Somewhere on the rooftop…
"Did I do something wrong?" Jim murmured, his eyes fixed on the sky. The clouds drifted above him, silent and unmoved—unlike the storm brewing inside his chest.
---
In the Library…
"Why did he do that to me? Why?!" Cherry whispered through her sobs, her hands trembling as they wiped at her tear-streaked cheeks. "I was only trying to help him…"
Her voice cracked.
"I'll never talk to him again. Never!"
Martha, sitting beside her, gently handed over a handkerchief. "Why are you crying, Cherry?"
Cherry looked at her friend, eyes glistening with heartbreak. "I just wanted to help him. Was that so wrong?"
"You did nothing wrong, Cherry," Martha said firmly, wiping away Cherry's tears. "If anyone's wrong, it's Jim. He humiliated you in front of everyone. And that's not okay."
"I don't want to talk about him anymore," Cherry said, lowering her head as fresh tears fell.
"Silly girl, stop crying," Martha said softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "College is almost over for the day. Come on, wash your face."
"You two! Please keep quiet in the library!" the librarian scolded from behind her desk.
"Sorry, Miss," Martha said, quickly standing and helping Cherry to her feet.
---
Outside the Washroom…
After splashing cold water on her face, Cherry stepped out—only to find a group of girls waiting near the door.
"Well, well. So you're the one who tried to steal Jim from our dear friend Alice," Luna said, crossing her arms with a smirk.
Cherry froze.
"Honestly, judging by your face, I doubt even a beggar would like you," Lily sneered, curling her lip in disgust.
Juliet stepped forward, phone in hand. "Don't worry, girl. After what happened in the cafeteria, you're super famous now."
She held up the screen, playing the video that had been posted on the college page. It showed Jim tearing Cherry's letter, shoving her, and the crowd laughing.
Cherry's eyes widened. Her breath caught. The tears returned.
"You know what?" Olivia stepped forward, a wicked smile on her face. "I've got a gift for you."
Without warning, she cracked an egg on Cherry's head. The yolk slid down her hair, sticky and warm.
"There. Now you're complete," Olivia said with a smirk.
"I think your name should be Egg, not Cherry," Luna laughed.
"Bye-bye, Egg!" they all shouted, laughing cruelly as they walked away.
Martha arrived just as the group disappeared down the hall.
"Cherry! Are you okay?" she gasped, rushing to her.
Cherry turned to her, her whole body trembling, the egg dripping down her face. When she saw Martha, she finally broke down.
"I'm so sorry, Cherry… I was late… It's all my fault," Martha said, hugging her tightly.
---
Outside the Washroom…
"Look, look! It's her! The one who got rejected by Jim!" a student whispered.
"She actually thought someone like her had a chance with him?" another girl laughed cruelly.
"Well, she's nothing like Alice—no wonder he didn't want her," said another, casting Cherry a scornful glance.
"You!" Martha shouted, stepping forward in anger.
But Cherry held her back, gripping her hand tightly. "Let's just go," she whispered. "Please."
---
On the Other Side of Campus…
"Wow, dude! You're trending on the college page," Aiden said, clapping Jim on the shoulder.
Jim flinched. "Take your hand off me."
"Whoa, chill, man," Aiden said, stepping back.
"You really taught that girl a lesson," he added, chuckling as he glanced at his phone.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Jim asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Oh, don't play innocent now," Aiden smirked. "That cafeteria video—someone posted it on the college page. It's gone viral. Whole school's talking about it."
He turned the phone toward Jim.
Jim watched the video—his cold expression, the ripped letter, Cherry's stunned face, the laughter, the food, the humiliation.
His face darkened. Without warning, he grabbed Aiden's phone and hurled it across the pavement.
"Who did this?!" Jim roared.
"Dude! What the hell?! Why are you mad at me? I didn't post it!" Aiden snapped, rushing to pick up his cracked phone. "You better pay for that!"
But Jim didn't respond. His jaw clenched, fists tight, he stormed off in silence.
---
To Be Continued…
---