ㅤ "Don't look at the mirror at night."
ㅤ In Indonesia, it is believed when
ㅤ Someone looks in the mirror at night.
ㅤ It is said that the reflection in the glass
ㅤ does not reflect the person,
ㅤ but an invisible creature that
ㅤ resembles that person.
"Get out you freak!"
"Such a menace of a child you are!"
"I wish I never had a child like you."
ㅤㅤ "No!" the brown hair boy woke up from his dream. All the voices linger in his head like a virus. He looked at the alarm clock, which said 5.32; school will start around 6 AM, so he should be awake immediately. He groaned and forced himself to stand up and went to the bathroom. He looks at himself in the mirror and sees how bad his eyebrows are. "Here we go again..."
ㅤㅤ Enzo squint his eyes, protecting himself from the shining hot sun. "Who's the idea to put Sports in the morning? I forgot my sunscreen." Enzo complains while Lucas can be seen fanning himself with his hand. Today is Magic of Sports Day for both of them. After what happened to Wendy, everything seems back to normal, which is not normal for Enzo. He said he couldn't sleep for a while after that incident. He posted a story about it, and his followers went crazy to know what happened, but Enzo couldn't say anything about it.
ㅤㅤ Just as the class was about to end, the teacher told the students to gather first before they ended class. Enzo looks at the teacher, hoping to bring up Wendy's death. The teacher granted Enzo's wish, "So you might already know, our council president just died after her sin. This will be a big reminder to all of you again, that you shouldn't play with sins here. The teacher will have a meeting to discuss who will be the next student president. We were hoping the same thing won't happen again. Understand?" well that wasn't what Enzo was expecting.
ㅤㅤ "Really? The teacher doesn't care about any death here?" Lucas laughs when Enzo ask that, like a small child searching for an answer. "Oh, Enzo, you've been reminded a few times. You never listen don't you?" They were walking down the hall after that hell-like sports class. "But I just don't understand, I'm scared!" Lucas stops on his track, and he stares at Enzo seriously. "That's the point." then he left Enzo alone with confusion filling his head.
ㅤ In Indonesia, it is believed when
ㅤ Someone looks in the mirror at night.
ㅤ It is said that the reflection in the glass
ㅤ does not reflect the person,
ㅤ but an invisible creature that
ㅤ resembles that person.
"Get out you freak!"
"Such a menace of a child you are!"
"I wish I never had a child like you."
ㅤㅤ "No!" the brown hair boy woke up from his dream. All the voices linger in his head like a virus. He looked at the alarm clock, which said 5.32; school will start around 6 AM, so he should be awake immediately. He groaned and forced himself to stand up and went to the bathroom. He looks at himself in the mirror and sees how bad his eyebrows are. "Here we go again..."
ㅤㅤ Enzo squint his eyes, protecting himself from the shining hot sun. "Who's the idea to put Sports in the morning? I forgot my sunscreen." Enzo complains while Lucas can be seen fanning himself with his hand. Today is Magic of Sports Day for both of them. After what happened to Wendy, everything seems back to normal, which is not normal for Enzo. He said he couldn't sleep for a while after that incident. He posted a story about it, and his followers went crazy to know what happened, but Enzo couldn't say anything about it.
ㅤㅤ Just as the class was about to end, the teacher told the students to gather first before they ended class. Enzo looks at the teacher, hoping to bring up Wendy's death. The teacher granted Enzo's wish, "So you might already know, our council president just died after her sin. This will be a big reminder to all of you again, that you shouldn't play with sins here. The teacher will have a meeting to discuss who will be the next student president. We were hoping the same thing won't happen again. Understand?" well that wasn't what Enzo was expecting.
ㅤㅤ "Really? The teacher doesn't care about any death here?" Lucas laughs when Enzo ask that, like a small child searching for an answer. "Oh, Enzo, you've been reminded a few times. You never listen don't you?" They were walking down the hall after that hell-like sports class. "But I just don't understand, I'm scared!" Lucas stops on his track, and he stares at Enzo seriously. "That's the point." then he left Enzo alone with confusion filling his head.
ㅤㅤ The school hallways echoed with the distant sound of laughter, but Enzo felt an unsettling silence envelop him. He leaned against the cold metal lockers, his mind still reeling from what just happened in a week's he moved in. Just then, a familiar figure shuffled by, shoulders hunched, head down. Sean. “Hey, Sean,” Enzo called out, forcing a weak smile.
