-willow tree-

broken

The aftermath of that humiliating day hit like a tidal wave. The video of Adaline pouring the lunch tray over Jane's head and shoving her into the locker quickly spread throughout the school, going viral among students. Within hours, every corner of the campus buzzed with gossip and whispers, and it seemed like everyone had seen the footage. Adaline's friends shared it on social media, and soon it was being passed around in group chats, further amplifying the humiliation that Jane faced.

As the video circulated, Adaline felt an unsettling mix of emotions. Initially, she reveled in the attention, her classmates offering her approval and praise for standing up to Jane. They regarded her as a fierce defender of the "norm," and that validation made her feel powerful. It seemed to her that she had won the unspoken battle of popularity, and her parents, upon hearing about the incident, expressed their approval.

"Good for you, Adaline!" her father said with a proud smile, unaware of the pain and devastation left in Jane's wake. "You showed strength by not letting anyone walk all over you." Their approval only fueled Adaline's misguided sense of righteousness, solidifying her belief that she had made the right choice.

But as the days passed, the reality of the situation began to weigh heavily on her. The laughter and cheers from her peers felt hollow, and she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that crept in as she witnessed Jane's isolation. Jane was now the subject of ridicule, her dignity stripped away in a moment of cruelty that had been broadcasted for everyone to see.

Adaline found herself caught in a web of conflicting emotions. She yearned for acceptance and approval, yet deep down, she knew that the price of that acceptance had come at the cost of a friendship she had once cherished. As Jane became more of a pariah, Adaline faced the haunting realization of what she had done, struggling to reconcile the approval she had received with the pain she had caused.