Chapter 127: A Triple Date? With all three girls now sitting at Max’s table, it was impossible not to notice the shift in the room. Heads turned. Whispers started. The energy in the cafeteria changed like someone had flipped a switch. To be fair, Max was already pretty well-known. Ever since his rise in status, people had been watching him. But now? Now they weren’t just staring because of him. They were staring because of who was sitting with him. Cindy was the loud, friendly type, the kind of girl who could start a conversation with anyone in the hallway and make it seem natural. She always had her hair done, always dressed like she cared just enough. Confident. Bright. Sometimes a little sharp with her comebacks, but it only added to the charm. Guys liked her, and whether she knew it or not, girls did too. Then there was Sheri. Quiet. Distant. Ice cold on the outside, and beautiful in a way that almost felt too perfect to approach. She had this untouchable vibe, like some kind of elegant mystery. The kind of girl who made people nervous. Even if someone did build up the courage to ask her out, they’d probably freeze up after the first sentence, because no one really knew her. And then there was Abby. At first glance, she didn’t stand out. She wasn’t flashy, she didn’t try too hard. But that was exactly what made her different. There was something easy and natural about her, like she didn’t need to work at being pretty, she just was. Hanging around Cindy all the time didn’t hurt either. It brought her into the spotlight more than most. But the real kicker? No one had ever seen all three of them together like this. Sure, it had happened once or twice in passing, but never long enough for anyone to actually believe they hung out as a group. Now they were all at the same table, laughing, talking, eating lunch like it was no big deal. And for everyone watching from the sidelines, that was very dangerous. "Max gets all the boys, and now he has to take all the girls too?" someone muttered bitterly from another table. The jealousy in the room was practically a storm cloud. "Hey, if you wanna try stealing them from him, be my guest," one guy muttered from a nearby table. "But I’m not sticking around if he’s holding a pencil, let alone surrounded by food trays. Can you imagine what would happen if you got on his bad side?" Back at Max’s table, the atmosphere had shifted. It felt heavier somehow, like everyone was waiting for someone else to speak first. Even Max was quiet. He wasn’t sure what to say. Sheri sat stiffly at the table, clearly dragged there against her will by Cindy. No one really knew what her connection to Max was, not even the guys she was now sitting across from. "Okay," Cindy announced, standing like she was about to give a sales pitch. "I know these three guys look a bit like losers, but I’ve heard they’re actually pretty strong." She pointed to Joe. "If you’re not into strength, this one’s at least funny." Then to Jay. "This one’s like a big friendly giant." And finally to Max. Cindy paused for a beat, then smirked. "And this one... is mysterious." She gave a little shrug and turned to Sheri. "Since we forced you over here, you get first pick. Choose your fighter." Then she glanced over at Abby, mouthing the words don’t worry. In her head, Cindy figured there was only a one-in-three chance Sheri would pick Max. And if she did, well... she’d just find a way to shut that down quick. Sheri’s eyes moved slowly from Joe to Jay. But when her gaze met Max’s, she froze, and then looked away like she’d touched something hot. It had been a while since they’d talked. Too long. She hadn’t even told him the good news yet, that her family’s business had finally stabilized. They were okay now. And maybe that should’ve been the end of it. Her ties to the Sterns were over. She didn’t have to be involved with Max anymore. But for some reason, she still wanted to be. Even if she didn’t feel like she deserved to be, not after everything. Then Max stood up, breaking the silence. "Sorry, girls," he said calmly, brushing his hands off on his pants. "A group date sounds fun and all... but I’m gonna have to pass. I’ve been busy lately." Before anyone could reply, before they could even ask why, Max was already walking away. Joe and Jay exchanged a look, then scrambled to grab their trays and follow him. "I’ll try to convince him," Joe said, tossing his tray onto the return counter. "If I can get through to him, that triple date is still happening!" Now that school was safer, Max didn’t really need to shut people out, not here, anyway. Inside the gates, he could afford to talk, laugh, maybe even relax a little. But outside... things were different. Way different. His ties to the Rejected Crops ran deeper now. Deeper than they ever had with Dipter’s crew. And the Rejected weren’t just some street gang, they were volatile, unpredictable, and dangerous on another level. That’s why Max kept his distance. He wasn’t trying to be cold. He was trying to protect them. Back at the table, the three girls sat in silence, alone again. "Maybe we pushed him too far," Cindy said quietly. "Things felt like they were going somewhere, and I just wanted to... you know. Give them a nudge." "Were you trying to set something up?" Sheri asked. "Like Max and Abby?" "Is it that obvious?" Abby mumbled, pulling her shirt up over her face. Only the top of her forehead, bright red, peeked out. "Okay, since this whole mess was my fault and I clearly misread the vibes," Cindy said, hands on hips, "I’m still taking you guys out today. My treat. We’re getting BBQ. End of discussion." "You don’t have to. It’s really not a big deal," Sheri said. "What’s the matter?" Cindy grinned. "I said it’s on me. So don’t worry if you’re broke, I got you." Sheri could already tell there was no way she was getting out of this. Cindy had made up her mind. When the final bell rang, the three girls met up like planned. Cindy and Abby were already waiting outside Sheri’s classroom, waving as soon as she stepped out. They headed down the street together, choosing to stay local instead of heading into the city. The high street nearby had enough food spots, and more importantly, enough space to feel like they could breathe. The three girls kept walking, chatting casually, until, out of nowhere, they felt arms slide around their necks from behind. All three froze. At first, they thought maybe it was someone playing a prank. But when they turned their heads, they saw unfamiliar faces. Women, teenagers, like them, but none they recognized. "Hey there, new friends!" one of them said with a sugary, fake smile. "We heard you girls love bowling. So how about we head out for a fun little game, huh? You like bowling, don’t you?" Her tone dipped, the smile curdling into something darker. "And if you don’t like bowling... well, I’d be careful." Cindy, Sheri, and Abby exchanged a panicked glance. What the hell is going on? None of this felt right. Who were these people? As they looked down, they caught it, just barely visible under the girls’ handbags and jackets. A flash of silver. Knives. Pressed close to their sides. Hidden, but very real. Another one of the strangers leaned in, voice cold and flat. "Just so you know... no isn’t an option." Sheri’s eyes narrowed. That’s when she noticed it, the school crest stitched into the blazer of the girl beside her. Seaton Academy.