Never Bite the Hand that Strikes You

by Cherry_cosmos752

Summary:

There was a new boy. Called himself Abby. Hair bleached one too many times, brown roots bleeding in. Mira had taken a liking to him already.

 

She already had Romance. He was pretty for a boy. Long pink hair cascading down his shoulders. Two rings on him- one on his index, the other on his pinky. Had the student council badge pinned on his blazer. Used it to twist the rules. To bend them to Mira’s will.

 

Zoey had seen how Mira commanded attention. Got those boys swung around her neck like saint charms, each of them her spiked glories.

 

But it's not fair. Zoey wants to talk to Abby, too.

Notes:

CW: Bullying

My take on pink poly club + cornturtle

Zoey didn’t miss the way Mira’s gaze would linger, accompanying her every move. Dissecting. Demanding. 

 

Zoey didn’t belong in Mira’s world. She was a scholarship student. Mira wasn’t. The other students there weren’t. It was bloodright. 

 

Zoey’s hand lingered on the rail by the stairs. Two hands gripped her shoulders, sending her tumbling. Her hands fumbled for a banister that wasn't there. Panic bloomed, sharp and raw. Bones crunching. Tears pricking her eyes. Sounds blurred together: the thud of her body, the rattle of her backpack, the muffled gasp torn from her throat.

 

Rumi and Jinu were loitering by the lockers. His head on her lap. Her homework book opened, pen poised between her fingers. None of them glanced up. It was simply the way things were.

 

Zoey managed to raise her head. Vision blurred at the edges.

 

Her skirt was rolled up, exposing her thighs. Blazer pinched between two fingers. Glasses resting on the bridge of her nose. Unmistakably Mira and Romance. Blood red and dull pink. 

 

Tears spilled down her cheeks as lay there, curled on her side. 

 

“Right at the bottom, where she belongs,” Romance mused, wrinkling his nose thoughtfully. 

 

“Retard,” Mira jeered, the corners of her lips curling in disgust. 

 

Hauling herself up, her bones screeched in protest. She wasn’t going to back down, not now. Stumbling up the steps, head throbbing. Zoey clenched her fist. It didn’t matter how, or where- it just needed to connect.

 

Mira received the blow, sending her staggering back with a gasp.

 

And then, it happened. There was movement, fists were flying everywhere, connecting to Mira’s stomach, her nose, her cheek. It was skin against skin, bone against bone as a barrage of punches came her way. The crack of knuckles carried by the wind. Pain bloomed everywhere- sharp and raw.

 

The ache in Zoey’s bones didn’t matter. The throbbing of her head didn’t matter. All that he was focused on was the thrumming in her veins, the buzzing in his ears, and the copper tang on her tongue. 

 

Pain thrummed steadily throughout the bully’s body. Crimson trickled, pooling in the crack of her lips. A pang of copper entered her mouth. Romance stepped back. 

 

A pair of frail hands gripped Mira’s shoulders, shoving her back. Her head slammed against the marble with a thud. 

 

Mira squirmed. Zoey kept her hands in place, eyes wet and raw. Teeth bared. Dug her nails in deeper, deeper, drawing blood. 

 

Mira cursed, driving her heel into Zoey’s stomach, causing her to stumble back, gasping as she clutched at her stomach. 

 

As Zoey stood to her feet, her vision blurred, pain radiating steadily from the force of the impact, paired with the punches. 

 

She delivered a sharp kick to the leader’s throat.

 

Mira’s hand hovered over her mouth, splatters of blood spraying as she coughed and wheezed.

 

“Off her. Now. Break it up, you two.” A sudden voice spoke up. Celine. The same woman who let Mira into the school, the same one who could take her out. Her hair was scraped back into a tight bun. A pale norigae strapped to her belt. Blouse crisp and ironed. 

 

Slowly, they rose to their feet, exchanging glances.

 

“Come with me.” 

