- 12 hours ago
They called me gross then i changed everything
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:09During the months I had a crush on Lucas Reed, the football captain.
00:13I tried everything to lose weight.
00:15One day after volleyball practice, I almost passed out from hunger.
00:19Lucas caught my wrist and pulled me into a quiet corner beside the gym.
00:23Can you stop starving yourself?
00:27If anyone makes another joke joke about your body, I'll shut them up.
00:32That was the day I thought Lucas might like me too.
00:35So after our football team won the next game, I walked onto the field.
00:45Lucas, I like you.
00:50What?
00:51Lily Taylor, did you just say you like Lucas?
00:54A voice carried across the field.
00:56For one second, everyone went silent.
00:59And everyone burst out of love.
01:03Damn, Lucas really is something.
01:05Even the fatty has a crush on him.
01:07Lucas, is that why you keep rejecting girls?
01:10You were saving yourself for her?
01:13Are you serious?
01:17My face burned.
01:19I could not say another word.
01:21Then a loud thug cut through the field.
01:24A football shot past my ear and slammed into the ground behind me.
01:28The boys who had been laughing shut up.
01:31Lucas looked down at me.
01:32I just want to know one thing.
01:34What made you think you could confess to me?
01:37Did you think my standards were that low?
01:38My whole body went stiff.
01:41The heat drained from my face.
01:43Don't you think you're kind of gross?
01:44I left the room and I could not take it anymore.
01:49I ran into the restroom and locked myself inside a star.
01:52I left the room and locked myself inside a star.
01:55I left the room and locked myself inside a star.
01:55Suddenly, I left the room and locked myself inside a star.
02:00Next time, look in a mirror before you embarrass Lucas.
02:04I left the room and left the room.
02:05I stood there without moving.
02:08Cold water dripped from my hair onto the room.
02:11I had been knocked from my body for years.
02:14But Lucas was the first boy who ever defended me.
02:17For a while, I thought my life could be different.
02:22But today, Lucas crushed that dream himself.
02:25I finally understood.
02:27Girls like me did not get exceptions.
02:33The next morning, one of Lucas' friends came over to move his desk.
02:37Lucas said he felt sick after yesterday.
02:40He's taking a few days off.
02:42He asked me to move his seat.
02:46After saying that, he seemed to realize how cruel it sounded.
02:50He met my numb eyes and quickly added,
02:53Not because of you.
02:54Don't overthink it.
02:55I blinked hard.
02:56I could not understand why being bigger than other girls and people hate me this much.
03:01I only ate a little more than they did.
03:04Was that really so disgusting?
03:07Three days later, Lucas came back.
03:10He walked into the classroom with his arm around Bella Hart's waist.
03:15Bella was captain of the cheer squad and every guy's dream girl.
03:20And I was Lily Taylor, a nobody people only remembered when they needed a joke.
03:26Chase could not help whistling.
03:28Damn, Lucas.
03:29Finally got yourself a girlfriend?
03:31So is it real or just for show?
03:34Bella pouted like she was offended.
03:37What do you mean?
03:38Do I look like the kind of girl who lets random guys put their hands on my waist?
03:42Lucas lifted his brow lazily.
03:44Lucas did not deny it.
03:46People started cheering and teasing me.
03:49I lowered my head and looked at my workbook.
03:52At least no one cared about what happened that day anymore.
03:55No one had time to laugh at me.
03:57That was already good enough.
04:04After that, I buried myself in schoolwork.
04:07On the next AP calculus test, I beat Ethan Miller, the top student, for the first time.
04:13The moment class ended, Ethan moved his desk beside mine.
04:18Miss Carter said I keep messing up the written explanations.
04:21She told me to learn from you.
04:23Then he smiled at me.
04:25New seatmate, help me out.
04:27It took me a few seconds to realize I had a seatmate again.
04:30I was a little happy, so I quickly pulled out my notebook.
04:34Here.
04:35This is what I use.
04:37Thanks.
04:38When I looked up by accident, I met Lucas' eyes across the room.
04:42He had been watching us for a while.
04:44A second later, he looked away first.
04:47I did not know my confession had disgusted him that much.
04:51So much so that he could not even stand to see me doing okay.
04:54The next morning, Ethan brought me two sausage rolls.
04:58I had just taken them when Lucas walked over with a low laugh.
05:03Didn't know you had such specific taste, man.
05:06Ethan's face changed.
05:08What do you mean?
05:13Lucas dropped a stack of printed pictures on my desk.
05:18For you.
05:19You like this type, right?
05:22Want me to bring you more tomorrow?
05:27Who the hell said I liked fat girls?
05:32Oh, I saw you move seats.
05:34I thought you were into her.
05:36Was I wrong?
05:38Lucas' friends laughed with him.
05:43Ethan cursed under his breath.
05:45Then he moved back to his old seat without another word.
05:49From beginning to end, neither of them looked at me.
05:52But every word was about me.
05:55My eyes fell on the picture scattered across the desk.
05:59The sausage rolls in my hands went cold.
06:02Before Lucas walked away...
06:04Why would you do this?
06:08What?
06:12Are you that desperate for attention?
06:15Every guy who sits beside you gets the full treatment.
