Analice stood in front of her locker, unlocking it open as she reached in to grab a textbook for her next class.
Just as her fingers closed around the book, a guy with messy brown hair and a disheveled shirt appeared beside her. He was tall and built, with an unnerving glint in his eye.
He slipped his arm around her waist, his grip tightening slightly with each move. "Hey, Ugy Ugy," he said, his voice low and teasing.
Analice tensed immediately, trying to pull away. "Dante.. what do you want?" she managed to speak out, her voice trembling slightly.
Dante's smile twisted. "You think you can hide from me? I can find you anywhere," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.
Analice's eyes darted around, searching for an escape. She tried to push Dante away, but he held her strongly.
Just then, another guy burst out from the hallway. "Analice, you've grown bold," he said, eyeing Dante's grip on her waist.
The newcomer had striking silvery green hair and piercing dark eyes. He was very handsome, but his earring and corny smile gave him a playboy look. "Let her go, Dante," he said, his voice firm but calm. But the guy didn't bulge.
"Dante.. let her go" the grey-haired guy repeated again, his voice dropping even lower.
Dante sneered, bringing his face closer to Analice and pecked her. The silver haired guy snapped, rushing towards Dante and punching him. He dragged Dante away from Analice, his eyes blazing with anger.
He turned to Analice, his expression twisting in disgust. "You," he spat, slapping her hard across the face. "Now, I'm gone for just a day, and you're already chasing after other guys."
Analice stumbled back, her cheek stinging. "Jrey, it's not what you thi–" she tried to explain, but he cut her off with another slap.
His voice turned icy. "What do you mean it's not what I think? You despicable girl, aren't you ashamed of yourself? The whole school is talking about you, and you can't even respect yourself!"
Jrey ruffled his hair, his eyes flashing with frustration and disgust. "Gosh, I don't even know how we ended up together. You monkey! How are you even my girlfriend?! I hate your guts, you're useless!"
Tears welled up in Analice's eyes as she turned to Dante. "Dante, explain to him, we weren't doing anything," she pleaded.
But Dante just wiped the blood from his broken lip, a result of the punch, and turned to Jrey. "You think I'd have anything to do with your hideous girlfriend?" he sneered, shaking his head. "No thanks." He walked away and two other guys flanked him from among the students.
Dante took a few steps before he turned back and said, "She came at me first... as usual." He shrugged and continued walking.
The scene had drawn a crowd. Some students looked on, unmoved, like they were already very used to this situation, while others seemed surprised or pitying. A few snickered, clearly enjoying the drama.
Analice stood frozen, her face stinging from Jrey's slaps. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched Dante walk away, his words cutting deep. How could he blatantly tell a white lie like that? She never came at him.
Jrey snarled, "That's more like what you do, Analice, going around throwing yourself at men."
Analice felt a sting from his words, but before she could respond, a girl with tight clothes, long dark blonde hair, and two open buttons on her shirt strutted over to Jrey. She placed her hand on his chest, massaging it gently.
"Calm down, Jrey. You don't have to be like this all the time. Learn to ignore some attitudes from Analice. Such an ugly whore is not worth your time," the girl said, smiling charmingly at Jrey.
Jrey took a deep breath, his anger dissipating at her presence. "I know Isabella. But understand that I can't just ignore her."
Analice's heart tightened seeing Jrey with Isabella. She spoke up, "Jrey, you came here scolding me for being with Dante, but it turns out you're with Isabella all this while."
Jrey turned to Analice, his eyes flashing with anger. "How dare you question me? Why wouldn't I be with Isabella when you're so irritating all the time? You have no right to talk to me in that manner or dictate who I can be with."
Analice shut her mouth back. "You know what? I just can't stand you anymore. You're so shitty."
Jrey smirked, then turned to leave with Isabella, who gave Analice a smug glance as she catwalked away, clinging to Jrey's arm.
The student's murmurs and snickers further fueled her humiliation.
"Slut," someone whispered.
"Jrey's really had enough of her," another student sneered.
"Can't believe she thought she could get away with anything she does," a girl said, shaking her head.
"Somebody as ugly as her doesn't deserve to be with someone as handsome and famous as Jrey."
"Isabella is way better than her. I mean, look at Analice's face? Disgusting!"
"She should look in the mirror. Gosh! this girl is hideous. How can she even stand herself?"
"I don't get why Jrey even bothered with her in the first place."
"Analice is just a trashy attention-seeker. Nobody likes her."
Analice had grown immune to their mocking words and pointing fingers, but it still stung.
Suddenly, Analice couldn't muster the courage to stand it anymore. For today, she had attended two classes, and one more remained - her Psychology class.
But she couldn't face the mocking gaze, insults, and accusations again for today. The thought of walking into another classroom, where students would snicker and whisper behind her back, was too overwhelming.
Analice put her book back in her locker, locked it, and decided to head home. The tears she was barely holding back earlier began fell as she walked out of the school building, feeling so hateful of herself.
Analice was used to people being mean to her. Dante would try to intimidate her, Jrey would yell at her, call her ugly and say she slept around. But today, it felt too much. She couldn't take it anymore.