The afternoon sun streamed through Austin High's windows, painting the basketball court in streaks of gold. Louis sat at the top row, drumming his fingers against the railing, jaw tight with irritation. The cafeteria fiasco was still gnawing at him. Sofia's smug face, the way she hadn't even flinched when he almost slapped her—it was burned into his memory like a scar.
"We're not letting her walk away like that," Louis growled, kicking at the air.
Sam, leaning against the railing with his usual storm-cloud expression, folded his arms. "Finally. I was starting to wonder if you'd grown soft."
His tone dripped with venom, but Louis knew it wasn't aimed at him. It was always Elisa who lived rent-free in Sam's head.
Jack, seated cross-legged on the bleacher below them, adjusted his glasses with a sigh. "We could also, you know, not get suspended for once. Just a thought."
Louis ignored him. "We need payback. Big, loud, unforgettable. Something that'll knock those three queens off their fake thrones."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "What's your genius plan, oh fearless leader?"
Louis hesitated, then said, "Classic. Water bucket over the doorway."
Sam blinked. Then he actually laughed—a dry, mocking laugh that made Louis scowl. "What are we, five? Planning kindergarten pranks now? Should we throw juice boxes while we're at it?"
Jack smirked despite himself. "He's not wrong. Water's messy, sure, but… it's a little underwhelming for Sofia Roosevelt."
Louis shot them both a glare, then leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Not just Sofia. All three of them."
That got their attention.
Jack raised a brow. "You're saying…"
"Three buckets. Three perfect targets," Louis said, grinning wickedly. "Sofia, Elisa, June. Boom. Public humiliation, times three."
Sam's eyes flickered with something dark, almost gleeful. "If Elisa ends up soaked, I'll personally crown you king of Austin High."
Jack shook his head but couldn't hide the grin tugging at his lips. "If we got a reaction out of that snake (June), it would be fun. I'm in. But we do it smart. If a teacher gets caught in this crossfire, we're dead."
Louis slapped his hand down. "Then we do it flawlessly. Boys' first strike."
The three of them exchanged a look—the kind that only spelled trouble. Mischief was brewing, and there was no turning back.
The Prank
The next day, the cafeteria buzzed louder than usual. Trays clattered, students laughed, and the air smelled of greasy fries and spilled ketchup.
A kid nearby hummed a tune, oblivious to the storm brewing. Sofia's entourage was already holding court at their usual table. She wasn't there yet—which was perfect.
Up above, crouched on the narrow ledge above the main entrance, Louis balanced a metal bucket half-filled with water. On the opposite door, Sam held another, jaw tight in concentration. Jack, ever the planner, had rigged the third with a precariously balanced tray of chocolate pudding cups from the kitchen, the sweet scent wafting faintly.
"Three girls. Three masterpieces," Louis whispered, eyes gleaming.
"Yeah, yeah, just don't screw it up," Sam muttered. His hands tightened on the bucket handle.
Jack gave them both a look. "Remember, release only when—"
"Shh," Louis hissed. "They're coming."
Down below, Sofia strutted into view, her heels clicking against the linoleum floor. Elisa walked beside her, chattering endlessly about some drama in math class, while June followed with her usual fake-innocent silence.
The cafeteria parted for them like the Red Sea.
Louis's heart pounded. He gripped the bucket, counted the steps, then—
"Now!"
Three buckets tipped at once.
[ LOUIS : 1
SOFIA : 1 ]
Water cascaded down like a miniature waterfall, drenching Sofia in icy sheets. She gasped, mascara streaking as her perfectly styled hair flattened against her face.
The splash echoed, water pooling at her feet.
Beside her, Elisa let out a shriek as Sam's bucket crashed over her head, soaking her designer blouse. "You—you bastards!" she screeched, stomping and slipping all at once. Her hair clung to her face, dripping messily.
And poor June—silent, perfect June—got the worst of it. Jack's pudding trap splattered directly across her hair and uniform, sticky brown goo dripping down her cheeks. The pudding plopped onto the floor, leaving a gooey trail.
For one golden second, the cafeteria erupted in wild laughter. Students doubled over, pounding tables, phones came out to record the spectacle. A girl yelled, "Best day ever!" as a boy filmed from under his tray. Louis grinned, adrenaline racing through his veins. Victory tasted sweet.
But then—
"WHAT in the world?!"
A furious roar silenced the laughter.
From the side entrance, a teacher stepped in—drenched to the bone from the overspray of Louis's bucket.
Mr. Thompson, the history teacher notorious for his short fuse, glared up at the boys with murder in his eyes. His tie dripped water, papers in his hand soggy.
Jack's smile died instantly. "Oh, no."
Sam muttered a curse under his breath.
Louis tried to keep cool, but his stomach dropped. "Uh… surprise water drill?"
The cafeteria exploded again, this time with even louder laughter.
Sofia, dripping wet but standing tall, tilted her head up at Louis. Water streamed down her cheeks, but her smirk was razor-sharp.
"Cute. Really cute. But if you think this is over, Astor…" She brushed pudding off her shoulder with deliberate calm. "…you're dumber than you look."
Elisa stomped, heels squishing against the wet floor. "You're dead! All three of you!"
And June, her hair glued with pudding, simply pulled a napkin from her pocket and dabbed at her face, whispering, "This means war." Her glasses fogged slightly, adding to the mess.
The declaration hung in the air, heavy as thunder before a storm.
Louis, Sam, and Jack exchanged a glance. Their prank had worked… but it had also backfired in the worst way possible.
And this was only the beginning.
-----
SOFIA: YOU'RE DEAD, ASTOR!
ELISA: I'M PERSONALLY STABBING EACH OF THEM FOR RUINING MY BANGS.
JUNE: SMIRKS INWARDS LET THE GAME BEGINS
PLEASE SUPPORT,
🤜3 GIRLS VS 3 BOYS 🤛