The Humiliation Plan
The air around Starlight University felt heavier after detention night.
Rumors swirled again — whispers that Ava and Ryan had been "caught alone," that "something happened in the library."
By Monday morning, everyone had a version of the story.
Ava tried to ignore it. She'd learned quickly that gossip here spread faster than wildfire.
Still, the stares burned.
Every corridor she walked through carried that same hush — that subtle turn of heads, the quick murmurs behind cupped palms.
Lina stuck close beside her. "Ignore them. They just need a new topic."
"I'm trying," Ava muttered. "But it's like walking through a zoo where I'm the exhibit."
They rounded the corner toward the cafeteria when the sound of laughter stopped Ava cold.
Sophia Hale leaned gracefully against a marble pillar, flanked by her glittering entourage from the Golden Society — girls dressed in the newest designer skirts and pearl hairpins that sparkled under the sunlight.
Sophia's eyes found Ava immediately, and her smile sharpened.
"Well, if it isn't our campus celebrity."
Ava clenched her jaw. "What do you want, Sophia?"
"Oh, nothing," Sophia said sweetly. "Just wanted to say hello. After all, not everyone gets to have a special evening with Ryan Blake."
The other girls giggled.
Ava folded her arms. "You mean detention? Yeah, that was magical. Dusty books, broken shelves, and two hours of silence. Real romance."
Sophia's smile didn't waver, but her eyes cooled. "Careful with your tone, darling. You might sound defensive."
Lina stepped forward. "Back off, Sophia."
Sophia tilted her head, mock-surprised. "Relax, I'm just talking. Besides…" Her gaze returned to Ava. "…some people should know when they're out of their depth. Ryan isn't exactly the kind of guy who settles for—well—charity cases."
A few gasps broke out.
Ava felt the sting but didn't flinch. "Then he and I have nothing to worry about, do we?" she said quietly. "Because I want nothing from him."
Sophia's smile flickered for half a second — a crack, quickly covered.
"Good," she said finally. "Then keep it that way."
She turned to leave, perfume trailing behind her, and the Golden Society girls followed, their laughter echoing down the hall.
Lina's fists clenched. "One day, I swear—"
"Don't," Ava said softly. "That's what she wants."
But as they walked away, Ava's hands trembled slightly. She hated that Sophia had gotten to her — hated that one rich girl could make her feel small again.
---
That afternoon, Ava found herself in the library again, trying to study, when a familiar voice broke her focus.
"Hey."
Ryan.
She looked up reluctantly. "What?"
He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Heard Sophia cornered you earlier."
Ava gave a small, humorless laugh. "Wow, news travels fast in your world."
"Yeah," he said awkwardly. "Look… she shouldn't have said those things."
Ava shut her notebook. "Maybe you should tell her that."
"I did. She doesn't listen."
"Then maybe she's just reflecting her company," Ava replied, eyes narrowing.
Ryan blinked. "Meaning?"
"Meaning you hang around people who think they're untouchable. And you let them treat others like they're beneath them."
His jaw tightened. "That's not fair."
"Fair?" Ava stood, gathering her things. "Nothing about this place is fair, Ryan. But at least some of us are trying to survive it without stepping on everyone else."
He reached out. "Ava, wait—"
She stepped back. "Don't. I told you before, I don't want anything to do with you or your world."
For a second, something like hurt crossed his face — quickly replaced by pride.
"Fine," he said coolly. "Stay out of it then."
"I plan to."
Their eyes locked, both angry, both unwilling to be the first to break.
Then she turned and walked away, leaving him staring after her, the echo of her footsteps mixing with the pounding in his chest.
---
By Friday, talk of the upcoming Welcome Gala filled every corner of the campus.
The event marked the official start of the semester — an elegant evening hosted by the university's Golden Society.
And, naturally, Sophia Hale was the star of the night.
Flyers decorated the bulletin boards. Formal attire only. Live orchestra. VIP seating.
Ava had no intention of going.
"Me? At a gala full of people who'd rather choke on their caviar than talk to me?" she scoffed when Lina brought it up.
Lina grinned. "Come on! It'll be fun. We'll just stand in a corner, eat free food, and leave before anyone throws shade."
Ava shook her head. "No thanks."
But her mother's voice that evening changed her mind.
On a video call, her mom's tired but proud face lit up the screen. "You're really adjusting there, huh?"
