Chapter 18__Violet vs Melissa ( The Cafeteria's drama)
The class went on quietly until it was finally time for lunch.
As soon as the bell rang, the students all left the classroom almost simultaneously, chatter filling the hallways.
Violet, Emery, and Victoria followed along, walking side by side.
Halfway down the corridor, Victoria's phone buzzed.
It was a text from April:
April: I'm at the cafeteria.
I've kept a space for us.
Come quickly before someone steals it.
Victoria's eyes brightened.
"April's already there," she said, waving her phone.
"She's saved us seats.
Let's go!"
At the cafeteria, April was indeed sitting alone at a four-seater table, scrolling on her phone.
Without warning, Victoria ran up behind her and wrapped her in a tight back hug.
April jumped so hard she nearly dropped her phone.
"F—! Are you trying to kill me, Victoria!?"
"Sorry!" Victoria grinned.
"Do you miss me? I missed you!"
"Get off me, you clingy koala," April grumbled, trying to pry her arms away.
"Ttch—so ungrateful.
With that innocent face of yours, if people heard how you actually talk, your fans would run away screaming!"
April rolled her eyes.
"What fans? I just debuted, remember?"
Yes—April had recently debuted as part of a four-member idol group.
But despite her busy schedule, school was still a must.
When she finally noticed Violet behind them, her whole demeanor softened.
April quickly slipped away from Victoria and went straight to Violet, wrapping her in a warm snuggle.
Victoria sighed dramatically.
"Ttch, I can't even blame you.
Violet is way too comfortable to hug."
"Talking about fans," Violet teased, "Emery, how was the result of that modeling gig you did last year?"
Emery smiled proudly.
"It went great! My manager says I should focus on modeling a bit more before diving into acting.
He thinks I should build a fanbase first.
Oh, and guess who just landed another modeling gig—with De'ora Scent's?"
"Oh my God, Emery, you didn't!" April gasped.
Emery grinned and did an exaggerated bow toward Violet.
"Please take care of me, Boss."
The table burst into laughter at his silly act.
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A few moments later, Victoria stood and said, "Come on, Violet, let's go grab the food before Emery eats the tablecloth out of hunger."
Violet chuckled.
"Alright, let's go."
The two girls headed toward the cafeteria counter, chatting softly.
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You might be wondering why all of them—Violet, Emery, Victoria, and even Melissa—were in the same class.
Well, Imperial High had a unique rule.
All first-year students were placed together in Class 1, only your results at this point matters, regardless of their future career tracks.
Then, from Class 2 upward, they would be separated into their respective categories—Art, Science, or Commercial.
The Art stream was for those gifted in creativity: music, painting, theater, and design.
The Commercial stream drew in the business minds—those who dreamed of law, management, and finance.
And the Science stream was, of course, for the logic-driven thinkers who aimed to shape the world through science.
It was a system meant to give everyone a taste of everything before they chose their path.
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The moment Violet and Victoria reached the cafeteria counter, they were greeted by a long line of hungry students.
Victoria sighed.
"Ugh, I swear half the school eats at once. This is going to take forever."
"Be patient," Violet said with a small smile. "The food isn't going to run away."
The line inched forward slowly, trays clattering, the hum of voices filling the air.
Finally, they got their food and turned back to where Emery and April were waving from across the room.
The four of them had just sat down and were about to start eating when—
Crash!
Someone stumbled forward, the contents of a half-finished tray spilling all over Violet.
The sauce splattered across her uniform, dripping down her arm, into her meal,the food clinging stubbornly to her skirt.
A loud gasp rippled through the cafeteria.
"Oh my God—Violet!" Victoria jumped up immediately, grabbing tissues to help her clean up.
The girl who had fallen quickly straightened up, her expression a perfect mask of false panic.
"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed dramatically.
"I didn't see you there—I must've tripped!"
But her eyes—those sharp, calculating eyes—gave her away.
Melissa Spears.
Vira's voice echoed in Violet's mind instantly.
"Host… that didn't look like an accident."
Violet took a deep breath, looking down at the mess on her clothes.
Around her, whispers began spreading fast.
"That's Violet De'ora, right?"
"Why is she just standing there?"
"Wasn't that Melissa Spears who bumped into her?"
"Ah, maybe it really was an accident…"
Maybe.
But the glint of satisfaction that flashed across Melissa's face told Violet otherwise.
Vira clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"I knew this spoiled brat was trouble.
Host, please, just let me handle her.
