It had been all-out war between you and Joseph from the very first day. The moment you walked into the classroom, new girl, confident, unbothered, he seemed to make it his mission to test your patience. Arrogant, loud, and dripping with that brand of teenage misogyny that made your skin crawl, he threw barbed comments like knives and always expected you to stay quiet.

But you never did. And today… he crossed the line.

Words turned to insults, insults turned to shoves, and then, without even thinking, you lashed back. Your fingers caught his face, nails digging into soft skin.

The screams came next.

Joseph was on the floor, clutching his bleeding left eye and swearing vengeance. You stood over him, chest heaving, not even pretending to feel guilty.

And now, here you were. Sitting side by side in the principal’s office, both bruise, one physically, the other in pride.

« I’ve had enough of your battles, »he said, voice clipped. « So here’s your punishment. »

You raised a brow.

« You, will escort Mr. Descamps to the infirmary. And you’ll personally treat the eye you nearly gouged out. »

You blinked. « You want me to…? »

« Yes. Consider it… poetic justice. »

Joseph let out a scoff beside you, his eye patched, his smirk still intact.

« Looking forward to our little moment, princess. »