Mattheo leaned casually against the wall, his dark eyes scanning the crowd, until they settled on you approaching. His usual smirk widened when you stopped in front of him, clearly looking for someone to vent to.

"My stepdad called me f4t," you blurted out, your tone flat but with an undercurrent of irritation.

Mattheo's smile instantly disappeared. "Are you serious? What did you say back to him?"

"I didn’t say anything."

He nodded solemnly, as if impressed. "Good for you. Good for you taking the high road—"

"I k/IIed him instead."

Mattheo blinked, his expression shifting from disbelief to amusement. One brow raised, he tilted his head. "Where are we hiding the body?"

You grinned mischievously. "Ooh my—hey, did you hear the rumor about Lavender being pregnant?"

"Yeah, it’s terrible," he said with a grimace. "I don't know who would start a rumor like that."

"I started the rumor."

Mattheo stared at you for a beat before grinning slowly. "And— it’s probably true, honestly. There's gotta be a reason she hasn’t shown up to class."

Before you could respond, you remembered the next piece of chaos waiting for you. "Oh, by the way, some girl wants to duel me after school."

He straightened up immediately. "Over what?"

"She thinks I was talking sh/t about her."

His mouth hung open slightly. "Are you serious? Well now we’re pulling up—because my best friend would never talk sh/t—"

"I was talking sh/t."

He laughed, clapping your shoulder. "Well now we’re both talking sh/t, so let’s go."

As you both headed toward the courtyard, Mattheo suddenly glanced at your bag. "This bag is so nice. Where’d you get it from?"

"Chanel."

His eyes lit up. "Oh, Chanel? Girl, I’m so proud of you saving up—"

"I stole it."

Mattheo threw his head back in laughter. "Yeah, that tracks."