ANASTASIA:When I tried to explain to him what really happened, Dean decided to charge me back. So, I had to explain to them the reason for my visit here. Taking out the mysterious Falcon Group's name. "Could you prove anything you are telling, Miss Brown?" Preston's dean asked me, his irritation evident. If I weren't a Brown, he might have expelled me by now for raising fingers at Tony and Mia."No sir," I replied gulping down the lumps in my throat. "I don't have the proof now, but I will, soon. I am just—""But we have proof, now" Blakely interjected. "We caught them sneaking around Mia's car. I think Lara involved her in some illegal activities, sir.""That's bullshit!" I protested. "It was you who was bullying innocent students at Preston and trying to frame—""Prove it, then, Ana," Blakely interrupted."Well, I don't have it right now!" I retorted, frustration boiling over. Blakely and Mia exchanged knowing smiles.The old man let out a bitter chuckle. Assuming from his postures, I am sure he was well versed with the truth and just decided to turn a blind eye to it. "Then, I suggest you meet in my office with proof, Miss Brown. Preston does not operate on blind accusations." He turned to Lorenzo and added, "And I witnessed your altercation with Mr. Martin today. Young man, you're going to have a very serious problem."Lorenzo remained silent, his expression unreadable."Are you still going to overlook the fact that The Falcon Group is the one behind Miley and Olivia's demise? And that Mia confessed that it's her, who tortured Miley?" I confronted the dean with an unwavering determination. "How can you?"He turned to face me, and the displeasure in his eyes was evident. My words weren't just accusations; they were a stark reflection of the truth."For how long?" I questioned, my tone resolute. "How long will the people here continue to suffer simply because someone chooses to remain silent?""Anastasia!" He warned in a hushed, exasperated tone, clearly disapproving of our conversation.But I persisted. "Don't tell me, sir, that you weren't aware of the secret bullying club within the campus. That you've been sleeping peacefully at home while the innocent suffer.""That's enough!" He exclaimed loudly. "I won't entertain this discussion any longer, Miss Brown," he declared sternly. "I want to meet your parents next week."Dean ushered Lorenzo and Tony into his office, their faces etched with conflict and remnants of their altercation. We were also being called, accompanied by others who had been witnesses to the disturbing scene. Mia, Blakely, and Lara stood alongside me, a heavy silence shrouding our group.Hardin only stated what he saw. The brawls between Lorenzo and Tony.I felt a deep sense of sympathy for him, an overwhelming sorrow for Lorenzo. I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes, especially when I felt so small and burdened by guilt. It was the same group that had maliciously destroyed his bike just last week, and now, it was because of them that he was facing suspension for a week.Ugh... This was all my fault. I should have been more careful. And he shouldn't have been involved.Nevertheless, I couldn't ignore the way his gaze seemed to linger on me. It felt like his silent promise to stand by my side, no matter what. Initially, I had the strong urge to embrace him, to confide in him about everything that had occurred over the weekend, and to finally admit my true feelings. But now...Maybe now wasn't the right time.A whirlwind of emotions consumed me, and I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that clung to me like a shadow. I held myself responsible for the violence that had erupted, for the injuries Lorenzo had sustained. Yet, there was a glimmer of pride that I couldn't deny—Lara had found the courage to stand up for herself, to resist the tyranny that had plagued her for so long.Although I was in the dark regarding whatever had happened with Lara, being here confirmed that Mia was somehow involved.As the Dean released Lara, Mia, Blakely, and me, with a warning, we all stepped out of the cabin."Tell me, Lara Garcia, have you divulged your scandalous little video to your friend here?" Blakely taunted breaking the silence.Lara's discomfort was palpable beside me. "Stop it!" I yelled.Mia only smirked at my reaction. "I warned you about Lorenzo. He's a playboy. He doesn't have feelings for you, Ana. He is a bog liar. And you don't know a thing about him yet," She said. I remained silent. There was too many emotions going on through me and I hardly pay attention to her stupid words. "Also, this little best friend of yours is a liar. I understand it's tough to be deceived, Ana. That's why I've come to help you." She pulled out her phone and typed something. A notification pinged on my phone, indicating a message from her. I had no idea when she had obtained my number. I frowned. "This is a little piece of video that you might want to see for yourself about your so-called whore best friend," Mia said as she stood. She glanced at Lara one last time before focusing on me. "When you decide to uncover the truth and choose better friends, make sure you find me, Ana. Remember, I am not your enemy."Not my enemy, my ass. They left, and I turned to Lara, who seemed shattered and distraught for reasons I didn't yet comprehend. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and the students around us began to look at her, judging and mocking her. I could understand the pain she was going through. Swiftly, without any other words, she gathered her belongings and rushed out of the cafeteria. I chased after her."Lara... Stop!" I called, but she didn't. She began to run until I caught up to her. "Lara!""Leave me!" she yelled, her voice choked with emotion. "They're right... go away, Ana. You don't deserve to be with me. I...""Shut up," I interrupted firmly. "I've told you before, and I'll say it again. I'd choose you over anyone here, Lara.""You don't know anything about me!""Then tell me!" I implored. "I'm right here to listen."