Chapter 5: Tow Truck

HARTLEYThe fluorescent lights of the staff room flickered overhead, illuminating the tiled floor speckled with coffee stains and crumbs. I took a sip of my lukewarm tea, pretending to relax, but my heart was still racing from the encounter with Hadé Degaldo and his posse."About time someone stood up to those boys," Sandy said as she pushed through the staff room door, her arms swinging as if she were announcing the arrival of a hero. "I saw that little smirk. You should be an actress.""I know, right? Oscar-worthy," I retorted, wiping away the fake tears I had shed during my spontaneous performance."Sandy," she introduced herself, and I followed suit. We were strangers bonded momentarily over the absurdity of a college hierarchy. Her next words, however, turned simple introductions into something far more curious."So...Does he really have three inches?" she asked, leaning forward with a devilish grin.I rolled my eyes, disbelief flooding my senses. "Are we seriously going to gossip about Hadé?"Her chuckle reverberated through the cluttered room. "Yes. You're new in town, and now rumours are flying that you and Hadé were an item, you broke his heart, and now he's all bitter" she explained."That's absurd!" I exclaimed, my jaw dropping. "I would never—not in a million years—find myself in bed with that slimedog!"At that moment, Sandy whipped out her phone and showed me a video she had taken during the altercation that had pushed me into the viral spotlight. My heart raced as I watched myself confront Hadé and his gang of entitled friends—a mix of classmates and local bullies who thought they could run the show. I had never seen my actions from the outside. The video captured it perfectly: my baffled expression turned fierce as I called them out, all while the crowd around us cheered."You're viral, baby!" Sandy chirped, a wide grin splitting her face as she continued to scroll through her phone, chuckling at the slew of memes "Now I can sit back and watch Hadé Degaldo get owned by some freshmen."I groaned inwardly. It had never been my intention to go viral. I only wanted to defend myself against Hadé's relentless teasing. But now, the world—well, at least this sleepy town—was watching and dissecting my every move."I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting year," I commented, still half-joking but feeling the weight of those words settles over me."You betcha!" Sandy replied, her enthusiasm infectious as she clasped her hands together. "Our town is small, and Hadé's stunt has made you practically a celebrity now."That's just great, to be thrown into the spotlight. I better start packing. ******As I stepped out of the diner, the warm night air wrapped around me like a favourite old jacket. The neon sign flickered behind me, casting colourful reflections on the pavement, but it was the sight of Hadé and Ryan loitering near my bike that caught my attention. The moment Hadé spotted me, his face scrunched up in that all-too-familiar expression of disgust."Have you been waiting here this whole time?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and feigning surprise."Mind your own business," Hadé shot back with a dramatic huff."We're waiting for a friend," Ryan admitted, attempting to diffuse the tension between us. There was an awkward silence that lingered, and I took the opportunity to prod a little."I don't blame your friend for standing you up," I quipped, relishing the way Hadé's eyes narrowed at my jab. "Who would want to hang out with a slimedog like you?"I couldn't help but glide over to my beloved Kawasaki. I loved this bike like it was part of my soul. I examined it as I had never seen it before, my fingers grazing the sleek curves of the machine. "Amazing! Whoever owns this beauty, I am drop-dead jealous," I enthused.Ryan and Hadé exchanged awkward glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and annoyance, but it only fueled my joy further.Out of nowhere, a tow truck rolled up, its throaty engine snarling like a beast, and a burly man stepped out, clipboard in hand. My heart sank as he parked next to my bike, and without so much as a second thought, he began to roll it onto his truck."Wait! Why are you taking the bike?" Hadé spat, his earlier bravado crumbling into bewilderment."Can't say," the man replied, shrugging. "I'm just told where and what needs to be picked up."I could hardly contain my amusement. Hadé's face fell as he watched my bike disappear onto the flatbed. I suppressed a chuckle, knowing full well that Hadé and Ryan were camped out waiting for my return. But little did they know, I had planned for this. I already called the tow truck company before coming outside, ensuring that my precious ride would be delivered straight to my doorstep.Glancing back at the diner, I realized this spot was a local hangout for racers once the checkpoint wrapped up. It suddenly dawned on me that I would have to carefully navigate my bike through this territory in the future, lest I face Hadé's ridicule or be subjected to yet another round of his games.Thank goodness I had a ute.It might not be as exhilarating as tearing down the roads on my Kawasaki, but it could get the groceries home. I cared about my fresh produce more than I cared to admit."Well, this was a waste of time," Ryan grumbled, swinging a leg over his bike."Better luck next time," I replied with a smirk. "Or maybe your friend has just realized what a slimy person you are."Before Hadé could muster a retort, a car pulled up, my Uber finally arriving as if to rescue me from his sarcastic barbs. I hopped in without a second thought, waving goodbye to the two boys while my thoughts raced ahead.As I settled into the back seat, a warm smirk tugged at my lips. The evening had turned out to be eventful, maybe even hilarious in hindsight. The thought of Hadé watching my bike drive away without any chance of him snatching it back brought me joy. It was the sweetest sort of karma.