The lunchroom at East Highland High School was a battlefield masquerading as a cafeteria. Tables were territories, hierarchies were enforced through side-eyes and whispers, and drama was the only thing more reliably served than tater tots. Cassie Howard sat at her usual spot, radiating a mix of nervous energy and smug excitement. Today was special. Today, she wasn't just Cassie Howard—she was Cassie Howard with a new boyfriend.

Across the table, Lexi poked at her salad, her expression one of mild irritation. "So, let me get this straight. His name is Nate?"

"Not that Nate," Cassie clarified quickly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's just a coincidence."

"Uh-huh," Lexi said, her tone dripping with skepticism. "And you don't think this is, I don't know, the worst idea ever?"

Cassie waved her off. "It's totally fine. Nate's nothing like Nate Jacobs. He's sweet, he listens to me, and—"

"He's Maddy's boytoy," Lexi interrupted, her voice deadpan.

Cassie froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. "What are you talking about?"

Lexi sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Nate. You know, the guy you're suddenly so obsessed with? He's been 'talking' to Maddy for weeks. Everyone knows it."

Cassie's stomach dropped. "No, that's not—he didn't say anything about Maddy."

"Of course he didn't," Lexi said, rolling her eyes. "Because guys like him never do. They just flirt with everyone and hope no one finds out."

Cassie stared at her sister, her mind racing. "Well… maybe they're not serious. Maybe it's not even a thing."

Lexi raised an eyebrow. "Do you really believe that?"

Before Cassie could answer, the sound of stilettos clicking against the tile floor made her blood run cold. She didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

"Well, well, well," Maddy Perez drawled, her voice cutting through the cafeteria chatter like a knife. She sauntered over to their table, her perfectly manicured hands resting on her hips, her eyes blazing with barely contained fury. "If it isn't East Highland's favorite boyfriend thief."

Cassie's face turned scarlet. "Maddy, I didn't know—"

"Save it," Maddy snapped, leaning down so they were eye level. "You're seriously unbelievable, you know that? First Marco, and now Nate? What's next, the janitor?"

Lexi stifled a laugh, earning a glare from Cassie.

"It's not like that!" Cassie protested, her voice trembling. "I didn't know he was talking to you!"

"Oh, please," Maddy scoffed, straightening up. "You always know. It's like you've got a radar for my guys."

Cassie opened her mouth to respond, but Maddy cut her off, spinning around to address the entire cafeteria.

"Attention, everyone!" she announced, her voice loud and commanding. The room fell silent, all eyes on her. "I just want to let you all know that Cassie Howard has done it again. That's right—she's officially dating another guy who was already mine."

Gasps and whispers rippled through the room like a wave. Cassie buried her face in her hands, mortified.

Maddy wasn't done. "But you know what? I'm not even mad at Nate. I mean, who could resist this?" She gestured to herself with a smug smile. "I'm mad at her. Because Cassie Howard is a liar, a backstabber, and—wait for it—a slore."

The cafeteria erupted in laughter and murmurs. Cassie's humiliation deepened, but before she could defend herself, Maddy turned back to her, her expression deadly serious.

"You want to know the difference between me and you?" Maddy said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I don't need to steal someone else's man to feel good about myself. You? You'll never stop, because you don't know how to love yourself."

Cassie blinked, stunned into silence. Maddy didn't wait for a response. She spun on her heel and strutted away, her head held high, leaving Cassie to face the aftermath of her public takedown.

Lexi leaned over, her voice dry. "So… I'm guessing lunch isn't going great for you."

Cassie groaned, sinking lower in her seat. "This is a nightmare."

"It's not all bad," Lexi said, taking a sip of her water. "At least she didn't bring up Mrs. Genoa's lawn."

Cassie shot her a withering look. "Not funny."

"Kind of funny," Lexi said with a shrug.

As the cafeteria slowly returned to its usual chaos, Cassie sat there, stewing in a mix of anger, embarrassment, and—if she was being honest with herself—a tiny bit of regret. But one thing was certain: the feud with Maddy Perez was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning.