The Imperfect Girl

Chp. 4 - Ripple Effect

(Adeline)

It was the next day, and the campus buzzed with a weird sort of tension. There were whispers, side glances, and occasional bursts of laughter from random groups of people. I didn't pay attention at first—none of this had anything to do with me. I was back in my comfort zone, the usual- in the library, nose deep in a classic.

Until I overheard some people. (they need to learn not to talk in the library- ugh)

 "Did you see the pictures on the forum?" "Poor girl's gonna have to transfer."

The same guys who had been snickering the day before were talking about it, proud smirks on their faces. 

Typical.

I tried to ignore it, but the pit in my stomach grew. Whoever the victim was, this kind of thing wasn't new here. This campus seemed to have its own twisted rules of 'social hierarchy.'

(Damon)

I strutted through the hallway like a king. Yesterday was fun, and today? Even better. Tyler and the rest of the guys were still talking about it, replaying the moments like it was some kind of victory.

We'd seen the nerdy girl once that morning, scurrying across campus like a scared, little mouse. By lunch, though? She'd disappeared.

Did I feel bad? Nah. 

College was survival of the fittest, and we were just playing the game. I wasn't going to be the guy who got held back again just because I didn't use the resources at my disposal.

"You think she'll say anything?" Tyler asked as we grabbed lunch.

I laughed. "Not a chance. She's too scared. People like that don't fight back."

(Adeline)

As I wandered into my English class later that day, something felt off. Everyone was glued to their phones (like- literally glued with superglue), some with curious expressions, others grimacing like they'd seen something they couldn't unsee.

I didn't have to ask what it was—they'd found the photos. The whole campus had. I overheard bits of conversation, piecing it together. 

Some guys had targeted a girl, taken advantage of her, and then plastered her most humiliating moments across the internet. All under the guise of a "project."

Disgust curled in my stomach. How did people like this walk around, heads held high, like they'd done nothing wrong?

I sank deeper into my seat, pretending the rest of the world didn't exist. People were cruel, and it didn't matter if you tried to stay out of it—sooner or later, you'd be caught in the crossfire.

(Damon)

Later that evening, we gathered at Tyler's place to chill, just like always. The topic of the nerdy girl came up again, but no one lingered on it for too long. We'd done this before.

"She hasn't been online today," Tyler pointed out, flicking through his phone.

"She's probably holed up somewhere," I said, smirking. "Wouldn't blame her."

"Dude, she should be grateful we even gave her attention" another friend chimed in, snickering.

This topic died of after a few hours of talking and gossiping (yeah- boys gossip too)

(Adeline)

I didn't know the girl, but I knew how it felt to be on the outside, watching while everyone else seemed to live in their own rules. The photos, the whispers, the laughter—it all boiled down to cruelty dressed up as fun.

I wasn't brave enough to step into that mess, but I could feel the tides shifting. Someone would eventually push back.

And I hoped I wouldn't be anywhere near the fallout.

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