Rewrite the stars with you

Chapter Nine: Becky’s Return & The Unexpected Slap

Becky’s Grand Return

It had been a week since Becky vanished. A long, uneventful, boring week.

Carlos had never been so disoriented in his life. His usual confidence had taken a hit, his ego bruised by the fact that Becky hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye before disappearing. But just as he was getting used to the thought of never seeing her again—

She walked into class.

Carlos nearly fell out of his chair.

There she was, Rebecca the Nerd, wearing her usual oversized hoodie, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, looking completely unbothered as if she hadn't disappeared without a word.

Kirk and Jessy, sitting nearby, turned to Carlos with knowing grins.

"Well, well, well," Jessy whispered. "Someone’s got a second chance."

Carlos rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t deny that his heart did a weird thing in his chest.

Becky Ignores Carlos

Determined not to lose control again, Carlos leaned back casually and pulled out his phone.

Carlos: Welcome back, nerd. Missed my bullying?

Becky’s phone pinged in her hoodie pocket. She took it out, looked at the message for exactly one second, then…

Locked her screen and put the phone back.

Carlos blinked.

Kirk let out a dramatic gasp. "Dude, she just ignored you."

Jessy burst out laughing. "That’s embarrassing, Carlos. You just got ghosted in real life."

Carlos refused to accept defeat.

He tried again.

Carlos: Hey, nerd. Don’t act like you didn’t read that.

Again, Becky glanced at her phone, sighed, and locked it without responding.

Carlos was offended.

"Oh, she’s acting brand new now?" he muttered under his breath.

By lunch break, Carlos had reached his limit. Becky wasn't responding to his texts. She wasn’t even reacting to his usual teasing in class.

Carlos needed a new strategy.

That’s when he saw Anil peacefully eating his lunch across the cafeteria.

A devilish grin spread across Carlos’ face.

"Hey, nerd," he called, strolling toward Anil’s table.

Anil groaned before even looking up. "Oh no. What do you want?"

Carlos smirked, eyeing the plate of food in front of Anil. "You’re rich, right?"

Anil frowned. "So?"

Carlos snatched a dollar bill from Anil’s wallet. "Then you won’t mind buying me lunch."

Anil’s jaw dropped. "WHAT?!"

Carlos held the money up dramatically, waving it around. "Attention, everyone! Anil is so generous, he’s buying lunch for the great Carlos Bloomfield!"

People started giggling, and Becky, sitting nearby, finally looked up.

Carlos internally celebrated.

Finally, I got her attention.

But Becky wasn’t amused. Her dark eyes locked onto Carlos, her expression unreadable.

Anil, still in shock, tried to grab his money back. "Carlos, give it back!"

Carlos held it high above his head. "Awww, can’t reach, little guy?"

Anil gritted his teeth. "You’re such a child!"

Carlos grinned. "And you’re such an easy target."

The cafeteria erupted in laughter.

Except for one person.

Becky stood up.

She marched over to Carlos, grabbed his wrist, and before he could react—

SLAP!

The sound echoed through the entire cafeteria.

The entire room fell silent.

Carlos froze, staring at Becky in complete shock. His cheek stung, a red mark already forming from the force of her slap.

Kirk’s jaw dropped. Jessy had to cover her mouth to stop from laughing.

Anil just stood there, eyes wide, still holding his lunch.

Becky glared up at Carlos, her voice sharp and cold.

"If you ever bully Anil or steal from him again, I will make sure you regret it."

Carlos blinked. For the first time in his life, he had no comeback.

He opened his mouth, closed it, then…

Shyly rubbed his cheek and sat back down.

Becky turned away dramatically, grabbed Anil’s wrist, and led him out of the cafeteria.

The second she was gone, Kirk burst out laughing. "Oh my God, Carlos, you just got SLAPPED."

Jessy wiped tears from her eyes. "In front of EVERYONE!"

Carlos, still in mild shock, rubbed his cheek again.

Kirk grinned. "Damn, dude. I think you like her even more now."

Carlos groaned, slumping over the table. "Shut up, Kirk."

But deep inside?

Kirk might have been right.