Ultima's Bite!

April didn't need to retaliate immediately. 

No, she knew the best way to deal with someone like Tessa was to control the narrative.

If Tessa's strategy was to make people wonder about April's nonexistent love life, then April would do something worse—she'd make people question Tessa's credibility.

And the best way to do that?

Confusion.

So when the final period ended and students began filing out of classrooms, April deliberately waited. 

She knew Tessa was watching—she was always watching.

Mickey walked past her near the lockers, hands in his pockets. "So, what's the move?"

April's lips barely moved as she responded, "You'll see."

And then she did the simplest thing.

She smiled.

Not just her usual smirk, not the subtle curve of amusement—this was a gentle, sweet, almost affectionate smile.

And she directed it at Mickey.

He raised a brow but played along, tilting his head as if they were sharing some inside joke.

A few students saw. A few more turned.

April then shifted slightly toward him, as if engaged in an intimate conversation. She even brushed a strand of hair behind her ear—deliberate, precise, calculated.

Tessa Lane, standing near the entrance with her usual group of followers, froze.

April caught the brief flicker of confusion in Tessa's expression before she masked it with an unimpressed scoff. But it was too late.

Whispers started.

Mickey, to his credit, didn't burst out laughing. Instead, he leaned against the lockers, playing along effortlessly. "Subtle," he murmured.

April's voice was light. "I know."

By the time she walked past Tessa, the Queen Bee's expression had tightened just a little. Not enough for anyone else to notice—but April did.

Checkmate.