I can make her trip for real next time."
"No," Violet replied inwardly, calm and cold. "We'll play it smart.
She wants a scene—I'll give her one."
Melissa bowed repeatedly to show how sorry she was.
She blinked when Violet didn't respond, no shouting, no tears, no retaliation.
Just quiet composure.
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The cafeteria went silent for a split second after Melissa's fake bowing and apology.
The sound of spoons clattering and chairs scraping filled the air again, but now all eyes were on Violet.
Violet simply stood there, her tray still in her hand, food dripping from her uniform.
April, however, wasn't one for quiet.
"Are you blind or just stupid?" she snapped, standing up so fast her chair toppled backward.
"You definitely saw her standing there,Melissa Spears!, and now you're saying sorry."
Melissa blinked, feigning innocence.
"Excuse me? Are you saying I did it on purpose? Do you have proof?, I even apologized."
"Oh, please," April scoffed.
"The only thing I need proof of is how bad your acting is.
You tripped, really? What, on air?"
A few students nearby chuckled under their breath.
Melissa's lips twitched, her composure slipping.
"You're being too loud ,when this matter has nothing to do with you," she hissed.
April slammed her hand on the table, her voice rising even higher.
"I'm being loud because I don't take bullshit! You think just because you came from abroad you can walk around acting like a spoiled princess? Well, newsflash, this isn't your private mansion!"
The cafeteria gasped.
Even Violet, who had been calm all through, blinked in surprise.
And then—
A plate clattered.
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Everyone turned as Andrea Mist, who had just entered the cafeteria with Dannon and Lucas, picked up a half-finished tray from a random student's table.
Without a word, he walked straight toward Melissa.
Melissa froze when she saw him.
Her heart skipped.
"A-Andrea?"
He stopped right in front of her, his expression unreadable.
Then, in one smooth motion—splash!
The plate of leftovers was now on Melissa.
Her expensive uniform was ruined, dripping with sauce and soup, just like Violet's moments ago.
Andrea tilted his head slightly, his tone flat and mocking.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Miss Spears.
I didn't see you there.
I must have tripped."
The cafeteria erupted.
Some gasped, others laughed, but everyone was staring.
Melissa stood frozen, trembling.
The humiliation stung far worse than the food soaking into her uniform.
Her eyes went red as tears spilled down her cheeks.
She couldn't even speak.
Instead, she turned and ran out of the cafeteria, her sobs echoing faintly behind her.
When the room finally went quiet, Andrea turned to Violet.
Without a word, he shrugged off his coat and draped it gently over her shoulders.
Then, to everyone's shock, he took her hand—right there, in front of the entire cafeteria.
"Let's go," he said softly, his voice carrying a quiet authority that made people instinctively move out of the way.
Violet hesitated for only a moment, then allowed herself to be led out.
Behind them, April grabbed Victoria and Emery by the sleeves.
"Come on, we can't let him just take her away like that!"
And so, in a flurry of whispers and gasps, the four friends hurried out of the cafeteria—
leaving behind stunned faces and the quiet satisfaction of justice.
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Andrea didn't stop until they reached the other side of the building, his coat still draped over Violet's shoulders.
He led her through a narrow hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly against the marble floor.
April, Emery, and Victoria hurried after them, panting.
When he finally pushed open the glass door, they stepped into a bright office—the student council room.
Spacious and quiet, it was a world away from the noise of the cafeteria.
"From now on," Andrea said, brushing invisible crumbs from the edge of the desk, "you'll eat here.
It's quieter, cleaner… and safer from idiots with bad aim."
Violet frowned, tugging at the coat around her shoulders.
"You didn't have to pour food on her, you know.
That was childish."
Andrea looked back at her, feigning innocence.
"Childish? She started it."
"That doesn't mean you should stoop to her level."
"Oh? Then what should I have done—let my wife get humiliated in front of the entire cafeteria?"
"I'm not your—" Violet stopped halfway, realizing how close he'd stepped.
The teasing curve on his lips made her face heat up.
Vira's voice snickered inside her mind.
Host, I swear, if blushing was a crime, you'd be on the empire's wanted list.
"Shut up, Vira," Violet muttered under her breath.
Andrea tilted his head. "Who are you talking to?"
"No one!" she blurted, quickly turning away.
Andrea sighed then pulled her into his arms, hugged her tightly, then said.
"Sorry, although I won't promise not to do it again, but I will think first before reacting".
