Chapter two

I knew all along what I signed up for when I had to be confident about myself. I still don't understand why people find it difficult to accept us. I believe there would be a time when we would walk freely without judgemental eyes, I hope I witness that day soon. I know there are others like me, but still hiding in their shadows, all seeking validation from the public.

I clenched my books against my chest as I strode down the hall, pretending not to notice the eyes that lingered on me.

“Why would a cute boy do this to himself?” I heard someone in the crowd say. My stomach fluttered. I had to lower the book against my belly as if to hide the flutter in it, and tuck the strands of wig behind my ear.

I had to look straight as I strode. One of the students stuck his foot out, this made me trip. I stumbled as I launched forward. 

As usual, laughter rolled across the hall. I just had to keep going, ignoring their voices. I needed to rest my head on my bed. Today was hell of a stressful one.

***

I got to my room, and that was the last person I didn't want to see—Sebastian. 

Why wasn't he out with the guys, he's usually not around by this time. “Can someone just make him disappear,” I said under my breath as I sat on my bed. 

“How was your day?” Sebastian asked, sitting across from me on his bed.

My brows furrowed as I rolled my eyes searching for nothing in particular. “Me?” I pointed my index finger at myself, cause I was hella confused.

“Yh, bitch. I saw what they did to you, the yunno…cafeteria.” his voice wavered.

I settled, crossing one leg over the other with a practiced, ladylike ease. My palms pressed on the surface of the bed “And you did what exactly? Join the crowd to mock me. You couldn't even try to help out. Where is your conscience?”

“You must be a joker. Why should I? Everyone hates the likes of you, so why do you think I should support you?” Sebastian snapped.

I crossed my arms against my chest, my posture stiffened and irritated. “Are you doing all these for the public?”

I saw the tension around his jaw. His eyes flickered.

“Not for the public. Your clothes, voice, mannerism, everything just seems off and these are the things the people don't want to see. You just have to stop, no one approves of it…no one!” he said as he pushed himself up, heading to the door, he slammed it shut, as he left.

I could hear the guilt beneath his words.

***

It was a bright new day on a Saturday morning and my school is hosting a friendly match at our enormous field. I wouldn't miss it for anything, not even their mocking gaze and their harsh whispers will not stop me. 

My eyes were filled with delight as I smiled sheepishly and searched for a better view to sit. 

The stadium roared with noise even before I could get close. The air smelled of freshly cut grass, people packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Everyone buzzed with excitement that could be ignited only by a school rivalry match. 

The referee blew the whistle. Lincoln Royal college surged forward, followed by the other team which I don't care about.

It was already 10 minutes left for the match to be over. No team has scored. 

The atmosphere was filled with tension. We all pressed our palms together, hoping for a miracle. I could see the faces of all praying for their team to win.

Then—Sebastian slipped forward, passing the defenders, like water slicing through a stone. One swift touch, a cut to the left, and he drove the ball into the net so hard the goalkeeper didn’t even dive.

For a heartbeat, silence. Then the field exploded.

Everyone on our team screamed with joy. The boys threw their fist in the air like they had just won the champions league—but the girls, they were louder. Much louder.

Sebastian couldn't help it as he yanked off his jersey and tossed it into the crowd. Under the scorching sun, his six packs shimmered. Each defined line mocking the boys’ in the field, and feeding every girl's fantasy. His face—sharp jaw, perfect cheekbones, messy hair falling effortlessly into place—only made it worse.

All eyes were on him. Every single one.

He jogged across the field in victory as spectaculators were cheering.

I watched from the stand. My expressions were indescribable. I wondered, “if it were to be me, would the crowd still cheer for me?.”

The awaited match was finally over, I wasn't friends with anyone yet, so I headed to my dorm room, forcing through the clusters of excited students. I was barely out of the field when I heard voices drifting behind.

“Oh my God, did you see when he scored?” one girl squealed.

“Forget the goal,” another girl said. “Did you see his body built? Oh my friggin lawd Sebastian is too fine.”

A chorus of giggles followed.

“I wish I had him,” another voice admitted, dreamy and breathless.

“You?” A girl snorted. “Sebastian? Please. He’s untouchable. The guy doesn’t even look at people like us.”

More laughter was heard. The painful kind—mixed with admiration.

“Yh, he only hangs around with…what's her name again—Layla” another said, hissing.

“oh,please. It's not like I've seen any chemistry between the both. Maybe he loves just himself and his games”

I could hear them roar with laughter.

I slowed my steps, hearing every word. The truth of it hung in the air, sharp and undeniable.

Sebastian wasn’t just popular.

He wasn’t just talented.

He was a legend and everyone knew it.

Except me.

I knew something else entirely.

Sebastian is a bully, with minions that do worse than him. And a bitch ass Layla that thinks she owns the school because Sebastian allows her to hover around him. They are all friggin' idiots that are hiding in their shells of ludicrous.

I knew legends had cracks too.