The cafeteria was louder than usual, that sharp, echoing kind of loud that came from too many cliques packed into one room and too many rumors floating through the air. Trays clattered, someone laughed too hard near the soda machine, and at the far corner table, the Hellfire Club was in full sprawl—books open, dice scattered, Eddie leaning back in his chair like he owned the place.

You were beside him, your knee brushing his under the table, one hand absently toying with the chain on his jacket while he argued with Dustin about a rule technicality.

That was when Jason Carver decided to make it everyone’s problem.

He didn’t sit down. He loomed.

Letterman jacket bright, friends flanking him like backup dancers, Jason planted himself at the end of the table and let his shadow fall right across Eddie’s character sheet.

“Well, well,” Jason said, voice smooth and sharp at the same time. “The cult meeting in session?”

Eddie didn’t even look up at first. He just rolled a die, caught it, and finally glanced up with a lazy grin. “Careful, Carver. You stand any closer and you might accidentally learn how to think for yourself.”

A couple of the younger Hellfire kids snorted before they could stop themselves.

Jason’s jaw tightened.

“You always run your mouth like this,” he said. “Like you’re untouchable.”

Eddie shrugged. “Not untouchable. Just bored.”

Jason leaned in, eyes narrowing. “Did you expect me to sit back and take your insolent, brazen display?”

The table went quiet.

You felt the tension snap tight, like a wire pulled too far.

Before Eddie could fire back, You pushed your chair out and stood.

And the room shifted.

You didn’t raise your voice. You didn’t need to. You just tilted your head, eyes raking over Jason with open disdain, and smiled.

“Ha,” You said. “You’ve got it twisted.”

Jason blinked, not expecting that.

“I’m not the one who needs a new attitude,” You went on, voice steady and cutting. “Maybe you missed it, but I’m that #bitch and I will do nothing less than what I please. I’m the backbone of Hellfire.”

A couple of heads turned from nearby tables.

Eddie stared at you like he’d just watched a dragon breathe fire.

“Mad that I’m actin’ respectless?” You continued. “Well it’s ’cause no one could respect this. Sorry, group attendin’. Since when are jocks too scared to fight?”

Jason’s face flushed red.

“You’re long past trendin’,” You finished coolly. “Sorry, babe, but I ain’t swiping right. You lost your relevance.”

Silence.

Pure, ringing silence.

For a second, Jason looked like he might explode. Then he scoffed, straightened his jacket, and forced a laugh that fooled exactly no one.

“This isn’t over,” he muttered, before turning and stalking off with his friends in tow.

The second he was gone, the table erupted.

Dustin whispered, “Holy shit.”

Eddie slowly turned to you, eyes wide. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

You smirked and sat back down. “Please. He was asking for it.”

Eddie glanced at you, grin spreading, pride clear in his eyes. “Guess Hellfire’s got more than one weapon.”

And under the table, he squeezed your hand like the battle had just been won.