10: [Eloise's POV]

  

  CHAPTER 10: [ELOISE'S POV]

I picked up the tray and hit Gabrielle square across the face before I even thought twice. The cafeteria went silent for a heartbeat—the metallic smack echoing off the marble floors.

 Gabrielle staggered back, hand flying to her jaw, eyes wide with shock.

Of course, it just didn't happen out of the blue. Let me explain how we even got in that situation.

The cafeteria was noisy, trays clattering, voices overlapping, but my focus was elsewhere.

Ruby Padre.

I noticed her gaze across the room. Dark eyes, sharp, steady, not a word spoken, but the intensity in them made my chest tighten. 

There was something dangerous about the way she looked at me, like she could see every thought running through my mind. Almost… flirtatious. And damn if it didn’t make my stomach flip.

Aisha had come to sit next to me. She had not let my intial dismissal of her deter her desire to become my friend. I don't think I have ever had someone put in this much effort to hang out with me.

I didn't show it but I appreciated it and I thought it was kind of cute. I however still stayed silent and listened to her go on about a korean pop boy group that she was into.

 I was still trying to process all that Aisha was saying when from the corner of my eye I saw Gabrielle and Lindsay move. They left their table, weaving through the crowded room like predators, their eyes locked on Aisha, who sat beside me. 

My shoulders tensed.

“Look at you,” Gabrielle said, voice dripping with fake sweetness, stopping beside our table. “Still trying to be the chatty little mouse, huh?”

Lindsay snorted, leaning over, smirk plastered across her perfect face. 

''I never thought that I would see the day that someone would not be embarrased to be around you, Aisha''

''Doing charity work, new girl?" Gabrielle asked me and smiled, ''Isn't that so precious"

“Poor thing looks like she’s about to cry'' Lindsay said to Gabrielle as she pointed to Aisha, ''Don't cry, darling. You should tell your new friend that the only reason you're here is because you were offered a scholarship.''

''At least your parents paid for you to be here, new girl'' Lindsay was addressing me now, ''Don’t tell me you actually think a free loader like her belongs here.”

Aisha’s eyes went wide, and she bristled. 

“I'mnot doing anything wrong. Leave me alone.”

Gabrielle’s smile widened, sharp as a knife. 

“Oh, I’m just talking, sweetheart. You’re free to listen—or not. Doesn’t really matter.”

Lindsay, clearly enjoying herself, crossed her arms. “Yeah, and maybe learn your place while you’re at it.”

My hands clenched under the table. They weren’t going after me directly—yet—but targeting Aisha was the fastest way to get under my skin. 

''Leave me alone'' Aisha snapped.

''Who the hell do you think you're talking to you street rat?"

My jaw tightened as Gabrielle reached out to slap Aisha, who tried to block her hand.

 I didn’t even think.

 The tray in my hands swung forward with perfect instinct, smacking Gabrielle squarely across the face. The cafeteria erupted into gasps.

Gabrielle staggered back, hand flying to her cheek, eyes wide in shock and fury. Lindsay blinked, then laughed, a harsh, brittle sound that grated against my nerves.

“You dare—” Gabrielle sputtered, wiping at her cheek. Rage flashed in her eyes, raw and bright.

“She said leave her alone!” I snapped, stepping forward, ready to defend my space and my friend.

Aisha was on her feet and so was I as well.

Before I could react, Lindsay shoved Aisha lightly, just enough to make her stumble. 

My head spun toward Ruby instinctively, half-expecting her to interfere. She didn’t. Instead, she stood there, just staring, eyes locked on mine. 

The weight of her presence made my muscles tense. She was dangerous, but silent. Watching. Waiting.

Gabrielle recovered and lunged for me, aiming a punch at my shoulder. I dodged instinctively, countering with a quick shove that sent her toward the cafeteria bench. Lindsay lunged at me from the side. 

My hands moved fast, trained instincts kicking in from years of street fights, ducking and weaving, landing a solid punch to her arm.

“Is that all?” I taunted under my breath, adrenaline surging.

“You’re gonna regret that,” Lindsay hissed, swinging at me again.

Lindsay’s mouth curled into a cruel grin. “Oh, you’re asking for it now,” she spat, stepping closer.

Before either of them could advance further, Aisha jumped up beside me.

“Hey! Back off, both of you!” she yelled, trying to put herself between me and the duo.

Gabrielle shoved Aisha roughly. “Stay out of this.”

Lindsay lunged at Aisha, trying to slap her across the face. I shoved her back hard, my adrenaline surging, and she staggered into the table with a loud clatter of dishes. 

Gabrielle tried to grab Aisha again, but Aisha swung her backpack, connecting with Gabrielle's side.

Meanwhile, Ruby had been watching the entire scene quietly, her dark eyes locked on me with that same intense, almost predatory stare I’d noticed earlier. 

Without a word, she stepped forward, her movements smooth and deliberate.

“I can't wait to teach you a lesson'' she murmured, just to me, her voice low and steady.

I didn’t flinch.

 “I can't wait to knock your teeth out'' I said, circling slightly, keeping my stance ready.

Ruby moved like she was dancing with the fight, hands out, careful but precise. I knew instinctively that she was trained—her strikes were measured, her balance perfect. 

My background in street fighting gave me an edge in unpredictability. I ducked under a sudden jab, pivoted, and delivered a quick elbow to her side.

She barely flinched. Her dark eyes glinted, and she smiled faintly, almost like she was enjoying it.

I felt my pulse spike, heat rushing through me. Every strike I threw was met with fluid dodges or counters, her presence like a storm I couldn’t ignore.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle and Lindsay continued to harass Aisha, who was holding her own despite being smaller. 

She ducked a slap, shoved Gabrielle back, and jabbed Lindsay in the stomach with enough force to make her stumble. She was doing good.

“Stop! Both of you!” A voice rang out—one of the cafeteria monitors rushing over—but the chaos had already escalated.

Ruby’s hand shot for my shoulder, spinning me around, and I countered with a quick knee that caught her mid-stomach. She grunted but grinned, and the way she looked at me—intense, daring, almost teasing—made my chest tighten.

Gabrielle pushed Aisha to the floor, and Lindsay swung at her, but I grabbed Lindsay’s wrist, twisting sharply. 

“Back off her!” I shouted, feeling every muscle in my body tense.

 I grabbed Gabrielle by the hair and shoved her hard into the table. Plates clattered, juice spilled.

Ruby caught me mid-spin again, blocking my attempt to charge. “Not bad,” she said, voice low, almost a challenge. Her eyes didn’t leave mine, sharp and piercing.

I lunged forward, my head connecting with her face, and this time she stumbled backward slightly. Blood ran down her mouth but I saw her smirk. 

The cafeteria erupted—students screaming, chairs overturning, some trying to separate the girls. 

A teacher finally shoved between us, his arms barely enough to hold Ruby back as she twisted and tried to continue.

“Enough! All of you! To the headmistress’ office. NOW!!!''