06:22After what Lucas did, everything got worse.
06:25One morning, I found my desk covered in graffiti.
06:29I kept my head down and walked to my locker.
06:32The moment I opened it, a stack of printed pictures slipped out and scattered across the floor.
06:38Students slowed down as they passed and started laughing.
06:41I crouched down and picked up the pictures one by one.
06:45After that, no one wanted to hang out with me anymore.
06:49They were afraid they would become the next target.
06:52During lunch, I sat alone under a tree and took big bites of my food.
06:57Even though I never thought about dieting again.
07:00The only time I had tried to lose weight was because I liked Lucas more than food.
07:05Now, I did not like him anymore.
07:08That Friday, we had volleyball class.
07:11Halfway through class, it started pouring.
07:14Everyone ran toward the gym entrance.
07:16They laughed and screamed while covering their heads.
07:19I followed behind them.
07:21Before I could reach the door, several girls started knocking me back and forth between them.
07:25I lost my balance and fell hard onto the wet court.
07:29My kneecap slid out of place.
07:32The pain was so sharp that I could not sit up.
07:35Then a person stopped beside me.
07:37I grabbed one pant leg without thinking.
07:41I can't stand.
07:42Can you help me?
07:44It was Lucas.
07:47No.
07:48Bella laughed beside him.
07:50Maybe if you lost weight, you wouldn't fall so hard.
07:54I was soaked through.
07:56Lucas did not look at me.
07:58He walked past me.
08:00I can't help you.
08:01Rain kept running into my mouth, but my throat still felt dry.
08:06I could only try to push myself up.
08:09Near the gym entrance, I heard people talking.
08:11She doesn't look like she's faking it.
08:13This is too much.
08:14Should we help her?
08:15You like her?
08:16You go.
08:17Who the hell said I liked fat girls?
08:21It took me almost 10 minutes to sit up.
08:23I still could not stand.
08:26So I sat quietly in the rain.
08:28I forced myself to think about what grandma might make for dinner.
08:32Otherwise, the pain in my knee and the eyes behind me would break me.
08:36In the end, I got up by myself.
08:39The voices at the gym entrance never stopped.
08:42I did not dare look back.
08:45I limped to the security office and called grandma.
08:49After hearing what happened, grandma decided I needed to get stronger.
08:53From that day on, she planned my meals and made me exercise with her.
08:57If they try to knock you down again, hit back.
09:06I stayed home for two days before going back to school.
09:10That morning, grandma only let me eat one whole wheat egg sandwich.
09:13I felt miserable.
09:14But soon, Ms. Carter walked into the classroom.
09:17Behind her stood a strange transfer student.
09:20Ms. Carter looked around the room.
09:22Her eyes finally stopped at me.
09:24Sebastian Cole, sit beside Lily.
09:26After that, she hurried back to the office.
09:29Sebastian sat in the empty spot beside me.
09:32Neither of us seemed interested in talking.
09:34But Blake could never keep his voice down.
09:36Lucas, look.
09:37This guy is weird.
09:39His whole face is covered.
09:41What, is he disfigured?
09:44Probably.
09:45If he looked good, why would he hide his face?
09:49Ghost boy and chubby Lily.
09:52New couple alert.
09:53Lucas did not react.
09:54He only spun his pen lazily and said nothing.
09:57For almost a month, Sebastian and I barely spoke.
10:02I did not want to talk.
10:04I was afraid the same thing that happened with Ethan would happen again.
10:08Then one afternoon after class, I noticed Sebastian lying across his desk.
10:12After hesitating for a moment, I walked over.
10:15Do you have a stomach ache?
10:20Yeah.
10:24I'll take you to the nurse's office.
10:26Luckily, he did not pull away when I touched him.
10:29He was almost six feet two.
10:31Most of his weight leaned against me.
10:33Good thing I was sturdy.
10:35Otherwise, I would not have been able to hold him up.
10:38The nurse gave him medicine.
10:40Then she asked me to get him some water.
10:42I ran to buy it, then hurried back.
10:45By then, Sebastian was the only one left in the nurse's office.
10:49You dislike me that much and still help me?
10:51That's pretty kind of you, Lily.
10:53I don't dislike you.
10:54I thought you hated me, so I didn't talk to you.
10:56Why would I hate you?
10:58Because I'm fat.
11:00I suddenly felt he was probably not disfigured at all.
11:07After that day, Sebastian and I slowly got closer,
11:10but he was still strange.
11:12He never took off his mask.
11:14He barely talked to anyone else,
11:16but he always ran with me after school.
11:18My body changed, too.
11:20Without noticing it, I had gotten stronger.
11:23Grandma was pleased.
11:24She said I looked healthier now.
11:26I never expected Lucas to be the first person at school to notice.
11:31That afternoon, I sat on the lawn,
11:34finishing the low-fat turkey bowl Grandma had packed for me.
11:37I had just picked up my lunchbox when Lucas suddenly grabbed my wrist.
11:41You're dieting again?
11:43That's none of your business.
11:45Lucas, let go.
11:46Lucas pulled me toward the cafeteria.
11:49You get dizzy when you starve yourself.
11:51Did you forget?
11:52Planning to pass out again?
11:54If you don't let go, I'll bite you.
11:57You really don't know who is good to you?
12:00Drop the act.
12:02After that, I turned and walked back to the classroom.
12:05Sebastian was lying across his desk, alone.
12:09Is your stomach hurting again?
12:12Sebastian slowly lifted his head.
12:15Yeah.
12:16I wanted to buy medicine,
12:19but I forgot where the nurse's office was.
12:22I saw you downstairs just now,
12:24but you were talking to some guy,
12:29so I didn't want to interrupt.
12:32Lily, it hurts.
12:34I'll go buy it for you right now.
12:35Wait here.
12:37I'll go with you.
12:39That way I can remember the route.
12:46I hold his arm and helped him toward the nurse's office.
12:49When we went downstairs, we ran into Lucas.
12:56Sebastian suddenly lost his balance.
12:58I hurt too much to walk.
13:00Let me rest for a second, okay?
13:01I opened my mouth,
13:03but when he made another soft sound of pain,
13:05I could not refuse.
13:07Lucas' eyes turned cold at once.
13:10He had just taken one step toward us
13:12when Blake and Bella caught up from behind.
13:15Whoa!
13:16Fatty and Ghost Boy,
13:17what are you two doing?
13:20What did you call her?
13:21Fatty.
13:23Am I wrong?
13:24Sebastian punched him
13:25how I could react?
13:27I rushed between them and shrugged how they were hard.
13:30Oh my God.
13:31Run!
13:33Only when we reached the nurse's office
13:35did I let out a breath.
13:37Thank you, Sebastian.
13:39But next time,
13:41just ignore him.
13:42He won a taekwondo tournament before.
13:44We can't beat him.
13:50But he was bullying you.
13:54Lily,
13:54I can't let anyone bully you.
14:03The next day,
14:04Blake came to school with bruises all over his face.
14:08If I find out who beat me,
14:10I'll kill him.
14:11Forget your face for a second.
14:13I heard some billionaire's kid
14:14just transferred to our school from overseas.
14:16Who do you think it is?
14:18I looked up
14:19and met Sebastian's clean, calm eyes.
14:22He pointed at a problem on his worksheet.
14:24Then he smiled sincerely.
14:26Lily,
14:27can you explain this one to me?
14:30By late spring,
14:31graduation was only a month away.
14:33For the graduation showcase,
14:35Bella was in charge of costume sizes.
14:38She stood at the front of the classroom
14:39with a clipboard
14:40and asked everyone.
14:43When she got to me,
14:44she looked down at the form.
14:46Lily,
14:47should I put you down for XL or XXL?
14:50I looked up for my corrections.
14:52For some reason,
14:53I felt embarrassed saying it.
14:56I wear a small.
15:00The classroom went quiet.
15:12Their shock told me
15:13no one had really noticed the change
15:15except Sebastian and Lucas.
15:17After months of eating healthy
15:18and walking laps,
15:19I had lost a lot of weight.
15:21Holy shit.
15:22Is that Lily?
15:23I told you.
15:24Her face was always pretty.
15:25Just had to lose the weight.
15:26Bella's face turned ugly.
15:29Ethan,
15:29who had not spoken to me in a long time,
15:31looked stunned too.
15:33That look made me even more uncomfortable.
15:36I was used to people staring at how much I ate,
15:39not at my face.
15:41Ethan coughed and turned to Bella.
15:43Isn't the lead singer spot still open?
15:45Maybe Lily should do it this year.
15:46Bella had always been the default lead
15:48for school performances.
15:50Bella's smile almost cracks.
15:52Lily's not as tall as me.
15:54I'm not sure she can pull off the dress.
15:56She's prettier than you.
15:58We can buy a different dress.
16:01Blake shot up from his seat.
16:02What the hell is that supposed to mean?
16:04You're defending fat girl now?
16:07She lost some weight and suddenly you like her?
16:11Ethan glanced at me.
16:13His voice dropped.
16:15Why not?
16:16Besides, she might not even look at me now.
16:19Something in that sentence must have hit Lucas.
16:22He suddenly threw the cup in his hand.
16:24The cup shatters against the wall.
16:29The whole room went silent.
16:31Lucas leaned back like nothing had happened.
16:33Sorry, my hand slipped.
16:35The interruption killed Ethan's mood to keep talking.
16:38When Lucas bent down to pick up the glass,
16:40a shard cut into his palm.
16:42He acted like he did not feel it.
16:44By the time he stopped in front of my desk,
16:46blood was already dripping from his fingers.
16:49His eyes landed on the box of bandages on my desk.
16:52His voice was low.
16:53Can I borrow one?
16:55It won't stop bleeding.
16:56Sebastian gave a soft laugh.
16:59Wow.
17:00You really know how to put on a show.
17:03I looked away from Sebastian.
17:04Then I shook my head at Lucas.
17:10No.
17:11Whether Lucas bled or not had nothing to do with me.
17:14I did not know why he had to come to me for this.
17:17Lucas did not look surprised.
17:18The color slowly drains from Lucas' face.
17:21When he spoke again, his voice was even softer.
17:23I get it.
