Inflicting Pain (gxg)

● F I V E | Band-Aid ●

† C H L O E  †

The best kind of solution, for me, is the simple one. Like using a Band-Aid—it's all about solving a problem with the least amount of effort, time, and cost. No need for surgeries or stitches, no major operations. You just stick it on, and then, when the time comes, you pull it off. Sure, it stings for a moment, but then it's over, and there's a sense of relief.

That's pretty much how I deal with life. Whatever the problem is, I face it, but I don't let myself get buried under its weight. I patch it up like a Band-Aid, knowing that, with time, things will heal. Eventually, things get better.

"I really don't know how you do it, Chlo. You make everything look so easy," Scarlet sighed, fingers flying over her keyboard as she worked on her term paper—due in just 30 minutes. "We were all out partying the other night, none of us got any work done, but you still managed to finish yours. What am I even doing with my life?" She shot me a panicked look, her eyes wide with worry.

I patted her back, trying to offer a little support. "Hey, take it easy, Scar. Sometimes, you just have to manage your time a bit better. Focus on finishing things first, and then you can relax after. You always let yourself get distracted, and that's your biggest challenge." I chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood. She just kept typing away, determined to finish in time.

"Hey, Chloe! Scarlet!" Jessica and Penelope appeared behind us and slid into the seats, all smiles.

"Not now, I'm almost done! Almost done!" Scarlet mumbled, eyes glued to her laptop screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

Penelope took a sip from her slurpee, then said, "I don't know if you've noticed, but I've seen a few girls around campus wearing band-aids on their necks. It's kind of strange, don't you think?"

Jessica nodded, glancing across the courtyard. "Yeah, like those girls over there." She pointed to a group sitting nearby. Two of them—a blonde and a brunette—had matching band-aids on their necks.

"Maybe they're just trying to start a new trend?" I joked, a soft laugh escaping me.

"Or maybe the Cullens are secretly among us." Jessica chuckled, clearly amused by her own reference to vampires.

Penelope twirled her straw thoughtfully. "But the thing is, those girls are from totally different departments. Some of them even have rivalries with each other. I've actually noticed this for a couple of years now. It's kind of weird, don't you think?"

Scarlet suddenly paused from her typing, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening, then leaned in with a mischievous smile. "They're not trying out some new trend, and it's definitely not about the Cullens. It's actually about this hot student they're hooking up with." Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper as she continued, "I heard that these girls all had flings with one student. But before things get... intimate, she makes them agree to let her make a little cut on their necks."

Penelope's eyebrows shot up in horror. "What?! That's absolutely messed up! Why on earth would anyone agree to that?"

Jessica chimed in, her tone a mix of shock and curiosity. "Maybe she's just that hot, and they can't resist. You know how people can be. Still, it's pretty messed up."

"Oh, she's definitely hot! That Quinn Grey from Computer Science? She's a total knockout." Scarlet said, shaking her head knowingly. "And Chloe—remember that party? She thought you were a waiter. So technically, you've met her."

My eyes widened at the revelation. If Scarlet's story was true, Quinn was not just a heartbreaker; she was walking a line between allure and something disturbingly dark.