 

The two of them followed the woman. They weaved between students laughing and chattering as they crossed the bridge to make it to the other building. 

 

Once they had reached the med bay, Celine gestured for them to sit down on the plastic chairs displayed before them. Mira eyed them sceptically, wondering if they’d break. Meanwhile, the pink-haired boy sat down. The flickering light above them cast long silhouettes, vanishing as soon as they appeared. 

 

The woman opened the door to the office in front of the med bay by tapping the lanyard against the receiver. She opened the freezer, and retrieved two ice packs.

 

Mira would get back at her for this, somehow…

 

Zoey was seated at the front of her class, headphone limp around her neck. Nails bitten down, drumming along the desk. Leg juddering under the table. Always restless, restless, restless. 

 

She was placed in one of the lowest sets because of the way her thoughts worked- like a tangle of yarn. Unable to be detangled without stumbling upon more. 

 

She didn’t like the cafeteria. The noise would all blur together, rising over each other. She didn’t like the texture of the spaghetti. Too cold. Slippery on her tongue. Hated the way her food would touch on the  Always got cold lunch. Sandwiches with no butter. Stiff pieces of bread squashed together. Zoey sat by the stockroom, notebook propped open on her lap. Headphones around her neck. 

 

 Zoey stayed away from Mira as long as Mira stayed away from her. 

 

There was a new boy. Called himself Abby. Hair bleached one too many times, brown roots bleeding in. Mira had taken a liking to him already. Couldn’t work his tongue around all the words, country accent slipping in. Hiding his bashfulness with a grin, earning rolled eyes from her.

 

She approached him at lunch. Romance hovering by; her shadow. “How come you’re by yourself?” she prompted, holding her tray. Two spare seats- one on each of his sides.

 

“Dunno,” Abby shrugged, mid-bite. “I’m new here.” 

 

“No shit, Sherlock.” The girl paused. Gave him a one-over. Nice biceps. Broad shoulders. “You don’t look all that smart. Guess that’s not a bad thing, in this case,” A smirk skittered across her lips.

 

Abby’s gaze was slow. Unblinking. “Should I…be offended?” 

 

“Offended?” Romance repeated with a scoff, “More like honoured to be in her presence.” 

 

“Ah. Ya popular or somethin’?” 

 

“Yeah. Really.” 

 

Mira jerked her head in the direction of the open seats. Romance nodded. The two of them slotted in besides him. Mira’s first claim. 

 

Then, they were spotted in the library. Elbows pressed together, her glasses slipping from her nose as she explained to him how to do basic maths. She’d squeeze his hand when he got the answers right. Swatted his arm when he got them wrong.

 

It wasn’t long before she had strapped a hair tie of hers to his wrist- black and plain, two gold stars on it. Identical to Romance’s. Zoey saw how Mira commanded attention. Got those boys swung around her neck like saint charms, each one of them her spiked glories. 

 

Zoey had seen the way she did it with Romance, too. He was pretty for a boy. Long pink hair cascading down his shoulders. Sleeves rolled up, exposing his forearms. Two rings on him- one on his index, the other on his pinky. He had the student council badge pinned on his blazer. Used it to twist the rules. To bend them to Mira’s will.

 

And with Abby around, they began to fight. Sidelong glances. ‘Accidental’ shoves. Mira let them compete, revelling in their need for her attention. They became circus animals, trained to perform for her, and only her. 

 

Mira slipped her mum’s debit card into her blazer pocket. Kept her fingers around the card to ensure it was there. Clicked her fingers to grab their attention. 

 

“Let’s go, boys.” 

 

They nodded. Abby shot Romance a scowl. 

 

She decided to take them to the corner shop. The same one the drug addicts always loitered by. A bottle of beer rolled over, landing by Mira’s feet. Abby kicked it away, earning him a nod of approval. 

 

“Better cover alldat up, little missy. Don’t want any pervy men takin’ advantage of sucha young, pretty thing like you, eh?”  His clothes torn and tattered, face sunken. Gestured lazily to her skirt hiked up, exposing her thighs. 

