Several days passed, and thank God, Oliver was finally recovering. I had the chance to talk to him, and the doctors said he could be discharged in just a few days. The heavy anxiety that had gripped me every time I saw him lying in that hospital bed was finally replaced by a sense of relief.
It was Monday, the start of another school week. I decided to commute with Kianna because Bryle had to attend to something at home; his father had just arrived from abroad.
"Bess, there's something you need to know," I said as we walked toward the campus. I had decided to finally come clean. I couldn't keep the truth about my relationship with Alex from my best friend any longer. We had been together for months, and it felt like the right time.
"What is it?" Kianna asked, but she immediately got distracted, running toward a stray cat lounging on the sidewalk.
I followed her, nervous. How do I even say this? She's going to be so shocked. "It's just... umm—"
Kianna stood up, cradling the cat. "This cat is so cute! I wonder whose it is?" She hugged and kissed the feline. "Anyway, Alice, what were you going to say?" She looked at me, her expression turning curious.
"Alex is my boyfriend," I said quickly.
Kianna jumped in surprise, accidentally letting go of the cat. "He's my boyfriend, and we've been together for months," I added.
She walked up to me and pressed her palm against my forehead and neck. "Oh my gosh, Bess, do you have a fever? I told you not to stop taking your meds! Look, you're starting to hallucinate—"
"I'm not sick, Kianna! I'm telling the truth. Alex is my boyfriend," I insisted, brushing her hand away.
"Are you serious?"
"Why won't you believe me?"
"Because, Bess... he's the campus crush, and I know you have a crush on him, too. Delusion isn't really our style."
"Is that so? You think I'm just delusional?" I felt a sting of irritation. I had no proof to show her, and I realized how unbelievable it sounded. "I'll prove it to you."
I grabbed her hand and hurried toward the school. I was going to find Alex and have him admit it himself.
"Bess, are you sure about this?" Kianna asked as we reached the gate. I let go of her hand when I spotted Alex walking with his group.
"Yes. Just watch," I replied. I marched toward him, gathering every bit of courage I had. I wanted to prove to Kianna—and to everyone—that our relationship was real.
I reached for Alex's hand, forcing him and his friends to stop. A crowd began to gather. I looked at him and immediately pulled him into a hug. People gasped, but I didn't care. Finally, we didn't have to hide.
"Alex, come with me. We need to talk," I said with a smile, looking up at him. He glanced around, noticing the whispers of the onlookers.
To my horror, he coldly pried my arms off him. "Do I know you?" he asked, his face expressionless. My smile vanished.
The whispers grew louder. "Who is that crazy girl?" "Gosh, is she for real?" I stood my ground, desperate to save the situation.
"It's me, Alex. Your girlfriend," I said loud enough for everyone to hear.
The crowd erupted.
"Desperate!"
"Is she serious?"
"What a broad imagination!"
"I don't even know you! Please stop this nonsense," Alex snapped, brushing my hand away. "Let's go."
As they started to walk away, I chased after him and hugged him from behind. "Believe me! It's me, Alex!"
He turned around, gripping my arm tightly. "Don't you understand? I. DO. NOT. KNOW. YOU! I am not your boyfriend, and I don't even like you. Stop bothering me, you crazy weirdo!"
His words cut deeper than any physical wound. Tears began to stream down my face. He squeezed my arm so hard I winced in pain. How could he do this to me? If this is a dream, please wake me up.
He shoved me away and left. Suddenly, someone threw a crumpled piece of paper at me. Then another. Then a barrage.
"Look at you," one girl laughed. "Do you really think someone like Alex would date someone who looks like you? No one wants a weirdo nerd."
They began pelting me with paper, tomatoes, flour, and trash from their bags. The world began to spin. My vision blurred, and as my knees gave out, I felt someone catch me. I caught a faint scent of his cologne—it wasn't Alex, and it certainly wasn't Bryle.
The Mysterious Mansion
When I finally opened my eyes, everything was white. I wasn't at home. The room was massive, decorated in white and gold with a grand piano and expensive furniture. It looked like a mansion.
