Portia never thought that her college life will be like this. It was not what she had expected. Ever since that day when Zico said that she will be living a hell-like life, she really did. From morning up to her last period, bullies were everywhere. They would throw garbage at her, eggs and whatever they have in their hands. They would play a prank and pull some tricks to piss her off. She doesn't want to tell her mom because she will get worried and will immediately send her to another school.
"Do you intend to know who I am now?" Zico asked her one day. He was beside her once again in a class. She was getting really annoyed and she wanted to shout and punch him but she can't as the professor was busy discussing in front of them. She tried so hard to calm herself down. She can do this She breathe in and out before continuing to answer him.
"No." She answered, full of coldness in her voice.
"And why is that?" He asked, smirking.
"Because I'm still not interested." His smile slowly faded when he heard what she said.
"Not interested? You must be kidding. I am the most interesting personality in this university and there's nobody who's not interested in me." He bragged trying to pick himself up from the slight humiliation he felt.
"I don't care about what you believe. If I say, I'm not interested, I really am not." She said, not giving him even a single glance. She knows that she's just lying. How could she be uninterested when he's giving her this much attention? He's so handsome that girls would probably go insane because of him.
"You're really something, huh?" Her gaze turned to him when she felt shivers down her spine because of his voice. He looked like he's losing the thin string of patience he has for her. He looked at her with dark eyes "No one dared to go against me like what you're doing now. Aren't you tired of being picked on?" It was almost a whisper as he lowered his mouth to her ears. Her breathing got hitched and her heart doubled in beat. She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to answer him without her voice breaking.
"I will never be interested in you. No matter what you do to make my life miserable, I will never bow down to you. I will fight and I'll win against all of you." She firmly said and it silenced him. He never expected her to be this strong-willed. He can't help but feel admiration. It was strange for him. He wasn't used to being hated this much by someone especially a girl. Usually, girls will kneel and beg him to take them but this girl, she was lucky enough to catch his attention yet she seemed so distant and unappreciative.
"Then brace what's coming to you, Portia. This is just the beginning." He said making her even more scared. How much more does she need to take and suffer just for them to stop?
More days came and the bullying gets worse. Portia was getting tired of it all and was depressed but she knew she had to continue. She needs to finish her study and she doesn't want to go to another school because she doesn't want the money her mother paid for the semester to go to waste. She was starting to have wounds because of what the bullies are doing. She went inside a cubicle in the restroom to cry and cry. She wants them to stop but there's only one person who can make them stop for real. And she wouldn't resort to begging him because she knew he won't stop bugging her once she gives him the satisfaction.
She kept on hiding inside the cubicle but she just can't stop crying. She only stopped when she heard a knock from the door. She felt nervous once again.
"Please give me a break." She whispered to herself.
"Hey, are you okay?" It was a man's voice. She immediately knew it wasn't Zico. Her brows furrowed. Is he one of the bullies?
"Can you... uhm… open the door? I'm here to help you." He said but she didn't budge. She doesn't know if he's telling the truth or if he's plotting something against her.
"Please stop." She said even before she realized it. She covered her mouth to stop herself from speaking. There was a long silence before the guy continued talking.
"I'm not one of them. I won't hurt you." His voice was very calm and it somehow assured her. But still, she was hesitant to open the door.
"If you still don't believe me, it's okay. I'll leave. You're safe to go out now since they're gone." He said. Portia didn't respond until she heard footsteps and the closing of the restroom door.
When there was nothing but silence again, she slowly opened the door and saw a medicine kit in the sink. She thought that guy had put it there. She used it to treat her wounds. She wanted to cry but somehow, she felt strangely happy. There was still someone out there who has a heart. Not all of them are her enemies. She smiled to her reflection on the mirror and think of the guy again.
She wants to meet him again and thank him personally for at least being thoughtful enough to check on her and give her the medicine kit. She finally felt the hope which came crashing down to her just a while ago build up again. Someone just gave her a reason to fight even more and not lose hope. She's even more determined now to defeat that Zico. She won't lose to him. She promises herself to be stronger until she finally meets him and thank him for not being one of them. Whoever that mystery guy who helped her, Portia will surely find him.