 

The corners of her lips curled into a frown. Abby, always the one to jump in head first, opened his mouth. Mira held up a hand. Silenced Abby. 

 

“Best to just ignore them. Romance already knows that.” 

 

But as she walked into the corner shop, she tugged down her skirt a little. Romance shrugged and paired it with a smirk. One point for Abby, one point for Romance. A tie. 

 

All of that was about to change. 

 

“Pick one thing. Be grateful I’m paying.” Mira stood, arms folded across her chest. “And hurry up about it. Don’t wanna be standing around here all day.” 

 

Abby chose a slushie. Placed the flimsy cup under the dispenser, grinning as he switched colours. Watching green bleed into blue. 

 

“Would you stop messing around?” 

 

“Ah, get off ma back, puppet. ” 

 

“Puppy,” Romance scoffed. Hands shoved in his pockets. on’t think anyone misses the way you’re a slobbering fool at Mira’s feet. Quite embarrassing, I admit.”

 

“Get over here or I’m leaving.” 

 

That made them obey.

 

Mira swiped her card and shoved it back into her pocket. She walked in between the two of them. 

 

“Behave,” Mira hissed, passing the slushie back to Romance. Mira didn’t play fair, she played favourites. Just like the world did.

 

And now, Zoey was sat besides Abby in English. She placed her headphones over her ears. Her nose was bent at a crooked angle from a blow, wheezing a little as she breathed. Her front two teeth chipped. She reminded Abby of the dogs he used to work with, ready to bark and bite. Something about that intrigued him. 

 

A tap on her arm, startling her. She removed her headphones.

 

“So, uhh…hey. Yer quiet.” 

 

“Mhm,” Zoey hummed.

 

“How come?” 

 

“Oh, uh, y’know. The lesson’s pretty boring. What about you? What do you think?” Shifting the attention from her to him.

 

“It’s all…so much to take in. Everything’s so new and interesting. Dunno if I’m ever gonna be able to take it in on time. Mira helps, though.” 

 

She heard the words. Didn’t absorb them, distracted by his accent. 

 

“You’ve got a really thick accent.” A pause, and then: “Oh! Oh! I-I’m so sorry! Didn’t realise that could be offensive! I meant it as a fact, not an insult.” 

 

“Oh, nah,” he snorted, “Don’t stress, it’s cool. Used to live in the countryside.” 

 

A shrill, piercing cry rang out. But this was her chance. Zoey shoved her stuff into her bag, shrugging it onto her shoulder.

 

“So, uh…you- you say you’re new here, right? Why don’t I show you around the area? How’s that sound?” 

 

“Mmmm…gotta- gotta see if my ma will let me,” Abby mumbled, mainly to himself as he typed a message out on his phone. Three dots appeared, then a response. Followed by another. And another. 

 

 “She said it’s fine. What time?” 

 

“Uhhmm…’bout right after school?” Zoey prompted, biting down on her tongue to hide a grin.

 

He nodded. “Sounds good.” 

 

The two of them exited the building, their footsteps falling into sync. 

 

“I’m just gonna go grab something to eat. You mind?” 

 

He shook his head. “Nah.” 

So she led him into the shop. Crammed at the edge of the road. The scent of bleach mixed with ketchup hung thick in the air. Students from their school loitered. “What do you wanna get?” 

 

“Uh? Oh, nah. Nothin’. I don’t got no money on me.” 

 

“Don’t worry about that, I’ve got enough.” 

 

“Wouldn’t wanna bother ya for it.”

 

“If you care so much, just pay me back.” 

 

Abby squinted at the boards. He never had these things back at the country side, so he just ordered whatever Zoey did. Once she was done ordering, she tossed coins onto the counter. Her eyes darted around.

 

They needed a place to sit. All the tables were full. She booted a girl’s ankle. 

