Melina's POV
Preview flash in my head: My life tonight is going to be a disaster.
And wow… destiny didn't just prove me right, she threw glitter on it and put it on display.
The party was like stepping into another world. Chandeliers. Fancy food I couldn't even pronounce. People who looked like they practiced their fake laughs in front of a mirror before arriving. Basically, a place where I, a leaf, was about to wither in public.
I had planned to blend into the background. No drama. No Theo. Definitely no Ellie.
But the universe? The universe heard me and said, "Challenge accepted."
One second I'm quietly sipping my juice in a corner, the next — BAM — someone bumps into me. My glass tips, and I'm drenched. Not in water, no. That would be merciful. I'm covered in some bright pink cocktail that smells like it could strip paint.
And because the gods hate me, the spill happens right in the middle of the ballroom, under perfect lighting, while music fades just enough for people to notice.
I am officially the center of attention.
In a bad way.
Eyes. All around me.
Laughter starts. First, a few chuckles. Then more. And then? Full-blown hahaha from multiple directions.
Including Theodore.
Theodore. Laughing.
This man has laughed at me before but tonight, it feels different.
He looks straight at me, and instead of maybe helping like a decent human being, he leans slightly toward one of his friends and smirks.
My inner monologue is screaming: Yup. This is it. My villain origin story.
And just when I think it can't get worse—Ellie appears.
With her champagne-glass elegance, walking over like she's in slow motion.
"Ohhh no," she says, voice syrupy sweet. "You poor thing."
Then, she accidentally tips her red wine — a deep, dark stain — right onto my already ruined dress.
"Oh my god! I'm so clumsy!" she gasps.
Yeah. Sure. Then I'm Marylin Monroe.
The crowd laughs harder. It's the kind of laugh that's not with you, but at you. I feel it in my bones. I could feel my skin crawl under all that unwanted attention from peoples who looks like they eat money for fun. The humiliation is getting me, my breaths gets heavier and i can't seems to hear or process anything but Terrifying muffles and laughs of people, Except it wasn't terrifying to them. It was all aimed at Me.
I look up, eyes burning, and lock eyes with Theodore, the last person i want to see right now -He's laughing too. Not in a big way, but enough to twist something inside my chest. Should i feel something? No i shouldn't. But i can't help whatever this strange feeling no matter how hard i try to gulp it down.
Tears are threatening to pool, but I blink fast. Nope. Not giving them that satisfaction.
But my throat is tight, and my chest feels heavy. I hate this.
And just when I'm trying to keep my composure, he says it.
Out loud.
With his stupid perfect voice.
"Guess you'll do anything for attention, huh, Miranda?"
It's like someone sucker-punched me.
For a second, I don't even react. Did he really just—? What does he know about to make such assumption. Is everything a kind of joke to Mr. Frost? Doesn't he realize he is co-living with Humans who have feelings.
Attention? Does he actually think I spilled drinks on myself on purpose?
Am i sick to do that? Is he sick to think that?
Before I can say anything, Dove and Zara cut through the crowd like storm clouds. Thankgoodness cause i was in the verge of breaking down. I know i just met these two people earlier in the morning. So much happened in this day itself. I can't explain why but a fresh warmthness engulfed me as soon as they botth arrived, probably realizing they came to talk for me, which nobody else did before.
"Melina!" Dove grabs my arm, glaring at the people around us.
Zara's eyes are locked on Theo. And she's not smiling.
"Ellie," Zara says, voice sharp enough to slice. "You did that on purpose."
Ellie gasps like she's been personally attacked. "What? No! I—"
"Save it," Zara cuts her off.
Ellie's bottom lip trembles, the perfect picture of fake innocence, and she looks up at Theo.
"Theo…" she whispers, like she's in a drama scene.
Theo's brows knit for a split second, something flickering in his expression when he glances back at me.
I realize too late — he's noticed the tears I've been trying to hide.
For a split second, his face twitches. Maybe it's guilt. Maybe it's surprise.
But Dove tugs me away before I can see more. "Let's get you out of here."
As she pulls me toward the hallway, I hear Zara's voice behind me.
"You should be ashamed, Ellie. And you—" she adds, and I'm pretty sure she's looking at Theo, "—need to open your eyes."
Ellie's voice gets higher, "Why are you defending her?!"
I hear a muffled sound, maybe Theo trying to calm her, but I'm already halfway down the hall.
