Wenalin's Heartbreak

(Wenalin's POV)

As I descended the stairs, I saw the front door open, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw my Dad walking in. My face lit up with joy; I'd missed him so much. But then, I noticed two women behind him. One of them looked about my age. I didn't pay her much attention because I was just so happy to see my Dad.

"Daddy!!!" I exclaimed, running towards him and engulfing him in a hug.

"Did you really miss me that much?" He asked, a warm smile on his face.

"Heheh yeah! You've been gone so much since we moved here," I said.

Actually, ever since Mommy passed away, Dad has been constantly busy. He's never home like he used to be.

"Well, this house is bigger than the old one, sweetie," he replied.

"Our old house was big too! And why did we move so quickly? I didn't even get to bring all of Mommy's things here."

He hugged me tight. "Well, you're growing up, sweetheart, and some things need to be changed. Plus, I've been really busy with the company."

"I understand, Dad, but you've been working too much. You never have any time for me."

"Don't worry. I'll make it up to you once I’ve sorted things out at the company. Okay?" He said with a reassuring smile.

I couldn't help but smile back.

"Really? Promise?"

"Of course."

My eyes then landed on the two women standing behind Dad.

"Oh, Daddy, you brought guests! Why didn't you tell me? I could have asked Manang to prepare some food."

Dad's expression suddenly shifted. I wasn't sure why. Did I say something wrong?

"They're not guests," he said.

"They're not guests? Then who…don’t tell me…they’re new maids! That's great, it will help Manang out in the house," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"They’re not maids,” he replied.

I was confused. If they weren’t guests or maids, then why were they there? Why were they with Dad? My eyes were fixed on him, filled with questions.

"Wenalin," he said, his voice gentle.

"Yes, Dad?" I stood up straight, facing him. He took my hand.

"They’ll be your new family. Meet my girlfriend, Corazon, and your sister, Ivory."

I froze. My words caught in my throat, and my grip on Dad's hand loosened. New family? His girlfriend? My sister? My mind raced. I didn’t understand.

“Your new girlfriend?….My sister?….Daddy, are you pranking me?” I managed a weak smile, attempting to play it cool. “D-Daddy, this is a terrible prank!” I tried to laugh.

Corazon stepped forward, a forced smile on her face. “I know this is a lot to take in, Wenalin. From now on, I’ll be your new Mom.”

Ivory approached me, her face beaming. “Hi, you’re Wenalin. You know, I always wanted a sister. Now, here you are.” She reached out to grab my hand, but I quickly pulled away.

“What sister?” I looked her up and down, then turned to my Dad again. “What is all this, Dad? How can she be my sister? We’re the same age! And your girlfriend? But…Mom only passed away a few months ago. You said you wouldn’t love anyone else. You loved Mom so much, didn’t you? And how can Ivory be my sister when she’s practically the same age as me…?”

Dad attempted to calm me down. “Sweetheart, I know it's hard. I lost your Mom, I loved her so much. But I can't live the rest of my life lonely and sad. And Ivory is my daughter, Corazon’s daughter."

“Your daughter? You mean…you had a child with her? Does this mean you’ve been cheating on Mom this whole time? You’ve been lying to us all along?” The pain was immense. My chest felt tight.

Dad looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. “Not like that I made a mistake…”

“A mistake? You cheated on your wife, my mom, the woman you swore you’d love until death do you part!…But Dad…you found someone new so quickly! And even worse, you had a child with her?!” I fought back tears, though they were threatening to spill.

“Please listen to me, baby. I can explain,” Dad pleaded.

“Explain what? So you can make up more excuses, more lies to protect yourself for what you did? You said you loved Mom so much that you couldn’t even touch another woman. You said you were happy with her…so what’s this?!”

Dad stood silently, looking down, unable to meet my eyes.

"You said it was just Mom, just us..."

"I-I was…I was," he mumbled.

Corazon stepped forward, her voice laced with a fake sympathy. “Wenalin, your Dad wasn't to blame. We were both drunk when it happened.”