 

Highlighter in the corner of her eyes. False lashes clumped together. Hair falling in curls around her face. Zoey jerked her head in the direction of the door. The girl clicked her tongue. Glanced at Abby, and signalled to her friends to leave. 

 

The fries, still too hot to touch, were piled in a small red cardboard container. A few of them spilled out onto the waxy paper. Abby had already torn into the burger, curious. 

 

“You like you never had one before,” Zoey noted, mid-bite. 

 

“You get that right. Never have.” 

 

A dollop of mayo. A swirl of ketchup. Orange-yellow square of cheese was slapped onto the meat, undercooked. He turned it over in his hands, inspecting it, before taking a bite. 

 

He leaned over, offering her a bite. Zoey didn’t decline. When the two of them were done, they tossed their rubbish into the bins and headed out.

 

A soft hiss against dry concrete. Zoey felt a drop of rain on her head. Followed by another, and another. It began to pour, murky puddles forming on the streets.

 

Abby shrugged off his blazer, holding it over her head.

 

“You’ll- you’ll get wet,” she spluttered.

 

“Little bitta rain’s never done anyone no harm.”

 

A soft smile appeared on her lips. “You didn’t have to.” 

 

“Ya said I owe ya, right?” He countered. The two of them stayed there, under the shelter of his coat until the rain died down. 

 

Abby’s eyes darted around. Remember the plan. “You, uh…got like a park ‘round here, or somethin’?” 

 

“Yeah, of course! Wanna see?” 

 

“Yup.” 

 

Zoey pushed open the gate. It gave way with a shuddering groan, followed by a screech. Abby winced. Regardless, he gestured for her to go first. And so she did. 

 

In a far corner of the park, tape was secured around branches. Yellow and black. Line. Do not cross. An ambulance van was within the tape. Left idle. Faint crackling of radios. Police officers facing the scene of the crime. 

 

“What’s the tape for?” 

 

“Eh. Something’s always going down here. Probably a shooting or stabbing.”

 

“Huh??” 

 

The girl shrugged. “Get it a lot around here.” 

 

An awkward silence settled between the two of them. The boy cleared his throat. “How come you’re doing all of this? You want a special view of my abs or something? I mean, I am me. Who wouldn’t want that?” 

 

“No no, silly,” Zoey waved a hand, dismissing that, “You just seem really cool. Thought it’d be nice. I remember moving here, having no one to help me or show me ‘round.” 

 

“That’s awfully nice of ya,” Abby mused. A pause, and then: “Ya get that from Mira?” 

 

She blinked, then spluttered. “Get- get what from her?” 

 

“Her kindness. She’s super nice. Helps me outta bunch. I can barely keep with all these new things.” 

 

So he didn’t know… 

 

She simply shrugged. 

 

“Who knows?”

 

Music was blaring as a man drove by. A rhythm Zoey knew all too well. 

 

“Oh, it’s uhm…the Sunlight Sisters.” 

 

Abby blinked. “Ya know them?” 

 

“Know them? Ha! I’m a huuugee fan of them! I kinda found them hard to listen to at first, I won't lie. Thought it was pretty basic and repetitive. But by the time their fourth song dropped? I was hooked! See, I even did my hair like the third member. She’s super underrated and she’s my bia-” 

 

Zoey trailed off, expression shifting into a grimace. 

 

“Sorry ‘bout that, hah. Happens…” 

 

Abby snorted, before bursting into laughter. 

“What’s there to be sorry for, huh? I know ‘em, too.” 

 

“...Oh?” 

 

“Yeah. My ma was obsessed with them. Used to play them all the time on the radio in the mornin’. Could hear it while I was out milkin’ the cows.” 

 

She blinked. “You lived on a farm?” 

 

“Sure did. Where else d’ya think these bad boys came from?” He raised his arm. Flexed his biceps with a grin. Zoey couldn’t help but snicker.

 

“But yeah. I miss the farm.” 

 

“Yeah? Why?” 

