Chloe, a vulnerable college student, navigates a complex web of relationships and bullying. Ava, a mean-spirited classmate, relentlessly torments Chloe, but Olivia, Chloe's loyal friend, intervenes to protect her. Meanwhile, Chloe harbors a secret relationship with Ethan, and Juliet, a friend, seems to be hiding secrets of her own. As tensions escalate and alliances are tested, Chloe must confront her fears and learn to stand up for herself. But with Olivia's cryptic warning of "the unexpected" looming, Chloe's world is about to be turned upside down.
Chapter 1 One
"Will you be attending Ava's birthday party?" Olivia asked, handing me a textbook as we sat together in the library. "Of course, I wouldn't miss it," I replied with a hint of sarcasm, raising an eyebrow. "I hope it will be an enjoyable celebration, especially since it's her first birthday with her billionaire boyfriend," I added, curiosity getting the better of me.
Olivia seemed preoccupied, her eyes fixed on her phone as she scrolled through her messages. "Yeah, I heard her boyfriend is a billionaire," I repeated, attempting to engage her in conversation. However, Olivia remained distracted, her attention still captivated by her phone.
My curiosity piqued, I asked, "What's caught your attention? Why didn't you respond to my comment?" Olivia looked up, apologetic. "Sorry, Chloe. Ava's birthday invitation has been sent to our group chat, and that's what distracted me."
Intrigued, I leaned in, moving closer to Olivia, who was seated about five feet away from me. "Let me take a glance at the invitation," I said, my eyes scanning the screen as Olivia handed me her phone.
As I gazed at the invitation, I couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise. "It's evident that her boyfriend is a billionaire," I remarked, my eyes widening in awe. "I mean, how else could a college girl possibly afford to pay for such an exquisite invitation?" The cute, purple and gold birthday invites were truly stunning, with intricate designs and elegant font.
Olivia nodded in agreement. "There was a rumor circulating that they met through a dating application," she said, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?" I exclaimed, my surprise evident. "That's rare. She's extremely lucky to have found someone like that." Olivia nodded in concurrence. "Yes, she certainly is."
A brief pause ensued before Olivia spoke again, her tone gentle. "And that reminds me, the last time we had a conversation, you mentioned that you hadn't settled your tuition fee yet." I felt a pang of hopelessness wash over me as I replied, "I'm still sorting things out, trying to figure out my options. Hopefully, everything will work out in the end."
Olivia's expression softened as she held my hand, her eyes filled with pity. "Everything will be alright, Chloe," she said reassuringly. "And if there's any way I can help, I'll do my best to support you." I smiled weakly, appreciative of her kindness.
"Well, let's head back to the lecture room; it's almost time for the next lecture," I said, trying to shift the focus away from my troubles. As Olivia and I walked to class, we spotted Ava standing at the lecture room's doorstep, her eyes fixed on us with an air of superiority.
Ava's expression turned angry as we approached. "Didn't you see you stepped on me? Are your eyes not working properly?" she snapped, her voice dripping with malice. I apologized promptly, not wanting to escalate the situation. "My bad, I'm sorry."
Ava was notorious for her aggressive attitude and was always ready to pick a fight. Her eyes narrowed as she took a step closer to me, her direct stare piercing. "Is that how poor people apologize?" she sneered, her condescending tone making my blood boil. She raised an eyebrow, crossed her arms, and awaited my response.
Olivia intervened, her calm but firm voice diffusing the tension. "But Chloe has already apologized, Ava. What else do you want if not an apology?" Olivia's eyes locked onto Ava's, her gaze steady and unwavering, as she stood up for me against Ava's bullying.
Olivia firmly held my hand, positioning herself protectively between Ava and me, her body language conveying a clear message that she was ready to face Ava's aggression head-on. Ava's expression turned even more belligerent as she snapped, "Don't butt in, this isn't your concern." Olivia's temper flared quickly in response, her eyes flashing with indignation.
"Hey, back off!" Olivia exclaimed, her voice firm and authoritative. "My friend's business is mine. I won't sit here watching you humiliate Chloe, not while I'm present." The classroom fell silent, with the whole class turning to watch the drama unfold, mesmerized by the confrontation. Ava's prominent figure on campus, coupled with her significant influence and social standing, typically rendered her untouchable. However, Olivia's unwavering support for me and her refusal to back down from Ava's aggression had created a rare moment of tension, one that had captivated the entire class.
I was well aware that Olivia's parents were wealthy, which made her and Ava social equals, moving in the same elite circles. Olivia's bold words had made me feel protected from Ava's threats, and as we walked to our assigned seats, Olivia kept a reassuring grip on my hand, her touch a comforting reminder that I wasn't alone.
Ava's parting shot was laced with venom: "Consider today your lucky day." Olivia responded from her seat, her voice calm but firm, "What if today isn't her lucky day? What would you have done?" Ava sneered, moving closer to us, her eyes blazing with hostility. "I would have shown her the difference between a low-class and a higher-standard person like me," she spat, her words dripping with condescension.
Ava's actions became increasingly provocative as she took out a pen and began writing derogatory comments on Olivia's book, which was lying on the table. It was a blatant attempt to goad Olivia into retaliating, but Olivia's restraint was admirable. I watched anxiously as Olivia's eyes flashed with anger, her face reddening with indignation. She was on the verge of standing up to Ava, ready to confront her, when the lecturer walked into the room.
I felt a wave of relief wash over me as the lecturer's arrival diffused the tense atmosphere. We all pretended as if nothing had happened, and Ava moved to her seat, a sly smile spreading across her face as she seemed to revel in the drama she had created.
Ava's gaze locked onto mine, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and disdain, filling me with a sense of unease. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met, and I quickly looked away, avoiding her piercing stare. I was scared of what might happen if our confrontation escalated further, and I decided it was best to steer clear of her hostile gaze. Instead, I focused intently on what the lecturer was saying, trying to absorb every word and distract myself from the tense atmosphere that still lingered in the air.