17:30The first time someone called me pretty on the school subreddit.
17:38The first time a boy asked me out.
17:40The first time so many people were nice to me for no reason.
17:44Boys from other classes even came to our room between periods.
17:48Lily, I accidentally got an extra coffee.
17:50You want it?
17:50I refused out of habit, but Sebastian stopped the boy before he could leave.
17:54Lily, I think my blood sugar is low.
17:56I want the coffee, but I forgot my wallet.
18:00His calm voice did not sound convincing at all.
18:02It sounded like he was teasing me.
18:04It's okay.
18:04I have cash.
18:06I took out my little wallet and counted out $15 for the boy.
18:11Can I buy it?
18:12My friend wants it.
18:14The boy's face twisted.
18:18Being around Sebastian was easy.
18:21Even when more people started showing interest in me, I still only stayed close to him.
18:27Because of that, rumors about us slowly spread through the school.
18:30Did you hear?
18:32Lily Taylor, the new pretty girl from senior class, has weird taste.
18:35She likes Ghost Boy.
18:36I saw his face once.
18:37He's disfigured.
18:38It's disgusting.
18:40Yeah.
18:40I heard his face is covered in burnt scars.
18:43Sebastian had never taken off his mask or cap in front of anyone.
18:46Even at lunch, he always ate alone.
18:49If not for me, he would not have been dragged into these rumors.
18:53So I started keeping my distance.
18:56Sebastian noticed.
18:57One morning before class, he stayed quiet for a long time.
19:00Then he suddenly said in a low voice,
19:03Lily, you can move your desk away.
19:05I froze and turned to him.
19:09What?
19:13He leaned back in his chair.
19:15His voice sounded tired.
19:16I'm used to being alone.
19:19You don't have to get tied to someone with a bad reputation.
19:23They all say someone ugly and disgusting like me doesn't deserve to be close to you.
19:28So maybe you should sit somewhere.
19:29Who said that?
19:30He said lightly.
19:31It doesn't matter.
19:33At first, Sebastian refused to tell me.
19:36After I asked several times, he finally gave me a few names.
19:40I remembered them.
19:41They were all boys who asked me to come out.
19:44Before, Sebastian had spoken up for me whenever people called me fat.
19:48Shut up.
19:49Now it was my turn to do something for him.
19:51I found those boys and rejected them again.
19:54This time, I warned them.
19:56If they kept spreading rumors, I would report them for harassment.
20:02When Sebastian found out, he covered his eyes with one hand.
20:05Sebastian's shoulders shake silently.
20:07I guessed he was crying because he was touched.
20:09So I patted his shoulder gently.
20:12No one will say bad things about you anymore.
20:14Don't be scared.
20:15I made a reasonable conclusion.
20:17Sebastian was deeply moved.
20:22Nothing bad happened again before graduation.
20:25The only thing people gossiped about was Lucas and Bella breaking up.
20:29At lunch, Sebastian and I walked ahead.
20:32Behind us, Blake was trying to comfort Lucas.
20:34Don't take it too hard, man.
20:36There'll be someone better.
20:38Lucas walked past me without slowing down.
20:40His shoulder brushed mine.
20:42He looked straight ahead and said casually,
20:45Why would I be upset?
20:47I never liked her anyway.
20:50Sebastian glanced ahead.
20:52Then he smiled faintly.
20:53Lily, sounds like there's a dog barking somewhere.
20:59By the time finals ended, I already knew I had done better than usual.
21:04The day after results came out,
21:06Ms. Carter asked Rachel to organize one last senior dinner.
21:10When I arrived, I saw Lucas outside the restaurant.
21:13The red spark flickered in the dark.
21:15His eyes stayed on me.
21:17I looked away as if I had not seen him.
21:19I tried to walk around him.
21:21Lucas grabbed my wrist.
21:23He pulled me back until my back hit his chest.
21:31Are you insane?
21:33He caught my other wrist without even looking.
21:36Lucas looked down at me.
21:37No matter how I beg now, you won't give me another chance, right?
21:40I avoided his eyes.
21:42I don't know what you're talking about.
21:44Don't lie.
21:45Lucas smiled faintly.
21:46You know exactly what I mean.
21:49He pinched my chin and made me face him.
21:53You know, I said I never liked Bella because I wanted you to hear it.
21:55I went quiet.
21:57I stopped struggling.
21:58After a long moment, I looked back at him calmly.
22:00Yes, I know.
22:02I also know you liked me a long time ago.
22:05Otherwise, I wouldn't have been stupid enough to confess to you.
22:12The first time I tried to lose weight, I hid it from everyone.
22:16I ate almost nothing.
22:17I walked home every day instead of taking the bus.
22:20I wanted to lose weight as fast as possible.
22:23I wanted to wear the dress I had loved for months.
22:26Then I wanted to confess to Lucas.
22:28But Lucas noticed my pale face.
22:31He also noticed my hand pressed against my stomach.
22:33He had been about to leave for basketball with Blake and the others.
22:36Period cramps?
22:37I'm fine.
22:39Lucas did not believe me.
22:40He kept insisting on taking me to the hospital.
22:43I had no choice but to tell him I had been dieting.
