Chapter 17 CHAPTER 17

Chapter 17 CHAPTER 17
ZARA

“Let's go to the Cafeteria to eat first,” I said and Kate pulled out her phone.

“Cafeteria in 10 minutes, guys. I saved our usual table by the window let's head there now, I’m literally dying of hunger.” Kate said and smiled at us.

“Okay.” Finn agreed and we actually headed there.

The moment we stepped inside, the familiar chaos enveloped me like a second skin. The large hall buzzed with energy, hundreds of students chattering, trays clattering against tables, laughter echoing off the high ceiling, and the rich aroma of rice, fried chicken, and stew. I spotted our favourite table near the big windows overlooking the sports field and claimed it immediately.

Kate dropped into the seat beside me with a dramatic sigh, her braids swinging. Finn followed, balancing two trays because he was “extra hungry today.” I had a big plate of rice and stew with chicken. The food was decent for cafeteria standards, and my friends made it perfect. At least, I am very sure that I'm going to smile today.

For a while, we just dug into our food. Then I set my spoon down and sighed.

“Okay, serious talk. Why has Gerald suddenly decided to bully me? Or should I say why is everyone targeting me instead? Last week someone tripped me in the corridor, five days ago someone deliberately knocked my books into the gutter, and this morning Gerald called me names in front of the whole student body. I don’t even talk to him. What did I ever do to that guy?” I asked both Finn and Kate because seriously, I am exhausted.

Kate leaned in, her eyes wide with concern. “I’ve been wondering the same thing, Zara. This is the First time I actually heard about him targeting someone in our department. Now it’s like he’s targeting you specifically. Maybe he likes you and doesn’t know how to show it? Boys are weird like that sometimes.” Kate said but I know she is only trying to make me feel better.

However, I am sure Gerald is not interested in me. He just targets like me because he is Pitiful.

Finn shook his head, chewing thoughtfully. “Nah, that doesn’t excuse it. Bullying isn’t cute. If he likes you, he should just say it like a normal person. Want me to talk to him, Zara? I can tell him to back off.”

I smiled a little, grateful for their support. “I don’t know… maybe. It’s just exhausting. One minute everything’s fine, the next someone is making my life miserable. I keep replaying everything, trying to figure out what I did wrong.” I admitted and they both offered me their support.

We kept talking, the conversation flowing easily between bites. Kate shared a funny story about catching Dylan staring at me during assembly last week, and Finn joked about challenging him to a hockey match to settle it. For those few minutes, the cafeteria felt warm and safe. I laughed at something Finn said, my spoon halfway to my mouth, when the double doors swung open dramatically.

Hayley strode in with her usual squad, four girls moving like they owned the place. The tallest one with the overdone lashes and glossy lips, walked at the front of their little formation, tray piled high with food. They headed straight toward the serving area but deliberately passed close to our table. I tried to ignore them and focus on my friends, but my stomach tightened as if I could sense something was wrong.

Then it happened.

The tall girl suddenly “tripped” over absolutely nothing. Her foot caught on thin air, and her tray flew forward in the most obvious fake stumble I had ever seen. Hot stew, rice, and thick sauce were poured straight onto my lap, chest, and uniform. The heat stung my skin instantly. Chunks of food slid down my thighs and splattered onto the floor.

The entire cafeteria exploded with laughter. And Kate and Finn were both shocked at how everything changed.

Phones came out. Boys at the next table howled. Girls pointed and clapped.

“Wow! Did just see that!” someone shouted. The laughter grew louder, crueller, echoing off the walls. I sat there frozen, feeling the warm sauce soaking through my clothes, sticking to my skin, dripping everywhere.

Kate gasped beside me. Finn’s eyes went wide, his fork still in his hand.

I looked up slowly and locked eyes with her. She wasn’t even pretending to be sorry. A smug little smirk played on her lips while Hayley and the others giggled behind their hands, clearly enjoying the show.

“Oh sorry. My hand slipped.” She said and they were more laughter. Well, I have had enough and too bad I can't take it another insult again.

Something inside me snapped clean in two.

I shot up from my chair so fast it screeched loudly against the floor. Without a second thought, I stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face. The sharp crack of my palm meeting her cheek cut through the noise like a gunshot.

The laughter died instantly.

Silence fell over the entire hall. It was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears. Trays stopped moving. Conversations froze mid-sentence. Even the lunch ladies stared open-mouthed from behind the counter. She staggered backwards, one hand flying to her rapidly reddening cheek, eyes wide with shock and pain. Hayley stood beside her, completely stunned, her usual confident smirk wiped clean off her face.

I glanced sideways. Finn was staring at me like he was proud of what I did. I could see how he clenched his hands but he knew he couldn't hurt a girl which is why I have to do this.

Kate had both hands covering her mouth, eyes huge with disbelief. Before I knew it, she had already grabbed Hayley's friend's hair and stepped on her toes.

She let out a small cry, her eyes stung with tears.

“You bitch.” she cursed and Kate pushed her so hard that she hit her back against the table.

The student laughed seeing the scene but they didn't stop recording.

My hands stung, but I kept my chin high. Sauce still dripped from my uniform onto the floor, but I refused to look weak. I glared straight at the girl and her group, my voice steady even though adrenaline made my legs shake.

“Next time you feel like playing stupid little games,” I said loudly enough for the nearest tables to hear, “pick someone who will stay quiet and cry about it later. That person is not me. Try it again and see what happens.”

The silence stretched on, thick and heavy. No one dared laugh anymore. Every eye in the cafeteria was locked on. My chest rose and fell rapidly as the reality of slapping someone in front of the whole school began to sink in.

Finn and Kate still hadn’t moved. I stood tall anyway, waiting to see what would happen next, my stained uniform and burning palm suddenly the least of my worries.

“I won't take this. I told you I tripped and you slapped me.” She said and my blood boiled with anger.