HUXLEE
Tuesday, 5 AM
After watching the video and remembering everything that happened that night, I can’t fall asleep anymore. My body feels exhausted, but my mind refuses to rest. How can anyone sleep when they know they have to face something like this the moment they step into school?
A part of me keeps insisting that everyone in school is already part of that group chat, even though I know that’s impossible. There’s a limit to how many members a GC can have. Still… I know how fast news spreads. One person shares it, then another, and another, until it reaches everyone.
A frustrated breath leaves my lips as I press my phone against my chest and stare blankly at the ceiling.
Damn it.
Did the admin record that video themselves? If not, then where did they even get it? And why me? Out of everyone, why did they choose me?
My phone lights up. Ciela is calling—again. Her name flashes across the screen, but I can’t bring myself to answer. My thumb hovers over the accept button, trembling slightly, before I let it fall.
What am I even supposed to say? How do I explain something I barely understand myself? And even if I tell her the truth… will she believe me? Or will she look at me the same way everyone else probably does now?
A lump forms in my throat.
What will everyone think of me after seeing that video?
I squeeze my eyes shut.
I don’t want to go to school today. Every part of me wants to stay here, hide under my blanket, and pretend none of this is real. But I know that won’t fix anything. Even if I skip today, the rumors will still be there tomorrow—waiting, growing, feeding on whatever people want to believe.
Running won’t save me. And I can’t afford to fall behind in class either. So no matter how much I don’t want to… I have to go.
I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling. I do that for what feels like forever, my eyes fixed on nothing in particular while my thoughts keep running in endless circles. Every few minutes, I check the time, but it doesn’t seem to move fast enough for me to notice any real difference. It isn’t until the clock finally shows 5:30 AM that I slowly sit up, feeling drained even though I haven’t done anything yet.
That’s when I finally pushed myself to get out of bed and go to the bathroom to take a shower. I move sluggishly, still stuck in my thoughts, but I force myself to turn on the water anyway. As the cold droplets hit my skin, I just stand there for a moment, letting it run over me, hoping it somehow washes away the heaviness in my chest and the mess in my mind. I don’t stay long, but I take my time enough to feel at least a little more awake.
After getting out, I dry myself off and start fixing my clothes and appearance, moving more carefully than usual as if every small action takes extra effort. I try to make myself look normal, like nothing is wrong, even though I feel completely the opposite inside. I check the time again and again while getting ready, making sure I’m not running late.
By the time I finally finish everything, it’s already around 6:43 AM. I grab my things, take one last look at myself, and leave the house even though I don’t really feel ready to face anything today.
I arrive at school at exactly 7:24 AM.
I take a deep breath and pull my hoodie over my head, making sure it covers as much of my face as possible as I walk through the school gates. The fabric feels suffocating, but it’s better than being recognized.
I came early on purpose, so fewer people will see me. Fewer people means fewer stares… fewer whispers… fewer phones pointed in my direction.
With my head bowed low, I walk quickly, avoiding eye contact with anyone who passes by. My steps are hurried, almost desperate, as if I can outrun everything chasing me.
Then I bump into someone. The impact makes me stumble slightly.
My breath catches as I slowly lift my head.
“Signy?” I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper.
She raises one eyebrow, her expression cold and unreadable. For a moment, she doesn’t say anything.
Then suddenly her palm collides with my cheek so hard that my head snaps to the side. Pain explodes across my face, sharp and burning, and the force knocks my hood off.
For a second, everything goes quiet.
What is she doing here? Did she know I’d come early? Was she… waiting for me?
My eyes wonder around, and that's when I realize she isn’t alone—her friends standing just a few steps behind her, watching like this is some kind of show.
Slowly, I bring a trembling hand to my cheek.
“Signy—”
Smack!
The second slap hits even harder.
A wave of murmurs rises around us.
My stomach sinks as I turn my head and realize we’re no longer alone. Students are gathering, forming a loose circle around us. Phones are already out. Cameras are pointed straight at me.