22:46His frown deepened.
22:47He used the clinic as an excuse and signed us both out of school.
22:51Then he dragged me to lunch.
22:54He walked ahead, holding my hand.
22:59His voice was cold.
23:01I care that much about what people think.
23:03Even starving yourself is fine.
23:05I was so hungry, my head felt light.
23:07I barely heard him.
23:09I just nodded without thinking.
23:12Yeah.
23:13Lucas was furious.
23:14His grip on my hand tightened.
23:16But after a long silence, he still gave in.
23:19He held back his anger and said,
23:21Can you stop starving yourself?
23:24If anyone makes another joke about your body, I'll shut them up.
23:27Is that enough?
23:29I smiled a little.
23:30Then I asked quietly,
23:32Don't you think I'm fat?
23:33Like this, I'm kind of ugly, right?
23:36Lucas stopped walking.
23:37He did not let go of my hand.
23:39He turned back and bent slightly.
23:41His eyes were focused.
23:43I looked.
23:44His voice was serious.
23:46You're cute.
23:48Everywhere.
23:49Lucas said it like he was giving an answer in class.
23:52That was the moment my crush on him grew out of control.
23:56I squeezed his hand back.
23:58For the first time, I tried to climb out of my own insecurity.
24:02Then, in the next second, he pushed me right back in.
24:06For a long time after that, I could not get up again.
24:13Lucas' lashes trembled.
24:15His grip on my wrists loosened.
24:17Yes.
24:18He lowered his eyes and gave a bitter smile.
24:21I liked you a long time ago.
24:24But being with you meant everyone would stare, joke, and laugh behind my back.
24:28So you don't get to ask me for another chance now?
24:31Well, his confession came too late.
24:35I turned and walked away.
24:39After a few steps, I heard his voice behind me.
24:43It was low, almost like he was talking to himself.
24:46But I liked you.
24:48More than any of them ever did.
24:50I did not stop.
24:52I took a breath.
24:54Then I pushed open the restaurant door.
24:56Inside, most of our class was already there.
25:00Sebastian had not arrived yet.
25:02Ms. Carter smiled when she saw me.
25:04Lily, you did well.
25:05Come sit.
25:08Bella's face darkened the moment I walked in.
25:11Then she suddenly smiled.
25:13Ms. Carter, don't let Lily's grades fool you.
25:17She's not as innocent as she looks.
25:19I looked at her.
25:21What are you talking about?
25:24Come on, Lily.
25:26We've already graduated.
25:27It doesn't matter now.
25:29She was secretly dating someone before finals.
25:33I almost laughed.
25:34Before I could explain, Ms. Carter cut in.
25:37Who?
25:37Who is Lily's boyfriend?
25:40Bella smiled wider.
25:43Sebastian Cole.
25:47Bella continued her words.
25:49I mean, Lily acts like such a good girl.
25:52Who knew she had a thing for the weirdest guy in school?
25:55Ms. Carter's eyes widened behind her glasses.
25:58Bella looked even more pleased.
26:01He never takes off that mask.
26:04Maybe there is something ugly hiding underneath.
26:08But Lily, you don't have to deny him just because your boyfriend is ugly.
26:11When he gets here, why don't you ask him to take off that mask?
26:17Let everyone see those burn scars.
26:20Compared to her rumor about me dating Sebastian.
26:24I hated her insulting him more.
26:27Bella, have you ever seen scars on Sebastian's face?
26:30She choked.
26:31No, but then you made it up?
26:34Everyone says it.
26:37Everyone also says you only made cheer, Captain, because your mom paid off the coach.
26:42So according to you, that must be true too, right?
26:45Bella panicked at once.
26:46Who the hell said that?
26:49Bella looked around the room.
26:50The restaurant got noisy.
26:53Another group of students crowded around Ms. Carter.
26:56Ms. Carter, I heard the principal say some billionaire's son was in our class.
27:00Who is it?
27:00Is he hot?
27:01He has to be hot, right?
27:02He's rich.
27:07Ms. Carter was holding two directions.
27:09The thing grew louder and louder.
27:11Then the door opened again.
27:13Everything went quiet.
27:14Everyone looked toward the entrance.
27:30For a second, the whole room forgot how to breathe.
27:33His features were sharp and clean.
27:35The man was almost too good looking to be real.
27:38The girl closest to the door blushed first.
27:42Um, are you looking for someone?
27:44Ms. Carter finally let out a breath.
27:46Then she smiled.
27:48You don't recognize him?
27:49The person you were all talking about is standing right in front of you.
27:53Bella's voice cracked.
27:56Sebastian Cole?
27:57The billionaire's son?
27:59What the hell?
28:00So this gorgeous guy is Sebastian?
28:02The same Sebastian who transferred back from overseas?
28:05Oh!
28:06Oh!
28:07Oh!
28:08Oh!
28:08Oh!
28:09Oh!
28:09Oh!
28:10Oh!
28:13Oh!
28:13I felt like lightning had struck me on the spot.
28:16Sebastian looked a little unfamiliar without the mask.
28:19Then he raised one brow and looked at me.
28:23Fine.
28:24I accept.
28:26I stared at him.
28:27Oh!