“Not his fault? Not his fault?” I shouted, my anger spiraling. “You’re telling me it’s not his fault? It’s not his fault he ruined our family? It’s not his fault he cheated on my mom? Of course you would say that! You’re just as responsible for what happened. You seduced my Dad!”

Ivory, her face contorted into a pout, jumped into the conversation. “Wenalin, I understand you’re upset, but don't talk to Mom and Dad like that.”

“I’m upset? Don't talk to me, you homewrecker, you snake! How can I not talk to them like that when my Dad is a CHEATER? And your mom is a homewrecker?!”

Suddenly, I felt a stinging sensation across my cheek. I couldn’t believe it. It was Dad who had slapped me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I flinched.

Dad rushed towards me. “I’m sorry, sweetie, I didn't mean to slap you,” he said, his voice filled with regret.

I backed away from him, my heart still pounding. Turning my back on him, I ran upstairs to my room and slammed the door behind me.

“I’m sorry baby, please don’t go, please listen,” he said. He tried to follow me, but Ivory stopped him.

"Daddy, let her be. We're tired. We just want to rest,” she said.

I collapsed on my bedroom floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

“How could this happen? I never thought this would happen to me."

"Why me? I thought we were happy. I thought he loved Mom.”

I stared at the picture of Mom and me, a tear rolling down my cheek.

I got up, still crying, and walked towards the picture. I picked it up and sat back down, clutching it tightly. My sobs intensified.

“I wish you were here, Mom. I can't accept this…I can’t accept that Dad has a mistress and a daughter. I don't know what to think. And now he even slapped me. How could he do that to me? He never ever slapped me before. He never even raised his voice at me.”

I curled into a ball on the floor, clutching the picture. My heart was shattered. I felt confused, scared, but most of all, heartbroken.

“I never thought this would happen. I thought he truly and really loved Mom and me. But I was wrong."

I awoke the next morning, my eyes swollen and puffy. My cheeks were red and sore from all the crying. I sat on the edge of my bed, unable to believe what had happened. I let out a heavy sigh, then got up and went to the bathroom to wash my face.

After my shower and getting dressed, I walked downstairs. Ivory and Dad were already at the breakfast table with Corazon, and Manang Bebang was there, too.

“Good morning, Ma’am Wenalin. Your breakfast is ready,” Manang Bebang said warmly.

Dad looked at me, his face etched with regret. “G-Good morning, baby.”

I ignored him and walked past him.

“I’m not hungry, Manang. Thank you.”

I didn’t turn back to face them and walked toward the front door.

As I opened the door to leave, I heard Dad’s voice behind me.

“W-wait,"

I flinched at the sound of his voice, but I kept walking. I didn’t look back and just walked out of the house towards the driveway where the luxury car was parked. I was about to open the car door when I saw someone familiar. Elijah Luvrio, Dad’s longtime secretary, was standing there, a smile on his face.

“Secretary Eli!” I exclaimed joyfully.

I ran towards him and threw my arms around him. Seeing him brought me a sense of comfort. I always felt safe around him.

“Lin, how are you?” he said, returning my hug.

“I’m okay. still cute,” I answered, giving him a playful smile. Then I stepped back. “What brings you here, Secretary Eli?”

“Oh, I have some papers for your Dad. Urgent stuff, you know,” he explained. “Are you going to your new school today?" He asked, a kind smile on his face.

I nodded.

“Great. Would you like a ride?”

“Nah, Manong Cardo is here to take me,” I said.

“Ah, right,” he said. Then he looked at my face, his expression changing from warm to concerned. “What is this on your face? Did someone do this to you? Are you alright?”

“Oh, this? It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? Your cheek is all swollen! Who did this to you?"

“Dad…but I’m okay, really.”

Eli’s eyes widened in surprise and concern. “Your Dad?”

Ivory was get inside of the car her voice laced with a hint of annoyance. “Oh my god, Manong, are you deaf? I’ll be late! Gosh!”

I was distracted by her voice, but I knew that she was talking to Manong Cardo, our driver. I looked past Eli, at Ivory, That meant I’d be stuck in this car with her? And what was with her attitude? She’d been so nice last night, but this morning she’s acting like she’s possessed by some spirit, or maybe she is evil.