---
Dove leads me into a quieter corridor, away from the golden glow of the ballroom. "Zara's bringing your stuff. You can wait in her room."
I nod, but my throat is still tight.
Upset isn't even the word. I'm… humiliated. Torn apart in front of strangers for no reason. And the one person who could've stopped it — Theo — decided to kick me while I was already on the ground.
When Zara arrives, she's fuming. She drops a blanket over my shoulders.
"You're staying here tonight. End of discussion," she says.
I sink into the couch, trying not to think about the wine drying on my skin.
From the corner of my eye, I see Zara pacing. "That Ellie… she's been trouble for years. She is acting like she is his girlfriend while they are just Sleeping together with no labels. I don't realise why he would baselessly favour Ellie! Even though You are new to here, you did nothing and that Ellie, did a lot "
This is the most i have heard Zara talk in a single stretch in this whole day
---
Meanwhile, somewhere back in the party, I just know Ellie is probably fake-crying in Theo's arms while telling him her side of the story. And Theo?
Theo is probably believing her.
Which is fine. Totally fine.
…Except it's not.
Because for reasons I don't want to admit, the fact that he believed her over me?
Yeah. That stings more than the wine.
But who am i? Just a newbie to their college whom he messed with a little for his enjoyment when there was no one else.
__________
I am still having lots of unwanted thoughts and flashes of Images from earlier even when i am 'resting' in the couch. I could sense Zara and Dove really cared about me when they insisted on making me stay here. But being in same building as everyone else who laughed at me, is sickening to the core.
Dove is sleeping peacefully in Zara's Bed and Zara is dozing off Sitting on her floor leaning her back to the side of bed. We were just talking half an hour ago.
I Glanced my eyes around the room in search of Clock.
1:21 AM. holy hell. I can't sleep even if i wanted too.
"No drama, No Distraction, No dating"
I recalled my Father's command earlier this day. The same sun at the day haven't Re-rose yet, and i have already involved myself in a Drama.
Gosh i needed some air so bad.
So, I slip through the side door into the cool night, inhaling like I just escaped prison.
And then I see him.
Theodore. Leaning lazily against the balcony railing like some magazine model. Except… not exactly .
His shirt is unbuttoned halfway, collar hanging loose, exposing just enough chest to make me want to look away but— yeah, not happening. There are faint lipstick smudges along his jawline. A couple of very suspicious red marks trailing down his neck. And, cherry on top, there's a perfect eyeliner stamp near his collarbone like someone hugged him a little too close.
For half a second, my brain malfunctions. Then the sarcasm kicks in.
"Wow," I say, leaning on the doorframe. "Is this the 'I just fought off a wild animal' look, or did you actually pay someone to attack you with makeup?"
Why did you talk to him girl.
His head snaps toward me.
Okay no taking back now. There's this unreadable expression on his face — surprise? Guilt? Irritation? I can't tell.
"Shouldn't you be inside?" he asks, voice low.
Definitely irritated.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I gesture vaguely at his state. "Didn't mean to interrupt your… whatever this is. Costume rehearsal for Bachelor: Blood Edition?"
DAMN IT STOP TALKING TOO MUCH.
He exhales sharply, looking away toward the city lights. "It's none of your business."
"Right," I nod, stepping closer just enough to smell faint cologne mixed with wine. "But you made me your business earlier, remember? With the whole attention-seeker speech?"
That gets him. His jaw tightens, but he still doesn't look at me.
"And for the record," I add, "if you're gonna insult me in public, at least make sure you don't show up five minutes later looking like you just walked out of a scandal headline."
His eyes finally meet mine — sharp, almost defensive. "You think you know everything, don't you?"
I blink. "No. But I do know lipstick when I see it. And claw marks. And is that eyeliner or were you mugged by a raccoon?"
Something flashes in his gaze — maybe amusement, maybe anger. He straightens, closing the space between us by a step. "Careful, Miranda. You sound jealous."
That word hits me like a sucker punch. I open my mouth to deny it — loudly, sarcastically — but nothing comes out.
His smirk is slow, infuriating. "Thought so."
I roll my eyes so hard I'm surprised they don't fall out. "Please. I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole covered in disinfectant."
"Sure," he says, leaning just slightly closer, "keep telling yourself that."
I turn to leave . But as I step back into the ballroom, my ears are burning — and I hate that my heart is beating faster than it should.
If i wasn't on Theodore Frost's Blacklist before, Now i definitely am in that list.. God knows what is going to happen to me from now on.
---
To be continued...