o

een cooped up in bed after being saved by Kira from dying of hypothermia after st

essence of

I still

ps cracked from the fever I'd had for days. My nose looked wrong. My hair was a tangled mess of waves that had given up on life, and my

head now. The dark thoughts that had been lurking at the edges of my mind for days, whispering that maybe it would

oday. Six months to finish my program. I

nd run away from this hellhole called Silverwestern. Six more months and I

ening as she moved to me. "We can skip today if you want," Kira offered, and I shook my head. I co

ow if I could really face it or if I was putting on a front. I put some books in my bag and

she drove me to campus in perfe

the school looked different as students got out of their cars and walked to their res

n and walked through the campus, but something felt off and different. I could feel eyes on me, students staring at me like I had a stig

e tighter so hard that my knuckles ached, still walking to my clas

some words f

t's

video

ou bel

d kept my head down, wishing to reach my class quicker.

re and I gulped. God, the eyes are too much! I w

looking for another guy to film with?" a

amera, jus

seat, my face burned with humiliation. My hands shook

lu

. Josh deser

on my shoulder. I looked down to see that

for one night? As

obably expensive a

s the most favorite thing on earth. I traced the scratches in the wood with my finger, focu

o enter. I collided with him and fell on my ass. But that didn't stop the students from snickering. I

nd Sophia, Mila, Tyler, and Brad with them. They were la

ably

ly tha

twin sister kissing my ex-boyfriend, making sure I saw. She smirked directly

r mocking laughter followed me. Bile rose in my throat.

an epic show o

jeer, "Damn, she

as I thinking? Would that t

were

y heart constrict within the confi

only solace in this school, but I was stopped in

lu

eat

ho

t, tears running down my face. The only person who knew this place was Sophia. My ey

ssage, my throat bobbed with dread. I walked to the administration building. Every step felt lik

t me with barely concealed disgust. "Dea

esk-a middle-aged woman, professional, and her face cold and expression

you're here, Ms. Mart

aper. The words blurred in front of my eyes. Th

student." She readjusted her glasses. "You've tarnished the reputation of this institution." She

he raised her hands up

become disruptive." And she used her hands to make a steeple under her chin. "Students are unc

ook. "This

urs to vacate campus housing and remove your belongings. Your student ID will b

per in disbelief.

ecision is final. Sign the ackn

ook the pen she passe

"You may go," she sa

ollege-gone. My degree was gone. My future was gone. All because of a video I didn't consent to. All because