After school, Tracy made her way toward Tony's car, her chest light with a quiet excitement she didn't want to admit. But before she could reach him, a hand yanked her back—hard.
Steve.
"Let me go!" she screamed, jerking her arm.
"You're really leaving me for him?" Steve barked. "After all the fucked up shit he said to you? I stuck by you when he was acting stupid! I never talked to you like that!"
Boy, if you don't stop lying… Tracy's anger snapped awake.
"You didn't pay me any attention before Tony!" she shot back. "Then you used the fact that I was hurt to try and get some ass. Fuck you, Steve."
Steve didn't respond. He didn't move. For a second, Tracy thought he was going to walk away—and she did too. She turned, ready to leave it behind.
But pain exploded across her face.
He… hit me?
Before she could react, the second slap came harder, slinging her head to the side. Shock froze her for half a heartbeat—but Tracy was used to fighting Pru when she got drunk. Instinct took over. She punched Steve dead in the gut.
He doubled over, wheezing, and Tracy took a step back, palms shaking but ready.
I am not letting another man treat me like trash.
At first, she held her own. But then Steve balled up his fist—really balled it up—and swung like she was a grown man on the street.
The crack echoed through the courtyard.
Tracy screamed—a scream so raw and blood-chilling it stopped conversations, made kids freeze, spun teachers around. Everyone outside ran back into the school at once, forming a tight ring around the fight.
Booter reached them late, but unlike usual, he didn't stand there watching. He launched himself at Steve, tackling him to the concrete.
"Get off her, nigga!" Booter roared.
Alexis grabbed Tracy, pulling her back, trying to shield her.
"He hit you again?" Alexis cried, touching Tracy's swollen cheek. Tracy winced. Her body throbbed everywhere—her ribs, her back, even her arms. She could feel a warm line of blood sliding down her neck.
"Lex… I gotta find Tony," Tracy murmured. Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears. She didn't know if it was fear or panic or something darker.
"No, Tracy. Stay here—let them handle it," Alexis warned.
But Tracy pushed past her anyway.
Outside, a massive crowd circled something—no, someone. Tony.
Tracy squeezed through bodies until she could see him. Tony was above Steve, pistol-whipping him with a rage she had never seen before. Steve screamed with every hit.
Then Tony raised the gun.
He cocked it back.
"NO! TONY, STOP!" Tracy shrieked.
The whole crowd snapped their heads toward her. And Tony… Tony looked at her like he didn't even know her. His eyes were wild, dark—evil.
Who is that? Tracy's stomach twisted. She'd never seen that look on anyone, not even Pru.
But when Tony saw her face—bloody, bruised, terrified—his expression cracked. Softened. He nodded for her to come closer, and the crowd split instantly, letting her pass like she was royalty or danger herself.
When she reached him, Tony bent and kissed her forehead. Tracy saw tears in his eyes, shock mixed with fury.
Then he turned back to Steve, who was curled on the ground, coughing, blood bubbling at his lip.
Tony raised the gun again.
Tracy grabbed his arm. Tight.
"I said no." Her voice was steady—more steady than she felt. Her legs shook, but she stood her ground.
Tony stared at her. Then at Steve. Then at the gun.
Slowly—painfully—he lowered it.
Tracy exhaled and kissed his forearm, overwhelmed by a tornado of fear, relief, and confusion.
But Tony wasn't done. He walked over and kicked Steve in the ribs one last time.
"TONY! STOP—now!" Tracy snapped, louder than she meant to. Her voice cracked like a whip.
His head jerked toward her. Her expression was strange—hurt, fierce, afraid—but firm. Tony backed off immediately.
He pointed down at Steve. "Take a good look at her," he growled. "She just saved your life."
Then he walked away, leaving Steve gasping on the ground and the whole school staring at Tracy like she wasn't the same girl they saw every day.
And in that moment… she wasn't.