Chapter 94: Standing Up
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“That girl…” Mara muttered under her breath as she hurried off in search of Avril. Turning she added, “I’ll look for her and then head back to work at the drama club. Let’s
meet at the cafeteria at noon!”
back to us,
As Mara disappeared into the crowd, I turned to Dorothy. “Did Carolyn really accept Ryan’s
invitation to the dance?”
Dorothy nodded. “Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. It happened just a few minutes ago.”
I frowned, puzzled by the situation. “Do you think Carolyn could have used magic to influence Ryan? He’s an important figure at Sivir Academy. Having someone like him on her side would perfectly suit her show–off personality.”
Dorothy shook her head. “No, it didn’t seem like that. Carolyn didn’t need to. Let’s be honest -she’s stunningly beautiful and the heir to a powerful noble family. That kind of combination is bound to be irresistible to most young men.”
“Well,” I said with a sneer, “her true nature isn’t as polished as her looks. Remember how she treated Mara and Chloe? She’s hardly a saint.”
“Enough about Carolyn,” Dorothy said, steering the conversation away. “How are the preparations for the marchers going?”
“It’s all set,” I replied. “Maple Leaf Entertainment has already signed the contract with the school. The performers will be ready for the graduation ball. Everything should go smoothly.”
Dorothy offered a small prayer. “Let’s hope nothing unexpected happens.”
By the way,
I had taken on the role of secretary in the student council earlier in the semester, while Dorothy had joined the sorcery research society–a small club with only her and the president as members.
When lunchtime arrived, we made our way to the cafeteria, only to find Avril sitting at a table, crying inconsolably. Her face was red, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Not only did he reject me,” Avril sobbed, “he humiliated me in front of everyone! He said my muscles are harder than stone and that he didn’t want to spend the night dancing with a Greek statue! Everyone laughed at me–his friends, the entire group. I can’t face anyone in this school anymore!”
Mara was livid. “That’s despicable! Who does Ryan think he is? Apollo himself? How dare he humiliate someone like that?”
Dorothy and I were equally furious. None of us had expected Ryan to be so cruel.
hap:
od Standing Up
“That’s it,” I said, rising to my feet. “We’re not letting this slide. Who does he think he is, mocking others like that? Avril, come with me.
Avril shook her head, her voice trembling. “Please, Thelma, let it go. Don’t stand up for me. It’s my fault for being stupid. Ryan has every right to reject me.”
“Of course, he has the right to say no,” I said firmly. “But no one has the right to humiliate someone else. It would’ve taken him two seconds to say, “Thank you, but I’m not interested.” Instead, he chose to make a spectacle out of you. His talent and pride have left no room in his brain for basic courtesy.
11
Reluctantly, Avril allowed me to lead her away.
We found Ryan in the cafeteria, surrounded by his usual group of sycophants. He was midway through a peanut butter sandwich, laughing loudly as he bragged about how Carolyn had fallen for him at first sight.
Without hesitation, I walked over to the table, grabbed a glass of orange juice, and threw it in
his face.
“What the ” Ryan sputtered, jumping to his feet. “What’s wrong with you? Are you crazy?”
I met his furious gaze without flinching. “You deserve it. Consider this an attempt to clean your filthy mouth.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Do we have a problem? What’s your issue with me, huh? Is this how you normally behave–like a lunatic?”
Instead of responding, I grabbed another glass of juice and splashed it over him again. “No one gave you the right to humiliate someone for your amusement,” I said coldly. “You owe Avril an apology, and I suggest you save your dry metaphors for your poorly written plays.”
Ryan slammed his fists on the table and sneered. “You think you can humiliate me? Who do you think you are? If you think I won’t hit a woman, you’re wrong. You’ll regret this, and you’ll be begging for forgiveness.”
He lunged at me, his fist raised. But his attempt was laughably weak, and I easily subdued him with a simple move. With his arm twisted beneath my foot, he howled in pain, drawing the attention of everyone in the cafeteria.
“Do you know what happened to the last person who insulted me like that?” I said coolly. Alex, the former football captain. Haven’t seen him in a while, have you?”
“Ask
Ryan gritted his teeth, glaring at me. “You’ll regret this. You think you’re better than me? You’re just a meddling brat.”
Avril tugged at my sleeve, her voice shaking. “Please, Thelma, let it go. We’ll just get into more trouble.”
“So what if we do?” I replied. “I’ll accept any punishment, but I’m not letting this arrogant
jerk get away with hurting you.”
Ryan turned his attention to Avril, his sneer deepening. “Oh, look, it’s Miss Statue. Feeling brave now that your friend’s here? Let me tell you something–you’ll never be anything but a joke. Who would want someone as rough as you? You’ll be dancing alone at the prom, mark
my words.”
Avril’s eyes filled with tears, and Dorothy and Mara quickly stepped in to shield her. Mara, unable to hold back her anger, kicked Ryan hard in the leg.
“Watch your tongue,” Dorothy said sharply. “If you don’t, you’ll regret more than just your bruised ego.”
Ryan winced, but the malice in his gaze remained. As the cafeteria buzzed with whispers and stares, I knew we had made our point. Ryan might be arrogant, but he wasn’t invincible. Sometimes, standing up for what’s right meant making sure people like him faced the consequences of their actions.