On the side table sat a bouquet of flowers and a letter: "Did you like the flowers? I brought them just for you. And by the way, before you leave, don't forget to take your medicine."
There was no name. I got out of bed, feeling the need to go home before my mother worried. As I reached for the door, a massive man in a tuxedo and shades blocked my path. He had a scar on his cheek that looked like a knife wound.
"How are you feeling, Miss Alice?" he asked, his voice deep and intimidating.
"I-I'm fine. Who are you? Why am I h-here?" I stuttered.
He didn't answer, simply glancing back at the bed.
"Ah... right. I'm here to recover," I said, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly.
He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to me. It had a phone number but no name. "If you need anything, call this number. Master wants you to have it."
"If you are ready, I will take you home," he added.
As we walked through the house, I was breathless. It was a literal palace with chandeliers and luxury at every turn. I was so distracted by the opulence that I accidentally walked right into a door.
"Ouch!" I groaned, clutching my forehead. The man looked like he was suppressing a laugh.
"Watch where you're going," he said, opening the door for me. Outside, a stretch limousine was waiting. Am I dreaming?
Inside the car, the ride was so smooth I felt like I was floating. I began to imagine a different version of my life. I saw myself stepping out of the limo in a formal red dress and silver faux fur, looking absolutely stunning. In my mind, I stood before the students, removing my shades with confidence.
The bullies were now the ones begging for my attention. "Hi, Alice! Can we be friends?" "Can I have a ride in your limo?"
"From now on, this campus is mine!" I shouted in my daydream. "Everyone who oppressed me—get out! You aren't suitable for this school!"
Then, Alex appeared, kneeling at my feet. "I'm sorry, Alice. Please give me another chance. I love you with all my heart."
I looked at him with disdain. "Don't touch me with your dirty hands. I will never forgive you."
"I'll do anything!" he begged.
"Anything? Then kiss my feet."
As he leaned down to do it, the car door suddenly opened, and I tumbled out of my fantasy and onto the pavement.
"Miss Alice! Are you okay?" the man asked, startled.
I had fallen asleep leaning against the door. I sat on the sidewalk, rubbing my eyes. It was just a dream. A waste... I didn't even get to see him kiss my feet.
The man handed me a bottle of water. "We'll go now, Miss Alice." He smiled and drove away. As I walked the rest of the way home in the twilight, I tried to replay the dream in my head.
The Reality of Home
I saw Bryle running toward me. "Alice!" He grabbed my shoulders, checking my face to make sure it was really me. He looked like he had been crying.
"Where did you go? Why didn't you come home yesterday? You made me—I mean, us—so worried!"
"Sorry," I whispered. He insisted on walking me to the gate of our house.
When I entered the house, Camille was already there with her usual sneer. "Auntie Suzette! Your 'wonderful' daughter is back!"
My mother rushed over, sobbing with relief. "Where did you go? I thought you weren't coming back." I tried to explain to ease her pain, but Camille interrupted.
"I guess she eloped after being humiliated at school. How embarrassing, Alice. 'I'm your girlfriend, Alex!' Seriously? How could a campus crush like someone as ugly as you?"
I walked up to her and slapped her across the face.
"Oops! Sorry, there was a mosquito," I said with a cold smirk.
"How dare you!" She raised her hand to strike back, but I caught her arm in mid-air. I looked her straight in the eye.
"Did you think I was just going to stand here and let you trample on me? I'm warning you, Camille. I'm done with you. Try bullying me again, and you'll regret it."
Camille was stunned into silence. I let go of her arm and walked upstairs. My mother had already gone to her room to rest, unaware of the confrontation.
I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted. I pulled the card from my pocket and stared at the numbers. Then, a sudden, horrifying thought hit me.
Wait... I was in my school uniform when I went to school with Kianna. I looked down at what I was wearing now: a plain white shirt, joggers, and a jacket. These weren't my clothes.
"What if... what if they changed my clothes while I was asleep? They saw my... Waaaahhhh!!!!"
My face turned bright red. The thought of a stranger—or anyone—changing my clothes while I was unconscious was mortifying. I rolled around on my bed, dying of embarrassment. Every time I thought about it, I felt a shiver of pure horror.