Eliza and Lucifer strolled casually into the cafeteria, doing their best to look innocent—though the smug glint in Lucifer's eyes kind of ruined the effect. The buzz of chatter and clatter of trays almost drowned out the pounding of Eliza's heart, still riding the high of their earlier success. Ava was already at their usual table, waving them over with a grin that screamed, I can't believe you actually did it.
They slid into their seats, trays clattering softly. Eliza's heart was still racing, adrenaline from their locker room escapade buzzing in her veins. She took a sip of her drink, trying to act normal, but the anticipation had her practically vibrating. Her eyes flickered over to Zach's usual table, half-hidden by a group of cheerleaders, and the anticipation made her pulse jump.
Lucifer leaned back in his chair, stretching with an exaggerated yawn. "Relax," he murmured, lips curling. "The show's about to start." His eyes sparkled with mischief, and Eliza couldn't help but huff, though the corner of her mouth betrayed her amusement.
Ava leaned forward, eyes wide and eager. "You guys are such menaces," she snorted. "But, like, in the best way."
Eliza rolled her eyes but grinned. "Pretty sure we're going to detention for this," she muttered, but her voice lacked any real worry.
"Only if they catch us," Lucifer snickered, snagging a fry from Eliza's tray without even looking.
Zach and his cronies strutted into the cafeteria, all confidence and cocky smirks. Eliza's pulse quickened, eyes narrowing as she leaned forward slightly, breath held. The trio moved like they owned the place, laughing too loud and pushing past freshmen without a glance.
Ava snickered, whispering dramatically, "Here we go."
At first, everything seemed normal. Zach strutted through the tables, throwing smirks and winks, but then—he scratched his neck. Just once. Then again, a little more aggressively. By the time he reached his table, he was practically clawing at his skin, confusion twisting his face.
Ava slapped a hand over her mouth, muffling a snort. "Oh my god," she wheezed. "It's even better than I imagined."
Eliza bit her lip to keep from laughing, shoulders shaking with barely contained glee. The tension that had been coiled in her chest slowly unwound, replaced by pure, wicked satisfaction. Zach's friends started to fidget too, shifting uncomfortably and scratching at their arms and necks. Confused glances shot between them, but the itching only seemed to spread.
The cafeteria began to buzz, whispers and giggles rising as more eyes turned to watch. Phones started coming out, cameras pointed not-so-discreetly at Zach, who was now furiously scratching his neck and arms, growling something to his friends, face flushing red—not just from anger, but from the itching powder working its magic.
Ava was practically in tears, forehead pressed to the table as she tried—and failed—to hold back her laughter. "I can't—this is—" she gasped between wheezes, clutching her sides.
Zach's frantic scratching turned desperate as he yanked off his hoodie, fingers clawing at his arms with a string of curses that turned heads. The cafeteria erupted into whispers and snickers, phones whipped out to record the chaos.
Eliza's face hurt from grinning so hard, hand clamped over her mouth as if that could hold back the giggles. Lucifer, for his part, looked entirely too smug, eyes glinting with triumph.
Zach, clearly unable to stand the humiliation a second longer, growled something to his friends and stormed back out, scratching furiously as he went. The laughter chased him all the way to the door.
Ava, tears of laughter streaming down her face, wheezed out, "This is the best day of my life."
Eliza sucked in a breath, cheeks burning and stomach aching from laughing so hard. "We're so dead," she gasped between giggles.
It didn't take long. Barely ten minutes later, the distant echo of furious yelling reached their ears. Ava perked up instantly, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Is that—"
Zach burst back into the cafeteria—hair bright green and dripping, fury radiating off him in waves. The entire room went dead silent for a heartbeat before erupting into deafening laughter.
The green dye had worked better than Eliza had even hoped—Zach's blond hair was now a garish shade of slime green, dripping onto his shirt and staining the collar. His eyes blazed, fists clenched and jaw tight as the laughter grew, cameras flashing and whispers turning into outright howls.
Eliza had to bury her face in her arms to muffle her snickers, shoulders shaking. Ava was flat-out sobbing with laughter, slapping the table weakly and gasping for air.
Zach's glare landed on their table, eyes narrowed with murderous intent. For a second, Eliza was genuinely afraid he might charge over and start throwing punches. But with half the school watching—phones still recording—Zach seemed to think better of it. With a snarl and a string of curses, he stormed back out, green dye staining the collar of his shirt.
The laughter didn't die down for a solid ten minutes. Even the teachers seemed stunned, some hiding smiles behind their hands or coughing awkwardly into their fists.
Lucifer leaned in, voice low and smug by her ear. "Told you it'd be worth it," he murmured, eyes glinting with dark amusement.
"You're evil," Eliza huffed, rolling her eyes playfully. But the grin stretching her lips kind of ruined the effect.
Lucifer grinned, leaning back with a wink. "I know."
Ava, still catching her breath, slumped dramatically against the table. "If I die today," she gasped, wiping her eyes, "tell my parents it was worth it."
Eliza snorted, unable to stop the grin stretching across her face. Maybe revenge was a little petty, but with Lucifer's smirk and Ava's breathless giggles, it definitely felt worth it.
To be continued....