ㅤㅤ Sean barely lifted his gaze, his eyes dull like marbles washed out by the tide. “What do you want?” he mumbled, the words heavy with fatigue. “Just checking in. You alright?” Enzo’s heart ached for the boy who seemed to carry the weight of the world. “Sure,” Sean replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m... fine.”
ㅤㅤ “Fine?” Enzo scoffed softly. “You look like you could sleep for a week and still be tired.” Sean shrugged, a faint, humourless chuckle escaping his lips. “Maybe I should. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with this place.”
ㅤㅤ “Don’t say that,” Enzo urged, stepping closer. “You’re not alone, you know. We can figure this out.” Sean hesitated, “Figure what out?” Sean shot back, a spark of anger flashing in his eyes. “Life’s a joke, and I’m the punchline.” Enzo's chest tightened. “It doesn’t have to be. Let’s talk about it. Please.” Sean hesitated, the flicker of hope dimming. “What’s the point?” he sighed, looking away. “I’m just so... tired.” Enzo looks at him; he lowers himself and is beside Sean. "Hey, if you need something, just tell me, yeah." Sean look at him surprised.
ㅤㅤ After what happened, Enzo still can't sleep and keeps turning around. Today was worse; someone beside him kept banging the wall. "Jesus can you fuck quietly!" Lucas looks confused. "That's Sean, he's been doing that since forever." that softens Enzo a little.
ㅤㅤ "Oh, let's me check on him." Enzo was about to get out of bed and leave the room before Lucas lurked in, "Please, he won't give a shit; he's too lazy to talk when he's in crazy mode." But it's not Enzo if he's listening to orders. Enzo walks out of the room and goes to Sean's room. "Uhh...Sean's? Everything's alright?"
ㅤㅤ "What a useless child!" the banging is so loud that it sounds like something exploded inside. Enzo flinched at the sound and got even more worried. "Sean?" but nothing responds to him. "I hope you die, and sadly no one will care."
ㅤㅤ "D-Danny please leave me alone." Enzo could hear Sean's broken voice. He's about to barge in before the door opens itself showing a blonde man with his friends. "What do you want?" the man said, it must be Danny. "I just wanted to get some assignments here. He works for it." Enzo's first instinct is to lie, hoping he will get away with it, and it works. "Huh, he even works for somebody else; what a fucking dumbass." Enzo laughs awkwardly before Danny and his friend leave the room. Enzo quickly got inside the room, "Sean what the hell happen to you!" Sean lay there on the floor with bruises and blood on his face. "Jesus you're fucked up...I'll kill his face later." before Enzo even stand up, Sean grab his hand "Please don't, that my brother."
ㅤㅤ "THATS WORST!"
ㅤㅤ Sean barely lifted his gaze, his eyes dull like marbles washed out by the tide. “What do you want?” he mumbled, the words heavy with fatigue. “Just checking in. You alright?” Enzo’s heart ached for the boy who seemed to carry the weight of the world. “Sure,” Sean replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m... fine.”
ㅤㅤ “Fine?” Enzo scoffed softly. “You look like you could sleep for a week and still be tired.” Sean shrugged, a faint, humourless chuckle escaping his lips. “Maybe I should. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with this place.”
ㅤㅤ “Don’t say that,” Enzo urged, stepping closer. “You’re not alone, you know. We can figure this out.” Sean hesitated, “Figure what out?” Sean shot back, a spark of anger flashing in his eyes. “Life’s a joke, and I’m the punchline.” Enzo's chest tightened. “It doesn’t have to be. Let’s talk about it. Please.” Sean hesitated, the flicker of hope dimming. “What’s the point?” he sighed, looking away. “I’m just so... tired.” Enzo looks at him; he lowers himself and is beside Sean. "Hey, if you need something, just tell me, yeah." Sean look at him surprised.
ㅤㅤ After what happened, Enzo still can't sleep and keeps turning around. Today was worse; someone beside him kept banging the wall. "Jesus can you fuck quietly!" Lucas looks confused. "That's Sean, he's been doing that since forever." that softens Enzo a little.
ㅤㅤ "Oh, let's me check on him." Enzo was about to get out of bed and leave the room before Lucas lurked in, "Please, he won't give a shit; he's too lazy to talk when he's in crazy mode." But it's not Enzo if he's listening to orders. Enzo walks out of the room and goes to Sean's room. "Uhh...Sean's? Everything's alright?"
ㅤㅤ "What a useless child!" the banging is so loud that it sounds like something exploded inside. Enzo flinched at the sound and got even more worried. "Sean?" but nothing responds to him. "I hope you die, and sadly no one will care."
