Broken homes

Altercation

Cory, Shawn, and Nate sat at one of the back tables in the library, textbooks open but barely glanced at. The upcoming ski trip was the main topic of conversation.

"I can't believe Feeny is actually letting us go," Cory said, flipping through his history notes. "You know how he feels about unsupervised teenagers."

Shawn smirked. "Which is why I'm fully prepared for him to show up at the cabin unannounced, probably with a cup of tea and a lecture about responsibility."

Nate leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "I mean, I'm just looking forward to the slopes. And the hot tubs." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Cory shook his head. "You've been hanging around Eric too much."

Shawn chuckled but then glanced down at his book, suddenly quieter. Cory noticed the shift immediately.

"You good, man?" Cory asked.

Shawn sighed. "Yeah, just... didn't expect Lily to actually go."

Nate tensed slightly but masked it with a casual shrug. "She deserves a break. And besides, she's been different lately—calmer."

Shawn nodded slowly, but there was something in his expression that Cory couldn't quite read.

Cory exhaled. "Look, I know things between you two are weird, but maybe this trip could be a fresh start."

Shawn scoffed. "You really believe that?"

Cory gave him a pointed look. "I believe that whatever happens, it's better than you two pretending the other doesn't exist."

Shawn didn't respond, just flipped a page in his book, pretending to focus. Nate drummed his fingers against the table before standing up.

"Well, whatever happens, it's gonna be interesting." He smirked. "See you guys later."

As Nate walked away, Shawn watched him for a second too long, jaw tightening.

Cory sighed. This trip was definitely going to be a mess.

L

The classroom was buzzing with chatter as Mr. Feeny prepared to start the lesson. Students shuffled into their seats, but the tension in the air was thick—especially between Lily and Angela, who had been throwing glares at each other all morning.

Topanga sat between them, clearly sensing the inevitable explosion.

"Alright, class—" Feeny began, but before he could finish, Angela turned sharply to Lily.

"You know, for someone who acted like she was better than everyone, it's funny seeing you just like your mother," Angela said coldly.

Lily's head snapped up, eyes flashing. The entire room went silent.

"What did you just say?" Lily asked, voice low and dangerous.

"You heard me," Angela shot back. "Drinking in the library, pushing everyone away, acting like you're above it all—you're exactly like her."

Topanga's eyes widened. "Okay, maybe let's not—"

Before she could finish, Lily was out of her chair.

"You don't know anything about me or my mother," Lily snapped, stepping closer.

"And I don't need to," Angela fired back. "You treat people like trash and expect them to just take it."

That was it. Lily lunged.

Chairs screeched against the floor as students scrambled out of the way. Topanga barely had time to react before Lily shoved Angela hard, sending her stumbling back. Angela caught herself quickly and retaliated, grabbing Lily by the wrist and yanking her forward.