“Manong, can you hear me? You are deaf or something!” She pressed, her voice getting more shrill.

Manong Cardo quickly cleared his throat. “Sorry Ma’am, I was waiting for Ma’am Wenalin.” He nervously shifted his weight.

I turned back to Eli and gave him a reassuring smile. “Okay, Secretary Eli, I’m going now, or I'll be late for my new school.”

“Okay, Lin. Be careful,” he said.

I walked over to the car, gave Eli a final wave, and climbed into the car. Manong Cardo immediately started the engine.

At the House

Secretary Elijah entered the house and saw Wenalin's dad, Wemson, at the dining table with Corazon. Wemson looked up and noticed Elijah. Elijah walked towards him.

Elijah: "Good morning, sir."

Wemson: "Morning... What brings you here so early? Did you finish the papers?" He smiled when he saw Elijah.

Elijah: "Yes, I did bring the papers you asked for. Here, sir."

Elijah handed him the papers and Wemson took them and looked them over.

Wemson: "Thank you." He said, sipping his coffee again.

Wemson: "Have a seat. Join us for breakfast." He gestured to the seat beside him.

Elijah: "No, sir, I just came to deliver the papers."

Wemson: "Oh, okay. By the way, I already told you, don't call me sir. Just call me by my name."

Elijah: "Right... Sorry about that." Elijah noticed Corazon staring.

Wemson: "By the way, Eli, this is my girlfriend, Corazon. And Corazon, this is my best secretary, Elijah."

Corazon: "Hi, it's nice to meet you, Elijah." She gave a fake sweet smile.

Elijah nodded at her.

Corazon: "By the way, darling, I'm leaving. I need to go to the salon."

Wemson: "Okay, go ahead."

Corazon nodded and kissed him on the cheek. She left.

Elijah: "Okay, sir. I'll be going now." He turned to leave.

Wemson: "Wait. Where are you going?"

Elijah: "To the office."

Wemson: "Oh, to the office. Let's go together. I'm going there too." He said with a smile.

Wemson stood up and put his coat on.

Wemson: "Let's go."

Elijah nodded. They walked out of the house together.

They stepped outside and saw the luxurious car waiting for them. Elijah was still quiet, lost in thought.

Wemson got in the car. Elijah was still deep in thought while Wemson leaned back in the comfortable seat. He felt something was wrong. He looked out at Elijah who was opening the passenger seat door.

Wemson: "Eli, why are you sitting in the front?"

Elijah snapped out of his thoughts.

Elijah: "Huh?"

Wemson: "Sit next to me. Why are you sitting in the front?"

Elijah awkwardly moved next to Wemson in the backseat.

The driver started the car and drove. Both Elijah and Wemson were silent.

Elijah: "Sir, I don't mean to pry, but I'd like to know what happened between you and Wenalin. I noticed her face."

Wemson knew Elijah was talking about her face. He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his face.

Wemson: "I didn't mean it, okay? It just happened. I didn't mean to."

Elijah: "Why? What happened?"

Wemson leaned back in the seat and looked down. He felt guilty for slapping Wenalin.

Wemson: "It's because of last night... I brought Corazon and my daughter, Ivory, with me."

Hearing "daughter, Ivory," Elijah was shocked but stayed calm. He remained silent while listening to Wemson.

Wemson: "She didn't accept it. She got angry at me, so we argued last night. We ended up yelling at each other, and I tried to calm her down. She even said I don't love her and her mother."

He let out a deep sigh.

Wemson: "That's why I slapped her."

Elijah stayed calm but looked at him with a serious expression.

Elijah: "Why? What did you expect her reaction to be? She's your daughter, sir. Of course, she's going to react badly because you brought another woman and your child with another woman, and she felt like you don't love her and her mother, which is true."

Elijah: "And you even slapped her? You should have been the one who stayed calm. You should have been the one who handled it well. She is your daughter after all... I pity her for having such a coward father."

Wemson looked up at Elijah and clung to him, pouting.

Wemson: "I know!..." And you're right, I should have been the one who stayed calm.... I didn't mean to do it.... I'm really horrible...." He pouted.

