The late afternoon sun painted the school parking lot in long streaks of orange and gray. Joey Lynch leaned against the side of his beat-up car, his arms crossed loosely as he talked with his friends. Shannon Lynch, Lizzie Young, Claire Biggs, Aoife Molloy, Katie Wilmot, Johnny Kavanagh, Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson, Tadhg Lynch, Hughie Biggs, and Patrick Feely were scattered around him, the usual chatter and laughter filling the air.

Then Bella appeared.

The mean girl strutted across the lot like she owned the place, her smirk sharp and venomous. She stopped in front of Joey, tilting her head with mocking sweetness.

“Scumbag,” she said, the word dripping with disdain.

Joey stiffened, his easy grin faltering as his jaw tightened. His girlfriend, who had been standing beside him, felt his body tense. Her pulse spiked—she’d had enough of Bella’s bullying, not just toward Joey but toward all their friends.

Before Joey could react, she stepped forward.

“What did you just say?” Her tone was cold, each word cutting like glass.

Bella rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “You heard me. He’s a scumbag. Trash. Just like the rest of you.”

The group went silent. Lizzie’s lips parted like she wanted to say something, but no one moved. No one dared breathe.

Joey’s girlfriend didn’t give herself time to think. Her fist connected with Bella’s face before she even realized she’d swung.

The sound was sharp and satisfying.

Bella stumbled back, clutching her cheek, shock flashing across her face. “Who the hell are you?” she spat, voice shaky.

“Oh, I’m your worst nightmare, bitch,” Joey’s girlfriend said, her voice low and dangerous.

Before Bella could react, she grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her down onto the pavement. In one fluid motion, she straddled her, pinning Bella under her knees.

“You like terrorizing little girls?” she said, leaning closer, her eyes blazing. “Try someone your own size.”

Bella tried to squirm free, but Joey’s girlfriend didn’t budge. Her fist hovered just above Bella’s face, trembling with controlled rage.

“Think you can call my boyfriend a scumbag?” she growled.

Then her fist came down again—another sharp punch landing squarely on Bella’s jaw.

The group collectively gasped, but no one moved to stop her. Gibsie’s voice broke the silence, muttering under his breath, “Holy shite…”

Joey was frozen, his heart pounding as he stared at her. His girlfriend—his sweet, fierce girlfriend—looked like a storm incarnate. He didn’t know if he should pull her off or kiss her senseless.

He’d never loved her more.