Page 50 of We're At It Again

“No.” Maya said before I could answer.

Cynthia ignored her and turned her attention back to me. Her eyes were as cold as ice.

“Austin bought it for me. Tomorrow is our six-month anniversary.”

I wanted to tell her not to brag, but it hit me like a punch. We were dating six months ago. Anger bubbled up inside me, and before I could think, I lunged at her, unable to contain my fury. I grabbed a handful of her dress, grinning in wicked satisfaction as I heard it shred. A chaotic scuffle ensued as we tumbled onto a table laden with decorations. We tore down streamers and carved pumpkins. I didn’t care that I was causing a scene. I was hell-bent on hurting her.

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31

HUDSON

I APPROACHED THE REFRESHMENT TABLE when I bumped into Eli and his girlfriend, Lily. The music in the gym was loud, but it was cut off, drawing our attention. My eyes scanned the room, landing on a commotion near the center of the dance floor. I was shocked to find Luna and Cynthia fighting. My heart skipped a beat, but a part of me couldn’t help but feel a thrill at seeing her unleash her anger.

I rushed towards them but didn’t intervene. Instead, I stood at the edge of the crowd watching Luna fight back with a fire I hadn’t seen in a while. This was the most exciting thing that’s happened to me this year. I took out my phone to record a video until Jockstrap intervened. I booed him.

“What is wrong with you, Luna?” He asked.

Without hesitation, she punched him square in the face. The crowd gasped, and a murmur of shock rippled through the room. I couldn’t help but smile with pride. That’s my girl. And I got it all on video.

“That’s for cheating on me.” She said, her voice trembling with rage.

He clutched his jaw, anger flashing in his eyes as he took a menacing step closer.

“You crazy bit–”

Before he could finish, my fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. The room fell silent.

“Don’t ever speak to her like that again.”

My voice was low and menacing. I grabbed Luna’s arm and pulled her out of the gym. The crowd parted to let us through.

Outside, in the cool night air, I led her to my truck. I opened the tailgate and lifted her, so she was sitting on the edge. She shivered. Without a word, I reached into the backseat for my hoodie and draped it over her shoulders.

“Thanks.” she whispered, pulling it around her.

I placed my hands on each side of her on the tailgate and looked at her with a smug grin. She narrowed her eyes to slits as if she knew I was about to tease her.

“What happened to no fighting tonight?”

“I meant you. It was my turn tonight.”

I grinned, taking in her ragged appearance. The tattered Snow White dress was covered in punch, and the strands of hair were disheveled in all directions. She still looked beautiful. I tucked a strand behind her ear and frowned, noticing the cut on her cheek.

“You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing.” She said, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.

“It needs to be cleaned.”

I reached into the back of the truck for the first aid kit my dad insisted I always take with me. When I pulled it out, I spotted Luna attempting to jump off the tailgate from my peripherals.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“You are not coming near me with that.” She said. “It’s going to burn.”

“Only for a second.”

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