Elijah rolled his eyes when he saw Wemson pouting and clinging to him.

Elijah: "What are you doing? You're a grown man, why are you pouting and clinging to me like a child?"

Wemson pouted even more and clung to him, now on his shoulder, while whining.

Wemson: "Eli, don't be like that."

Elijah pushed Wemson away from him.

Elijah: "You're a grown ass man, stop acting like a child."

Wemson then pouted even more and looked at him with sad puppy eyes.

Wemson: "Eliiii, don't be mean to me! I'm sad now, so you need to comfort me."

Elijah saw how childish he was being and he really wanted to punch him at this rate.

At School

Jana: "Ivory!!! My friend! We already know the gossip. You're Vohames' daughter!"

Ivory: "It spread so fast, but that's right. I'm Vohames' daughter, so don't mess with me."

Loisa: "No one would dare mess with you. You're so lucky, Ivory."

Jana: "I never thought you came from a wealthy family."

Loisa: "I'm very honored to be your friend, the daughter of such a wealthy family."

Ivory: "Tsk, who said you're my friend?" She scoffed.

Ivory: "Don't think you'll have a friend like me!"

Loisa: "Oh, Ivory, Yuno's coming towards you. He's probably going to confess to you again."

Their attention turned to Yuno. He stopped in front of Ivory.

Ivory: "What do you want now? Are you going to confess to me again? Tsk, I told you I don't like a gloomy guy like you."

Yuno felt down and depressed after Ivory told him she didn't like him again. He was silent.

Ivory: "Can you please leave me alone? You're so annoying. You're always following me just to confess. I've told you many times that I don't like you."

Yuno was trying his best to hold back. He knew that Ivory didn't like him. He couldn't handle this. It was too painful and too depressing.

Ivory: "Why are you quiet there? Why can't you speak? I don't like you. I'm way out of your league. Stop wasting your time chasing after me."

Yuno was still trying to hold back the pain. He couldn't show emotion in front of all those people. He felt ashamed that Ivory was humiliating him in front of her friends.

Ivory: "Are you going to say something or just going to stand there like an idiot? Are you going to finally understand I don't like you? I will reject you no matter how many times you confess to me, so just give up already."

Yuno felt humiliated. He was being mocked in front of other people, and Ivory was insulting and hurting him by rejecting him and calling him an idiot.

Yu: "Who said I was going to confess to you?"

Ivory: "Really? Tsk, then why are you here? Why are you following me around like a puppy? Just leave me alone. Stop being weird and annoying. Gosh, you're so pathetic."

Yuno felt even more pain and humiliated. Ivory's words were so cruel. She couldn't stop insulting and talking down to him. It was too much. He was about to snap.

Yuno: "I'm not following you. And you're not who I'm here for. I'm just going to see my girlfriend..."

Ivory: "Huh!? What girlfriend? Don't bull crap me. There's no way someone could love a gloomy guy like you!"

Yuno was trying to keep his composure and not get more humiliated by Ivory. He was trying to control himself from snapping at her.

Yuno: "It's true. I do have a girlfriend, and she does love me. She said my personality is cute and she finds me attractive."

Ivory: "HA HA HA HAHAHA You can't be serious right now. A girl actually likes you and finds you attractive? Please, you must be joking right. There's no way a girl would be attracted to someone like you. I don't believe it at all."

Ivory: "Hmph, fine, show me. Show me a picture of you with your so-called girlfriend. I want to see that so-called girlfriend of yours just so to see the level of delusion of yours."

Yuno felt uneasy. He didn't want to be exposed for lying about having a girlfriend.

Yuno: "W-we don't have any pictures together..."

Ivory: "You have to be kidding me. You don't have pictures of you and your supposed girlfriend? Then how am I supposed to believe that you have a girlfriend if you have no evidence of her existence?"

Yuno was getting nervous. He was sweating and starting to regret saying that to Ivory.

Yu: "I-I... u-uhh I meant that we never took pictures before, and... we don't like taking pictures together..."

Ivory: "What? That's the biggest load of bull crap I've ever heard. You want me to believe you, but you don't even have a picture together. Seriously, who would buy that crap?"

