Beyond The Bell

Cafeteria Crashouts 💥

Normal POV
As the day went on it was now lunch time. The one time of the day where the entire school gathered in one room. Something was bound to go down but why would the teachers care? They'd rather stay in the teachers lounge and smoke a few cigarettes before they gotta put those fake happy acts on for another half of the day.

Despite everyone being in one place the student council leaders, London and Kayden, made sure to keep everybody in check so things could run a little smoother. But who was really gonna focus on lunch when the main talk of the school is the fact that the entire Carter family is back in school together.

Before today it was just Reggie, Alyssa, Trina, and Lea. But now that Jasmine is back it's like a ghetto family reunion.
When they all walked into the room together they got A LOT of stares, some good some bad. It didn't really phase any of them except, Alyssa, who's probably the reason anger management exists in the world.

Alyssa's POV
I love my cousin and I'm glad she's back to her old self, but damn it's irritating feeling everybody looking at me.
When we sat down I just tried to ignore all the eyes on us, I don't know why I care so much about what these people think. It's not like any of their opinions really matter.

But damn, it still feels like all these eyes are burning into me. Jasmine, though—she's acting like she didn't even notice. That's the thing about her. She's always been good at blocking out the noise, brushing off the stares, the whispers.  I glance over at her, and she's sitting there with that usual expression on her face, like she's daring anyone to say something. Typical Jasmine. I wish I had her confidence. She never lets anyone get to her, no matter what they say.

"Stop fidgeting," Jasmine whispers, nudging me with her elbow. "You're making it worse."

I roll my eyes but sit still. " Girl, I'm not fidgeting."

She doesn't say anything else, just scrolls on her phone like nothings going on. Trina and Lea are laughing about something Reggie said, but I'm too focused on the tension in the room to join in. It feels like it's only a matter of time before someone says something. And if they do, Alyssa Carter might be the one to blow up, not just Jasmine.

Normal POV

Across the cafeteria, London and Kayden were still trying to maintain some sense of control. The student council wasn't exactly built for this kind of chaos, but they were doing their best. London kept sending nervous glances at the Carter family, like she was waiting for something to happen, but so far, things were just... tense.

"You think they're gonna make it through the day without a fight?" Kayden asked, half-joking.

London rolls her eyes and shook her head. "I doubt it. Too many people in their business, and you know how Alyssa gets down."

Kayden nodded, scanning the room. "Yeah, let's just hope Jasmine doesn't stir the pot."

But as the minutes ticked by, the tension only seemed to grow. Whispers floated through the room, little bits of gossip bouncing from table to table. Most of it was about the Carters, of course. People always had something to say when they were all in the same place. And with Jasmine's return, it was like pouring gas on a fire just waiting to ignite.

Jasmine's POV
The tension in the room is so thick, I'm keeping my composure since I've changed a lot and I, the oldest sibling so I gotta make a good impression.  That's what set me apart from my twin, he loved getting crazy and being in the drama but I have to create a new image for myself.

Personally, I just wanna get through lunch without any trouble.

Reggie's loud voice broke through my thoughts. "Yo, Meghan!" He was grinning like an idiot while yelling for my best friend's attention, clearly enjoying the little family reunion.

I glared at him. "Reggie, sit down."

Meghan chuckled and sat beside me. "Nah, let him give my grand entrance."

I smiled and rolled my eyes.

Before Reggie could keep talking, a voice called out from across the room. "Aye Carter! What's it like having the whole squad back together?" The tone was mocking, and the words hung in the air like a challenge.

We all turned towards the voice with dirty looks on our faces.

It was Travis, one of the guys from middle school, leaning back in his chair like he was some kinda king. A smirk spread across his face as he looked right at Me.

My heart started pounding. This was it—the thing everyone was waiting for.

My face never changed as I stood up. Trina and Lea were whispering to each other, eyes wide, and Reggie was right beside me.

"You got something you wanna say?" My voice was smooth, calm, but there was an edge to it that promised things could go there if they needed to.

Travis didn't move, but his grin widened. "Chill, Carter. No need to get all worked up. Just curious how you're handling being back in the zoo."

I crossed my arms and looked at him and everyone at his table, eyes locked on Travis. "I'm handling it just fine. But you might wanna worry about your mouth getting you in trouble."

The room was silent, everyone either holding their breath or recording waiting to see what would happen next. London and Kayden were already moving towards us, probably to try and diffuse the situation before it escalated, but you just gotta put your hands on someone like Travis.

Normal POV

London's heart was racing as she and Kayden hurried toward the Carters' table. They had known something like this would happen eventually, but not this soon. Not with Jasmine barely back for a day.

"Jas, come on..." Kayden said, his voice low but firm as they reached the table. "You're not trying to get in trouble on your first day back, are you?"

Jasmine looked up at Kayden then at London.

London placed a hand on her arm, trying to pull her attention away from the impending fight. "He's not even worth it."

Jasmine listened and grabbed her drink before walking back to her table...

But then Travis had to open his mouth again.

"Yeah, Jasmine, listen to your little friends. Wouldn't wanna mess up that pretty face of yours."

Everything happened so fast. In one swift motion, Jasmine lunged forward a threw her bottle at Travis. Gasps and cheers echoed through the room, and London pushed jasmine onto the wall and could already hear one of the teachers shouting them.

But it was too late.

Chaos erupted. Chairs screeched against the floor as people scrambled around, and the entire cafeteria seemed to just go crazy.

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NANi: Y'all, they acting crazy already. No home training at all😟. Anyways make sure y'all vote and share, I LOVE YALLLLL 🫶🏾🫶🏾