I thought that I could dodge the bullet after that dare. But the game continued and I was put in the hot seat twice. Since the truth and dare were too much below what I could tolerate, I chose to drink and ended up drunk.I don't know how the game ends after that. I could barely remember Paul and Wayne offering to get us home. It was a bit noisy but my drunk self could not understand the whole situation.I don't even know how I got home.I tried to stand up but the nauseous feeling crept up. I feel shit and uncomfortable all over the place. "Agh. I'll never drink again." I don't want to experience this damn hangover.I checked my phone and was shocked to see that it was past ten!How could I sleep so late?!This was the first time that I did not hear my alarm clock and slept passed my waking up time. I immediately stood up. Despite the aching in my head, I took a bath. It alleviates the dizziness a bit. When I arrived in the kitchen, I saw a soup with a medicine tablet beside it. T

There was a moment of silence. Kane's jaw moved. "I did not ask for your help. It is you who offered to help me. Why? Is it because I am pitiful? Look at yourself first before pitying others." Kane passed by me. But then he stopped and glanced at Wayne who now came out of the car. "I see you are busy having fun outside that you won't even care about your safety. I hope that man bears the responsibility when something goes wrong." Kane then left. He disappeared into the house. I remained standing in the parking lot. His words echoed in my mind. 'Look at yourself before pitying others...' Those words were like blades stabbing at my heart. In Kane's eyes, I am someone who can't pity others because I also look pitiful? What does he pity about me? My weakness in everything? What does he know about me? He wouldn't understand how I struggled since young and what kind of troubles I went through just to keep following the path that I chose. He knows nothing about me! "Stella..."

It was around summer when Stella first met Kane and Layla. She was a rebellious nine-year-old who felt like the world was against her. For a child to feel like that at a young age, she was under so much pressure that it affected her psychologically. She deeply abhors music and Victoria who forced her to do things she doesn't like. As usual, her mother Victoria dragged her to attend a social gathering where other aristocratic families attended and forced her to socialize. For the young Stella who doesn't have the freedom to do things she likes and was abused mentally, being forced into a crowded place where there were many people who resembled Victoria was pure torture. In her young small world, there was only restraint, threats, coercion, and unhappiness. All judging eyes that stared at her were piercing, making the young Stella cowered in her shell. At that time, if she had not met Layla who appeared and saved her from the bullies, she must have not endured the torture for so lon

Thankfully, Denise kept her word. She arrived at the library together with the others. Being surrounded by people who were on my side, I can now finally relax my guard."Have they gone?" I asked Denise."No. They have a lot of free time on their hands and squatting in the hallway. We already called the Dean. A lot of them dispersed when the Dean threatened them. However, some of them are from Acting Department so the Dean could not send them all away. And I think some of those who are obsessed to see you are mixed with them.""I think they are more obsessed to curse at me.""Don't worry, Stella. The whole Art Department united to protect you. We won't allow them to hurt you!" Kate make a fist and made a promise with a solemn face.The seniors they brought also made assurances to protect me.I looked at them stunned. To be honest, I am still not used to being the center of these people. I feel burdened by their feelings toward me.But now, it doesn't feel bad to be protected. Even thou

When I woke up, it was past five in the afternoon. A thick blanket covered my whole body and there was a wet towel on my forehead.Did Layla come back?I glanced at the bedside table and saw a full glass of water and medicine beside it. When I slept earlier, there was nothing on the bedside table.I slowly sprang up. My fever went down a lot. I don't feel chills anymore but I am a bit hungry. I don't have any appetite so I only drank water and planned to drink medicine again and sleep if I can, when the door suddenly opened.Kane came in with a tray in hand. "Oh, you woke up. How are you feeling?""!"How come Kane was here?What about his class?!"What are you doing here?" I asked in a hoarse voice.Kane approached me and touched my forehead.I flinched from his touch. "Your fever went down a lot." He took the medicine from me and went to my closet as it if was his room and took a loose t-shirt from it. "Change your clothes. Then make sure you eat first before you drink medicine. I