Chapter 4 : the world around
After dinner, Luv quietly went to her room. SHe sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Her sister's words kept replaying in her head. Their family had always been like this—strict, controlled, with little room for emotions.
SHe pulled out her books, trying to focus on studying, but her mind kept drifting back to school. The way everyone had looked at her when Alex sat beside her . The whispers, the jealous glares, the silent judgment. It wasn't new, but it still weighed on her .
Her phone vibrated. A message from Marie.
Marie: Hey, u okay?
Luv hesitated before replying.
Luv: Yeah, just tired.
She responded almost immediately.
Marie: Don't let those idiots get to you. You're better than them.
A small smile tugged at her lips. She always knew what to say.
The next day at school, things were even worse. As soon as she entered the building, whispers filled the hall.
"Why does Alex have to sit with her?"
"She doesn't deserve it."
"Jessica will do something about it, just wait."
Luv ignored them and made her way to class. Alex was already there, sitting at their shared desk, scrolling through his phone. When Luv sat down, Alex glanced up and said, "Morning."
Luv nodded. "Morning."
The teacher walked in and started the lesson, but Luv could feel eyes on her the entire time.
At lunch, she met up with Marie again. As they walked into the cafeteria, the atmosphere felt different. The Backmen were gathered at their usual table, and Jessica sat in the center like a queen.
When Alex entered, the noise in the cafeteria shifted. He barely made it three steps before Jessica stood up and walked toward him with a confident smirk.
"Alex, come sit with us," she said sweetly, looping her arm around his.
For a moment, he looked like he wanted to refuse, but then he sighed and followed her to the table.
Luv watched, not surprised. She had expected this. People like Alex belonged with them, not with someone like her .
Marie noticed his expression and nudged her . "Forget about them. Eat."
Luv tried, but she had already lost her appetite.
The cafeteria was still buzzing with chatter when the doors suddenly swung open, and a commanding voice cut through the noise.
"Everyone, quiet down."
The school president, Nathaniel Gray, stood at the entrance, his sharp gaze scanning the room. He was tall, with dark brown hair and piercing green eyes. Despite coming from a wealthy family, he was known for being fair and disciplined.
"All class representatives and council members, there's an urgent meeting. Follow me."
The atmosphere shifted. Whenever Nathaniel spoke, people listened. He rarely interrupted lunch unless it was important.
Luv wasn't a representative, but she still followed the crowd, hoping to slip in unnoticed. She preferred staying in the background, avoiding attention. Marie cast her a questioning glance, but she simply nodded, signaling she'd be fine.
As she entered the meeting hall, a sharp voice caught her attention.
"Let go of me!"
A girl stood against the wall, cornered by none other than Dylan Carter, one of the Backmen. He had a smirk on his lips as he leaned in, gripping her wrist.
Luv clenched her fists. She knew how these rich kids worked—using power to control others.
"Hey, back off," she said firmly, stepping forward.
Dylan turned, his smirk widening. "Oh? The scholarship kid thinks she can give me orders?"
Luv ignored him and turned to the girl. "Go. Now."
She hesitated but quickly nodded, slipping past Dylan and running out of the room.
Dylan's expression darkened. "You just ruined my fun."
Before Luv could react, Dylan grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward. "Maybe I should play with you instead."
A shiver ran down Luv's spine as Dylan's grip tightened. Then, without warning, Dylan leaned in, trying to force a kiss on her .
Luv struggled, pushing against his chest. "Get off me!"
Just then, the doors burst open.
A group of students entered—including Jessica, Alex, and the rest of the Backmen. The moment Jessica saw them, her face twisted in rage.
SLAP!
Luv barely had time to react before Jessica's palm collided with her cheek, the impact sending her stumbling backward.
"You disgusting rat!" she spat, her voice venomous. "How dare you touch Dylan? Who do you think you are?"
Luv held her stinging cheek, his mind spinning. "I—It wasn't—"
Jessica didn't let her finish. She shoved her hard, making her fall to the floor. The room erupted in whispers, sneers, and cruel laughter.
"Look at her , acting innocent."
"She's just trying to get attention."
"Disgusting."
Luv's heart pounded. Her whole body tensed as the insults piled up, drowning out her attempts to explain.
