The words landed like a slap. A ripple of snickers came from a nearby table, heads turning. Carol's eyes were sparkling with cruelty, her grin wide and sharp.

Y/n's face went hot. The heat spread from their cheeks down their neck, settling in their chest like a stone. They glanced around the canteen—some students were whispering, other's lips curved in quiet smirks. A few had actually turned to stare.

Steve's grin was easy, unbothered. He laughed, a warm sound that usually made Y/n's heart flutter. Now it just made their teeth clench.

The table erupted in laughter. Y/n could feel the ground tilting beneath them, the laughter rattling in their ears like white noise. They set their plastic fork down too hard—it clattered to the table. Steve blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.