ㅤㅤ "D-Danny please leave me alone." Enzo could hear Sean's broken voice. He's about to barge in before the door opens itself showing a blonde man with his friends. "What do you want?" the man said, it must be Danny. "I just wanted to get some assignments here. He works for it." Enzo's first instinct is to lie, hoping he will get away with it, and it works. "Huh, he even works for somebody else; what a fucking dumbass." Enzo laughs awkwardly before Danny and his friend leave the room. Enzo quickly got inside the room, "Sean what the hell happen to you!" Sean lay there on the floor with bruises and blood on his face. "Jesus you're fucked up...I'll kill his face later." before Enzo even stand up, Sean grab his hand "Please don't, that my brother."
ㅤㅤ "THATS WORST!"
ㅤㅤ The hallways of Grandview High School had never felt more suffocating than they did now. The flickering fluorescent lights cast an eerie glow, shadows danced like spectres on the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of dread. Sean stood at the centre of it all, heart pounding like a war drum, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was a storm about to break, a pressure cooker ready to explode.
ㅤ Just moments ago, he had been cornered by Danny, the alpha of the tormentors, surrounded by a group of sneering classmates. The laughter echoed around him, a cruel symphony. "Look at the little rat," Danny sneered, pushing Sean backwards. "What’s wrong, Sean? Cat got your tongue?" Sean’s mind raced. His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms. He could feel Enzo’s eyes on him from the side, wide with fear and uncertainty. Enzo had been the only one to ever reach out, the only one who saw beyond the quiet exterior to the raging storm within. But even Enzo’s presence felt like a double-edged sword now.
ㅤㅤ“Just walk away,” Enzo whispered, desperation lacing his voice. But Sean wasn’t walking away. Not this time. He could hear the whispers of the seven deadly sins echoing in his head—Wrath, Greed, Sloth, Envy, Lust, Pride, Gluttony. They were here, feeding off the chaos around him, and for the first time, he felt them coalesce into a singular purpose: revenge. “Sean!” Enzo’s voice broke through the haze, but it was too late. Danny lunged, a fist aimed right at Sean’s gut. Time slowed as Sean sidestepped, the world around him blurring. In that moment, everything transformed. The fear that had shackled him for so long snapped, and rage surged through him like fire.
ㅤ “SHUT UP!” Sean screamed, the sound echoing against the walls, drowning out the laughter. He grabbed the nearest object—an abandoned metal pipe. It felt heavy and alive in his hands, a part of him, a weapon forged from years of torment. Danny's smirk faltered, confusion flickering across his face. “What the—?” With a primal scream that resonated deep within him, Sean swung the pipe. It connected with a sickening *thud*, a sound that sent chills down Enzo’s spine. Enzo froze in his place when Danny stumbled, blood painting the floor, shock replacing arrogance.
ㅤ“Sean!” Enzo’s voice broke through the haze once more, but it was laced with something else now—horror. Sean turned to Enzo, letting the pipe drop to the floor with a *clatter*. “Thank you,” he said, a smile creeping across his face, the kind that felt foreign and dangerous. “You helped me find the strength.”
ㅤㅤ “Are you out of your mind?” Enzo gasped, eyes wide, panic flooding his voice. “We need to get out of here!” But the world around them had shifted. The other students, once spectators, now stood frozen in shock, their laughter evaporated into thin air. Some backed away, while others inched forward, drawn to the chaos like moths to a flame. “It’s too late for that,” Sean whispered, almost serenely. “I’ve crossed a line.” knowing that the school will alert and he will be killed, the same fate as Wendy.
ㅤㅤ “You killed him!” Enzo’s voice cracked, raw and trembling. “I was tired of being scared.” Sean took a deep breath, the weight of his actions settling in. “You don’t get it, do you? I was tired of being the target.” Danny lay on the ground, gasping for breath, eyes wide with disbelief. “You… you’re insane,” he croaked, blood pooling beneath him.
“Maybe,” Sean replied, his voice calm, almost soothing. “But now I’m free.”
ㅤㅤ “Free?” Enzo echoed, disbelief etched across his face. “You just condemned yourself!” Sean’s eyes flicked to Lucas, who was now struggling to crawl away, desperation clawing at his features. “You think I care?”
ㅤㅤ The moment hung in the air, thick with anticipation. The whispers of the deadly sins grew louder, urging him on, but Sean felt a shard of doubt pierce through the haze of euphoria. This wasn’t freedom—this was a prison of his own making. The same chain wrapped around Sean’s neck. “Sean!” Enzo shouted, panic rising.
