Magee Clark’s eyebrows pulled together. Sure, he thought Rebecca Russell needed to be knocked down a peg, but he had zero tolerance for guys who tried to solve things with their fists, especially against girls. Seeing there was no way Rebecca could dodge, Magee reached for his jacket, ready to intervene.
He never got the chance. The whole cafeteria screeched to a halt at the sound of a chair leg dragging hard across the floor. Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
Instead of the helpless victim everyone imagined, Rebecca moved fast—too fast for the tray to find her. She knocked the chair back with her heel, used it as a shield, and shoved the heavy table just enough to break the throw’s line.
People flinched, waiting for the worst. Crushing injuries, screams, chaos. But none of that happened. The table just barely missed the boy. One of its legs snagged his hood, yanking him clear off the ground with a wild jerk.
He flailed, managed to stumble upright, then his feet slipped on a fallen tray. He went down in a messy heap.
Magee felt his eyes go wide with amazement. She might actually be even tougher than Neely.
Noticing Magee step forward, Paulina Russell’s gaze changed. She hurried after him.
Meanwhile, the boy struggled to his feet. Soup, soda, and scraps of food soaked him from head to toe. His escape was panicked and awkward, making him look ridiculous.
No one laughed.
Everyone’s attention fixed on Rebecca. Her expression was cool, almost bored, but her actions had been ruthless. The whole crowd slipped into shocked silence. Some students near her actually edged back a few steps, as if she might strike again.
The energy in the room turned tense and still.
Rebecca brushed invisible dust from her hands and gave her shoulders a casual roll. Her gaze landed on the scared, skinny boy, who looked like he might collapse any second.
“If I ever catch you hitting a girl again, next time, you won’t walk away. Clear?” Her voice was calm, but it carried.
The boy’s face was pale, panic written all over it. He clamped his jaw shut, not daring to answer.
Nobody else said a word.

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