The clock ticked towards nine o'clock in the morning at Lumina High, and a lively atmosphere enveloped the school. Laughter and cheers echoed through the corridors, hinting at an ongoing celebration that had injected an infectious energy into the student body.
Devon Harris found himself sighing, endeavoring to maintain concentration within the supposedly serene Lumina High library. Armed with a book, he struggled to immerse himself in his reading, determined to shut out the disturbance and concentrate on his book.
Despite his striking good looks, a mere glance at Devon's attire would reveal the struggle with poverty or, perhaps, a lack of proper care from his mother. At the tender age of seventeen, Devon found himself predominantly fending for his own needs.
In order to make ends meet, he occasionally resorted to running errands for the more affluent students, scraping together a few extra bucks. Unfortunately, this survival tactic inadvertently earned him the dubious reputation of being one of the most scorned and looked-down-upon individuals in his school.
He was subjected to the disdainful glances and judgmental attitudes of his peers.
In the midst of his solitary reading session in the library, an unexpected intruder disrupted the quietude. A fellow student burst in, urgency etched on their face. "Devon! You won't believe what's unfolding outside!"
The conversation was abruptly silenced by the authoritative thud of a cane striking a table. Both Devon and the unexpected visitor turned to face the source, discovering Ms. Cooper's presence, her warning expression silently urging them to maintain the library's decorum.
"Apologies, Ms. Cooper!" Parker hollered, a smile gracing his face. He glanced at Devon, his voice lowered as he shared, "You won't believe what's happening outside! Jensen is asking Glenda to be his girlfriend. There's a crowd gathering just outside the library hallway right now!"
Disbelief etched across Devon's face, he queried, "Glenda? Why would Jensen do that, especially knowing she's my girlfriend?"
"Ah, you know how Jensen is. The overprivileged often act without considering the consequences," Parker remarked, a hint of disdain in his tone.
Jensen, a well known figure in Lumina High, was synonymous with opulence. Flashy cars, extravagant meals, and a life immersed in luxury were his hallmarks, courtesy of his wealthy father.
His image as a notorious playboy was an open secret; it appeared he switched romantic interests almost weekly, showing a blatant disregard for the fact that most of these ladies attended the same school. Devon, aware of this, had once run an errand for him, discreetly delivering a package of condoms for some extra cash.
Now, the unexpected news of this playboy proposing to his girlfriend left him puzzled.
Parker interrupted Devon's thoughts, urging, "What are you still doing here? Come on, let's go!" He dashed out of the library, urging Devon to follow suit.
Resignedly closing the book he had been engrossed in, Devon carefully returned it to the shelf.
Stepping out of the library, he entereda crowd of students and immediately caught sight of his girlfriend Glenda. She was beaming at Jensen, who held a bouquet of roses, amidst the collective chant of the crowd, "Say yes, say yes!"
Glenda, possessing a stunning allure with her slender figure, seemed to be the object of Jensen's pursuit despite her existing relationship with another.
The murmurs within the crowd echoed a mix of awe and cynicism as someone observed, "Is she actually going to accept him? Money must really be the ultimate factor. With wealth, you can have anyone you desire whenever you please!"
Jensen, radiating pride, addressed Glenda, saying, "Come on, Glenda, it shouldn't take much time to contemplate this proposal. You're well aware that I have the money to waste on you, the capacity to lavish you with comfort and fulfill your every desire. Are you not gonna say yes to me?"
A dismissive shake of the head came from one observer, commenting, "She's taking too much time, but it's obvious she will. I mean, who wouldn't? Glenda, the class beauty, and Jensen, the rich guy – they're clearly meant for each other!" The guy cast a malevolent smirk in Devon's direction.
Parker intervened, countering, "It doesn't alter the fact that she loves someone else, Dave. I'm confident she won't fall for this scheme."
With an elated smile, Glenda nodded in agreement, graciously accepting the bouquet of roses. "Yes, Jensen, I will be your girlfriend!"
Devon's heart skipped a beat. Dismissing her words with a scoff, he retorted with a sneer, "But you haven't broken up with me yet."
The library, once filled with chatter, fell into an uneasy silence as all eyes pivoted towards Devon, standing in the center. Frowns etched the faces of the onlookers, their scrutiny intensified by the noticeable contrast in Devon's poor appearance. Both Glenda and Jensen redirected their attention toward him – Glenda's expression shifting to surprise, while Jensen displayed annoyance.
Glenda swallowed hard as her gaze locked with Devon's, revealing a mix of emotions that left her feeling exposed and embarrassed.
Concealing his heartbreak, Devon made a conscious effort not to display his emotions, recognizing that, at that very moment, he had lost his girlfriend.
Jensen's face contorted into a smirk, seizing the opportunity to taunt, "Well, everyone, welcome the most unfortunate guy in class. He's so unfortunate that even his family doesn't give a damn about him. Devon Harris, what the hell is wrong with you? Is it because there was no one to teach you respect, which is why you have the audacity to interrupt me? Are you out of your senses, or is poverty gnawing at your spine?"
Jensen's hurtful words sliced through Devon like a dagger, igniting a fiery anger within him. Clenching his fists, he walked towards Jensen and unleashed a flurry of powerful punches to his face, left and right.
"Who do you think you are to insult me, you good-for-nothing, spoiled brat?!"