ㅤ Just moments ago, he had been cornered by Danny, the alpha of the tormentors, surrounded by a group of sneering classmates. The laughter echoed around him, a cruel symphony. "Look at the little rat," Danny sneered, pushing Sean backwards. "What’s wrong, Sean? Cat got your tongue?" Sean’s mind raced. His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms. He could feel Enzo’s eyes on him from the side, wide with fear and uncertainty. Enzo had been the only one to ever reach out, the only one who saw beyond the quiet exterior to the raging storm within. But even Enzo’s presence felt like a double-edged sword now.
ㅤㅤ“Just walk away,” Enzo whispered, desperation lacing his voice. But Sean wasn’t walking away. Not this time. He could hear the whispers of the seven deadly sins echoing in his head—Wrath, Greed, Sloth, Envy, Lust, Pride, Gluttony. They were here, feeding off the chaos around him, and for the first time, he felt them coalesce into a singular purpose: revenge. “Sean!” Enzo’s voice broke through the haze, but it was too late. Danny lunged, a fist aimed right at Sean’s gut. Time slowed as Sean sidestepped, the world around him blurring. In that moment, everything transformed. The fear that had shackled him for so long snapped, and rage surged through him like fire.
ㅤ “SHUT UP!” Sean screamed, the sound echoing against the walls, drowning out the laughter. He grabbed the nearest object—an abandoned metal pipe. It felt heavy and alive in his hands, a part of him, a weapon forged from years of torment. Danny's smirk faltered, confusion flickering across his face. “What the—?” With a primal scream that resonated deep within him, Sean swung the pipe. It connected with a sickening *thud*, a sound that sent chills down Enzo’s spine. Enzo froze in his place when Danny stumbled, blood painting the floor, shock replacing arrogance.
ㅤ“Sean!” Enzo’s voice broke through the haze once more, but it was laced with something else now—horror. Sean turned to Enzo, letting the pipe drop to the floor with a *clatter*. “Thank you,” he said, a smile creeping across his face, the kind that felt foreign and dangerous. “You helped me find the strength.”
ㅤㅤ “Are you out of your mind?” Enzo gasped, eyes wide, panic flooding his voice. “We need to get out of here!” But the world around them had shifted. The other students, once spectators, now stood frozen in shock, their laughter evaporated into thin air. Some backed away, while others inched forward, drawn to the chaos like moths to a flame. “It’s too late for that,” Sean whispered, almost serenely. “I’ve crossed a line.” knowing that the school will alert and he will be killed, the same fate as Wendy.
ㅤㅤ “You killed him!” Enzo’s voice cracked, raw and trembling. “I was tired of being scared.” Sean took a deep breath, the weight of his actions settling in. “You don’t get it, do you? I was tired of being the target.” Danny lay on the ground, gasping for breath, eyes wide with disbelief. “You… you’re insane,” he croaked, blood pooling beneath him.
“Maybe,” Sean replied, his voice calm, almost soothing. “But now I’m free.”
ㅤㅤ “Free?” Enzo echoed, disbelief etched across his face. “You just condemned yourself!” Sean’s eyes flicked to Lucas, who was now struggling to crawl away, desperation clawing at his features. “You think I care?”
ㅤㅤ The moment hung in the air, thick with anticipation. The whispers of the deadly sins grew louder, urging him on, but Sean felt a shard of doubt pierce through the haze of euphoria. This wasn’t freedom—this was a prison of his own making. The same chain wrapped around Sean’s neck. “Sean!” Enzo shouted, panic rising.
But Sean stood frozen, staring into the abyss he had created. “I… I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
ㅤㅤ The weight of the moment crashed down on Sean. He had crossed a line, and the consequences were now inescapable. “I didn’t…” he faltered, the reality of his actions crashing over him like a wave. Sean took one last look at Enzo, whose eyes were wide with fear and heartbreak. “Just remember,” Sean said quietly, “I’m free now.”
ㅤㅤ The chain dragged him like a feather. Sean was brought into a small bed that seemed comfortable enough for him to sleep in. A Sloth, that's what he is. A fire suddenly burst below the bed, burning what was on top of them. Sean smiles as the fire burns him alive. Now he can rest in peace, without anyone burdening him.
ㅤㅤ As the chaos of the students faded into a haunting silence, a reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. The sins whispered in his ear, a cacophony of voices urging him on, but he had crossed a line, and now the darkness would be his only companion.
ㅤㅤ In the dimly lit hall, Enzo stood frozen, the weight of Sean’s choices crashing down on him. The laughter had faded, but the echoes of their actions would linger, haunting every corner of Grandview High School. The sins had claimed another soul, and the school would never be the same again.