Ivory: "Come on, where is the real proof that you have a girlfriend? You've been saying all this time that you have one and she's in love with you, but you have no proof at all. What do you think your so-called girlfriend is imaginary?"

Yuno was starting to feel more nervous and scared that Ivory caught him telling a lie. He felt dumb that he got into this mess, and he couldn't think of a proper excuse to get out of it. He might get exposed as a liar to Ivory.

Yuno: "H-she's not imaginary. I'm telling the truth. I have a girlfriend!"

Ivory: "You're really making fun of us. Do you think we're stupid? Tsk, if you have a girlfriend, where is she? Where is this girlfriend you're talking about?"

He suddenly saw Wenalin.

Yuno: "She! She's my girlfriend!" He pointed at Wenalin.

{Wenalin's POV}

I stopped dead in my tracks.

The hallway buzzed with noise laughter, footsteps, casual conversations but everything seemed to blur into a dull hum as I felt dozens of eyes slowly turn to me. Confused, I scanned the crowd. Why were they staring at me? Their expressions ranged from curious to shocked to downright amused.

Then I saw him ,some random guy I'd never met before, standing just a few meters away, pointing directly at me.

“She’s my girlfriend,” he declared boldly, his voice slicing through the noise like a blade.

My eyes widened.

Wait, what?

I instinctively glanced behind me, thinking maybe he meant someone else. But there was no one—just empty space.

Girlfriend? Who? Me?!

Before I could say anything or even process the weird situation, he was already walking toward me—fast. His steps were rushed, like he was desperate, and his eyes flicked nervously between me and the surrounding students.

Then, without warning, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the crowd.

“She’s my girlfriend!” he repeated, louder this time, with a fake smile plastered across his face.

I stumbled beside him, confused and shocked. His grip on me was tight too tight—like I might disappear if he loosened it even a little. I tried to wriggle free, but he held on, his hand clammy and trembling.

He leaned down.

“Please play along.” he whispered, his breath shaky.

My brows furrowed. Play along? With what, exactly?

Then I saw Ivory.

She stood not far from us, arms crossed, her brows raised, clearly caught off guard. Her sharp eyes locked onto the guy’s hand wrapped around mine, and for a second, the smug expression she always wore faltered.

What is going on? I thought, panic rising in my chest. Why is this guy using me? And why is Ivory even here?

A girl from the crowd scoffed and chimed in with a mocking tone.

Girl 1: “Stop joking, Yuno! You’ve been crushing on Ivory for ages, but she always rejects you!”

So, Yuno apparently, that was his name had a long standing crush on Ivory? And she kept turning him down?

Okay, but… what does that have to do with me?!

I glanced at Yuno. He was still holding my hand, but I could feel the tension in his fingers. His other hand had started to tremble too. His body wasn’t just acting he was actually nervous. No, not nervous… scared. His breathing was uneven, his jaw clenched. What was going through his head?

“That was before,” he said suddenly. “But now I have a girlfriend. This is my girlfriend.”

He looked directly at Ivory, trying to sound confident, but his voice wavered slightly. He tightened his hold on me like I was a shield his only line of defense.

There was a sudden hush among the students, their eyes flicking between me, Yuno, and Ivory. Then, Ivory laughed sharply, her voice cutting through the awkward silence.

Ivory: “Tsk, what nonsense. This girl? Your girlfriend? Since when?!”

Ouch. She didn’t even try to hide the disgust in her voice.

My jaw clenched.

Yuno straightened his back, forcing a smile, even though I could tell he was unraveling inside.

“Since a few days ago.” he said with forced calm.

Excuse me? My inner voice screamed. “A few days ago”?! I don’t even know this guy!

I blinked hard, trying to contain the swirl of emotions rising in my chest—confusion, embarrassment, anger. My heart was thudding against my ribcage like a drum, my cheeks burning as the crowd stared, eating up the drama like it was their lunch break entertainment.

And then… I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Let go of me!” I snapped, yanking my hand away from him with a sudden force.

The crowd gasped softly, the tension shifting.

Yuno’s eyes widened. He looked genuinely shocked, his lips slightly parted. For a second, he didn’t move, didn’t speak—just stood there frozen.

