Kim hissed under her breath, fingers gently pressing into the sore spot on her forehead. It throbbed like hell, and she could already feel a bruise blooming beneath her skin.
She muttered, "What a complete asshole," under her breath, trying to collect herself and her dignity.
"Hey…" a soft voice said from beside her.
Kim looked up to find a girl with soft curls pulled into a low puff and a pair of wire-rimmed glasses sliding down her nose. Her expression was equal parts concern and friendliness, the kind that disarmed you.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah- I mean… not really."Kim blinked.
The girl glanced at her forehead, wincing a little. "That looks bad. It's already turning red."
"I'll live," Kim muttered, trying to brush it off. But the throbbing said otherwise.
The girl gave her a sympathetic smile and held out a hand.
"I'm Trudy. I can take you to the school clinic if you want , it's not far. They'll ice it down before it swells too much."
Kim hesitated. The part of her that had been putting up walls since landing in New York wanted to say she was fine. But Trudy's kindness was sincere, no pity, just help.
So she sighed and stood, accepting the offer with a small nod. "Kim. Kimberly, technically. But just Kim."
"Nice to meet you, Kim. Even if it's under forehead smacking circumstances."Trudy grinned.
Kim cracked a smile despite herself.
"Come on," Trudy said, slinging her bag over her shoulder as they started toward the door. "You're lucky, the nurse is super chill, and she's obsessed with cute girls, so you'll probably get ice and a snack."
"Wow. What more could a girl ask for?"Kim snorted.
---
The clinic smelled like antiseptic and lavender, a weird but not entirely unpleasant combination. Kim sat on a padded stool near the corner, a cold compress resting on her lap as the nurse gently dabbed ointment on her forehead.
"You're lucky it didn't split the skin," the nurse said, her tone light but focused. "It'll swell a little, maybe bruise, but nothing a bit of care won't fix."
Kim winced slightly but nodded. "Thanks."
Beside her, Trudy sat cross-legged on one of the extra beds, watching closely.
"So… that guy who messed with your seat," Trudy said casually, "Do you… know Castillo?"
"No. And I have nothing to do with arrogant jerks who think they own the air we breathe."Kim scoffed.
Trudy chuckled under her breath. "Yeah… that sounds like him."
Just then, the door flew open.
"Trudy!!" someone called, slightly breathless.
Trudy turned, eyebrows raising. "Hey!"
A tall guy strode in, hair tousled like he'd just come from running across campus, white earbuds hanging from his collar.
He paused, only for a second when he saw Kim. His gaze pierced onto her like a reflex, his brows furrowing slightly. She was still holding the cold compress, her fingers gently brushing the ointment spot on her forehead, lips parted slightly as she glanced up at him.
Whatever he was feeling, he didn't say.
"Lorenzo!!" Trudy snapped, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Huh?"He blinked, startled.
"I've been calling you for the past minute."
"Oh, right," he rubbed the back of his neck. "You said you were at the clinic. I thought something happened to you."
"Aww," Trudy grinned. "Worried?"
"Obviously," he muttered. "But I see you're fine…"
Trudy nodded toward Kim. "It's she who got hurt. New transfer."
Lorenzo looked back at her, expression softening. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Kim said with a small shrug, eyes meeting his briefly. "It's not my head I'm worried about."
"Kim, this is my friend Lorenzo. Enzo, meet Kim."Trudy gestured between them.
Kim gave him a polite nod.
"Nice to meet you," Lorenzo said. But something in his voice had shifted. Subtle. Like he was already trying to place her. As if he wanted to know more.
"You too."
Lorenzo glanced between the two girls, hands tucked in his hoodie pockets.
"So… do you guys have any more classes right now?"
Trudy shook her head. "Nope. Orientation was the only thing for the morning."
"Good," he said, already turning for the door. "Let's go to the cafeteria. Hardin's probably waiting and pretending he's not."
Kim raised an eyebrow. "Wait — already? It's like, what, 9:30? You're hungry now?"
Lorenzo smirked over his shoulder. "I'm always hungry."
Trudy rolled her eyes. "You eat like a black hole. Honestly, I don't know where the food even goes."
As they stepped toward the door, Trudy reached out without thinking and looped her arm through Kim's.
"Let's go-"
Kim froze slightly at the contact, her entire body pausing mid step. She turned her head slowly, blinking at Trudy with a small, tight smile.
"Um…" she said quietly, "Not much of a… toucher."
Trudy's eyes widened for a beat, then she quickly let go, raising both hands in mock surrender. "Oops , sorry! Force of habit."
Kim relaxed slightly, giving her a nod to show there were no hard feelings.
---
Castillo walked out of the main school building, his hoodie pulled halfway up like a shield from the world. Tob followed with his backpack a few steps behind, trying to keep up without getting too close, everyone knew better than to speak to Castillo when his face was like this.
