Tangled Loyalties

2.Fries, Flirts, and False Smiles

📍 Brooklyn High — 11:45 AM

The morning dragged the way only math and history could. By the time the lunch bell rang, I was convinced I’d actually died and come back as a ghost whose sole punishment was to listen to Mr. Lee explain quadratic equations forever.

“Food. I need food or I’m suing the school,” I declared, throwing my books into my locker with more drama than necessary. My earbuds swung forward as I moved, still dangling around my neck because I never actually put them away.

“You say that every day,” Danny muttered beside me, shutting his locker with one smooth move.

I glanced at him — dark wavy hair falling into his forehead, tattoos peeking from under the sleeves of his black t-shirt as he adjusted his bag. He always looked like he’d just stepped out of some moody magazine cover, all sharp jawlines and quiet intensity.

“And one day I’ll actually hire a lawyer,” I shot back.

Danny gave me his trademark “you’re ridiculous” look but still fell into step beside me. His long strides always made me jog a little to keep up, but I wasn’t about to admit that.

We walked into the cafeteria and immediately spotted our table. Ricky and Nick were already there arguing about which superhero could win in a fight. Noah was halfway through a slice of pizza, gesturing wildly like the fate of the universe depended on his opinion. And Henry sat relaxed, one arm resting around Jane’s shoulders, murmuring something that made her giggle softly.

“Finally, the royals have arrived,” Ricky teased when he saw us.

“Bow before us,” I said dramatically, dropping into my seat and running a hand through my messy hair.

Danny just shook his head and sat next to me like he always did, as if the other hundred empty seats didn’t exist. He leaned back in his chair, folding his tattooed arms across his chest — the picture of casual control.

“Babe,” Henry said softly, turning to Jane. “You disappeared this morning. Where were you?”

Jane looked up, smiling apologetically. “Sorry, love. Cheer squad stuff. First week chaos, you know?”

Henry kissed the top of her head. “Just making sure. Missed you.”

“Aww, quarterback and cheerleader, straight out of a cliché,” Noah teased with a mouthful of pizza.

Jane smirked. “At least we’re cute clichés.”

I was about to laugh when Clare slid into the empty seat on Danny’s other side, all perfect hair and glossy lips. She gave me a once-over before turning her sugary smile on Danny.

“There you are, babe. I was looking for you this morning.”

Danny just nodded politely. “Morning.” His tone was flat, his jaw tightening just a little, but Clare didn’t seem to notice — or maybe she didn’t care.

“So, Friday,” Noah said loudly, “Party prep is happening tonight, right?”

Danny immediately frowned, the crease between his brows deepening. “We’ll see.”

“Translation: yes,” I whispered under my breath, earning myself a quick side-eye from him.

Ricky leaned forward. “Noah, you sure you’re good with this? I mean, your grandma—”

Noah’s grin faltered for a moment. “Yeah. I mean… she’s not doing great, but I don’t want to sit at home being miserable. She’d kick my ass if I did.”

Nick nodded. “Then Friday’s for her. No sadness allowed.”

“Exactly!” Noah brightened again. “We’ll go all out. Music, food, maybe even a dance battle. Sammy, you’re in, right?”

I grinned, my whole face lighting up. “Excuse you? I was born ready for a dance battle,” I said, flipping my hair like I was on a runway.

Danny groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “God help us all.”

“Hey!” I elbowed him. “You just don’t appreciate art.”

The table erupted in laughter, even Clare, though hers was more of a forced giggle. Danny’s hand brushed against mine under the table, casual but deliberate, like he was reminding me he was there. Possessive. Subtle. Typical Danny.

Lunch carried on with jokes, mock arguments, and too many fries being stolen off my plate. For the first week back, things felt almost… normal. But in the back of my mind, I knew Friday’s party was the calm before the storm.

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