And me?

I was beyond done.

SLAP!

My palm connected with his cheek, loud and sharp, echoing through the hallway like a gunshot. The students let out a collective gasp. Yuno’s head jerked to the side, a bright red mark instantly blooming on his skin.

“Pervert!” I shouted, glaring at him with burning eyes.

Every eye was on us, but I didn’t care.

Without another word, I turned on my heel and stormed away, my footsteps echoing on the linoleum floor, my heart pounding like a war drum.

I didn’t look back. Not once.

Let them talk. Let them whisper.

I had just been dragged into someone else’s drama without warning, and I wasn’t about to let it slide like some pathetic

(Author's POV)

Yuno stood frozen, his eyes wide and his face pale as chalk. He could still hear the voice of the girl echoing in his ears, each word slicing into him like a blade. His hands were clenched into trembling fists at his sides, trying to keep himself from falling apart in front of everyone., laughter erupted loud, mocking, unforgiving.

Ivory leaned, one arm crossed while the other covered her mouth as she laughed without restraint.

Ivory: "Hahaha! You actually got rejected by someone other than me? That's a new level of pathetic!" she said between fits of laughter. "Seriously, Yuno, what made you think about having a girlfriend like pathetic like you ?"

Her words were loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, and several students turned to look.

Yuno didn't respond. His throat felt dry, like something heavy was pressing against his chest. He tried to look away, but Ivory wasn’t done yet.

She stepped forward, her voice dripping with venomous amusement.

Ivory: "Come on! Look at her, Yuno! She’s not even stunning—not even smart, popular, basically not perfect like me . You? You're just... you. You really thought you had a shot with her?well suit for you "

Her eyes scanned him up and down like she was looking at something pitiful. Her lips curled into a smug smile.

Ivory: "You're just a loser—awkward, weird, invisible. It’s almost cute how clueless you are."

The group of students nearby started whispering, some laughing, others just staring. The air was thick with humiliation. A few phones were even pulled out, quietly recording the scene like it was some kind of twisted entertainment.

Student 1: "Seriously, man, you gotta stop being so delusional," one guy said with a shake of his head. "She would never date a guy like you. It’s sad, really."

Yuno's vision blurred, not from tears but from sheer shame. His heart was hammering so loud in his ears that he couldn’t hear anything else anymore. His face burned, and his shoulders started to shake.

He couldn’t breathe not properly. Not here.

A few more students snickered.

Someone muttered, "Man, this is just embarrassing."

Someone else whispered, "He actually thought he had a chance? Hah!"

The noise felt like it was closing in on him, like walls of voices pressing down until he couldn’t stand it anymore.

Without saying a word, Yuno turned and bolted.

His legs carried him faster than he thought they could. Past the courtyard, past the lockers, past the classrooms. His footsteps echoed against the hallway tiles as he ran, his vision still cloudy. He didn’t know where he was going. He just knew he had to get away.

His lungs burned.

His chest ached.

But nothing compared to the sting in his heart.

The weight of everyone's laughter. The cruelty in Ivory's voice. The judgment in the students' eyes. It all replayed in his mind like a broken record.

How could he have been so stupid?

{Yuno's POV}

I slam the door behind me like I was escaping a fire. My lungs burned, my heart pounded, and my face oh my god, my face was still stinging like I just took a frying pan to the cheek.

The student council office was blissfully empty. Thank God.

I dragged myself to the far corner of the room and collapsed to the floor like a soggy tissue. I buried my face in my hands, and for a moment, I just sat there frozen, drowning in a hot stew of humiliation and regret.

What was I thinking?

No. Really.

What. The. Hell. Was I thinking?!

I didn’t even know the girl.

I saw her standing there I’d never even saw to her before. But in my panic, surrounded by people watching, eyes burning into me after thinking another failed moment with Ivory I panicked.And my dumb brain thought it was a good idea to point to a complete stranger and say, “She’s my girlfriend.”

She looked at me like I’d just grown a third eye… then promptly slapped me across the face.

In front of everyone.