Of course they are.
I bite down on my lower lip, forcing myself not to cry. My fingers tighten around the strap of my bag as I try to walk past her, but she grabs my arm and yanks me back.
My chest tightens.
“Where do you think you’re going?” she says, her voice dripping with anger. “We’re not done yet.”
Before I can react, she yanks my hair, forcing me to face her again.
One of her friends steps forward, eyeing me from head to toe with a look full of disgust. “Seriously? That face?” she scoffs. “That’s what Von fell for?”
Another one laughs. “And you still have the nerve to show up here? Wow. The audacity.”
“Did you come early just to avoid me?” Signy asks, a smirk forming on her lips, though her eyes burn with anger.
“I’m sorry…” The words leave my mouth weakly, but she cuts me off immediately.
“Fuck you,” she snaps. “Sorry? That’s all you have to say? I thought the only thing you were good at was studying, but I guess you’re also good at stealing someone else’s boyfriend.” Her voice trembles, breaking slightly as she continues. “Out of everyone… why Cleovon? Why my boyfriend?”
Tears begin to gather in her eyes, but the anger doesn’t fade.
I lower my gaze, guilt weighing heavily on my chest. Even if I try to explain, I know she won’t believe me. She already made up her mind. In her eyes, I’m the villain.
But I never meant for any of this to happen.
She suddenly lets go of my hair, only to shove me hard. I lose my balance and fall to the ground.
“Do it,” she says flatly.
My heart starts pounding as her friends begin to circle me.
Fear crawls up my spine. “W-What are you going to do?”
Instead of answering, one of them pulls out a bag of flour. Another takes out eggs. Someone else holds a carton of milk… and then a candle.
My stomach drops.
No… no way—
I quickly kneel, desperation taking over. “Signy, please… I’m sorry. I didn’t seduce him! We were drunk—we didn’t know what we were doing!”
She just stares at me, her expression empty. Then she tilts her head slightly, giving her friends a silent signal.
“No—!”
It’s too late.
An egg hits my head and cracks instantly, the sticky liquid dripping down my hair and face. I flinch at the impact.
“Stop!” I cry out, but they only laugh.
More laughter erupts around me. The students watching are still filming, some whispering, others openly enjoying the scene.
Sugar rains down on me next, then cold milk is poured over my head, soaking through my clothes. Finally, flour follows, coating me completely.
I can’t stop the tears anymore. I feel disgusting.
Humiliation burns through me, hotter than anything I’ve ever felt. My hands tremble as I try to wipe my face, but it only makes things worse.
Tears blur my vision as they stream down my face.
What did I even do to deserve this? None of this was supposed to happen. It wasn’t my fault—I was drunk!
Damn it!
Anger suddenly flares inside me, burning through the humiliation. I lift my head, glaring at Signy with trembling fury.
She smirks.
Taking the candle from her friend, she lights it calmly, as if this is some kind of celebration.
“Congratulations,” she says mockingly. “You got to kiss my boyfriend.”
She places the candle in front of me.
Her eyes lock onto mine as she say, “Fuck you.”
Then she turns her back and walks away. Her friends follow, one by one, leaving me behind.
The crowd slowly begins to scatter too. Some are still laughing, others whispering as they walk away, but eventually, they all disappear.
And just like that… I’m alone.
I stay there on the ground, frozen, staring at nothing. I don’t know how long I remain like that—minutes, maybe—but it feels like forever.
Finally, I force myself to move. With shaky legs, I stand up and wipe at my face, only smearing the mess even more.
Keeping my head down, I run as fast as I can to the lockers to get a change of clothes before anyone else sees me like this.
I’m about a meter away from the lockers when I cross paths with someone, making me halt mid-step.
Our eyes meet, but I quickly look away, avoiding his brown, almond-shaped eyes as I continue walking.
He clicks his tongue three times. “You’re a mess, Mendez.”