The cafeteria was buzzing with chatter, trays clattering, the smell of reheated pizza filling the air. Students were lined up in two long queues, each moving at a snail's pace.
In one line, Elisa and June stood shoulder-to-shoulder.
Elisa was already flipping her hair like she was on a runway, whispering far too loudly for it to count as discreet. "Ugh, look at him. Louis Astor and his brooding statue face. Who does he think he is? I swear, one of these days, I'm going to—"
June cut her off, her voice soft but sharp. "Shh. Don't draw his attention. You know Sam is right there, glaring like someone owes him blood."
Elisa smirked, undeterred. "Oh, please. What's he gonna do? Scowl me to death?"
Sure enough, Sam, standing with Louis's group across the room, was watching Elisa with eyes that could burn through steel. His jaw ticked, fists curling and uncurling. He muttered something under his breath, and Jack put a steadying hand on his shoulder before it escalated.
June lowered her gaze, lips twitching. For the "quiet topper girl," she enjoyed drama way too much. "Careful, Elisa. You poke the wrong bear, you'll get mauled."
Before Elisa could shoot back, the atmosphere shifted.
Sofia Roosevelt had arrived.
She didn't wait her turn, didn't hesitate — she slid right between Elisa and June like the line didn't exist. Her heels clicked, her perfume filled the air, and the cafeteria seemed to instinctively hold its breath.
"Step aside," she said casually, as if it was her rightful place.
Elisa grinned, proud. "That's our queen."
But then — a firm hand clamped around Sofia's wrist.
It was Louis.
The cafeteria stilled instantly. The two storms had collided again.
Louis's voice was calm, but his grip was iron. "Look who skipped dictionary day. Want me to spell out the meaning of queue?"
Sofia tilted her chin up, her smirk wicked. "Queue? Sweetheart, I don't wait in lines. People wait for me."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Elisa laughed too loudly, June's eyes darted nervously.
Louis's lip curled. "Bold of you to assume anyone wants you around."
Sofia didn't blink. "Oh, they want me, Astor. They just don't want to admit it."
The cafeteria buzz faded into silence. Trays stopped clattering. Everyone was watching.
Louis's jaw tightened. "You think you run this place?"
Sofia leaned closer, her smile sharp as glass. "No, Louis. I know I do. And it must kill you that even your shadow isn't enough to block my light."
That line hit like a slap. Louis's patience cracked. His chest rose and fell sharply, anger brimming in his eyes.
In one sudden movement, he raised his hand — not in a fist, but high enough, directing toward her face. The entire cafeteria gasped.
But Sofia? She didn't even flinch. She stood tall, chin up, daring him.
[ SOFIA : 1
LOUIS : 0 ]
Before Louis could take it further, Sam and Jack surged forward. Jack's strong arm wrapped around Louis's shoulders, holding him back with calm force. Sam grabbed his other arm, though his own face was twisted with rage — as if he'd happily see Sofia fall if Elisa went down first.
"Louis! Stop," Jack said, voice low but firm. "Detention's not worth it."
Louis wriggled, teeth clenched, trying to tear out of their grip. His glare burned holes into Sofia.
Sofia just smiled, victorious, her calmness more dangerous than his fury.
Sofia yanked her arm free and marched past Louis, chin tilted high like she'd just won a battle. The cafeteria was buzzing—students leaning over trays, whispering, replaying the showdown in hushed voices.
Elisa and June immediately pulled Sofia toward their table. Elisa was practically bouncing.
Elisa: "God, did you see his face? He looked like he was about to cry! Queen, you owned him. That line about people waiting for you? Iconic."
She snapped her fingers like it was a performance worth applause.
Sofia smirked, basking in it, but June's voice cut through.
June: "Careful, Sof. He didn't look like he was backing down. Next time, he might not stop his hand."
Her tone was calm, measured—too calm for Elisa's liking.
Elisa: "when a guy loses his patience it is almost ... hot ! "
Both June and Sofia said in chorus : Elisa ! You didn't say that .
Meanwhile, across the cafeteria, Louis slammed his tray down at his table.
Louis: "That damn girl—acting like she owns the place. Who the hell does she think she is?"
He ran a hand through his messy hair, jaw tight.
Sam's eyes narrowed at Elisa across the room.
Sam: "And her little sidekick, that loudmouth. One day I swear—"
His fists clenched, knuckles whitening. Just the sight of Elisa laughing had him bristling.
Jack placed a steady hand on Louis's shoulder before things escalated.
Jack: "Cool it. Both of you. She's trying to bait you, Louis, and you're letting her. And Sam, don't lose it over Elisa. She's not worth destroying your peace."
Louis: "Not worth it? You saw her smirk. She thinks she's untouchable."
Jack: "Yeah, and if you throw the first punch, you prove her right. You'll be the guy who can't control himself."
Louis gritted his teeth, silent, while Sam muttered curses under his breath, eyes locked on Elisa like she was his personal enemy.
From opposite sides of the cafeteria, Sofia and Louis sat with their cliques, each fuming, each plotting. The school could feel it—this wasn't over. It was only just beginning.
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🤜SOFIA vs LOUIS🤛