And not just a light slap. Oh no. This was the kind of slap that echoed. The kind of slap you feel in your soul. The kind of slap that made birds fly out of the trees nearby.

And to make it worse?

Ivory laughed. So did the others. People cheered. Some guy literally said, “Bro deserved that.” I think someone recorded it. I might be a meme by tomorrow.

I feel like a walking punchline.

Just then, the door creaked open.

Chelsea: “OHHH YAAHH!! " And she turn her gaze iny direction "Oh, Yuno! You’re here!”

No. Not now. Not her.

“Don’t talk to me,” I mumbled without lifting my head.

I could feel her bouncing over like some over-caffeinated squirrel. Chelsea is our student council secretary. She’s sweet, yeah, but she talks like she’s in a constant sugar rush, and subtlety isn’t exactly her specialty.

She crouched beside me, peeking into my self-pity bubble.

Chelsea: “Whoa, whoa, why the grouchy attitude? You look like someone punch in the guts"

I didn’t answer.

And then because the universe likes to make sure I suffer thoroughly the door opened again.

In walked Mairo, our student council president. Calm. Cold. The human equivalent of a raised eyebrow. He strolled in like he owned the building, sat down at the big desk, and looked straight at me.

Mairo: “You look terrible.”

“Always,” I replied flatly, not moving.

Mairo: “Whatever. Can you stop sulking and be useful for once? We need to finalize the student council activities for next week.”

Chelsea: “OH YEAH! I forgot about that! But wait ” she squinted at my face, “what happened to your cheek, Yuno?! Did you get hit by a volleyball? Or a truck?”

I scowled, touching my cheek gently. It was still red. I winced.

“None of your business.”

Chelsea and Mairo exchanged one of those “here we go” glances.

Mairo: smirking “Don’t tell me you got rejected again.”

Chelsea: grinning “Did Ivory do that?”

“I said, none of your business.” I looked away. My voice cracked at the end.

Mairo: “Dude. Seriously. You need to let her go. She's not interested. And clearly, she’s not afraid to laugh when you crash and burn.”

Chelsea: “Yeah, you gotta move on. There are, like, tons of other girls in this school. Ones that won’t slap you in public.”

I rubbed my temples and groaned.

“Ivory didn’t slap me.”

That shut them both up for a second.

Chelsea: “Wait… someone else slapped you?”

Mairo: raising an eyebrow “Who the heck was it?”

I let out a long sigh. My hand was shaking slightly, and I could feel the heat still radiating from my cheek.

“I don’t know,” I muttered.

Chelsea: “You don’t… know her?”

Mairo: “Hold on. You got slapped by a stranger?”

My face turned bright red.

I paused. Then admitted, in the lowest voice possible:

“I kind of… randomly pointed to her and said she was my girlfriend. In front of everyone. To avoid another rejection.”

Silence.

Then chaos.

Chelsea howled, clapping her hands and nearly doubling over with laughter.

Chelsea: “YUNO! You what?! You pulled a fake girlfriend move? On a stranger? In public?!”

Mairo: blinking slowly, trying not to laugh “You mean to tell me... you tried to use a completely random girl to save face… and she slapped you?”

“YES,” I snapped, mortified. “Okay? YES. That’s what happened. I panicked. I blacked out. I thought it’d work for, like, two seconds—she’d smile, pretend, walk away. I didn’t think she’d turn into Mike Tyson!”

Chelsea was laughing so hard she was gasping for air.

Chelsea: “I wish I was there. I really do.”

Mairo: “Man, that’s rough. But also... kind of deserved.”

Yuno: groaning again “Can guys shut up and focus on the student council agenda now? I don’t want to relive this anymore.”

They both wiped tears from their eyes, still giggling.

Chelsea: “Okay, okay. Back to business.”

She looked around.

Chelsea: “Wait, why isn’t Kately here yet?”

Mairo: irritated “Who knows? Probably out doing something illegal again.”

Chelsea: teasing grin “You two are still fighting, huh? Can't you guys stop arguing each other in a few hours?"

Mairo: “When she stops being a chaotic gremlin, maybe.”

I leaned my head against the wall, silently praying for this day to end. But knowing my luck?

Tomorrow I'd be viral.