"When the world decides you're guilty, proof is just a bonus."
[Scene: Lyserra Academy — Day After the Screenshot Drop]
The air wasn't different.
The halls weren't darker.
And yet, every footstep Riven took sounded louder than usual.
He walked with the same swagger, silver hair loose, white dress shirt untucked under his blazer, black tie hanging like a joke. His glasses rested lazily over his eyes as he strolled toward his next class.
But this time—when he passed a group of girls—they didn't giggle.
They just stopped talking.
He caught it.
They weren't smiling.
They were watching.
Not like fans. Not like admirers.
Like witnesses at a crime scene.
"Hey, Riven—was that you on that thread?"
He turned, mid-step, to see a second-year girl holding her phone like it was a weapon. Her tone was sweet, but her eyes were already judging.
Riven gave a slow blink. "If you have to ask, then probably not."
Her smile faltered, like she expected him to deny it. Maybe even defend himself. But he didn't.
He just walked off, leaving her staring at her own phone.
[Classroom 3C — 10 minutes later]
Tony was already there, slouched in his seat with a juice box, flipping through his phone.
James and Samuel were laughing about something dumb near the windows.
"You're late," Tony said, not looking up.
"I'm sexy. I don't rush," Riven said as he slid into his chair. "What's the gossip today? Still a 'psycho creep' or have I upgraded to 'predator' yet?"
Samuel looked up, uncomfortable. "It's spreading."
"No shit," James muttered. "You're on like three forums now. One of 'em called you 'emotionally unstable with narcissistic tendencies.'"
Riven grinned. "Finally. They're seeing the vision."
Tony snorted. "You're acting way too chill about this, man."
"Because I am." Riven leaned back, feet up. "These people don't know me. They've got screenshots. I've got screenshots of their screenshots. Who do you think made half of those fake DMs for fun last year? This is amateur hour."
Samuel didn't laugh. "You think Arisa's behind it?"
Riven paused for just a second.
Then smiled again. "You think anyone but Arisa could pull this off?"
[Flash Cut: Screenshot Thread — Campus Forum]
> Thread Title: Riven G. is not who you think he is.
Posted by: Anonymous
"He's been following me for weeks."
"He used to send messages and delete them."
[Attached Image: blurred chat log with his name + time stamps]
"When I told him I wasn't interested, he started showing up at my classroom door."
"I'm scared to walk alone."
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[Back to Class — Lyserra Academy]
The silence hit differently now.
People walked past the classroom door and peeked in.
Some stayed.
Some whispered.
Riven just sat there, one hand under his chin, spinning a pen between his fingers. His phone buzzed, but he ignored it.
"Hey."
It was James, quieter now. "You didn't really send those messages, right?"
Riven looked at him. Flat. Cold. Unbothered.
"The fuck do you think?"
James hesitated. Then: "Just asking."
It didn't sting. But it left a mark.
[Lunch — Same Day]
They were late.
Tony, James, and Samuel.
Riven sat alone on the usual bench in the courtyard. His lunch tray untouched. Sunlight pouring over his sunglasses.
Fifteen minutes.
They didn't show.
He finally got a text.
James: "Arisa needed help with something. We'll catch up after class."
He stared at it for a long second.
"Help."
That word again.
Arisa never asked for help.
She manufactured it.
Riven closed his phone. Ate nothing.
[Later — Teacher's Office]
"Mr. Greyson?"
Riven was called in during his last period.
The teacher didn't smile.
"We've received some... concerns about your behavior."
Riven raised an eyebrow. "Define behavior."
"There have been... allegations. Nothing official yet. But students have come forward saying you've made certain people uncomfortable. Especially Miss Virelle."
There it was.
The seed had been planted.
"And?" Riven said, still leaning in his chair like it was all beneath him.
The teacher blinked. "And we'd like you to avoid being around her unless necessary."
Riven grinned. "You mean like... walking near her in a hallway?"
The teacher sighed. "Riven. Please."
Riven leaned forward, resting his chin on his knuckles.
"Funny thing, sir... Nobody asked if I felt uncomfortable.
They just assumed I was the one making others squirm."
A pause.
Then he stood.
No excuses. No defense.
Just a smirk.
"Rumors don't need proof. They just need someone to listen."
[Night – Group Chat]
He opened the group chat:
Tony, James, Samuel.
No messages.
Just memes from earlier.
Nothing after lunch.
Riven tapped out a message:
"What happened today?"
He watched.
Message read.
No reply.
Seconds stretched.
One dot popped up.
Then disappeared.
"Tony left the chat."
Riven stared at the screen.
No emotion.
Just silence.
He closed the app.
Turned his phone off.
Leaned back in bed.
[Internal Monologue – End of Chapter]
"Let them whisper.
Let them lie.
Let them think they've cornered me.
I'm still smiling.
But if they think I'll forget this...
They don't know what I've already planned."