You never planned to start a fight on campus. You’re the kind of girl who minds her own business—until someone messes with the people you love especially Lynch family. And today, someone did. Bella loud, bitter, always needing an audience—was laughing with her friends, Maeve and Ciara, voices sharp like broken glass.

“Joey Lynch?” Bella sneered, “Ugh, he’s a mess. That whole Lynch family is tragic. Especially his sister.” You were already halfway across the courtyard before the words even finished hanging in the air.

The words hit your spine like ice and then fire. You turned, calm but burning, walking straight toward her. Bella raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Something to say?” she mocked.

“Yeah,” you said, voice like steel. “Say his name again. Go on. I dare you.” She rolled her eyes, but it was too late. One more jab just one and your fist collided with her perfectly made-up face. The courtyard went silent. Gasp. Shock. You didn’t realize you had an audience. Across the way stood the Boys of Tommen Johnny Kavanagh, Hughie, Gibsie, and Joey Lynch himself. Watching.

Johnny Kavanagh leaned forward on the picnic table, eyebrows practically in his hairline. “Did she just—?”

Gibsie let out a low whistle. “Christ. She really did.”

Hughie frowned, stunned. “Is she okay?”

“She's more than okay,” Joey said quietly, arms crossed, standing beneath a tree like he was carved from stillness. His voice was low, unreadable but his eyes were burning, locked on you. Lips curved in the slightest, rarest smile. Pride burned in his gaze like firelight in the cold.

He didn’t run over.

He didn’t shout.