle. Dialogue flying, references clashing, energy thick enough to feel like the start of a fight scene.
"Gotta admit… you really aren't as bad as I thought you were. Kevon and Fabian got good eyes," Travis finally spoke up, his tone grudging but almost respectful.
"Will you marry me?" Jay suddenly blurted, eyes locked on mine, his voice cutting through the chaos like a confession in a shoujo manga.
I blinked, stunned. "Excuse me? Did you just skip the filler arc and jump straight to the finale?"
Fabian stepped forward, defensive. "Whoa, whoa, slow down, Romeo. You don't just throw out a marriage proposal like it's a Spirit Bomb. Chill."
I smirked. "Relax, Fabian. He's not asking you. Unless you're jealous?"
Fabian's ears went red. "Jealous? Pfft. No. I'm just… protecting the storyline. You can't just skip character development!"
Kevon caught it instantly, smirking like a seasoned mentor. "Looks like someone's pulling a Sasuke—pretending not to care while the emotions are screaming louder than Naruto in battle."
Travis laughed. "Nah, Fabian's more like Yamcha. Always catching strays, always defensive, but deep down he wants to be part of the fight."
I crossed my arms, leaning into the chaos. "If this is a manga, then Jay just pulled a confession scene straight out of Toradora. Fabian's the tsundere side character, Kevon's the wise mentor, and Travis… well, Travis is the anti hero who shows up to wreck the panel."
Jay grinned, eyes still locked on me. "Exactly. And if you're the protagonist, then I'm the gamer major sidekick who's secretly the love interest. Plot twist."
Renae was almost on her tippy toes of excitement, finally finding her people. "If this is what heaven is like… don't wake me upppppppp!" she screamed, her voice echoing across the lot.
Kevon chuckled, folding his arms. "Nah, this is more like My Hero Academia. Everyone's quirks clashing, but somehow it works."
Travis smirked. "Speak for yourself. I'm still Madara. I'll burn this whole arc down if I feel like it."
The tension broke into laughter, the kind that felt like rival characters finally acknowledging each other.
Jay leaned forward, eyes bright. "Alright, enough anime arcs. After classes, let's hit the gaming arcade. I've got tokens, and I'm ready to prove my Street Fighter skills."
Fabian raised a brow. "Arcade? You mean actual boss battles?"
Kevon smirked. "Count me in. I'll show you all why I'm the real protagonist."
Travis shrugged. "Fine. But if I win, I'm calling it canon."
We all agreed.
Soon we started walking, leaving the parking lot behind as our sights were set on our classes and a stressful day ahead. But the evening awaiting us was going to be so worth it. Was this what it felt like to finally find yourself and fit in? Honestly, it was all worth it.