ㅤㅤAs Sean disappeared into the shadows, Enzo knew one thing for certain: the battle was far from over.
Don't stay silent, don't keep quiet about it. Stand up for yourself and never take laziness as your excuse. Every move a Sloth makes is with purpose, which is more than most of us can say about 90% of the time.
ㅤㅤ The weight of the moment crashed down on Sean. He had crossed a line, and the consequences were now inescapable. “I didn’t…” he faltered, the reality of his actions crashing over him like a wave. Sean took one last look at Enzo, whose eyes were wide with fear and heartbreak. “Just remember,” Sean said quietly, “I’m free now.”
ㅤㅤ The chain dragged him like a feather. Sean was brought into a small bed that seemed comfortable enough for him to sleep in. A Sloth, that's what he is. A fire suddenly burst below the bed, burning what was on top of them. Sean smiles as the fire burns him alive. Now he can rest in peace, without anyone burdening him.
ㅤㅤ As the chaos of the students faded into a haunting silence, a reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. The sins whispered in his ear, a cacophony of voices urging him on, but he had crossed a line, and now the darkness would be his only companion.
ㅤㅤ In the dimly lit hall, Enzo stood frozen, the weight of Sean’s choices crashing down on him. The laughter had faded, but the echoes of their actions would linger, haunting every corner of Grandview High School. The sins had claimed another soul, and the school would never be the same again.
ㅤㅤAs Sean disappeared into the shadows, Enzo knew one thing for certain: the battle was far from over.
Don't stay silent, don't keep quiet about it. Stand up for yourself and never take laziness as your excuse. Every move a Sloth makes is with purpose, which is more than most of us can say about 90% of the time.
ㅤㅤ A wavy-haired girl wakes up with a beautiful smile on her face. She opens the curtain on her bed, which she put up alone. She flicks her fingers, and a junior rushes to her side. "Yes, ma'am?", the girl's eyes flared with glare at the junior. "It's your highness."
ㅤㅤ "Y-yes, your highness." The name is Erica.
ㅤㅤ “Prepare my uniform,” she said. The junior, his real name was Minjae, though no one had called him that in weeks just nodded quickly. His hands trembled as he lifted a neatly pressed blazer from a hanger. Erica smiled, no smirk. A smirk that expected obedience. She examined herself in the cracked mirror mounted on the locker door. The crown sat crooked on her head, plastic, glittering, bought from a party shop but to her, it gleamed with gold. She adjusted it, eyes shining with self-love.
ㅤㅤ “A ruler must never look imperfect,” she murmured.
ㅤㅤ Down the hall, the bell rang. Something was wrong. The air felt… careful.
Students who usually shoved past him now bowed their heads slightly. The party that happen when Enzo step in to his dorm, never happened again. A group of seniors whispered urgently before falling silent when he walked by. Someone dropped their books and scrambled to pick them up like they’d committed a crime. “What the hell…” Enzo muttered. When he reached his classroom, his stomach tightened, scared of what will happen today. Ever since Wendy and Sean got brutally murdered in front of everyone, students realize the rules are not just decoration but the school really put on their words about punishment. Suddenly someone brush out Enzo golden locks. He look up to see Lucas smiling weirdly to him.
"The hell you want perv..." Enzo scoff as he notice Lucas sit beside him. "Why? I can't see my beautiful boy?"
ㅤㅤ "Disgusting." Lucas just laugh. Then the day passed by quickly as lunch time finally came. Enzo walk to the canteen as usual then notice, where's the food? The feast that usually help him calm down his stress dissappear, he look around and notice that students are crowding something in the middle of the huge canteen.
ㅤㅤ There's Erica, on top if everything laughing as she feeds people like a dog in heat. "What the fuck, Erica?!" Enzo walk closer but pushed away quickly by people. "She does this every week." a beautiful voice calls him out from behind. He turn around to see a gorgeous student, long straight hair and a beautiful sweet smile. Gabriella, everyone knows her. The school muse, the type of student you see on school poster.
ㅤㅤ "Y-yes, your highness." The name is Erica.
ㅤㅤ “Prepare my uniform,” she said. The junior, his real name was Minjae, though no one had called him that in weeks just nodded quickly. His hands trembled as he lifted a neatly pressed blazer from a hanger. Erica smiled, no smirk. A smirk that expected obedience. She examined herself in the cracked mirror mounted on the locker door. The crown sat crooked on her head, plastic, glittering, bought from a party shop but to her, it gleamed with gold. She adjusted it, eyes shining with self-love.