They crossed the wide courtyard and headed toward the central aisle of the school, where their usual hangout spot sat nestled under a huge flowered tree. Its branches spread wide like a canopy, casting shade over the stone bench underneath. A chill breeze rustled through the petals, some floating gently to the ground.
Castillo dropped onto the bench with a thud, his jaw locked and arms crossed. Words couldn't express the anger he felt when he saw that bitch's face again.
Tob stood there awkwardly, his eyes twitching between Castillo's expression and the silence.
"Uh… want anything, master?"
Castillo didn't even look at him. "The usual. From the cafeteria."
Tob gave a quick nod and bolted before things escalated.
Not five seconds passed before Tavi strolled in with his bag hanging low on one arm and a lollipop in his mouth. Kyle trailed behind him, yawning and dragging his hoodie sleeves over his hands.
"Did someone get on your nerves? 'Cause your face looks like it could crack cement." Tavi asked, raising a brow.
"That girl." Castillo mumbled. He didn't bother sitting up straighter.
"Girl?"Kyle blinked.
"She better hope I don't see her in the next twenty-four hours, or I'll mop the goddamn floors of MIA with her."
Kyle exchanged a look with Tavi before sitting opposite Castillo, stretching his legs lazily. "So it is a girl. Is she at least pretty?"
Castillo shot him a sharp glare.
Kyle lifted a brow. "No, but for real, who is she?"
"Some loudmouthed transfer chick. We crossed paths yesterday at the supermarket. Thinks she can talk to me like we're equals. Interrupted me like she had the right." Castillo scoffed, running a hand through his hair.
"Wait, wait- that's what this is about?" Tavi leaned forward.
"She clacted all high and mighty like some hero for retail workers," Castillo muttered. "As if I was gonna bow and thank her for her TED Talk."
"You do kinda have dictator vibes sometimes." Kyle laughed under his breath.
"Exactly," Tavi added, grinning. "You're difficult, unapproachable, grouchy. Honestly, I kinda agree with her."
"Tavi, don't start with me-"Castillo straightened his body slightly.
"I'm just saying," Tavi shrugged. "If a stranger walked up and saw you barking at a cashier, they'd think you were raised in the underworld."
"I wasn't barking."
"You were snarling."
"Shut up."
"Man, it's not even that deep. Why are you so worked up? You act like she spit in your drink." Kyle scoffed.
"I hate her," Castillo said flatly. "And I want her gone from MIA."
Tavi rolled his eyes, popping the lollipop out of his mouth with a click. "You don't even know her name, do you?"
"Kimberly, and I don't care."
He paused, then looked around, scowling deeper. "Where the fuck is Tob?"
---
The cafeteria buzzed with low chatter as Kim, Trudy, and Lorenzo stepped in. It wasn't crowded, just a few students scattered across tables, some buried in laptops, others hunched over plates of fries and soda. The room smelled faintly of coffee, microwaved chicken, and cinnamon rolls.
They made their way to the counter where a friendly staff member was already taking Lorenzo's order. Trudy leaned over to pick a juice while Kim studied the limited options on the overhead menu.
"Get the turkey panini," Lorenzo whispered. "It's literally the only thing they don't mess up."
"I heard that!" the lady behind the counter called, laughing as she passed him his tray.
"He says that every week."Trudy laughed.
Kim smiled faintly, stepping forward to place her own order. She hadn't even received her tray when the room's tone shifted.
Like someone had dimmed the lights and queued a theme song. The air changed as murmurs rippled across the tables.
🗣️"Is that-?"
🗣️"Oh my God, they're here."
Kim turned slightly, her brows lifting.
The cafeteria door opened, and three girls glided in like they were stepping onto a runway.
Amelia. Ivy. Rhea.
Perfect hair, matching attitude. The way the students' heads turned toward them was almost comical. It was like watching celebrities walk into a regular diner.
Amelia led the trio, her long curls bouncing as she moved. Confidence in every step, mischief in every smile.
She made a beeline to the counter and asked the cashier sweetly, "Just a bottle of water, thanks."
Then she turned , eyes locking on Kim. She blinked, scanning her once from head to toe, her expression curious.
"I haven't seen your face here before," Amelia said, voice honeyed and sharp around the edges. "You're the new student everyone's been whispering about all morning, aren't you?"
Kim hesitated, tray half-raised, and gave a small, quiet nod.
"I'm Amelia. The Queen Bee, duh."Amelia smiled wider.
She extended her hand like royalty greeting a subject. "Welcome to MIA."
Kim stared at the hand.
"Miss, your food is ready," the lady behind the counter said, setting the tray down gently.
Without a word, Kim turned and picked up her tray, ignoring Amelia like she wasn't even standing there.
Amelia's smile froze. Her hand hung awkwardly in the
air for half a second before she slowly dropped it, fingers curling slightly.
Rhea and Ivy exchanged looks behind her. Even the cashier looked like she'd just witnessed something forbidden.
Did she… just ignore her?