The school gates were nearly empty now, students trickling away for the day. Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson leaned against the fence, smirking as his girlfriend playfully nudged him with her shoulder. Their usual crew—Shannon Lynch, Lizzie Young, Claire Biggs, Aoife Molloy, Katie Wilmot, Joey Lynch, Johnny Kavanagh, Tadhg Lynch, Hughie Biggs, and Patrick Feely—lingered nearby, scattered in a loose circle as they talked and laughed.

Then Bella showed up.

The notorious mean girl strode toward them, her eyes sharp with cruel amusement. She stopped right in front of Gibsie, folding her arms, her tone dripping with venom.

“Scumbag.”

Gibsie’s grin faltered, his jaw tightening. He was used to Bella’s snide comments, but the word landed heavier this time, slicing through the easy atmosphere. His girlfriend noticed instantly—the way his shoulders tensed, the flash of hurt he tried to hide.

Before Gibsie could open his mouth, she stepped forward.

“What did you just say?” she asked, her voice calm but icy enough to freeze Bella in place.

Bella rolled her eyes with a dismissive laugh. “You heard me. He’s a scumbag. Trash. Just like his idiot friends.”

The group went silent. Even Gibsie, usually quick with a comeback, stood frozen. Shannon’s lips parted as though to intervene, but she stayed silent.

Then it happened.

Gibsie’s girlfriend’s fist connected with Bella’s face in a perfect, solid punch.

The sharp crack of impact echoed through the air. Bella stumbled back, clutching her cheek in shock, her expression morphing from smug to stunned.

“Who the hell are you?” Bella spat, her voice trembling.

“Oh, I’m your worst nightmare, bitch,” she growled, eyes blazing with fury.

Before Bella could blink, she was slammed onto the pavement. Gibsie’s girlfriend straddled her in one swift, unhesitating movement, pinning her down with strength Bella clearly hadn’t expected.

“You like terrorizing little girls?” she hissed, her face just inches from Bella’s. “Try someone your own size.”

Bella squirmed, but it was useless.

“Think you can call my boyfriend a scumbag?” she snarled, and her fist shot forward again, landing another punch.

The group collectively gasped. No one spoke. No one moved. Shannon’s hand flew to her mouth. Joey looked both horrified and impressed.

Gibsie… well, he stood rooted in place, wide-eyed, his heart pounding like a drum.

“Holy shite,” Patrick muttered, voice breaking the silence.

Gibsie finally found his voice. “Babe,” he said, but it wasn’t stern—more like stunned reverence. His gaze locked on her like she’d just sprouted wings. Or fire. Maybe both. “Holy hell.”

His girlfriend didn’t look back at him, still hovering over Bella, breathing hard and fierce, but the words that burned in his chest were unmistakable.

God, he was so gone for her.