The fourth day was worse.
I didn't think it was possible, but it was.
The moment I stepped into school, it felt like all eyes were already on me. Whispers followed me down the hallway like shadows I couldn't escape.
"Look, it's her."
"She actually came to school again?"
"I would've transferred by now."
I kept my head down, my fingers gripping the straps of my bag tightly as I walked faster, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow me.
But it didn't.
It never did.
By the time I reached my locker, someone had already been there.
My breath caught in my throat.
Written across it in bold black marker were the words:
"ATTENTION SEEKER"
Right underneath it—
"DISGUSTING"
My hands began to shake.
I quickly looked around, but no one said anything. They just watched… some amused, some curious, others pretending not to care.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to cry.
Not here.
Not in front of them.
I reached out and tried to wipe it off, but it only smudged, making it look even worse.
"Just leave it."
I turned slightly.
Jack.
He stood behind me, his jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the hallway like he was trying to figure out who did it.
"It's not worth it," he added quietly.
My voice came out small. "It's everywhere… I can't escape it."
His expression softened as he stepped closer.
"You don't have to face it alone."
Before I could respond, laughter erupted from behind us.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Ivy.
"Well, well," she said mockingly. "Looks like someone's famous."
I closed my eyes briefly, trying to steady myself.
"Leave me alone, Ivy."
"Aww," she fake-pouted. "Why? I'm just telling the truth."
Jack stepped forward immediately, placing himself slightly in front of me.
"Back off," he said coldly.
Ivy raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Or what?"
Jack didn't answer, but the look in his eyes was enough to make the air tense.
For a second… I thought she might actually back down.
But she didn't.
Instead, she leaned closer, her voice dropping just enough for only us to hear.
"You should be thanking me," she whispered. "Now everyone sees you for who you really are."
Something inside me snapped.
"I didn't do anything!" I said, louder than I intended.
The hallway went quiet.
Ivy tilted her head. "Then why does everyone believe me?"
I opened my mouth—
But no words came out.
Because deep down…
I knew the answer.
People don't care about the truth.
They care about what's more entertaining.
Ivy smirked, clearly satisfied, before turning and walking away with her group.
The noise slowly returned, louder than before.
And just like that…
I felt smaller than ever.
The rest of the day dragged on painfully.
In class, no one sat near me.
During lunch, I stayed in an empty corner, pretending to eat.
Everywhere I went, the whispers followed.
But what hurt the most…
Was still Dylan.
He walked into class like nothing was happening.
Like I wasn't being torn apart right in front of him.
At one point, our eyes met.
For a second…
Just a second…
I thought he might say something.
Do something.
Anything.
But he didn't.
He just looked away.
That was it.
That was when something inside me finally broke.
After school, I couldn't hold it in anymore.
I ran.
Past the gates, past the students, past everything.
I didn't stop until I was far enough away that no one could see me.
And then…
I broke down.
Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to breathe, my chest tightening with every sob.
"I didn't do anything…" I whispered helplessly. "Why is this happening to me?"
"Because people are cruel."
I froze.
I turned slowly.
Jack stood a few steps behind me, slightly out of breath like he had been running.
"You shouldn't have followed me," I said weakly.
He shook his head. "I wasn't going to let you go through this alone."
I looked away, wiping my tears roughly. "I don't need pity."
"It's not pity," he said firmly. "It's called caring."
That word hit differently.
Caring.
Something I hadn't felt from anyone else lately.
"Even Dylan?" I asked quietly, my voice trembling.
Jack went silent.
And that silence…
Said everything.
I let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah… I thought so."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Jack stepped closer.
"You deserve better than this," he said. "Better than rumors… better than fake friends… better than someone who won't even stand up for you."
My heart clenched.
Because I knew he was right.
But accepting it…
Was the hardest part.
I took a shaky breath, looking up at the sky as the sun slowly began to set.
"I can't keep doing this," I whispered.
Jack didn't hesitate.
"Then don't," he said. "Stop letting them control your story."
I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
His expression hardened slightly.
"I mean… it's time you fight back."
For the first time in days…
Something different sparked inside me.
Not fear.
Not sadness.
Something stronger.
Something dangerous.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
I was done being the girl who stayed silent.