The two stood there, bickering softly, with Violet trying to get out of his hold.
their tones oddly familiar—like a couple who'd argued like this a thousand times before.
Victoria, who'd been watching the whole scene unfold, finally let out an exaggerated cough.
"Ahem.
Are you two done flirting, or should we leave you alone?"
The air froze.
Violet quickly took a step back, her ears turning red.
Andrea just grinned.
"You can go if you want," he said shamelessly.
Victoria rolled her eyes.
"Unbelievable."
To break the moment, Andrea moved toward the small cabinet in the corner, rummaging through it until he pulled out a neatly folded set of sports clothes—his own.
"Here," he said, holding it out to Violet.
"Change into this for now.
I'll make sure your uniform gets cleaned."
Violet hesitated.
"That's yours."
"I know," he said easily.
"That's why it's safe."
Before she could argue, he pushed the bundle gently into her hands and motioned toward the private changing room.
While Violet changed into Andrea's spare uniform, Andrea leaned lazily against the desk, Lucas by his side.
"Lucas," he said with a grin, "call John.
Tell him to bring lunch for everyone here."
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When Violet finally emerged, the loose shirt hung slightly off her shoulder, the hem brushing her thighs.
Andrea looked shocked before feeling smug.
"Perfect fit," he murmured, earning a glare from Violet and a stifled laugh from Emery.
Violet who was already frowning, not feeling comfortable in someone else's clothes said.
"I should go back now.
Class will start soon."
Andrea raised a brow.
"You're not leaving without eating.
Sit down."
"I'm not hungry," she protested.
Before she could reach the door, Victoria stepped in front of her.
"Actually, Violet, we already ordered food.
You might as well eat something before we head back."
Violet sighed.
"You're all impossible."
And then Emery, as dramatic as ever, clasped his stomach.
"Sister, I'm hungry!"
Vira snickered inside her head.
You're surrounded by children, host.
"Fine," Violet muttered, surrendering.
The moment she sat, Andrea smoothly slid into the seat beside her—faster than Emery could blink—and before anyone could react, he had her pulled gently into his arms.
"Much better," Andrea murmured, resting his chin lightly on her hair.
Violet froze.
"Let. Go."
"Nope."
Her glare could've set the table on fire.
"Andrea Mist—"
"Hmm?"
"Do you want to die today?"
Emery April and Victoria tried their hardest not to laugh.
This was the first time they saw violet so worked up.
The atmosphere in the room shifted from tension to something light and oddly intimate—like an old married couple squabbling in public.
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Meanwhile, outside the cafeteria…
Dannon Spears who chased after his cousin.
Having witnessed everything—Melissa pouring leftovers on Violet, Andrea returning the favor, Andrea's shameless affection, and his cousin Melissa's devastated expression, when all this happened.
He sighed heavily and followed when Melissa stormed out of the building.
By the time he caught up to her, she'd already run to the restroom.
He waited outside, arms crossed, until she came out.
Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up the deserted rooftop.
"Alright, what was all that about?" he demanded.
Melissa jerked free, glaring at him.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb.
You dumped food on Violet.
And now you're crying that Andrea got angry?"
Her eyes welled up instantly.
"He poured leftovers all over me! Do you think that's fair?"
"Melissa," Dannon said sharply, "you think I'm blind? You did it first, knowingly.
And worse—you did it to his wife."
She froze, stunned.
"You're taking her side?"
"I'm taking the side of reason! You've been obsessed with Andrea since we were kids.
You think I don't know about the investigation you ordered people to do on him.
You think I don't know about the arranged marriage proposal your parents sent to the Mist family? You were rejected—do you even understand why?"
Melissa's lip trembled.
"Because of Violet?"
"No," he snapped.
"Because Andrea's loved someone else for years.
You were sent abroad to forget him.
To start over.
But instead, you came back worse—bitter, jealous, reckless."
"Cousin…" she whispered, tears streaking down her cheeks.
"Listen to me, Melissa.
If you pull something like that again, I'll personally make sure you face the Spears punishment.
And you know what that means."
Her face drained of color.
"You'd do that… for her?"
"I'd do it," Dannon said quietly, "for you.
So you don't destroy everything our family has built with the Mist family—for the sake of a foolish crush that will never be returned."
He turned to leave but stopped at the door.
"It's not too late, Melissa,Grow up.
Before you lose more than just Andrea."
When he left, she stood there trembling, the afternoon wind whipping her hair across her tear-stained face.
She clenched her fists, whispering to herself.
"I can't give him up.
No, Not to her."