ㅤㅤ “A ruler must never look imperfect,” she murmured.
ㅤㅤ Down the hall, the bell rang. Something was wrong. The air felt… careful.
Students who usually shoved past him now bowed their heads slightly. The party that happen when Enzo step in to his dorm, never happened again. A group of seniors whispered urgently before falling silent when he walked by. Someone dropped their books and scrambled to pick them up like they’d committed a crime. “What the hell…” Enzo muttered. When he reached his classroom, his stomach tightened, scared of what will happen today. Ever since Wendy and Sean got brutally murdered in front of everyone, students realize the rules are not just decoration but the school really put on their words about punishment. Suddenly someone brush out Enzo golden locks. He look up to see Lucas smiling weirdly to him.
"The hell you want perv..." Enzo scoff as he notice Lucas sit beside him. "Why? I can't see my beautiful boy?"
ㅤㅤ "Disgusting." Lucas just laugh. Then the day passed by quickly as lunch time finally came. Enzo walk to the canteen as usual then notice, where's the food? The feast that usually help him calm down his stress dissappear, he look around and notice that students are crowding something in the middle of the huge canteen.
ㅤㅤ There's Erica, on top if everything laughing as she feeds people like a dog in heat. "What the fuck, Erica?!" Enzo walk closer but pushed away quickly by people. "She does this every week." a beautiful voice calls him out from behind. He turn around to see a gorgeous student, long straight hair and a beautiful sweet smile. Gabriella, everyone knows her. The school muse, the type of student you see on school poster.
"Every week?”
ㅤㅤ Gabriella nodded, still smiling sweetly. “Sometimes she’s a queen. Once she was an empress. Depends on her mood.” she giggled. “That’s not—” He ran a hand through his hair. “Why is everyone playing along?” Gabriella’s lips curved faintly. Not a smile. Something closer to resignation. “Because it’s easier.”
They walked together toward outside the canteen, close to the fountain. As they passed students, Enzo noticed how they relaxed around Gabriella. No bowing. No terror. Just… reverence. Admiration.
“So you’re...?” he asked. Gabriella hummed, "I'm Gabriella, nice to meet you Enzo."
ㅤㅤ That answer chilled him more than anything else so far. "Woah how'd you-" Enzo was cut off, "Don't ask, everyone knows you." They sat at a corner table, away from the windows. Enzo piled his tray with food he suddenly wasn’t hungry for. Gabriella set her tray down carefully. Few grains of rice and some vegetables, almost empty. “You’re not eating?” Enzo asked. She shook her head. “Diet.” “You haven’t eaten all day, have you?”
A pause, barely noticeable, but it was there.
“I don’t need much,” Gabriella said lightly. “Muses aren’t supposed to indulge.”
ㅤㅤ Enzo frowned. “That doesn’t sound healthy.” She met his eyes then, something sharp flickering beneath her elegance. “Nothing in this school is.” Across the cafeteria, Erica sat elevated on two pushed-together tables. Students stood around her, waiting. Someone laughed too loudly at a joke she hadn’t finished telling. Someone else wiped the table before she could even touch it. “She arrived mid-semester,” Gabriella continued. “First week, people thought it was a joke. Second week, they thought it was a phase. By the third…” She stirred an empty cup with a plastic fork. “No one wanted to be the one who upset her.”
ㅤㅤ Enzo swallowed. “What happens when she gets upset?”
Gabriella didn’t answer right away.
Instead, Erica laughed—a clear, ringing sound that cut through the cafeteria. Her gaze snapped toward them. Specifically, toward Enzo.
Her smile faltered.
Just for a second.
Then she stood.
ㅤㅤ “Oh no,” Gabriella murmured. “She’s noticed you.” Erica descended from her tables, students scrambling to clear a path. Her steps were measured. Deliberate. “She doesn’t like anomalies,” Gabriella said quietly. “People who don’t fit into her story.”
ㅤㅤ “And you?” Enzo whispered.
Gabriella finally smiled, soft, distant, almost sad. “I’m written differently.” Erica stopped a few feet away from their table, eyes gleaming. “My knight,” she said sweetly. “Why do you dine with the muse, and not your princess?” The cafeteria went silent. Enzo felt every gaze turn toward him,he blushed, not flustered but embarrassed. "Excuse me? You're talking to me?" Erica scoff, "Don't act we haven't met."
ㅤㅤ That's true, he just remembered that he met Erica on the first week of school. "R-right, I need to go." He scrabble far to run away from the attention. Erica smirk then pull her gaze to Gabriella. "I hope that rice filled those stomach." Gabriella only glare at her but then smile again. "Of course, your highness."
