you could feel it coming before it even started. that hot pressure right behind your head, the heat building in your jaw, your fingers twitching, and your legs bouncing under the cafeteria table. shane was sitting way too close to regina with his hand way too high on her thigh. regina didnt even meet your eyes once. the was how you knew

you were sitting two tables down just trying to keep your head down for once. you had promised your dad you wouldnt start anything this week. he had already gotten on your ass about the fight with that lacrosse guy last friday and the screaming match with your chemistry teacher on monday but this? the wasnt starting something. this was finishing it.

you stood up and gretchen caught your eye woth her eyes wide as karens jaw dropped but you didnt care

you stalked toward shane "move your fucking hand" you muttered loud enough for a handful of people to look over

he looked up with that smug, too pretty face "why? shes not yours anymore bro"

that was it. you didnt remember throwing the first punch. all you remembered was the feeling of his collar in your fist, his chair crashing back, and the deafening roar inside your own skull as his elbow came up and you ducked and tackled him straight into the table behind him

students were screaming, lunch trays were clattering, and food was flying

shane swung wildly but you were faster with years of anger, holding shit in, biting your tongue in ap classes, and being told to take a breath. it all boiled over. you grabbed him by the front of his shirt and slammed him back against the wall, knuckles cracking into his cheekbone

then reginas voice broke in "Y/N!"

she dove into the mess, trying to pull you off him "GET OFF! STOP! STOP IT-"

you shoved her back a little too hard. she stumbled and landed on her ass in shock. you barely even looked at her

"back the fuck off" you muttered, not even sure who you were yelling at anymore

"Y/N Y/L/N" it was your dad. principal marcus ellis. he was dressed like he always was with a tie too tight and a button down shirt that was crisp and clean even now "get off of him y/n"

he tried grabbing your shoulder but you twisted out of it. he wrapped both arms around your chest, trying to haul you back but you fought him back

"dad get off of me. he touched her-"

"youre done" he barked, voice booming through the room but you werent hearing it

he shifted with his arm hooking around your neck, a move he used when you were younger and you used to break down at home and slam your head into the wall and scream until your throat bled. it was a move he hadnt used in years but this time you were stronger

he pulled you back into a full chokehold and shoved you down into the cafeteria floor. you were wheezing but not because it hurt but because something in you snapped at the way everyone was looking at you

you bucked against him, snarling "get off of me!"

students were screaming with their phones out while regina was standing now with her hair wild and mascara smudged. she looked terrified and not because of shane or the crowd but because of you.