Jessica turned to the Backmen, her eyes flashing with wicked amusement. "Strip her ."
A chilling silence filled the room.
Luv's breath caught. "W-What?"
"You heard me," she said, crossing her arms. "Take her clothes off. Let's see how 'innocent' she really is."
The Backmen hesitated only for a second before smirking. The boys stepped forward, eager to follow her orders.
Luv scrambled back, her hands gripping her shirt. "Don't—"
One of them grabbed her arm, another pulled at her collar. Luv thrashed, but they were stronger. Her heart pounded wildly as they yanked at her clothes. The students around them already had their phones out, cameras flashing.
A wave of panic washed over her .
Desperately, she wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to shield herself.
Just as her shirt was about to be ripped off—
"STOP."
Nathaniel's voice boomed through the hall.
The Backmen froze.
Nathaniel stood at the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. He took one step forward, his tone icy. "Let. Her. Go."
Some students quickly hid their phones. The Backmen hesitated, but Jessica wasn't done.
She folded her arms, tilting her chin up. "And what if we don't?"
Nathaniel's expression didn't change. "Then I'll make sure every single one of you is punished."
Jessica scoffed. "Oh, please. Do you think I care? My uncle owns this school. You can't do anything to me."
The tension thickened.
Then—
"What's going on here?"
The principal's voice cut through the air.
The entire room fell into silence.
Jessica stiffened, her smirk vanishing instantly. The students who had been laughing moments ago quickly stepped back, avoiding eye contact.
The principal's gaze swept over the scene—the disheveled state of Luv, the Backmen standing too close, Jessica's furious expression.
His voice was calm, but firm. "Jessica, explain."
Jessica clenched her jaw. She wanted to lash out, but she knew better than to argue with the principal in public. She exhaled sharply and took a step back.
"Nothing, sir. Just a misunderstanding."
The principal's gaze lingered on her before shifting to Luv. Her torn clothes, her trembling hands, the bruises forming on her arms—it was clear this was far from a "misunderstanding."
"Everyone, return to your classes. Now."
Nobody argued. They scattered instantly.
Jessica shot Luv one last glare before storming off with the Backmen.
Luv remained on the floor, her body still shaking.
Nathaniel walked up to her and crouched down. "Are you okay?"
Luv swallowed hard, forcing a nod. "Yeah."
Nathaniel didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
Luv took his hand hesitantly, allowing Nathaniel to help her up. As they walked out of the room, whispers followed them, but Luv barely heard them.
All she could think about was how close she had been to complete humiliation.
And how Jessica wasn't done with her yet.
---
At Home
The moment Luv stepped through the front door, a heavy silence filled the house. Her parents were sitting in the living room, their expressions dark with rage. Her father's grip on his phone was tight, her mother's arms were crossed as she tapped her foot impatiently.
Then—
SLAM!
Her father threw the phone onto the table, making Luv flinch.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" her father roared. "Do you know how humiliated we are right now?!"
Luv lowered her head, her hands trembling at her sides.
Her mother scoffed. "How dare you bring shame to this family? Do you even think before acting?"
Luv didn't respond. What was she supposed to say? That it wasn't her fault? That she had been the victim? They wouldn't care.
Her father ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "People are laughing at us, Luv! The video is everywhere! My colleagues, our neighbors, everyone saw it!"
Her mother's voice was ice-cold. "You're an embarrassment."
Luv bit her lip, her throat tightening. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Just then, a soft sound broke through the tension.
Laughter.
Luv turned her head slightly.
Her sister.
She was sitting in the corner of the room, her arms wrapped around her knees, laughing quietly to herself. As if this whole thing was some kind of joke.
Her chest tightened, but she said nothing. She just turned away and walked out of the house.
The Streets
Luv walked aimlessly, her legs feeling heavy, her mind empty.
The world around her blurred.
The voices of her parents still rang in her head. The laughter of her sister. The whispers of the students. The flash of cameras. The feeling of hands grabbing at her clothes.
She felt... nothing.
Like a dead body, she moved forward. Step by step.
That's when she heard it.
A loud horn. Tires screeching.
A car was speeding toward her .
Luv didn't react.
She just stood there.
And then—
Darkness.
---
End of Chapter 4 .