The cafeteria felt suffocating, buzzing with students and the ever-present clatter of trays and chairs scraping against linoleum. Eddie’s partner sat at the far end of the room, trying to focus on their notebook, but Jason Carver’s voice cut through the noise like a knife, grating and relentless.

“You seriously don’t mind it? Him?” Jason leaned in, his breath smelling faintly of cafeteria food and arrogance. His eyes gleamed with a mix of confusion and malice, as if he couldn’t wrap his head around why anyone would willingly be with Eddie Munson. “You’re just—what, playing a game? Slumming it?”

“Back off, Jason,” they muttered, eyes flicking up to meet his.

Before he could respond, the sound of sneakers hitting the floor caught their attention. The cafeteria, which had been humming with idle chatter, suddenly felt charged, like a storm brewing on the horizon. Jason froze for a second, glancing over his shoulder. His smirk faltered.

Eddie Munson was striding toward them, flanked by his Hellfire crew. The usual mischief that played on Eddie’s face was gone, replaced by a dark, fiery intensity that made him look more dangerous than usual. His leather jacket hung loosely over his Hellfire Club shirt, and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides. Beside him, Gareth, Jeff, and the rest of his band of misfits watched, their eyes fixed on Jason with silent judgment.

But it was Eddie who dominated the room, his wild mane of hair shaking slightly as he stormed up to Jason. The students who had been gawking at the situation just moments before suddenly found other things to look at, heads turning away, knowing better than to get caught in the crossfire.

“Hey, Carver,” Eddie growled, his voice dangerously low. He planted himself between Jason and his partner, his frame tall and imposing. Eddie wasn’t a massive guy, but the fury radiating off him made him seem twice his size.