The cafeteria was calm that afternoon, soft murmurs of students chatting, the clinking of cutlery, and the low hum of the fan overhead. Justin sat across from John, a barely-touched plate of jollof rice in front of him, his leg bouncing anxiously beneath the table.
John glanced up from his drink. "You okay?"
Justin exhaled sharply. "I'm not sure what I am. Angry, hurt, tired… all of it."
As if on cue, the door creaked open and in walked Melanie*— phone in hand, strutting in her usual confident sway, eyes scanning the room.
Justin saw her first. His jaw clenched. "She's here."
John turned, his eyes narrowing. "Time."
Without a word, Justin stood. John followed. They walked toward her in sync, cutting through the cafeteria like a wave of tension. Melanie spotted them when they were just a few steps away. Her smirk faded slightly.
"Hey, boys," she said, trying to keep her cool.
"Sit down," Justin said, voice cold. No greetings. No fake smiles.
Melanie blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I said sit down!" Justin's voice rose. People were beginning to turn.
A few heads turned. Melanie hesitated, then sat at an empty table with a sigh, clearly annoyed. "What's this about now? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Justin leaned in, his voice low but cutting. "I know what you did."
Melanie blinked. "What are you talking about?"
He scoffed. "Drop the act. You created that anonymous account. You were the one who texted Bella. You sent her those pictures of me and Chloe. You destroyed something good and acted like a friend while stabbing me in the back."
Melanie laughed dryly. "You're insane. What the hell are you saying right now?"
"I trusted you, Melanie," Justin snapped, his eyes sharp with betrayal. "You knew how much I cared for Bella. You knew I was trying to fix things. But you played dirty. You got close to me just so you could ruin it more"
John crossed his arms, glaring. "You really thought no one would ever find out?"
"You guys are seriously delusional," Melanie shot back, standing up now. "You think everything is about your little love story? Grow up, Justin."
Justin didn't flinch. He stared her down, his breathing heavy. "I see you for what you are now. You're bitter, twisted, and toxic."
Melanie rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Save me the drama. You're not some saint, Justin. Don't come at me just because your little sidekick couldn't handle the truth."
That was it.
Before anyone could react, Justin's palm connected with her cheek.
A loud, sharp slap.
Gasps echoed across the cafeteria.
Melanie stumbled slightly, clutching her face in shock. "Are you crazy?!"
"You deserved worse," Justin growled, his voice shaking from rage. "For the lies, the manipulation, for pretending to care. Don't ever come near me again."
He turned around, walking away without looking back. John gave her one last look of pure disappointment before following.
All around them, whispers began to fly.
But for Justin?
It was finally out.
And Melanie?
Unmasked.
The sound of Justin's slap still echoed in the air, and the entire cafeteria had gone nearly silent. Forks froze mid-air, conversations cut off mid-sentence. All eyes were now locked on Melanie, standing alone with a hand on her reddened cheek, trembling in shock and humiliation.
The whispering started.
"Wait, did Justin just slap her?"
"What did she do?"
"I heard something about fake messages…"
Melanie's eyes darted around in panic. Her confidence drained completely. She tried to stand tall, but her knees slightly buckled under the weight of the moment.
Then, through the crowd, Chloe emerged.
Wearing her signature smug smirk, she folded her arms across her chest and shook her head slowly as she approached. The clack of her heels echoed in the tense room.
"Well, well, well…" Chloe said loudly, drawing even more attention. "Look who's finally getting what she deserves."
Melanie glared at her, jaw tight.
Chloe scoffed. "Remember that day? Right, you, Talia, and that knockoff handbag of a friend, Rina, all ganging up to insult me? You called me desperate. You said I was pathetic. That I couldn't sit with your 'thin-legged' squad."
Melanie looked away, clenching her fists.
Chloe laughed bitterly. "And now look at you. Staring at the floor like it'll swallow your shame."
More students giggled, watching the moment unfold like a drama series.
Chloe leaned in slightly, voice dripping with sarcasm: "Who gets embarrassed now, sweetheart?"
The room broke into quiet murmurs and chuckles.
Melanie couldn't take it. Her eyes welled with tears, her pride shattered into pieces.
Chloe turned away with a satisfied grin, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'll be outside , enjoying the fresh air of justice," she said mockingly, and stormed out of the restaurant with her head high.
Melanie, now trembling, reached into her bag with shaky hands and pulled out a small scarf, quickly covering her face as more students took out their phones. The camera flashes, whispers, and muffled laughs were unbearable.
With her head bowed low, she stormed out, pushing past chairs and people, desperate to disappear from the spotlight of her own destruction.
It was the most humiliating walk of her life.