28:28Except look.
28:29The restaurant exploded.
28:33No way.
28:35That's Ghost Boy.
28:36I knew his eyes were too pretty for him to be ugly.
28:39I thought that mask was hiding scars.
28:40Are we sure he's not some actor?
28:43The dinner ended in scattered gasps and whispers.
28:47On the way home, Sebastian answered every question I had.
28:50At first, he wore the mask because he had gotten into a fight before transferring.
28:55The bruises on his face had not healed yet.
28:59Later, he just got used to wearing it.
29:01As for why he still took finals after being accepted early, Sebastian looked at me calmly.
29:08To go to the same university as you, girlfriend?
29:11Only then did I remember what Ms. Carter had said at dinner.
29:15You misunderstood.
29:17Bella was just...
29:17This is my first relationship.
29:19Sebastian's eyes softened.
29:21My parents were always working.
29:23I grew up with nannies.
29:26Once, they both missed my birthday.
29:29So I ran away from home.
29:31I thought someone would notice.
29:33No one did.
29:37After that, I got used to it.
29:38He said it like it was nothing.
29:40But I still saw the shadow in his eyes.
29:43My nose stung.
29:45So even rich families could be this cruel.
29:48Sebastian noticed my eyes turning red.
29:50Don't feel bad for me.
29:52This is the first time someone chose me and didn't give me up.
29:58That's enough.
30:04He sounded too used to begging for scraps of love.
30:08That made it worse.
30:10I pressed my lips together.
30:13But the tears still fell.
30:15Don't cry, Lily.
30:19Then he suddenly returned to the earlier topic.
30:22By the way, what were you saying?
30:24I misunderstood.
30:26I froze.
30:27The tears hung in my eyes.
30:29I blinked fast.
30:32After choking on my words twice,
30:34I finally said stiffly,
30:36Nothing, boyfriend.
30:40If I denied it now,
30:42Sebastian might actually jump into the river.
30:44He needed love too much.
30:46And I could tell what I felt for him was different.
30:49Trying it would not hurt.
30:54Sebastian had already been accepted somewhere good.
30:57But after I chose my university,
30:59he gave up his spot and enrolled with me.
31:01His cold, work-obsessed family barely reacted.
31:05By the end of summer,
31:06I had fully accepted that Sebastian Cole was my boyfriend.
31:10He never pushed too far.
31:12The most he did was kiss my forehead when he walked me home.
31:15Other than being clingy,
31:17he had almost no flaws.
31:19On the first day of college,
31:21reality hit me fast.
31:23Out of my three roommates,
31:24two ignored me when I said hello.
31:26The last one was Bella Hart.
31:28Her cheer record had helped her get into the school.
31:32Compared to my bad mood,
31:34Bella looked almost pleased when she saw me.
31:37What a coincidence.
31:39Not really.
31:41Most students from our high school
31:43had stayed in state for college.
31:46Running into old classmates on campus was normal,
31:48but some coincidences were still annoying.
31:55Like that evening,
31:57when Sebastian and I were eating dinner,
31:59he told me Lucas was in his major.
32:01I felt depressed for a few seconds.
32:03Then I remembered Lucas was good at fighting.
32:06I quickly warned Sebastian.
32:08Don't get into it with Lucas when you're alone.
32:10You can't beat him.
32:13If he gives you trouble,
32:15call campus security.
32:16Sebastian was picking the carrots out of my food.
32:18Without looking up,
32:19he asked slowly,
32:21How do you know I can't beat him?
32:23He had no idea how dangerous Lucas was.
32:26This concerned his personal safety.
32:28So I put down my fork and said seriously,
32:31Don't act tough.
32:33He's really good at fighting.
32:38I've seen Lucas fight a few times.
32:40He barely lost.
32:41Maybe I sounded too serious.
32:43Sebastian seemed hurt.
32:45After a long pause,
32:46he pushed the food he had picked clean back to me.
32:48Then he nodded.
32:49Got it.
32:51I'm useless.
32:52I won't mess with him.
32:53I forgot Sebastian was sensitive.
32:55My words had hurt him.
32:56For the rest of dinner,
32:57he barely spoke.
32:58Even though he was upset,
33:00he still quietly peeled shrimp for me.
33:02I bit my fork and looked at him carefully.
33:05The guilt got worse.
33:08After dinner,
33:10we did what college couples were supposed to do.
33:12We went for a walk.
33:13From the track to the quiet path by the campus lake,
33:17I apologized to Sebastian the whole way.
33:20After a long time,
33:22he finally softened a little.
33:25Lily, comfort me.
33:28I am comforting you.
33:30Not enough.
33:32His breath brushed hot against my ear.
33:35Kiss me.
33:37Please?
33:38His voice was so close that I shivered.
33:40My breath hitched.
33:43Where?
33:44Both our voices had gone quiet.
33:46Sebastian tugged down the collar of his hoodie.
33:49Here.
33:49I stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
33:53Sebastian held the back of my head.
33:56Leave a mark.
34:00Let everyone know I'm yours.
34:02I followed what he told me to do.
34:04I pressed my lips there.
34:06Then I bit down lightly.
34:10My face burned red.
