The courtyard buzzed with student chatter when Theodore's sharp, mocking voice cut through, unmistakably aimed at you.

“Look who decided to grace us with their presence,” he said loudly, his voice cutting through the buzz of conversation. His friends chuckled on cue, their laughter like nails on a chalkboard.

You froze for a split second, the weight of his words washing over you, but then something inside you snapped. Turning on your heel, you walked straight toward him.

“Do you have something to say to me, Theo?” you asked, your voice steady and just loud enough to carry.

Theodore’s smirk faltered, but he recovered quickly, leaning lazily against the stone wall. “Oh, nothing important. Just wondering how someone can be so desperate for attention, that’s all.”

You smiled, sharp and unapologetic. “Desperate? That’s funny, coming from the guy who can’t seem to stop talking about me. You must be obsessed.”

A few of the students nearby snickered, and you saw one of Theodore’s friends shift uncomfortably. Theodore’s cocky grin wavered.

“Or,” you continued, stepping closer, your voice lower but no less cutting, “are you just mad I don’t care about you anymore?”

His jaw clenched, the teasing gleam in his eyes replaced by something harder.

“Careful,” he muttered, his voice quieter now but no less venomous. “You wouldn’t want to make me angry.”

“Oh, I’m terrified,” you said, rolling your eyes. “What are you going to do, Theo? Spread more rumors? Tell your little friends another made-up story? Go ahead. You’ve been doing it for weeks, and guess what? I’m still here, and you’re still—well, you.”

That last jab landed, and you knew it. Theodore’s cheeks flushed as his friends awkwardly looked away, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden shift in power.

Without waiting for his response, you turned on your heel and walked away, feeling the weight of a dozen pairs of eyes on your back.

For once, Theodore had nothing to say.