ㅤㅤ Gabriella nodded, still smiling sweetly. “Sometimes she’s a queen. Once she was an empress. Depends on her mood.” she giggled. “That’s not—” He ran a hand through his hair. “Why is everyone playing along?” Gabriella’s lips curved faintly. Not a smile. Something closer to resignation. “Because it’s easier.”
They walked together toward outside the canteen, close to the fountain. As they passed students, Enzo noticed how they relaxed around Gabriella. No bowing. No terror. Just… reverence. Admiration.
“So you’re...?” he asked. Gabriella hummed, "I'm Gabriella, nice to meet you Enzo."
ㅤㅤ That answer chilled him more than anything else so far. "Woah how'd you-" Enzo was cut off, "Don't ask, everyone knows you." They sat at a corner table, away from the windows. Enzo piled his tray with food he suddenly wasn’t hungry for. Gabriella set her tray down carefully. Few grains of rice and some vegetables, almost empty. “You’re not eating?” Enzo asked. She shook her head. “Diet.” “You haven’t eaten all day, have you?”
A pause, barely noticeable, but it was there.
“I don’t need much,” Gabriella said lightly. “Muses aren’t supposed to indulge.”
ㅤㅤ Enzo frowned. “That doesn’t sound healthy.” She met his eyes then, something sharp flickering beneath her elegance. “Nothing in this school is.” Across the cafeteria, Erica sat elevated on two pushed-together tables. Students stood around her, waiting. Someone laughed too loudly at a joke she hadn’t finished telling. Someone else wiped the table before she could even touch it. “She arrived mid-semester,” Gabriella continued. “First week, people thought it was a joke. Second week, they thought it was a phase. By the third…” She stirred an empty cup with a plastic fork. “No one wanted to be the one who upset her.”
ㅤㅤ Enzo swallowed. “What happens when she gets upset?”
Gabriella didn’t answer right away.
Instead, Erica laughed—a clear, ringing sound that cut through the cafeteria. Her gaze snapped toward them. Specifically, toward Enzo.
Her smile faltered.
Just for a second.
Then she stood.
ㅤㅤ “Oh no,” Gabriella murmured. “She’s noticed you.” Erica descended from her tables, students scrambling to clear a path. Her steps were measured. Deliberate. “She doesn’t like anomalies,” Gabriella said quietly. “People who don’t fit into her story.”
ㅤㅤ “And you?” Enzo whispered.
Gabriella finally smiled, soft, distant, almost sad. “I’m written differently.” Erica stopped a few feet away from their table, eyes gleaming. “My knight,” she said sweetly. “Why do you dine with the muse, and not your princess?” The cafeteria went silent. Enzo felt every gaze turn toward him,he blushed, not flustered but embarrassed. "Excuse me? You're talking to me?" Erica scoff, "Don't act we haven't met."
ㅤㅤ That's true, he just remembered that he met Erica on the first week of school. "R-right, I need to go." He scrabble far to run away from the attention. Erica smirk then pull her gaze to Gabriella. "I hope that rice filled those stomach." Gabriella only glare at her but then smile again. "Of course, your highness."
ㅤㅤ The chair screeched as he shoved it back, tray clattering to the floor. Gasps rippled through the cafeteria as Enzo pushed past frozen students, heart pounding so hard it drowned out Erica’s sharp inhale. He didn’t stop running until he reached the side corridor near the gym.
ㅤㅤ Breathing hard, he shoved his hand into his pocket out of habit. Empty.
“…What?”
ㅤㅤHe checked again. Pants pocket. Jacket. Bag. His cigarettes were gone.
“Tsk.”
ㅤㅤEnzo froze, Peter leaned against the wall ahead, perfectly straight posture, school prefect badge gleaming on his chest. Two fingers pinched Enzo’s cigarette pack like evidence in a trial. “You dropped these,” Peter said calmly. Too calmly. “Or maybe you forgot you weren’t supposed to have them.”
Enzo clicked his tongue. “Give them back.” Peter didn’t move. “Smoking on school grounds. Repeated offense. You know the rules.”
ㅤㅤ “And you know I don’t care,” Enzo shot back, stepping past him. Peter’s voice followed, sharper now. “Careful. This school doesn’t tolerate rule-breakers lately.” Enzo paused just long enough to glance over his shoulder. “Yeah? Then maybe it should start with the delusional queen.”
ㅤㅤPeter’s jaw tightened. Enzo walked away. He didn’t see Peter watching him long after he disappeared down the hall, eyes cold, calculating.
