THE MYSTERIOUS GOODBYE

Scene 1:

In the heart of Oakwood College, where ivy-covered buildings echoed with the chatter of students, the fates of Alex, Lisa, and Holden collided one crisp autumn day.

Alex, the charismatic, all-around popular guy, led his group of six friends. He was the epitome of intelligence, talent, and charm. His reputation made him the most sought-after figure on campus, but he paid little heed to the throngs of admiring girls.

Amid the shadows of this vibrant campus life, Lisa remained an enigma. She was a diligent student, known for her academic prowess, but not for her looks or charm. Her introverted nature and lack of friends made her an easy target for ridicule. Students often teased her mercilessly, whispering taunts and casting mocking glances.

But Lisa held a secret yearning for a boy named Holden, a quiet admiration she dared not reveal.

One day, the truth of Lisa's affection inadvertently reached Holden's ears. The revelation sent ripples through the college. Holden, not one to let such an opportunity pass, and his friends saw this as an opening for playful teasing. They joined in the laughter and created rhymes that echoed in Lisa's ears, intensifying her sense of isolation.

In the same turbulent currents of college life, Alex and his friends, usually aloof from such antics, couldn't resist the temptation to tease Lisa. However, as Alex glanced at Lisa, he couldn't bring himself to say a word. There was something about her quiet, pensive demeanor that struck a chord within him.

Lisa, lost in her world of unspoken emotions and loneliness, felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her eyes, often fixed on Holden from a distance, held a sadness that never seemed to wane.

Then, one fateful afternoon, as the sun bathed the college courtyard in warm hues, their destinies converged. Holden, surrounded by his raucous group, pointed at Lisa and teased, "Look who's here, the silent admirer, still dreaming about me."

His friends jeered, chanting, "Lisa loves Holden, Lisa loves Holden."
Months passed, and Holden's teasing of Lisa continued unabated. It had escalated from gentle ribbing to more pointed and hurtful remarks. He, along with his friends, often found cruel amusement in her silent infatuation. Even Alex's indifference had slowly evolved into apathy.

Lisa's heartache grew deeper as she endured the relentless mockery, her isolation and sorrow hidden behind a façade of stoic resilience. She couldn't escape the whispers and laughter that followed her like a shadow.

One day, as the chill of winter enveloped the campus, Lisa found herself alone by the college's iconic fountain, her sanctuary when the weight of the world pressed down upon her. Holden and his friends spotted her there, and the usual jeers began.

"Look, it's Lisa, still hoping for Holden," Holden sneered, the taunts now laced with a bitterness that cut deeper.

Holden's friends echoed his laughter, and Lisa's spirit began to crumble. Alex, who had remained a distant observer, showed no signs of coming to her aid, his friends now joining in the teasing.

Lisa's silent tears, hidden behind her veil of hair, mirrored the frozen fountain beside her. It seemed as though she were destined to bear this burden alone.

Holden, feeling a momentary pang of guilt, turned away, unable to meet Lisa's eyes. But the allure of the teasing and the approval of his friends proved too tempting to resist. He, like his friends and Alex's group, fell deeper into the cycle of cruelty, ignoring the suffering etched into Lisa's every glance.

As the weeks passed, the once-bright college campus seemed to have lost its luster for Lisa, who continued to endure the relentless teasing, now amplified by the indifferent silence of Alex and the complicity of his friends. The weight of their torment began to take a toll, wearing down the Lisa.

(Will they ever stop teasing her?
Will Alex ever speak on behalf of her?
        To be continued......)