In Love, Against All Odds

Chaos in the Cafeteria

The cafeteria was buzzing as usual, full of people chatting and eating, but I could barely hear any of it. My heart was pounding in my chest as I sat down with Adri, Vinta, Brailey, and Alista at our usual spot. I had something big to share, and I was freaking out a little inside.

"Okay, guys, listen up," I said, trying not to let my nerves show. "Patrick and I... we're together now."

The reaction was instant. Adri's eyes went wide, and her jaw nearly hit the table. Vinta and Brailey exchanged glances, surprised, and Alista just stared at me like she couldn't believe it.

"Wait, what?! You and Patrick?" Adri said, her voice higher than usual. "I thought you guys were just hanging out!"

"It just... happened," I said, my cheeks burning as I remembered that kiss under the fireflies. "We clicked during the trip, and it just felt right."

Adri squealed and grabbed me in a hug. "Oh my gosh, this is the best news ever! I'm so happy for you! You deserve this!"

"I'm freaking out! You and Patrick? That's so cute!" Vinta said, practically glowing.

Brailey nodded. "Yeah, you two are cute together. It makes sense."

But before we could even really celebrate, the mood shifted. I heard someone stomp into the cafeteria, and I didn't need to look up to know it was Bradwin. His eyes locked on me, and I could feel the heat of his anger even from across the room.

"What's this I hear about you and Patrick?" he practically growled, his voice dripping with fury.

"Bradwin, not now," I said, trying to keep it cool, even though I was starting to get pissed. "We're happy, and that's none of your business."

His face turned red as he marched over to us, his fists clenched. "You think you can just move on like that? After everything we had?"

"Everything you had?" I shot back, feeling my anger flare up. "You cheated on me, Bradwin! You don't get to be mad!"

That's when it all went to hell. Adri stepped in front of me, her face a mix of anger and protectiveness. "Leave her alone, Bradwin! You're the last person who gets to talk about moving on after what you did!"

"Stay out of this, Adri!" he barked, glaring at her like she was the one in the wrong.

But Adri wasn't backing down. She stood tall, her fists tight. "You think you can just walk back in and pretend nothing happened? You're fucking pathetic!"

Bradwin snapped. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about!" he shouted, his face inches from Adri's.

Adri wasn't scared. "Maybe if you treated Kat right, she wouldn't have moved on!" she yelled, her voice fierce. That was when she went full badass.

I couldn't even believe it. Adri, full of rage, shoved Bradwin back, but he wasn't having it. He shoved her back hard, and she stumbled backward into a table, the chair crashing to the floor. My heart jumped into my throat.

Adri winced, clearly hurt, but before she could even get back up, I was on fire. "Don't you dare touch her!" I screamed, rushing toward Bradwin, ready to slap the crap out of him.

"Get away from him, Kat!" Adri yelled, but I wasn't listening. I was too pissed off. "How dare you push her?" I shouted, slapping my hand in the air, ready to hit him.

Bradwin, like the coward he was, grabbed my wrist, his grip tight and angry. "You think you can hit me? You're nothing without me," he sneered, and I could feel his anger radiating off of him.

But before I could do anything, I heard someone else. Patrick.

"Let her go, Bradwin!" Patrick's voice was like ice as he stepped in between us, his eyes full of fire.

Bradwin glared at him, his fists clenched. "What, you think you're gonna stop me?" he spat, stepping closer, trying to act tough.

Patrick didn't budge, standing tall and ready. "If you know what's good for you, you'll walk away," he warned, voice low and dangerous.

And that was it. The cafeteria went nuts. People started shouting, and the whole place seemed like it was about to explode. Adri was yelling at both of them to stop, but it wasn't working.

Then, just like that, Bradwin swung at Patrick. Patrick dodged, but then he threw a punch of his own. I couldn't believe it—these two idiots were throwing down in the middle of the cafeteria.

"Let's get out of here!" I yelled at Adri, trying to pull her away from the chaos, but she just stood there, watching the fight like it was a damn action movie.

"Let them duke it out!" she shouted back, determined to see it through.

I was freaking out, but before I could do anything else, Principal Sanders stormed in like a wrecking ball.

"What the hell is going on here?!" he roared, and just like that, everything stopped. Bradwin and Patrick froze, both of them breathing heavily, sweat on their faces, and fists still clenched.

"You two are in big trouble," Principal Sanders growled, looking at both of them like they were about to be expelled. "You're both suspended. Now get to my office!"

I couldn't even speak, my heart dropping into my stomach. "No, please, it's not Patrick's fault!" I yelled, stepping forward to defend him, but Principal Sanders wasn't hearing it.

"I don't care who started it. Fighting in school is unacceptable," he snapped. "Now, both of you, move."

As Bradwin and Patrick were escorted out, I couldn't even look at them. I felt like the world was crashing down on me.

Adri looked at me, her eyes full of regret. "Kat, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

I shook my head, feeling a pit in my stomach. "This... This is all my fault. Patrick didn't deserve this."

Adri's hand was on my shoulder, trying to comfort me. "Let's go talk to Principal Sanders. Maybe we can fix this."

But deep down, I knew this mess was out of control. Patrick was caught up in this because of me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a whole lot worse.

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