34:13I pushed him away and lowered my head.
34:15Done.
34:17It felt nice.
34:21Next time, leave a few more, okay?
34:24Wasn't it supposed to go both ways?
34:26Why didn't he kiss me?
34:28I could not bring myself to ask.
34:30So I stared at him for a few seconds.
34:33Then I shook my head.
34:34Now, hopefully he would understand what he had done wrong.
34:38And next time, he would offer to kiss me too.
34:44After college started, I joined the volleyball club.
34:48At first, everything seemed normal.
34:50Then I realized Coach was strange.
34:52Whenever he corrected my posture, he stood too close.
34:56Lily, raise your arms.
34:57He came up behind me.
34:59I could almost feel his breath near the back of my neck.
35:02I stepped away quietly.
35:06You can just tell me what to fix.
35:08He did not take the hint.
35:10He smiled.
35:11But you're too stiff, freshman.
35:13Then he suddenly flicked my forehead.
35:15Other girls wish I'd helped them myself.
35:18During break, Bella sat beside him with her water bottle.
35:21She raised her voice just enough for me to hear.
35:26Wow, Lily.
35:27Coach is so nice to you.
35:29If you didn't already had a boyfriend,
35:31you could totally consider him.
35:34Coach's face changed.
35:36Boyfriend?
35:37You have a boyfriend?
35:41I looked away from Bella and nodded.
35:44Coach stared at me for a few seconds.
35:47You have a boyfriend and didn't say anything?
35:52What, were you leading me on?
35:56Did you ask?
35:57And honestly, you're not exactly worth leading on.
36:00Before he could answer,
36:02Bella slammed her bottle down and stood up.
36:05Who do you think you're talking to?
36:07Your boyfriend isn't even on his level.
36:10He's useless and creepy.
36:12Anger shot straight to my head.
36:14Before I could think,
36:16I walked up to Bella.
36:17Then I slacked her heart across the face.
36:21I warned you not to insult Sebastian again.
36:24Bella froze with one hand on her cheek.
36:26You hit me?
36:27The next second, she lunged at me.
36:30We crashed into each other.
36:31All the anger I had swallowed for years finally came out.
36:35Three girls finally pulled me away.
36:38Coach looked at me coldly.
36:40Then he made his decision on the spot.
36:43You started it!
36:46Stay after practice!
36:48Run drills until I say you're done.
36:53Bella dusts herself off and smiles like she has won.
37:00Under the evening heat,
37:02I stayed on the court and ran drills alone.
37:05By the time coach finally let me go,
37:08everyone else had already left.
37:10I dragged myself back to the dorm.
37:13After I showered,
37:14I was too tired to move.
37:16I was also starving.
37:18Then Sebastian called and made me come downstairs.
37:22The moment I saw him,
37:24I fell into his arms and started complaining.
37:27Halfway through,
37:28I felt so yonged that I cried.
37:30Sebastian, I'm so hungry.
37:32I barely ate anything today.
37:35I really want sausage rolls.
37:38Sebastian went quiet.
37:40Too quiet.
37:41He helped me sit on the bench nearby.
37:44Then he went to buy food for me.
37:47After I finished eating,
37:48he checked his phone.
37:50His face showed nothing.
37:52Go back and rest, Lily.
37:53I have something to do.
37:55I'll come find you later.
37:56I looked at him for two seconds.
37:57Then I lowered my eyes.
37:59Okay.
38:00I'll head back.
38:03Then he turned away.
38:05But I remembered the message
38:06I had accidentally seen on his phone.
38:10Sebastian, that asshole from volleyball,
38:12is at the pool hall.
38:12Come over.
38:17I quietly followed him.
38:20For some reason,
38:21I suddenly thought of Blake
38:22showing up with bruises back in senior year.
38:25Pieces of old memories came together in my head.
38:28And they all pointed to one fact.
38:30Sebastian had been pretending to be weak
38:32this whole time.
38:33That guess was confirmed
38:35when I stood outside the pool hall.
38:37I looked through the glass.
38:39Sebastian stood beside a pool table.
38:40Coach and three other guys
38:43lay scattered across the floor.
38:45Sebastian did not have a scratch on him.
38:48Sebastian holds a broken pool cue in his hand.
38:51The sharp wooden end hovered less than an inch
38:54from Coach's eye.
38:57Coach.
39:00You were interested in my girlfriend?
39:03Coach shook his head hard.
39:04No, no.
39:06I wasn't.
39:08I swear.
39:10Sebastian turned the broken pool cue lazily
39:12between his fingers.
39:14My girlfriend had a rough day.
39:17How are you planning to make it up to her?
39:20Coach trembled.
39:22What do you want me to do?
39:25Sebastian seemed too bored to answer.
39:28He shifted the broken cue.
39:31The sharp wooden end almost held Coach's palm.
39:34Before it could go down, I spoke to him.
39:39Sebastian.
39:40My voice was calm.
39:41His whole body froze.
39:46Until Coach and the others ran out in a panic,
39:50Sebastian still did not turn around.
39:52I walked over and crouched in front of him.
39:54Then I took the broken pool cue out of his hand.
39:58Sebastian lowered his hand.
