𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓 (ANGEL)
Older. Scary. Silent.
Damon Lars was always lurking in the shadows, a sinister presence that scared me. It would be oblivious for me not to notice him even in the darkest areas. He was there. Maybe invisible to ot...
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GRAYSON MEADOWS
The cafeteria buzzed with its usual energy: the clinking of trays, the hum of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter. But my focus was locked on Stella and Ace. They stood in the center of the room, laughing together, their expressions bright and carefree. Stella leaned in slightly, stepping closer to him in a way that made my stomach churn.
"I think they'd make a cute couple," Liliana said casually, shrugging as she turned to Jaxon.
Marcella and I immediately grimaced, shaking our heads in unison. "Girl, I ship him with Molly," Marcella quipped, crossing her arms. "And anyway, Ace looks way too calm to be with our storm of a friend."
I was about to back her up, offering a dozen reasons why Stella and Ace would never work, but thankfully Sophie interrupted the conversation. She strode up to Ace with her usual confident air, grabbing his arm and pulling him away mid-laugh. Avery followed close behind, her expression hard to read, though the thin line of her lips suggested irritation.
As Sophie tugged Ace out of Stella's orbit, she shot Stella a look—a mix of annoyance and silent challenge. Stella's smirk faltered, and I saw the tension flash between them like lightning. Stella wasn't one to let things slide. She leaned forward, her voice sharp enough to carry across the room. "You really think dragging him away is going to make him like you more?"
Sophie froze mid-step, her grip on Ace's arm tightening. Her mouth dropped open, stunned, and for a moment, it felt like time stopped. "I'm dating his brother, you're crazy," Sophia muttered. "I already had him, but I chose the better brother thank God because clearly Ace is blinded by your looks and can't see that you're a devil."
Avery stepped in then, her voice calm but filled with steel. "Stella, stop. That's enough."
The glare Avery directed at Stella could have cut glass, but Stella wasn't the type to back down. She tilted her head, a dangerous glint in her eye, and let out a humorless laugh. "So now you're defending her, huh? What is it, Avery? You've suddenly decided to switch sides?"
Avery didn't flinch. She stepped in front of Sophie, shielding her like she was ready for a fight. "Not everyone is going to bow down to you, Stella. Maybe it's time you learned that respect goes both ways."
The tension was palpable, the cafeteria falling eerily quiet as people stopped to watch the unfolding drama.
Marcella didn't waste a second. She shot up from her seat, muttering, "Oh, hell no," and started toward the brewing argument. I followed close behind, Alessio and Damon flanking me as we left Liliana and Jaxon bickering over whether or not to intervene.
By the time we reached them, the argument had escalated. Stella's voice was sharper, her words cutting, and Sophie looked like she was seconds away from tears.
"You're such a bully, Stella," Avery snapped, her eyes flashing with anger. "If you're used to everyone letting you walk all over them, that's your problem. But not everyone is going to put up with it. Respect people, or don't expect any in return."
