That morning, the schoolyard was as noisy and bustling as ever. But for Serena, something was beginning to change.
Ever since the rumors spread, prying eyes surrounded her. The whispers never ceased whenever she walked past.
"Is she really clinging onto Cedric?"
"Look at her—just a toad dreaming of eating swan meat."
"She's probably just pretending to be pure to attract attention."
"Hey! I heard she's involved with multiple guys… Keep your voice down, she's coming."
Serena gripped her bag strap tightly, trying to maintain a calm expression. She wasn't the type to care about gossip, but this time, things were getting out of hand.
Lilie noticed something was off and nudged her lightly, frowning.
"What's going on? Why is everyone looking at you like that?"
Serena shook her head, forcing a small smile.
"Nothing."
But just then, a sharp voice rang out behind her.
"Serena, the school office is looking for you."
She looked up, meeting the scornful gaze of a girl with light brown-dyed hair and piercing eyes filled with disdain.
Daria.
The one who had always openly pursued Cedric.
Serena frowned slightly.
The school office?
Could it be about the rumors?
After leaving the office, Serena returned to class with a heavy heart. The rumor about her dating Cedric had reached the teachers, leading to a warning. Even without solid evidence, his popularity alone was enough to turn a small rumor into a storm.
She slumped into her chair, letting out a weary sigh.
Just then, the classroom door swung open.
A tall male student stepped inside.
His steps were steady, his posture composed, but an invisible pressure accompanied his presence, causing the class to momentarily fall silent.
His deep gaze swept across the room before landing on her.
For a brief moment, his expression shifted—from surprise to cold indifference.
Christopher.
He had just returned from studying abroad, yet… why did his eyes seem so familiar?
"Hello, I'm Christopher Cyrus." His voice was deep and even, yet it made the air in the classroom feel a little heavier.
Serena said nothing, only feeling a strange sense of familiarity from this boy.
But she didn't have time to dwell on it.
Because at that moment, a small piece of paper was silently slipped under her desk.
"Serena, meet me on the rooftop during break!"
She glanced at the hurried handwriting, not thinking much of it. In her mind, it had to be from Lilie.
But when she arrived at the rooftop…
Lilie wasn't there.
Instead, a group of girls stood waiting.
"DO TOADS KNOW HOW TO DREAM? HAHAAHAHA!"
A shrill laugh echoed.
She recognized it instantly.
Daria.
And several other female students.
"You actually came?" Daria crossed her arms, her tone dripping with mockery. "I didn't think you'd be that bold, Serena."
Serena frowned, sensing that something was wrong.
"What do you want?"
"Just to have a little chat." Another girl sneered, folding her arms. "Who do you think you are? You're nothing special, yet you have a rumor with Cedric?"
Serena didn't respond.
She wasn't one to argue with insignificant people.
But as she turned to leave, a hand yanked at her hair, pulling her back violently.
SMACK!
Drip… drip…
The sound of tears hitting the cold rooftop floor.
Serena froze.
She tasted the metallic tang of blood on her tongue, a burning pain spreading across her face.
Her lips went numb, throbbing heavily.
She lifted her gaze to the faces twisted in amusement, filled with contempt.
A sharp, piercing laugh rang out.
"A toad like you dares to dream? You think you deserve Cedric?"
The brutal slap had left her reeling. Her ears buzzed, the sound of laughter, insults, and mockery merging into an unbearable pressure in her chest.
"What am I even thinking…?"
She tried to step back when one of them reached out to grab her chin.
But she was surrounded.
There was no way out.
Shoves, tight grips—her body swayed under the force of their torment.
A sharp pain struck her stomach as a kick landed, making her stumble.
Serena braced herself on the ground, breath ragged.
In her mind, only one name surfaced—
Cedric…
That name drifted through her consciousness, like the only lifeline keeping her afloat in a storm.
"Consider this a warning. Stop dreaming." Daria narrowed her eyes, her voice laced with scorn.
The others laughed loudly, some even rummaging through her bag as if it was worthless trash.
"So much money? Serena, you're rich, aren't you? Shouldn't you be sharing a little?" One girl tossed her bag onto the ground, her eyes gleaming with false sweetness.
Serena clenched her fists tightly.
This wasn't the first time she had been bullied.
She didn't know why, but at this moment, she just wanted him to be here.
"Cedric, please come save me."
"HAVE YOU PLAYED ENOUGH?"
A chilling presence wrapped around the rooftop.
A deep, ice-cold voice cut through the air, silencing everyone instantly.
A hand that was about to yank her hair was suddenly caught mid-air.
Christopher.
His grip tightened around the attacker's wrist, his expression indifferent, as if this kind of cruelty was something he had long been accustomed to.
Everyone flinched.
Christopher stood there, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the sunlight.
"Leave."
His teeth clenched. Just one word, but it sent shivers down their spines.
The girls trembled, hurriedly backing away.
Even Daria hesitated.
"What does this have to do with you?" she snapped, lifting her chin defiantly.
Christopher didn't answer.
He simply stepped forward, gripping her wrist tightly until her face paled.
"It's simple. I don't like watching things like this."
With that, he shoved her away, making her stumble backward onto the ground.
Fear flickered through the group.
Christopher turned back, his cold gaze softening as he knelt beside Serena.
She coughed, her body trembling from the pain. A soft cloth was suddenly dropped in front of her.
"Here. Wipe your face. Does it hurt a lot? Should I take you to the infirmary?" His voice was calm and gentle—completely different from the chilling danger in his eyes earlier.
"You're really good at enduring, huh? I respect that." His tone was unreadable—whether it was admiration or anger.
Serena looked at him, stunned.
"Why did this boy appear when I was at my weakest? Who is he? He looks so familiar… He's the new transfer student, Christopher, isn't he?"
[…]
Christopher sighed softly, pulling her along without another word.
They looked at each other—two people trapped between the past and the present.
At that moment, no one noticed…
Another person had witnessed everything.
Cedric.
He stood on the hallway above, his gaze darkening as he watched Chritopher touch Serena.
But what angered him more…
Was the wound on her face.
"Serena, you're hurt."
"Who hurt you like this? Does it hurt a lot?"