Chapter 24: Developing Friendship

Steffy watched as a curly-haired girl hesitantly stepped into the school canteen. She could sense the girl's agitation, the way she forced herself inside as if bracing for an attack.

"Such a freak," Steffy murmured, smirking. "Marie's too pretty to be a freak."

She gave a small wave, and the girl immediately spotted her. With cautious steps, she made her way over.

"I-I'm sorry," Marie stammered as she reached the table. "I didn't know the arrangement of the tables here. I don't really come here for lunch."

Steffy smiled and gestured for her to sit. Marie let out a small, relieved sigh and took the seat across from her.

"Where do you usually eat then?"

"At the English park," Marie replied briefly.

"Well, starting today, we'll eat together. Now, let's grab some food, shall we?" She grabbed Marie's hand and pulled her toward the food line.

"I—I don't think we should be in this line, Steffy," Marie whispered, glancing around nervously. "Someone might get angry."

Amused by Marie's uneasiness, Steffy waved off her concern and nudged her forward. "Relax."

She then turned to the man behind the counter. "Hey, Arturo!"

The man, dressed in a grease-stained apron, smiled. "Hi, Steffy. What do you want to order?"

Steffy scanned the menu and ordered two pieces of fried chicken, a bowl of vegetable salad, a Diet Coke, and a cup of rice. She then placed Marie's order, which was just a cup of rice and a single fried chicken wing.

"Are you kidding me? You're seriously getting less food than me?" Steffy rolled her eyes. "Mr. Arturo, scratch that. She'll have the same as mine. Oh, and by the way, she's my new friend. Marie Joyce."

Marie nodded awkwardly as Arturo chuckled.

"I haven't seen you around here, Marie Joyce." His heavy Visayan accent laced in every word.

"I-I don't usually hang out here," Marie replied.

"Because she likes hanging out at the principal's office," a voice from the crowd behind them interjected.

Marie tensed, her face heating up. Even Arturo seemed to sense her embarrassment.

Steffy's jaw tightened. "I'll pay for her meal, Arturo." Then, she turned slowly, scanning the crowd behind her. "Who said that?"

A girl with sleek, waist-length hair stepped forward, grinning. "Hi, Steffy! I'm Angel, and these are my friends. We're having a girls' night out. You should totally come."

Steffy arched a brow. "No."

Angel pouted. "Maybe next time?"

"There won't be a next time."

"But why? Please, Steffy," Angel whined, grabbing her arm like they were best friends. Steffy cringed and yanked herself free.

"It'd be great to have a popular girl like you in our group," Angel pressed, undeterred. Then she tilted her head toward Marie. "But why are you even hanging out with this… slut?"

The canteen fell silent.

Steffy went still. Across from her, Marie's fists clenched on her tray, her head dipping slightly. Slowly, Steffy turned to Angel, her expression cold as steel. "Did your parents ever teach you that interrupting a conversation is rude?"

Angel hesitated. "Y-yeah, I believe so."

"Then what the fuck did you just do?" Steffy grabbed Angel's arm, squeezing hard.

Angel flinched, trying to pull away. "What about it, Steffy? Everybody knows that girl's a slut. Right, everybody?"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Marie whispered, "Come on, Steffy. Just let it go." Her voice was small. Hopeless. 

Steffy let go of Angel and instead reached for Marie's hand, feeling her trembling fingers.

"Say that again," she whispered, leaning into Angel, "and you're out of this school." 

Angel gasped. "And who the hell are you to say that?"

Steffy smirked as she turned to Arturo. "Mr. Arturo, I'll pay for your entire income today—plus your one-month rental for this building. But I want every single student out of this canteen while my friend Marie and I enjoy our meal."

A total silence followed at her declaration. For a moment, nobody dared to move or say a word.

Steffy pulled out her wallet and scanned the crowd. "You heard me. This place is closed. Salte! Todos ustedes! Prisa!"( Get out! All of you! Hurry!)

Chaos erupted as students scrambled to their feet, rushing toward the exit. Arturo looked stunned.

Steffy sighed. "Sorry about the scene, Arturo."

The man scratched his head. "It's okay, Steffy. But are you really paying all that?"

She scoffed. "Of course. Calculate what I owe you and pass me the slip."

"But what about the food? No one's here to eat it."

"Pack it up. I'll handle it."

Once they settled back to their chairs, Marie gaped at her. "That was... insane."

Steffy giggled. "No sweat."

Marie shook her head in disbelief. "Why the hell did you do that?"

"Because I can." Steffy took a bite of her food, smirking.

Marie sighed. "You must be really rich."

"Obviously."

Marie hesitated. "What was that thing you said earlier? Salte, todos... whatever?"

"I told them to get out and hurry."

Marie giggled.

Steffy raised an eyebrow. "I know you want to laugh. It was amusing, wasn't it…? Come on, let it out."

And true enough, Marie broke into laughter.

"Jeez, sorry. It's the first time I laughed this hard." She glanced at Steffy, smiling. "Thank you."

"My pleasure."

Steffy took Marie's hand and kissed it lightly, pinning Marie to the spot.

That afternoon, the two girls distributed all the food from the canteen to random people on the streets. Steffy knew her father would be furious when he found out, but she didn't care. She had enjoyed every second of it.

***

The canteen incident changed things at school.

Steffy became even more feared and respected, while Marie gained unexpected immunity from her tormentors. Even the principal had left her alone for the past two weeks.

Marie smiled at Steffy one afternoon. "I owe you the betterment of my life in this stupid school." She hesitated. "So maybe it's time for you to understand why everybody hates me."

Steffy met her gaze. "Don't worry. I already know."

Marie didn't look surprised. She was an open book, and rumors spread fast. She just didn't know which version of her story Steffy had heard. But, in the end, it didn't matter. Steffy had accepted her even before knowing the full truth. Marie couldn't help but smile at the thought.

"But I'd still like to hear it from you," Steffy added.

Marie clung to her arm playfully. "You won't need to."

Just then, a voice from the back of the stage interrupted them. "Hey, Steffy, we need you here." They were in the school gymnasium, setting up decorations for the upcoming acquaintance party.

"I'll be right back," Steffy said.

Marie nodded. "I'll grab your water bottle."

As she walked downstairs, she rummaged in her bag for her wallet.

"Hey," a voice said behind her.

She looked up and felt her pulse spike. A tall boy with thick eyebrows stood in front of her, smiling.

"You're Marie Joyce Reyes, aren't you?" His voice was smooth, self-assured. "I'm Yolo, the principal's new scholar. He wants you in his office. Now."

Hearing that, Marie's breath caught in her throat.