Ava smiled faintly. "Trying to."
"I'm glad. You deserve to enjoy a little, too. Don't just study, honey. Go out, make memories. You worked hard for that school."
Ava hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Maybe I'll go to this party thing they're having."
Her mom beamed. "That's my girl."
After they hung up, Ava stared at her phone for a long moment.
Maybe, she thought, she could allow herself one night of pretending she belonged.
---
The night of the gala shimmered with light and music.
The university's grand hall had been transformed — chandeliers glinting like captured stars, silk banners in gold and white draping from the high ceilings.
Students in glittering gowns and sharp tuxedos filled the space, laughter and perfume mixing in the air.
Ava and Lina entered quietly, sticking to the edges of the room.
Lina wore a lilac dress that hugged her curves; Ava's was a simple navy gown borrowed from her cousin — elegant, if a little plain.
"You look amazing," Lina whispered.
"So do you," Ava said, managing a small smile.
Across the hall, Ryan stood near the bar with Noah and Ethan, his dark suit crisp, hair styled neatly. He looked… different tonight. Polished. Controlled.
But when his eyes found Ava across the crowd, he froze.
She didn't notice. Or pretended not to.
Sophia, however, noticed everything.
She stood at the center of her circle, her golden dress shimmering as she accepted compliments. But when she followed Ryan's gaze and saw Ava, something dark flickered behind her smile.
"Looks like our guest of honor decided to show up," she murmured to her friends. "How… brave."
One of the girls giggled. "We could make it a night she won't forget."
Sophia's lips curved. "Oh, I intend to."
---
It began harmlessly enough. A spilled drink here, a whispered joke there.
Everywhere Ava walked, she felt the weight of eyes on her — the soft laughter that followed her steps.
She caught snippets of words.
"…loan scholarship girl…"
"…detention with Ryan…"
"…look at that dress—must be from a thrift store…"
Her throat tightened.
Lina noticed immediately. "We're leaving."
"No," Ava said, forcing her chin up. "I'm not giving them the satisfaction."
But when they reached the dessert table, Sophia's voice rang out, sweet and sharp.
"Oh, Ava!"
Ava turned slowly. "What?"
Sophia smiled, holding a glass of champagne. "I just wanted to thank you — for keeping Ryan entertained while I was away. I heard detention can be so intimate."
Laughter rippled through the group.
Ava's cheeks burned. "You're unbelievable."
Sophia tilted her head. "Oh, don't be offended. It's just fun to watch how quickly some people forget their place."
Ryan, who had been talking to Ethan nearby, heard the commotion and stepped forward. "Sophia, stop."
But Sophia wasn't done. "Oh, come on, Ryan. We're all friends here. She can take a joke, can't you, Ava?"
Ava stared at her, anger rising past the humiliation. "You really think you're above everyone, don't you?"
Sophia's smile tightened. "I don't think, sweetheart. I know."
The crowd went quiet.
Ryan's voice was low, warning. "Sophia."
But Ava spoke first. "You're right," she said calmly. "You do have everything — money, beauty, status. But you'll never have what you're pretending to."
Sophia blinked. "And what's that?"
Ava smiled faintly. "Peace."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then Ava turned and walked out of the hall, head high, Lina following close behind.
Ryan watched her go, guilt twisting in his stomach. He'd stayed silent too long.
Sophia, sensing the shift, forced a laugh. "Oh, don't look so dramatic, Ryan. She'll survive."
But Ryan didn't answer. He just downed the rest of his drink and walked out too — into the cold night where the stars above Starlight University seemed dimmer than usual.
---
Outside, Ava leaned against the stone wall, breathing hard.
Her eyes stung, but she refused to cry.
Lina stood beside her quietly. "You okay?"
"I will be," Ava said. "I just need a minute."
A voice came from behind them. "Ava—"
Ryan.
She turned sharply. "Don't."
He stopped. "I didn't know she'd do that."
"Of course you didn't. Because people like her don't do anything you don't allow."
"That's not fair."
"Neither was tonight," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But don't worry, Ryan. You won't have to see me again if that's what she wants. I'll make it easy for both of you."
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Ava brushed past him, the soft echo of her heels fading down the path.
Ryan stood there, staring after her, something hollow settling in his chest.
For the first time in a long while, Ryan Blake didn't feel like the boy who had everything.
He just felt… lost.