Chapter 3 ~Was it REAL?!~

WAit….HUH?!! What just happened?! Did Luke almost kissed me!? I- I wasn’t ready. OMG why?!?!.

Luke: “Thanks!” */smiles innocently at her

Danielle: “ uh…..” */speechless

It was just in time when the bell suddenly rang and there was only two of us left in the library. I couldn't help but be silent from what just happened. We were not done from studying for our exams but I couldn’t help but look away from him...I should leave.

Danielle: “oh.. the bell just rang, I better go now.” */packing up her stuff

Luke: “YO! don't leave yet” */reaching for her arm

As he gently gripped her wrist, they felt a sense of connection as they looked at each other with eyes full of confusion and wonder. The silence in the room caused Danielle to fall deeper for him. His gaze remained focused on her dark, chestnut colored iris. She couldn't resist thinking that maybe Luke might have fallen for her too, despite her appearance, he might have been interested by her personality, or could be just a mere misunderstanding. She shook his hand off her wrist and walked away heading out from the library, without looking back.

After that day, Danielle wasn't able to face Luke as she would go red just from thinking about it. As she entered the hallway, students from every corner were staring at her with disgust and hatred, yet she had no clue why, as she went up to her locker to retrieve her books. As she opened it, it was full with different kinds of shoes from students that were stuffed inside. The students laughed at her and called her "Slut!", "Homewrecker!" She had no choice but to run to the girls' bathroom, crying in distress. She locked herself up in the stall and cried.

Danielle: “what is g-going on??..” */ she asked herself as tears were falling from her eyes.

She kept crying, when her phone suddenly lit up as a notification was shown on the screen. Once she had opened it, she finally understood why everyone had been tormenting her. The phone showed a photo of what looks like of her and Luke ‘kissing’. She was surprised that someone had somehow spotted them in the library and managed to share it on social media. She wouldn't be able to report the person who posted it as it was from an anonymous account.

Instead what really happened was Luke suddenly took a bite of a piece of bread from her mouth; But, their lips never met. She now understood why everyone thought they were ‘dating’.

As the rumor continued to spread across the school, students would keep torment her, but Danielle didn’t care as she couldn't help but worry more about Luke's reputation in school instead. After class, she searched for Luke around the campus. Once she had already found him, surrounded by Luke’s ‘fans’ known as "LUKAITES" she hesitated to go talk to him as those were the same girls who had been tormenting her from the first place. In every way they can, they had been searching for Danielle, ever since the rumor started, the girls kept bullying her in front of the school building. Every day, she looked for Luke non-stop, but would just end up bumping into those girls instead. One day she finally happened to see Luke hanging out with his mates on the football field, without any of those nasty girls around.

Danielle: “Luke!” */ she called as she walks up to him

As she approached him, she noticed how Luke was acting a bit differently from the last time they met, he showed an annoyed, yet disgusted expression. As the two meet, she told him everything about the rumor.

Luke: ”So?...what about it?”

Danielle: ”I-.......please can you explain to them that we’re nothing but friends..”

Luke just went silent…I just want this rumor to end, everyone won't leave me alone. I just want to go back to how I used to be, a ghost.

Luke: ’’wow…... .What am i? your little dog? ‘We’re nothing but friends’ ” */He sighed, showing a hint of annoyance

“Fuck…. Let me tell you something. Do you know why I hang around you? I pity you since you are just a loser who gets high grades and eats everywhere. God, it's annoying seeing you all alone on campus, reading and eating. You're not even attractive, so why would I fall for you? Everything I did was all an act! Maybe you should just go workout or wear makeup or something. Oh wait, you'll simply look more ugly with it” */sighs..

“Look, I thought I could improve my grades if I started hanging out with you, which is why I made use of you, letting you think that we’re ‘good friends’, so thanks to your naive personality, you completely fell for it. Now please, since you know everything why don’t you just fuck off and don't ever show your face again”

Danielle’s whole world shattered just then and there, as she felt a pang in her chest, the feeling of betrayal from the only friend she thought she had. Danielle ran home crying, knowing that the guy and friend she somehow has feelings for, broke her to pieces. Luke couldn’t help but feel sorry for all the things he said to her knowing that he couldn’t change what has already been said and done.

Trish: ”Good job, baby~” */kisses his cheek

Luke: "Can you please stop? Delete the rumor now”

Trish: ”I will~” */opened her phone and deleted the post.

“done”

Luke:’’ Ugh-” */shakes her hand off his arms, and left

Trish:/smirks*. “bye bye porky~” */waving at Danielle running

After several weeks, Danielle was unable to move on from what had happened and would eventually skip school. She cried every day till she could no longer cry anymore. Her mother was concerned for her, she didn't know anything that had happened at school and she never cared to ask, knowing it would hurt Danielle more. Instead, she asked Danielle if she wanted to study at home to help her recover. Knowing it's difficult for her to go back, Danielle agreed to be homeschooled for 2 years.

2 YEARS LATER

2yrs had passed and Danielle had completely changed…… from her actions to her appearance, everything was new.

Danielle was in her room, as always, just playing games on a call with her online friends.

Danielle: ”behind you! behind!..... nice one!!”

OnlineFriend: ”Good game!”

OtherOnlineFriend: ”yo! dani2_4….awesome shot”

Danielle: ”Thanks!...alright guys…i gotta take a break, BYE!” */logs off from the game

Danielle: ”whew… that was fun”

Her mother walks in her room with her sister, bearing news.

Lynn: ”What the..” */looks around the place

“When will you be able to go out and touch some grass again? Look at this mess of a room you have (describing her room)”

Danielle: ”im happy with just by how it is”