ㅤㅤ Breathing hard, he shoved his hand into his pocket out of habit. Empty.
“…What?”
ㅤㅤHe checked again. Pants pocket. Jacket. Bag. His cigarettes were gone.
“Tsk.”
ㅤㅤEnzo froze, Peter leaned against the wall ahead, perfectly straight posture, school prefect badge gleaming on his chest. Two fingers pinched Enzo’s cigarette pack like evidence in a trial. “You dropped these,” Peter said calmly. Too calmly. “Or maybe you forgot you weren’t supposed to have them.”
Enzo clicked his tongue. “Give them back.” Peter didn’t move. “Smoking on school grounds. Repeated offense. You know the rules.”
ㅤㅤ “And you know I don’t care,” Enzo shot back, stepping past him. Peter’s voice followed, sharper now. “Careful. This school doesn’t tolerate rule-breakers lately.” Enzo paused just long enough to glance over his shoulder. “Yeah? Then maybe it should start with the delusional queen.”
ㅤㅤPeter’s jaw tightened. Enzo walked away. He didn’t see Peter watching him long after he disappeared down the hall, eyes cold, calculating.
ㅤㅤGabriella locked the bathroom door behind her. The click echoed too loudly. Her hands shook as she leaned against the sink, breath shallow, elegant posture collapsing the moment she was alone. Slowly...methodically...she reached behind her back and pull off the corset strings hidden beneath her uniform. The relief was immediate.
So was the pain.
ㅤㅤ She hissed softly as she peeled away layers of tape wrapped tightly around her waist, her thighs, her arms. The skin beneath was red, bruised, weird even. When the last tape came off, her body spilled forward, heavy, soft, nothing like the muse everyone worshipped.Gabriella stared at her reflection. Her tears broke down. Her face without makeup...was pure ugly, textured, strange. Her body folded over itself in ways she had learned to hide perfectly. She turned away from the mirror like it might accuse her. From beneath the sink, she pulled out a hidden drawer.
ㅤㅤ Inside was food. Crumpled wrappers. Half-eaten pastries. Grease-stained paper bags. Things she’d stolen, hidden, hoarded. Her breathing grew frantic. “I’m still perfect,” she whispered.
“I’m still perfect.”
ㅤㅤ She sat on the floor and ate.
Fast. Desperate. Shoving food into her mouth like it might disappear forever if she didn’t. Crumbs fell onto her uniform. Her hands trembled as she chewed, barely tasting anything. The muse devoured herself in secret. When it was over, she wiped her mouth carefully, rewrapped her body with practiced precision, tightening the corset until her waist vanished again. Tape followed, smooth, elegant, untouchable. By the time she unlocked the door, Gabriella was flawless once more. Outside, students smiled at her. They always did. Back in the courtyard, Erica laughed softly, twirling her plastic crown. “A kingdom of liars,” she murmured to herself. And somewhere deep inside the school, Enzo realized the most terrifying thing wasn’t Erica’s delusion, but was that everyone else was hiding one too.
So was the pain.
ㅤㅤ She hissed softly as she peeled away layers of tape wrapped tightly around her waist, her thighs, her arms. The skin beneath was red, bruised, weird even. When the last tape came off, her body spilled forward, heavy, soft, nothing like the muse everyone worshipped.Gabriella stared at her reflection. Her tears broke down. Her face without makeup...was pure ugly, textured, strange. Her body folded over itself in ways she had learned to hide perfectly. She turned away from the mirror like it might accuse her. From beneath the sink, she pulled out a hidden drawer.
ㅤㅤ Inside was food. Crumpled wrappers. Half-eaten pastries. Grease-stained paper bags. Things she’d stolen, hidden, hoarded. Her breathing grew frantic. “I’m still perfect,” she whispered.
“I’m still perfect.”
ㅤㅤ She sat on the floor and ate.
Fast. Desperate. Shoving food into her mouth like it might disappear forever if she didn’t. Crumbs fell onto her uniform. Her hands trembled as she chewed, barely tasting anything. The muse devoured herself in secret. When it was over, she wiped her mouth carefully, rewrapped her body with practiced precision, tightening the corset until her waist vanished again. Tape followed, smooth, elegant, untouchable. By the time she unlocked the door, Gabriella was flawless once more. Outside, students smiled at her. They always did. Back in the courtyard, Erica laughed softly, twirling her plastic crown. “A kingdom of liars,” she murmured to herself. And somewhere deep inside the school, Enzo realized the most terrifying thing wasn’t Erica’s delusion, but was that everyone else was hiding one too.