The cafeteria was buzzing with the usual lunchtime activity as Jon entered, his stomach churning with nerves as he clutched his lunch tray tightly.
His eyes darted around the room, searching for a familiar face. Finally, he spotted Karyn, but instead of sitting in their usual spot, she was surrounded by a group of boys. Jon recognized a few of them as some of the rougher ones he’d always struggled to get along with, yet there was Karyn in her new pants and blazer, laughing and joking like just another one of the boys.
Jon tried in vain to catch Karyn's eye, but she was too engaged in the conversation to notice. He timidly raised his hand, hoping to draw her attention, but he was too nervous to make a scene. Each swish of his skirt made him hyper-aware of the stares. His blouse felt too tight, the bow around his neck too delicate, and the knee-high socks only added to the feeling of vulnerability.
Just as he was about to turn away and find a quiet spot to sit, he heard a familiar, unwelcome voice.
“Hey, Jonny! Over here, sweetie!”
He turned to see Sarah and Emma waving him over to their table. The last thing he wanted was to sit with them, but it was clear the girls had other plans.
“Jon, darling, we were just talking about you,” Sarah said with a smirk as he approached. “We were wondering where you’d end up sitting, and, well, we’ve decided to do you a favor.”
Emma leaned in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “That’s right. We’re going to allow you to sit with us, but on one condition.”
Jon hesitated, sensing the trap. “What... what condition?” he asked timidly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sarah’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. She reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him onto the bench beside her with a grip that was far from friendly. “Simple, Jon. If you want to sit with us, you’re going to have to be a good girl for us. Otherwise, we might just have to tell the teachers a few things.”
Jon’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
Emma leaned closer, her voice dripping with mock concern. “Oh, you know, things like how you’ve been skipping classes or maybe even cheating on a test or two. I’m sure the teachers would be very interested in hearing all about it. Us girls are very well-respected around here.”
Jon’s eyes widened in shock. He hadn’t skipped any classes, and he certainly hadn’t cheated on any tests, but the mere suggestion was enough to fill him with dread. He knew that once Sarah and Emma spread a rumor, it could ruin his reputation completely.
“Well, Jon?” Sarah prompted, her tone now laced with an unmistakable threat. “Do we have a deal? You’ll do exactly as we say, and in return, we’ll keep our mouths shut. But if you refuse... well, I’m sure you can imagine the consequences.”
Jon’s mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest against the tightly laced blouse as the skirt’s fabric brushed against his legs, everything serving to trap him even more.
Sensing his weakness like a predator sniffing out its prey, Sarah leaned in closer, her voice a low whisper. “Say it, Jon. Say you’ll be a good girl for us.”
