“What took you so long?” Chloe asked as I entered.
“I got confused finding my way back to the classroom,” I replied.
“It took me some time to figure it out.” Chloe smiled.
“Yeah, it can be confusing on the first day.” I smiled back and took my seat.
As I sat down, Ryan entered the classroom.
His eyes landed on me, and he stared for a few seconds before looking away.
Without saying anything, he walked to his seat.
After college, everyone started pouring out of the campus.
Chloe and I were also leaving when I noticed a crowd near the main gate.
People were gathered in a circle, watching something.
“What’s happening?” I asked Chloe.
She didn’t even slow down.
“Ryan and his friend are bullying someone.
It’s usual.
Don’t waste your time looking.” We kept walking.
“We should help them,” I said suddenly.
Chloe stopped and looked at me sharply.
“Don’t even think about it.
Helping him means you’re putting yourself in trouble too.” “But—” “No,” she cut me off.
“Let things be.” I hesitated.
“Okay… you go ahead.
I think I forgot my phone in class.
I’ll get it.” “I’ll be waiting outside,” she said, and left.
I turned back.
I don’t know why, but my steps moved faster than my thoughts.
I went behind a wall where I could see everything, but no one could see me.
I stayed quiet, pulled out my phone, and started recording.
I thought no one would notice me.
I was recording when Ryan’s eyes suddenly fell on my hiding spot.
“Oh shit,” I whispered.
I quickly stopped recording and hid my phone behind my bag, hoping he hadn’t seen me.
But a moment later, I felt it—someone coming closer.
“You think I didn’t notice?” a voice said.
Ryan.
He slowly walked up and stopped right in front of me.
“Were you filming everything?” he asked coldly.
“No,” I said quickly, forcing myself to stay calm.
Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and snatched my phone.
He checked it, and his expression darkened when he saw the video.
He let out a low laugh.
“So you really think a video can do something to us?” I looked straight at him.
“Do you think no one can do anything to you?” My hands were shaking, but I refused to let him see it.
That made him pause for a second.
He hadn’t expected an answer from me.
Then he stepped back slightly, crossed his arms, and said, “You’ve got some nerve.” A cold silence followed.
“Here’s your chance,” he added.
“You’ve got one day.
Do whatever you want with that video.
Let’s see what you can actually do.” He tilted his head toward the boy they were bullying earlier.
“Either you make me regret that…” then he pointed at my phone, “…or I’ll make you regret this.” He gave me one last cold stare, then turned around and walked away.
I clenched my jaw, anger burning inside me.
Just wait, Ryan.
I’ll make you regret this.
Without another word, I turned and walked away.
Outside the gate, Chloe was standing there, scrolling through her phone.
“Hey,” she looked up.
“You’re here?
Did you get your phone?” “Yes,” I replied shortly.
We started walking.
I didn’t tell her anything.
I didn’t want her to worry.
I knew she warned me because she didn’t want me to get in trouble.
But I couldn’t just stay silent and watch everything happen.
I went home.
My parents were sitting together, talking happily.
They were the perfect couple in my eyes.
They loved each other deeply—trusting, supporting, and always standing by one another.
I wanted a relationship like theirs one day.
Whenever I got married, I wanted someone who would love me the way my father loved my mother.
Pure, strong, and unshakable.
*** The next day, I went to the classroom.
Everyone was already there.
As I looked around, my eyes landed on Ryan.
He was already staring at me.
That same cold, confident gaze—like he was silently telling me, “Do whatever you can.” And that irritating smirk… it was still there.
I hated that smile.
I wanted to wipe it off his face.
“I’m thinking of a way,” I told myself quietly.
I knew his father was the Chancellor of this college… but what kind of father would want a son like him?
A thought crossed my mind.
Maybe I should go to him.
Tell him everything.
Show him the video.
Maybe he would take action.
At least someone would.
After class ended, I made my decision.
I stood up and walked straight toward the Chancellor’s office.
I knocked on the door.
“Come in,” a voice called from inside.
I pushed the door open and stepped in.
The Chancellor—Victor Cole—was seated behind his desk.
His presence was calm, controlled, and heavy in a way that made the room feel smaller.
He looked up at me briefly.
“What brings you here?” I hesitated.
“Yes, sir…” His eyes stayed on me, steady and unreadable.
“There’s something,” I said carefully.
“Yesterday, when I was leaving college, I saw some students bullying a boy.” A slight pause.
“And who was it?” he asked, voice even.
I swallowed.
“Ryan… and his friend.” Silence settled in the room.