On the night before the full moon, I found myself alone in the attic room, with a small cake beside me. Tomorrow would be my 18th birthday, but I hadn't told anyone.
In this city, I had no friends, no family; only myself. I had learned to face loneliness on my own, so this day didn't hold much significance for me.
"Happy birthday, Anna," I whispered softly as I lit the candles, illuminating the dim corners of the room. I closed my eyes and made a wish.
I wished for my parents to be happy in heaven.
The next day, the morning was bright and sunny as I got up to go to school as usual. I had been at Elysee University for almost a month now, and my grades had consistently been among the top.
After a physical education class, I went to the school bathhouse for a shower. Halfway through my shower, the water suddenly stopped. I tried adjusting the settings, but it didn't work. As I attempted to open the door to see what was happening, I realized it was blocked from the outside, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get out.
I heard voices outside, and among them was a girl who seemed to be leading the group, addressing me with disdain, "Anna Lambert, you're in for some bad luck today."
I couldn't recognize her voice at first, but looking through the crack of the door, I saw the blonde girl who had kissed my disgusting ex-boyfriend on the first day of school.
I tried to reason with her, "Are you Corey's girlfriend? I've already broken up with him. If you're here to avenge the slap, it's unnecessary. I hit him because he insulted my family."
She sneered, "Who said I'm Corey's girlfriend? We were just having fun. I'm here today to teach you a lesson. You're just a nasty slut, nothing to be arrogant about."
She then questioned me, "Tell me, what's your relationship with Armand? My friends saw you having a date with him in the library."
I didn't understand why she was asking that question, so I answered truthfully, "We're not on a date; he's just tutoring me."
Hearing my response, the blonde girl looked dumbfounded, and angrily said, "This school is full of girls who want to be taught by Armand. What makes you think you're worthy?"
Suddenly, a thick water hose appeared above my head, and freezing water gushed out, drenching me.
Everyone outside burst into laughter, and I shivered uncontrollably.
It wasn't until the afternoon classes began that the cruel girls finally left.
I was freezing, my body starting to run a fever. I tried to force the door open, but it was futile. Fear and helplessness overwhelmed me, and tears rolled down my cheeks.
My clothes and phone were outside the shower area, stored in a cabinet, so I couldn't call for help.
Time ticked by, and the bathhouse remained empty, except for me. Just as I began to feel hopeless, I heard footsteps passing by outside. The person seemed to hear my cries for help and entered the bathhouse, only one door away from me.
"What's going on? Are you alright?" he asked with concern.
Feeling weak, I managed to reply, "A group of people locked me in here and have been pouring cold water on me."
He quickly understood the situation and brought me towels and clothes from outside the shower stall. After I changed, he removed the barrier blocking the door.
The stranger who saved me was wearing a simple T-shirt and sportswear. He had a healthy, muscular physique with broad shoulders and a kind expression in his dark eyes.
He gently carried me like a princess and rushed me to the infirmary. The medical staff checked on me, confirming my fever. They gave me dry clothes and fever-reducing medicine.
Lying on the bed, the man remained by my side, looking concerned.
"Who are you?" I asked softly.
"I'm David, a basketball coach. Are you feeling better?" he inquired, showing genuine worry.
I nodded and felt immensely grateful for his help.
"Who were those people who bullied you? This is outrageous," he said, his eyebrows furrowing in anger.
"I don't know their names; I don't even know them," I replied honestly.
David found this hard to believe; his eyes and mouth widened in surprise. Seeing his exaggerated expression, I couldn't help but smile.
Relieved that my mood improved, he looked relieved too. I asked him to contact the driver from home to pick me up and take me back to the mansion. Before saying goodbye, he assured me that he would find those who harmed me and ensure they received justice.
Tonight, there's a full moon party, and I was supposed to work at the bar, but my physical condition doesn't permit it. I'm lying in bed alone, enduring the headache as I drift off to sleep.