A FEW MINUTES IN THE CAFETERIA
Uriel, Zack, and Hugo entered the cafeteria, the subtle confidence of their arrival causing a ripple through the room. Uriel, however, halted abruptly, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fist. Their usual table, the one where they typically enjoyed their steaks, salads, chips, tuna spaghetti, and apple juice, was occupied. Megara sat there, completely absorbed in her lunch, a soft hum of Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" filling the space around her. She was utterly oblivious to their presence, and especially to Uriel's growing irritation at her occupation of their usual spot. The unfulfilled expectation of their usual meal, mixed with the presence of Megara in their space, caused Uriel's tension to rise.
Zack, mid-order to Chris, chatted idly with Hugo as they approached their usual table. They halted abruptly, the easy camaraderie evaporating as they registered Uriel's rigid posture and the white-knuckled grip on his fist. A palpable tension, thick and suffocating, filled the space. Uriel's pale skin flushed crimson, his expression a storm of barely contained rage. They knew this was a forbidden zone, a sacred space for the Z3, and someone had dared to trespass.
Hugo, instantly drawn to investigate, froze when he saw Megara. His resolve crumbled, replaced by a sudden, almost dazed fascination. He drifted away from Uriel's simmering fury and slid into the seat beside her. "Hello beautiful," Hugo began, waving a hand in front of her face. "How are you? You're Megara, right? The new transfer student?"
Megara, startled, hastily packed her lunch. "Yes, I am. And you are?" she asked, feigning ignorance. "I don't recall meeting you."
Zack chuckled, tilting his head. "Sharp tongue. We saw you here Saturday. I'm Zachary Oswald Jr., but call me Zack. This is Hugo, and..." He gestured towards Uriel, who stood like a thundercloud.
Uriel cut him off with a glacial glare. "Shut up. Don't mention my name." His voice was flat, deadly. "You're in my seat, young lady. This area is off-limits to anyone not Z3."
Megara snorted, rolling her eyes. "Oh, right. Uriel Oman Jefferson. The childish, egocentric guy from the other day." She laughed, packing her bag with exaggerated haste. "Sorry for sitting here. I don't want trouble on my first day. And Z3? Seriously? That's a childish name for a group of bullies."
She fled, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. Uriel turned to his friends, his expression a mask of bewildered fury. "Did she just call me egocentric? Trouble? And our group...childish bullies?"
Zack, ever the peacemaker, offered a placating smile. "She's just a freshman, Uriel. Doesn't know the rules." He exchanged a knowing glance with Hugo, whose cheeks were still flushed. "Besides, she's got fire. And she's hot. No wonder you like her."
"Yeah, she reminds me a bit of Sung Min Kwon" Hugo added. "She isn't afraid of you."
Uriel's fury intensified, his gaze turning glacial. "Don't you dare mention my cousin, or compare her to that...that girl. She's cheap, unruly. Sung Min is graceful, virtuous, responsible, and rich." He sank into his seat, the chair creaking under his weight.
Zack and Hugo exchanged surprised glances. Uriel rarely spoke of his cousin, and never with such...defense.
Chris and a team of chefs arrived, silently setting down a lavish buffet. Hugo and Zack dove in, their earlier tension forgotten. Uriel, however, remained motionless, his mind churning, his expression unreadable. His plans, whatever they were, remained shrouded in an unsettling uncertainty.
AT THE CONVENIENCE CAFE STORE(BROOKVILLE).
Megara remained motionless, replaying her harsh words to Uriel in her mind. The dismissal bell echoed, and she fled the school, not out of fear, but to avoid any further conflict. Tobi and Tara exchanged perplexed glances; this withdrawn, distracted Megara was a stark contrast to the assertive, focused friend they knew.
Tobi approached her, his steps quick yet gentle. "Meg, are you alright? You seem completely lost," he said, lightly touching her shoulder.
Megara let out a shaky breath, a wave of disbelief washing over her. Had she really just said that? She replayed the words in her head, a mix of defiance and dread swirling within her. There was no backing down now, but the thought of Tobi, the school's reigning tormentor, actually remembering her outburst sent a shiver down her spine. Maybe he'd just brush it off. Like normal people do.
Tara's gaze, cool and appraising, flickered between Megara and Tobi. A slow, venomous smile spread across her lips. "Lost her marbles, has she? Spending too much time rubbing elbows with the elite does that to a person. A little dose of reality check is what she needs." Her voice, laced with malice, cut through the air. "Should probably book an appointment with a shrink, or at least remember Mr. Griffin isn't paying us to stand around gossiping."
Tobi's eyes narrowed, his expression a mask of disgust. "Tara, that's… that's low, even for you." He turned to Megara, his voice softer, but with an edge of concern. "Meggie, seriously, what's going on? Tell me everything."
They slipped into the storeroom, the door clicking shut behind them.
Tobi steered her towards a secluded corner, his eyes bright with anticipation. "Alright, spill. How did your 'make-every-day-worthwhile' plan go?"
Megara met his eager gaze, then sighed, a wave of frustration washing over her. "It didn't go well. Instead of making friends, I witnessed a humiliating scene with some girl in lingerie, and then I accidentally sat in the Z3's reserved area."
Tobi gasped, his hand flying to his mouth. "Wow, straight into the lion's den. I'm... sorry for your eyes." He gave her a teasing hug. "So, the Z3. Were they... impressive?"
Megara pushed him away, her brows furrowed. "Impressive? They're bullies, Tobi! Annoying, arrogant bullies. I overheard students talking about their 'ruthless behavior.'"
"But... how ruthless?" Tobi asked, a playful smirk spreading across his face. "Were they hot? Stylish? Rich?"
"They're the Z3, Uriel's group," Megara retorted, exasperated. "And Uriel is the worst. He thinks because he's blonde and wealthy, he can just... dictate everything." She tugged at her hair. "I might have said some things..."
"About how they're insufferable?" Tobi finished, his eyes gleaming. "Look, I know you're mad, but the Z3 are legendary. They're, like, the hot topic. Tara has a shrine to Zack, for crying out loud."
Megara's nostrils flared. "That's a waste of time. They're nightmares, not heartthrobs. Uriel proved that." She pulled her hoodie over her head.
"Okay, okay, you're not a fan. But don't let them get to you," Tobi advised, gently cupping her cheek. "How about the other students?"
Megara rolled her eyes. "Rude, hostile, and Brianna? She's obsessed with my family background. Who does she think she is?"
"A delinquent," Tobi said, his voice hardening. "Living off her ancestors' legacy. I hate female bullies. If she wasn't so... protected..."
Megara stared at him, then burst out laughing. "Sometimes, I swear you're a woman trapped in a man's body." She nudged his chest. "Thanks for having my back."
"I have seven sisters," Tobi said, a wry smile spreading across his lips. "It's a survival skill. Now, let's get back to work before Mr. Griffin catches us."
"Don't change the subject," Megara warned as they headed for the door.
"I'm not. But if I were a woman," Tobi mused, draping an arm over her shoulder, "I'd marry a mafia boss. Handsome, of course. For the... raw experience."
"Eww, Tobi!" Megara exclaimed, pushing him away and sprinting towards the exit. "You're disgusting!"
"To the core, babe," he called after her, locking the storeroom door. "And thanks, I'll keep that in mind!"