Dare Kings

Chapter 17: Is that it?

"It is just me of lunch came a bit quicker?" Chloe's voice faded as I got lost in my thoughts, mostly about Tristan and the mess I knew he and his friends were planning.

I hadn't seen much of him today, which, frankly, was a relief. We shared a couple of classes, but I'd made sure to sit in places where he couldn't spot me.

If he had, he would've no doubt found a reason to taunt me with that cocky smirk of his, always talking about himself or trying to tear me down. It was like he couldn't help himself, always needing to get a rise out of me.

His friends Jax and Brendan weren't much different. They'd wave or grin in that twisted, "friendly" way that wasn't friendly at all. But at least they hadn't said anything to me directly today.

"Yup," I responded to Chloe as we entered the cafeteria, the familiar smell of lunch hitting me, and my stomach turned. I wasn't hungry.

Maybe it was the anxiety about Tristan and his crew, or maybe it was something else, but I just couldn't bring myself to eat.

"You're not getting anything?" Ashley asked, her brow furrowing as she glanced at me.

I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good."

"You sure?"

"Very sure."

They headed to the lunch line while I found us seats by the door, slumping into the chair and resting my head on the table.

Everything felt off today. Normally, I'd grab enough food to last me through the day, but not today.

Ashley and Chloe returned with their tray and plopped down across from me, Ashley shoveling a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth. "You sure? Their mashed potatoes are actually really good today."

I forced a weak smile and shook my head. "No thanks."

Chloe peeled her banana, giving me a concerned look. "Maybe you're coming down with something. That could be why you're not hungry."

Before I could respond, loud, familiar laughter echoed through the room. My heart sank.

Tristan.

Jax.

Brendan.

Ha! I actually remembered their names.

Looking over at Chloe, and was about to drop my head down on the table, but instead, I grabbed the banana peel from her hand.

"Wha-" Chloe's confused voice was about to ask.

"Shh," I whispered, tossing it casually onto the marble floor right by the door.

"Girl, why did-"

"Shh, just watch." I couldn't help the grin that tugged at my lips, and soon Chloe and Ashley's attention shifted to the door with anticipation, though still confused.

The door swung open, and Brendan walked in first. Perfect. His eyes met ours, and he started to say something.

"Oh, it's ou-"

Before he could finish, his feet slid out from under him, and he skated forward uncontrollably. The three of us erupted into laughter as he sped toward an empty table, arms flailing.

He slammed into it with a crash, and just when I thought it couldn't get any funnier, he flipped over the table and landed face-first on the floor with a loud "buff!"

A collective "Oh!" spread across the cafeteria as Brendan groaned on the floor, clearly dazed.

Payback.