It started in the morning, during that chaotic ten minutes before class when everyone was still half-asleep. You and Toni were leaning against the lockers, casually talking about last night’s homework, when Toni cracked a joke—something stupid, something small— but for some reason it hit you perfectly.

You burst out laughing. Like… full laugh. Head thrown back. Shoulder hitting the lockers.

Toni grinned proudly. Cheryl, who’d been walking toward the two of you, froze mid-step.

Her eyes narrowed. Her jaw tightened. Her entire soul left her body for three seconds as she stared at you laughing at someone else’s joke like they were the funniest human on Earth.

And that was it. That was the moment. Cheryl Blossom entered Territorial Mode: Level 10.

She appeared beside you immediately.

You didn’t even see her move. One second you were laughing with Toni, the next Cheryl was sliding her hand onto your arm, smiling a smile that was definitely not a smile.

“Well, well,” Cheryl said sweetly. “What’s going on here?”

“Just making them laugh,” Toni smirked.

Cheryl’s grip on you tightened the tiniest bit. “Oh, trust me, dear, I know what makes them laugh.”

You blinked. “…Cheryl?”

She ignored you and looped her arm around yours, pulling you to her side protectively.

“Toni,” she added with a dismissive flick of her eyes, “don’t you have a class to get to?”

Toni raised her hands. “Alright, Blossom. Take it easy. They’re all yours.” Then she winked at you and walked off

Cheryl didn’t let go.