 

“I don’t fit in here. Hell, they put me in the lowest sets,” the boy grumbled. Kicked a rock, watching it roll away from his feet, 

 

“Can barely read halfa da fancy words in class.” 

 

“Huh. Didn’t know you felt the same.” 

 

“You too? How come? You’re so cool.” 

 

“Hah. I wish,” A bitter huff of laughter left her lips, “Don’t got any friends, so I just…sit by the stockroom at lunch. I’m a scholarship student. Everyone else is here ‘cuz of their rich, big families.” 

 

“Guess we’re a buncha losers, then,” Abby sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets.

 

Zoey couldn’t help but giggle, and brushed her shoulder against his playfully. 

 

“Guess we are,” she echoed, making them erupt into giggles.

 

Meanwhile, Mira and Romance were sat on a park bench. Waiting for Abby and Zoey to come into view for their plan. It was her plan, but she wanted Romance to feel included, too. She casually kicked her legs up on his lap, biting down on the straw. “Yo.” 

 

“Yes?” Romance prompted. His attention on her, and only her. 

 

“My grades dropped this term. Need you to use that shiny badge of yours to get into the office and-” 

 

“And change them?” 

 

She burped carelessly, hurling the carton at him.

 

Romance raised a hand, effortlessly catching it. He shot her a warning glare, before tossing it into the bin for her. 

 

“And why should I?” 

 

The girl wrinkled her nose, adjusting her classes. Scooted closer to him, carding her fingers through his hair. A little greasy to the touch, but she didn’t comment. 

 

“Alright, alright. I’ll do it.” 

 

She scratched lightly at his scalp for his cooperation. “Cool. Just don’t forget what we’re here for.” The pink haired girl elbowed him in the side. “Here they come.” 

 

Abby and Zoey were approaching. The two of them in fits of giggles, sailing on the wind. Mira clicked her tongue. She cupped her hand around her mouth, before calling out:

 

“Do it, Abby!” 

 

“Do- do what? Abby? I’m confused.” 

 

“What are you? Hesitant? You’ll always be second in her eyes, it seems. I’m just superior.”

 

Abby didn’t want to be second. Didn’t want to be inferior. 

 

Tugged on Romance’s sleeve before standing to her feet. Walking towards them. 

 

“Hurry it up!” She called out.

 

His gaze flickered between the two. 

 

Zoey. Mira. 

 

Mira. 

 

Zoey. 

 

Two people, one choice. 

 

Romance had his arm propped up on Mira’s shoulder. A smirk skittering across his lips. He wasn’t going to let himself fall short. Never again.

 

Abby couldn’t back down. It was part of the plan, just like Mira said. Talk to her, then turn on her and humiliate her. Just like Zoey deserved. 

 

Mira jerked her head in Zoey’s direction. Not a question. A demand. Abby shoved her to the ground, her head colliding with the damp grass with a thud. Mira snickered, phone out. She dug the heel of her boot into Zoey’s rib, bones crunching.

 

“Better keep your mouth closed, bitch.” 

 

The girl opened her mouth to curse, only to be interrupted. Something was hurled at her temple before exploding. Soured strawberry milk. The smell infiltrated her nostrils. It went into her mouth. Soaked her hair, the front of her shirt. 

 

Mira was live on TikTok. Comments flooded in. All of them mocking Zoey, applauding Abby. The way it was supposed to be. 

 

Abby turned away. Mouthed ‘sorry.’ Like it would fix anything, like it would undo all the damage done.

 

It was a simple, hollow, word. 

Notes:

THE END❗

I had sooo much fun with this fic, especially the dynamics. Honestly loved writing Mira as a total bitch who uses Abby as a form of fun

BACKGROUND RUJINU MY BELOVED. THE ONLY NORMAL ONES IN THIS FIC 😭

Feel free to take a deep dive into this fic and lemme know what dynamic you enjoyed the most lol

Comments and kudos appreciated!