Chapter 1: You Really Are a Great B-I-G F-O-O-L
Vanessa’s P.O.V.
“Oh, what now? He embarrassed you again, didn’t he?”
Cae, my best friend, frowned as she spoke.
“I told you to stop already. You’re just so stubborn! You keep chasing Stephen even though I don’t get what you see in him. All you get are hurtful words, and now here you are crying again? Ugh, Vanessa… when will you wake up? Are you planning to stay stupid forever?”
I didn’t know what to say. It hurt, but… I also understood her point.
“Well… that’s just how it is when you love someone, right?” I answered softly, though my voice cracked.
“You give everything to that person. Even when it hurts, you endure it. You’re willing to be a fool… just for him.”
Cae shook her head. “Do you even hear yourself?”
I couldn’t reply. I only gave her a slow nod.
“You really are one B-I-G F-O-O-L,” she stressed, looking at me like she had completely given up.
“Then let me be a fool,” I whispered without looking at her.
“Fine. Do whatever you want. It’s your life, so I won’t interfere anymore. But if it’s about that guy, don’t you dare come to me again. You chose this, so deal with it!”
“Okay,” I muttered faintly as I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“You better make sure,” she said before storming off, not even glancing back.
I was left frozen in place. My mind kept replaying what happened earlier.
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FLASHBACK
After class, I planned to see Stephen—my ultimate crush and also the campus heartthrob. It was his birthday today, so I made an effort to bake a cake and buy a simple gift.
I knew he didn’t like me, but here I was again, forcing myself into the life of someone who had made it clear so many times that I meant nothing to him.
But I just couldn’t help it. My feelings for him were too strong.
I looked around until I finally spotted him walking down the hallway with his friends. My nerves almost got the better of me, but I forced myself to walk closer.
Vanessa, you can do this. You’re already here, right? Don’t let your effort go to waste. Smile. Breathe. You got this.
I gathered what little courage I had left, then handed him the cake and the gift.
“For you,” I whispered, my hands trembling despite trying to hide it.
He looked surprised, but instead of being pleased, he just stared at what I was holding. He didn’t even bother to take it.
Why is it taking so long? My arm’s getting tired. Is he really not going to accept it?
“What am I supposed to do with that?” he asked, brows furrowed.
I froze. What else would it be for? It’s your birthday, isn’t it?
Before I could answer, I heard the whispers around us.
“As if Stephen would ever accept that. She’s such a fool.” – Girl #1
“Hasn’t she had enough? She does this all the time. Birthdays, monthsaries, everything. Someone should knock some sense into her!” – Girl #2
“She’s unbelievable. He doesn’t even notice her, yet she still goes all out. What kind of energy is that?” – A guy from the side.
Mind your own business!
I ignored them and looked back at Stephen to answer his question.
“It’s my gift. For you.”
He raised a brow at me, then glanced at his friends before smirking. Like they were watching some kind of comedy show.
“Get out of my face before I throw that useless cake,” he suddenly snapped.
I was stunned. I couldn’t move, still trying to process what he just said.
It hurt. I was used to his harsh words, but this one cut deeper because so many people heard it, and all eyes were on me.
I just stood there, frozen like an idiot, as his friends laughed.
“Is she just going to stand there? You’re wasting our time! Leave!” one of them shouted.
“I—” I couldn’t even finish because Stephen suddenly snatched the cake and gift from my hands, then carelessly threw them away.
“You’re worthless!” he spat before shoving me, making me stumble to the floor.
I was on the verge of tears, but I refused to let them fall. I swallowed the pain and humiliation, keeping my head down because I had no face left to show. All I could hear were their footsteps fading away.
When I finally lifted my head, they were gone. And I was left alone, sitting on the cold campus floor.
“She deserves that. Shameless much.”
“Pathetic loser! Hahaha!”
I forced myself to stand, even though my knees were shaking. I brushed the dust off my skirt and picked up the cake and gift I had prepared with all my heart. Then, I walked away. The whispers and stares followed me with every step.
As if fate wanted to hit me harder, I saw Stephen again the moment I stepped out of the campus gate.
But this time… he was with another girl.
And the worst part?
He kissed her on the lips.
I chose to keep walking.
It hurt, but I had no choice but to accept it.
Why couldn’t it have been me?
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END OF FLASHBACK
