3

LUNA

I ALWAYS PRIDED MYSELF ON HAVING AN IMPENETRABLE GIFT OF CONTROL. I have never been one to lose myself, having mastered the art of keeping my emotions locked away with no opportunity to escape. However, my control flew out the window the second I was in the presence of Hudson. As if he was an overloaded neutron to my scarce proton–we cause an unstable balance in nature.

Lunch couldn't come sooner. The rambunctious cafeteria buzzed with teenagers just as hungry as I was. Everyone stood in line like animals to a river.

Retrieving my lunch, I did a quick scan of the room. Maya waved from our usual table. A warm smile lit up my face as I walked over and slid into the seat beside her.

She delved into explaining what she did with her cousins in South America, and I filled her in on the boredom I endured without her. Austin, flanked by the rest of the popular crowd, interrupted our conversation. With his patented grin, he kissed my cheek before settling into the seat across from us. The rest of the football and cheerleading teams followed suit.

Despite being a cheerleader myself, I couldn't shake being out of place among the glamorous squad. Maya and I were spectators as they joked and laughed. A sense of discomfort gnawed from within.

Kyle, Austin's closest friend, pointed at a nearby table. The resident misfit table. Hudson's table . The mischievous glint in Austin's eyes was unsettling. My stomach clenched as he grabbed the apple from his tray, his aim locked on the target as if it were a football match.

With athletic ease, the apple flew, hitting Hudson's head. The cafeteria fell silent, their eyes darting back and forth between the unfolding confrontation.

Hudson rose from his seat, his eyes blazing with fury as he stalked toward our table. My throat closed from the thickened tension in the air.

"Real mature, Chambers."

His voice was low and menacing, his fists clenched at his sides. Austin, empowered by the support of his friends, stood his ground. He jutted his chin out.

"Learn to take a joke." He retorted; his tone laced with arrogance.

The atmosphere grew more charged as the verbal confrontation escalated. And then, in a flash of movement, the confrontation turned physical. With a roar of anger, Hudson launched himself at Austin, their fists colliding in a flurry of blows as chaos erupted around them, causing tables to overturn, food to scatter, and the once bustling cafeteria to descend into pandemonium.

I pleaded for them to stop, but it was in vain. As the tension in the cafeteria reached its peak, a sense of urgency hung heavy in the air. Austin's friends waded into the fray; their arms outstretched as they attempted to pull them apart.

"Hudson, break it up." Eli, a guy I'd seen him hang out with, said.

He joined in on the commotion. With a collective effort, they hauled them apart. Grunts and curses filled the air as they fought against their friends' hold. I watched the scene unfold, sighing in relief as the chaos settled. My emotions were a turbulent whirlwind as I locked eyes with Austin.

"Luna-"

"Save it, Austin."

With a clenched jaw and fists balled at my sides, I turned away. My steps were quick and determined as I walked past the dispersing crowd. The frustration churned inside me like a storm, and I couldn't bear to face Austin.

?

For most of the day, I maneuvered from class to class, feeling like one of those out-of-body experiences. I was aware, but my state of mind had drifted into space, far away from the present reality. I didn't remember changing for gym, but as my mind lit up in the darkness, I found myself on the school field in my casual cheer shirt and gym shorts. My mind opened like a blossoming flower, Maya's arms swinging, waking me from my mental hibernation.

"Finally, I was debating whether to slap you."

My heart felt heavy, but the slight exhale lightened the burden.

"Sorry, I have just had a lot on my mind."

"What happened with Austin? Did he get into a lot of trouble?"

I would love to know that too.

"I have no idea. We're not speaking."

We watched with vast interest as he dribbled a soccer ball back and forth between his friends. His attitude was carefree, as if our mild disagreement didn't happen. Hudson stood a few feet away with his friend. An unlit cigarette dangled from his lips.

"Wilder, where is your gym gear?" Coach Gregory's voice boomed through the lengthy field.

"I sprained an ankle."

Coach walked up to him and plucked the cigarette from his lips. He delivered a warning glare.

"It's because he can barely kick a ball, coach." Austin said with an arrogant smirk. His mindless buddies laughed at his comment. "He has no aim."

Hudson chuckled and glanced at the soccer ball at his feet. Before I even had time to blink, he kicked the ball with brute force. It collided with the side of Austin's head. So much for a sprained ankle.

"How's that for aim?"

Austin lunged for him. Round . Coach stood between them with his hands on each of their chests, a disapproving look on his face.

"I had enough of your drama last year." He spoke. "The two of you need to grow up."

It was like watching a showdown between two male lions challenging for the alpha title . Austin was the one to break the intense eye contact and stalked back to his buddies. I debated whether to comfort him but was adamant about giving him the cold shoulder. Whispers captured my attention as a few cheerleading teammates gathered in an intimate circle, directing their gazes at Hudson before turning back to each other with girlish giggles. He seemed unaware, as he was back to discussing with his friend. I glanced at Maya as if she could clarify the situation, but she seemed just as confused. The male ego was an unsolvable mystery.

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