Cookie

9

The cafeteria is silent. No one moves. No one even breathes.

The only sounds are the brutal, sickening thuds of Liam's fists colliding with Cavin's face. It's not even a fight-Cavin isn't fighting back. He's just taking the hits, one after another, his cries and pleas for mercy drowned out by the sheer force of Liam's rage.

I've seen fights before. In school. On TV. But nothing like this. Nothing this... raw.

Liam isn't just throwing punches-he's attacking. Like a predator with its prey. His movements are wild, almost inhuman, and the low, guttural sounds he makes with each hit send chills down my spine.

Tears stream down my face as I cling to Mary. She strokes my hair, whispering something meant to comfort me, but I can't focus on her words. My stomach churns.

Logan rushes in, grabbing at his brother. "Liam, stop! You're going to kill him!"

But Liam doesn't stop. He doesn't even acknowledge Logan's voice.

It takes Logan and Mr. Freeman, our sports teacher, working together to finally pry Liam off Cavin. As they drag him back, Cavin's body slumps onto the floor-face swollen, bloodied, unconscious.

Liam turns toward me, chest heaving, teeth clenched. His black curls are a wild mess, his dark eyes burning with a fury that isn't fully extinguished.

Our gazes lock.

And suddenly, I can't breathe.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Say something? Look away? But I just stand there, frozen, as my tears keep falling.

Mr. Freeman lets go of Liam and rushes to Cavin's side, barking for someone to get Miss Andromeda, the school nurse.

Liam ignores him. "Are you okay?" His voice is low, but firm.

I try to answer, but nothing comes out.

Mr. Freeman steps in front of Liam, voice sharp. "You're in big trouble, boy." His expression darkens as he scans the carnage. "What the hell happened here?"

No one speaks.

The other students are still watching, frozen in place, waiting. But Liam... he doesn't flinch. He meets Mr. Freeman's glare with an unshaken, almost defiant stare.

"Everyone, back to class! NOW!" The teacher's booming voice jolts the cafeteria into motion.

Students scatter. Only a few remain-Logan, Mary, Alicia, Liam... and me.

Mr. Freeman's gaze hardens. "Someone better start talking, or I'll be calling the principal. Or better yet, your parents."

Still, silence.

Everyone is looking at me now.

Because this is my fault.

Liam got into this mess because of me.

I force myself to step forward. My whole body is trembling, but I lift my chin and meet Mr. Freeman's eyes.

"It's my fault, sir," I whisper.

"The hell it is." Liam's voice is sharp, protective.

Mr. Freeman frowns. "Watch your language, young man."

Liam shrugs Logan off and steps closer to our teacher. "You're worried about my language? That piece of shit touched Nataly."

Mr. Freeman hesitates. His gaze shifts back to me, scanning my wrinkled, slightly disheveled shirt.

And I see it.

That flicker of judgment.

That silent question.