Jess sat in the library’s quiet corner, chemistry textbook open, taking careful notes. First week at Lincoln High—she was keeping a low profile.
The three girls appeared suddenly. Madison, the ringleader, held a water bottle. Her friends carried iced coffees.
Madison: Look, the new girl thinks she’s so studious.
Jess looked up, wary.
Jess: I’m just studying.
Madison: In our spot. Cute.
Before Jess could react, Madison dumped the entire water bottle over her head. Cold water soaked her hair, face, dripping onto her notes. Then the iced coffees—poured over her textbooks, ruining pages, brown liquid spreading across the table.
The library gasped. Phones appeared. Jess sat there, drenched, watching ink blur on her ruined notes.
Madison: Welcome to Lincoln, nobody.
They walked away laughing. Jess didn’t cry. She calmly gathered her wet books, head down, and left.
What Madison didn’t know: Jess wasn’t just any transfer student. She was the state volleyball champion. Starting next week as team captain. Recruited specifically for her legendary aim.
The next day, cafeteria lunch rush. Jess sat alone, watching. Madison and her crew finished eating, stood to leave, trays in hand.
Jess stood too. Picked up three water bottles from her table.
In one fluid motion—the same motion that had won her championships—she threw.
The first bottle hit Madison square in the chest. She stumbled backward, falling hard onto the tile.
The second hit Friend One, direct hit to the shoulder, spinning her into a table. She went down.
The third hit Friend Two in the stomach. She doubled over and collapsed.
All three bullies—on the floor. Shocked. Humiliated. The cafeteria erupted.
Jess walked over, calm and controlled.
Jess: That’s for ruining my notes. Oh, and I’m your new volleyball captain. Practice is at three. Be on time.
She walked away, leaving them on the ground.
Madison tried to complain to Coach Rivera.
Coach: You poured coffee on my star player? The one I recruited? You’re lucky she only used water bottles. Now you’ve got a choice: apologize and show up to tryouts, or quit the team.
Madison showed up. Apologized. And learned very quickly that bullying the girl with perfect aim was the worst mistake she’d ever made.
