it's finally the next day, it was lovely the moment they stepped in their classroom, it was peaceful yet loud all you can hear are laughs and bickers in their classroom until the infamous so called queen bee 'madison' decided to ruin it for them.

"look who emerged from the depths of new york's slums," she sneered, her words dripping with disdain as she cast a disdainful glance at the girls.

"what's your problem, madison?" briar's voice cut through the tension, her tone laced with defiance.

her minions smirked, their gaze flicking dismissively over briar. "oh, honey, i think you know what madison's problem is," one of them retorted, her words oozing with malice.

"my problem here is you," madison continued, her voice dripping with venom. "ever since you transferred to my school, took austin, you've been nothing but trouble."

briar squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. "grow up, madison. this isn't just your school, and from what i know austin really doesn't want you" she shot back, her words echoing through the classroom.

the entire class fell silent, all eyes fixed on the confrontation unfolding before them.

madison's lips curled into a sneer as she stepped closer to briar, her eyes gleaming with malice. "oh, really? and who made you the expert on whose school it is?"

briar's jaw clenched, her fists tightening at her sides. "i don't need your permission to exist in this school," she shot back, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

madison's laughter echoed through the classroom, a mocking sound that grated on briar's nerves. "you may think you're some kind of tough girl, but you don't belong here," madison taunted, her words dripping with disdain.

briar's eyes narrowed as she met madison's gaze head-on. "and who are you to decide who belongs and who doesn't?" she retorted, her voice ringing with defiance.

the tension in the air crackled as the two girls faced off, their words sharp and cutting. the rest of the class watched in rapt attention, unsure of what would happen next.

madison's smirk widened, relishing in the attention she was receiving. "i'm just stating the facts, sweetheart. and the fact is, you're nothing but trash trying to pass yourself off as something you're not."

briar's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her composure. "you don't know anything about me," she shot back, her voice tinged with anger. "and i don't need your approval to be who i am."

madison's laughter echoed through the classroom once more, a sound that grated on briar's nerves. "oh please, spare me the sob story," she taunted, her voice dripping with contempt. "you think you can just waltz in here and pretend to be something you're not? newsflash, honey, it doesn't work like that."

briar's eyes flashed with fury as she took a step closer to madison, her resolve unwavering. "i don't need to pretend to be anyone," she declared, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. "unlike you, i'm not afraid to be myself, no matter what anyone else thinks."

the tension in the room reached a boiling point as the two girls faced off, their gazes locked in a battle of wills. the rest of the class watched on, unsure of what would happen next, as the clash between briar and madison escalated to new heights.

as the tension between briar and madison reached its peak, briar's friends rushed to her side, their voices filled with concern as they tried to defuse the situation. "briar, come on, let's just go," one of them urged, gently tugging at her arm.

but briar remained rooted to the spot, her eyes locked with madison's in a battle of wills. "i'm not finished with you," she spat, her voice low and dangerous.

madison's lip curled into a sneer as she squared her shoulders, ready to face whatever came next. "bring it on, sweetheart," she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.

just as it seemed like the confrontation would escalate even further, a sudden shout echoed through the classroom, freezing everyone in their tracks. "the teacher's coming!"

the threat of imminent punishment snapped briar and madison out of their heated exchange, and they reluctantly stepped back from each other, their fists unclenching as they glanced around the room nervously.

as the teacher entered the classroom, the tension in the air was palpable, but briar and madison exchanged a silent understanding. for now, the battle would have to wait. but the feud between them was far from over.

time had passed.

time had finally passed, and lunch hour found briar sitting with evie, kaya, and grace in the bustling cafeteria. despite the noise around them, their table was unusually tense, each girl picking at their food distractedly. briar glanced across the room, her gaze landing on madison and her minions, who were laughing and casting smug looks in their direction.

briar clenched her fists, feeling her frustration boil over. "damn it, she's getting on my nerves," she muttered, pushing her tray away.

evie nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring briar's irritation. "i can't believe she's still at it. you'd think she'd have something better to do with her time."

"you'd think," kaya said, rolling her eyes. "but madison's always been like this. once she sets her sights on something, she doesn't let go."

"well, we need to find a way to make her let go," grace added. "this has gone on long enough."

briar sighed, leaning back in her chair. "i just don't understand why she's so fixated on me. it's not like i did anything to her."

"you're a threat to her," evie explained. "you're new, you're confident, and you've caught austin's attention. that's enough to make her jealous."

"plus, you're not afraid to stand up to her," kaya said. "most people just let her walk all over them."

briar nodded, taking in her friends' words. "we need to stick to our plan. confronting her after school is our best bet."

"agreed," grace said. "we'll all be there, and we'll make sure she knows we're not backing down."

austin's pov.

the boys were hanging out by the lockers after lunch, waiting for the bell to ring. jax, jonathan, sam, and austin stood in a loose circle, their conversation inevitably turning back to the drama surrounding briar and madison.

jax nudged austin with his elbow. "so, man, did you ever get a chance to tell briar how you feel?"

austin shifted uncomfortably, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "yeah, i told her," he admitted, his voice low. "i'm just waiting for her answer now."

sam raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "bet you're still waiting for the answer, huh?"

austin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "yeah, of course i am. but with madison here, it might be worse."

jonathan frowned. "you think madison will make things difficult?"

austin nodded. "she's already causing enough trouble as it is. if briar does decide to give us a shot, madison's not going to take it well."

"true," jax said thoughtfully. "but you can't let madison control your life, dude. if you like briar, you have to go for it."

"he's right," jonathan agreed. "you and briar deserve a chance to see where things go. don't let madison ruin that."

austin looked at his friends, appreciating their support. "thanks, guys. it just feels like everything's so complicated right now."

"we get it," sam said, clapping austin on the back. "but you have us, and we have your back. whatever happens, we'll deal with it together."

austin managed a small smile. "i know. and i really appreciate it."

as the bell rang, signaling the start of the next class, they began to disperse, each heading to their respective rooms. austin lingered for a moment, lost in thought. he knew his friends were right—he couldn't let madison dictate his actions. he just had to hope that when briar finally gave her answer, they could face whatever came next together.

heading to his next class, austin felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. the wait for briar's decision was nerve-wracking, but with his friends' support, he felt a little more prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

[...]

the group decided to meet up at their usual place , well except for briar and austin. since for them they decided to make a plan so that the two could be together already.

"so, what's your plan?" jax asked before raising one brow up.

before evie could respond to his question, someone decided to join that little hang out yet secret meeting, that made everyone face him "sup' what are you guys up to?" colton asked confusely.

"oh my god, colton. really?" kaya scoffed, angry at her brother's sudden appearance.

"come on, we're close. y'all look like you've seen a ghost or whatever"

kaya shook her head closing her eyes, "anyhoo" she sighed "how about during our senior prom?" she questioned waiting for everyone's response.

"what? but i'm still a year younger i can't go to your
pro—" before he could finish his words he was immediately cut off by his sister.

"aww, too bad. so sad" she pouted, which made him scoff and decided to just leave them.

"wow, you really hate your brother" sam uttered.

grace hummed at what happened, before speaking "well, that's not a bad idea. let's go for it."