40:00His throat moved a few times before he spoke.
40:02His voice was hoarse.
40:04I'm sorry.
40:06I stayed quiet.
40:08After a long moment, he asked again.
40:11Are you going to break up with me?
40:13I looked up at once.
40:15His eyes were red.
40:17Something dark and restless moves in Sebastian's eyes.
40:20He looked nothing like the harmless Sebastian
40:22who leaned on me and said his stomach hurt.
40:25I sighed and curled my fingers into his palm.
40:28Only then did he calm down a little.
40:31Of course I'm not breaking up with you over this.
40:34I just don't understand why you lied to me.
40:37Sebastian wrapped his hand tightly around mine.
40:40His smile looked pale and bitter.
40:44Because I knew you didn't like me.
40:48You only agreed to date me because you felt sorry for me.
40:53If I didn't look pitiful enough, you would leave.
40:55Then I held his face in both hands.
40:59Sebastian, look at me.
41:02I feel sorry for a lot of people.
41:04But I don't date them just because they're pitiful.
41:08Liking someone isn't charity.
41:10It's not something I hand out because someone looks sad.
41:13He gripped my hand.
41:15His eyes were almost stubborn.
41:18You can't lie to me.
41:23Sebastian was wound too tight, so I leaned in and kissed him lightly.
41:28Fine.
41:29If he would not kiss me first, I could do it.
41:33If I'm lying, I'll never get to eat sausage rolls again.
41:36Sebastian finally relaxed.
41:38That night, we walked through the quiet street outside campus.
41:42I swung his hand as I walked.
41:46Listen, we're actually perfect for each other.
41:49You're really good fighting, and I'm pretty good too.
41:52Today, I basically pinned Bella to the ground.
41:55She barely touched me.
41:56Her face is going to be swollen for at least a week.
42:01Sebastian squeezed my hand.
42:02Next time, you don't have to do it.
42:06I'll handle them.
42:08But Bella is a girl.
42:11Sebastian answered without much thought.
42:15I'll use a pink bat.
42:17I burst it out.
42:18Then I stood on TikTok and kissed his cheek loudly.
42:23I like you so much, Sebastian Cole.
42:29Sebastian was not the kind of guy Lucas said he was.
42:33He did not only solve problems with violence.
42:35Before going after Coach, he had already collected screenshots, messages, statements from other girls,
42:42and proof that Bella had cheated her way into her cheer scholarship.
42:47Then he submitted everything to the school.
42:49The next day, Coach was suspended from the club team.
42:53Bella lost her scholarship.
42:55She was removed from the cheer program.
42:58Everything happened so fast that I could barely believe it.
43:01Sebastian met my suspicious eyes.
43:03Then he lazily touched my lashes with one finger.
43:06My mom graduated from this school.
43:07She donated a library three years ago.
43:10Right now, she's talking to the school about funding two new dorm buildings.
43:15Later, I met Sebastian's mother once on campus.
43:18Remembering his lonely childhood, I carefully told her to be nicer to him.
43:22That little brat told you we abandoned him?
43:25I nodded sadly.
43:27That year, he was only seven years old.
43:30We missed one birthday dinner because of work.
43:33So he took his father's phone and texted our assistant.
43:37Told him to prepare the private rep.
43:39He wanted to fly to Melbourne alone.
43:41When we caught him, he was afraid his father would punish him.
43:46So he hid in the hotel for two days and told everyone he had run away from home.
43:51If the housekeeper hadn't found him eating cake in there,
43:54your boyfriend would still be telling people he survived in the wild.
43:57I stared at her.
43:59So that was the tragic childhood he told me about.
44:05A sudden laugh came from not far away.
44:08The mood went cold.
44:09Lucas stood under a streetlight, watching me.
44:12So now you're into violence?
44:18Just because he beat up a few guys for you, you're obsessed?
44:21Sebastian was still upset about me saying he could not beat Lucas.
44:24The second Lucas opened his mouth, Sebastian's face went dark.
44:29He started walking toward him.
44:30I grabbed his arm in time.
44:34Is he even worth fighting?
44:36Lucas is obviously weaker than you.
44:38If you fight him, that's basically bullying.
44:42You could make him cry without even trying.
44:49What if he breaks down and calls the police?
44:52Coward.
44:54You couldn't even like someone in public.
44:58What makes you think you can compete with me?
45:00Lucas's face darkened.
45:02He gave a cold smile and stepped forward.
45:04I had no patience left.
45:06I pulled the pepper spray from my back.
45:08Then I sprayed him straight in the face.
45:12No one helped him.
45:14He would probably need a while before he could open his eyes again.
45:17For a second, the way he stood there in pain reminded me of myself in the rain.
45:21Back then, I had sat alone on the court.
45:24No one was willing to help me.
45:25Now Lucas looked just as helpless.
45:29Lucas, seeing you like this makes me feel like I finally walked out of that rain.
45:33I would not choke on that humiliation anymore.
45:36I did not need him to suffer exactly the way I had suffered.
45:40This was enough.
45:44Are you okay?
45:45My premium class service wolf likes to engage in group sex in front of me.
45:49I'm fine.
45:50The premium class service wolf I bought didn't like me.
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