****After finally settling down in a nearby sitting area, Lara looked at me. She had calmed down from earlier. I haven't told her that Miley had mentioned about her in the journal and that I know, a few things about her to do with the Falcon group. It was something she would choose to share with me if she wanted and I respect her privacy. Now that she has finally decided to share, I would listen."If you want to talk about it, I am right here," I said, her eyes showing the inner turmoil she was experiencing."It..." She began. "It started eight months ago when I was a freshman here. Mia, Blakely and Tia were the campus goddesses. They possessed beauty and popularity and picked on every new girl around here." I noticed her gulp.I listened calmly.She took a deep breath before continuing, "Then, I arrived. I refused to bow down to her. I challenged her at every step and somehow became a popular freshman, giving Mia a run. She hated that, seeing her fame and limelight being shared." Lara glanced at me, and I gave her a small nod to continue."She tried to break me," Lara replied, her voice quivered. "but she couldn't succeed despite her several attempts. I didn't give up. I grew up in poverty and an abusive mother. I was too strong, for her, to break me so easily. And that's when...""That's when?" I prodded.She sighed. "Oliver came. Despite his initial dislike for me, there was an undeniable attraction between us. We both felt it. At least I did. And my mistake... I trusted him. I gave myself to him, thinking he had become the knight in shining armour, saving me from my despair.""And?""I began to like him. We fucked each other like crazy and explored various things together. I believed he had changed. Six months ago, one night, he called me to come to college, suggesting we try something new. I trusted him. Thrilling."Tears rolled down Lara's cheeks as she recounted her painful past. I softly held her hand, silently conveying my support."I was blindfolded and he gave me some drink." She breathed. "And when I woke up I found myself on a chair. Naked and getting filmed." She looked down in embarrassment. I could feel how broken she was. "I found out it was the Falcon Group. Oliver was one of them. He left me alone to suffer there. I cried and shouted for help but there was no one, Ana." She sobbed. "My voice became hoarse until when...""When?""Mark came to my rescue."Lara took a deep breath and wiped away her tears, her voice shaky but determined. "They recorded everything. Every humiliating moment. Those bastards made sure I was ruined. They spread the video all over the campus, even to some outsiders. It was hell, Ana. My life turned into a living nightmare. And I couldn't face anyone. I–" Her voice faltered.I couldn't find words to respond. The pain and betrayal she must have felt were beyond my imagination. All I could do was hold her hand tighter, offering my silent support.Lara continued, her voice quivering with emotion. "I was ashamed. Betrayed and alone. My family discarded me. Even my mother..." She paused, unable to finish the painful thought.I waited patiently for her to continue, my heart aching in empathy. "I couldn't do much," Lara confessed. "I couldn't do anything at all. I became a laughingstock on campus. I had to go under a long pressure before taking down the video. I had to undergo therapy for months." Her voice held a mixture of pain and resilience. "My sister, Heath. She was a super genius with the computers, who finally helped me take down the video and find out the IP address. Shawn was the one who uploaded it and heath made sure to file a report against him, but then..." Her voice broke."Then?"Our gazes locked, and she continued, "Then, my sister went missing, anonymously.""What do you mean, your sister went missing?"Taking a deep breath, Lara explained, "After she filed a report to the local police station with the help of her boyfriend, Jeff, the video was taken down and Shawn was only warned. But soon after that, she started behaving abnormally." Lara paused as if reliving the distressing memories. "For days, she wouldn't return home or talk to anyone. She broke up with Jeff."Lara continued, "She has always been my mother's favourite. My mother adored her because she looked much like our dad and reminded my mother of him, who left us long ago and I looked nothing like him. But Heath has always been kind towards me. She understood me. Loved me. And after seven days of filing the report, she went missing. Shortly after, we found a note stating that she had moved somewhere for a better future."Lara broke down in tears as she recounted her story. I listened attentively, sensing the weight of her pain. "And for once, I believed that. But...""But?" I inquired, wanting to understand the full scope of her ordeal."But it was unlikely of her. She would never run away. And when I connected the dots, I only came to one realization.""Falcon group?!" We uttered in unison.She held my hands in her as she spoke, "I was depressed and left alone, blamed for everything I never did, until one night I promised myself to find her. Until a few weeks ago, I returned to the campus again." She looked at me and smiled a little. "And I met you."The weight of this new revelation pressed down on me. It wasn't just Miley, Hardin, Lorenzo, Olivia or Lara who had suffered. There were others, countless others, who had endured unimaginable pain and torment. Oliver, Tony, Mia, and their crew had preyed on their vulnerability, exploiting their weaknesses mercilessly.I stood up. Eyes raged in fury and anger.This needs to be stopped.****After our heart-to-heart with Lara, we found ourselves in another meeting with the dean. His stern words hung in the air as he cautioned us to avoid trouble or risk suspension for trespassing. But to my surprise, he was less bothered about everything I told him about the Falcon Group.The conversation ended as the sun disappeared below the horizon, shrouding my determination to gather evidence against those who tormented us in shadows. The dean, a stout figure emanating an undercurrent of hostility, gave us some leniency, maybe due to the influence of the Brown name. Yet, my suspicions were strong – I thought he had close connections to Oliver and his gang, tangled in their network of corruption.With Lara on her way home and Mia and Blakely off to a party, presumably to celebrate Blakely's birthday, the campus was gradually shrouded in dusk's embrace. Students are leaving for their home.Ronin, my new driver, had to leave for home on urgent notice and he requested my permission, which I granted. He suggested informing Robert so that they could send me another driver, but I declined. I preferred to take a cab for the day rather than involving another bodyguard driver in my affairs.Ronin was a newcomer, but he proved to be just as efficient as any of the potential drivers-cum-bodyguards my father had hired. One thing I appreciated about him was that he never hovered like some of the others. I liked that about him and it made me feel more comfortable in his presence.But I wasn't so sure about the others, so I pivoted.As I emerged from the dean's office, a distant silhouette caught my attention. It was Lorenzo. Walking alone in the dimming twilight. The fading light painted his handsome features with shades of evening, transforming him into a living work of art. An irresistible impulse drove me to approach him."Lorenzo?" I called out tentatively, my voice touched with a soft tremor.A/N: That was Lara's tragic past. Comment your thoughts below regarding The Falcon Group. Bullying is a crime and a punishable offence. I do not promote bullying. Thank you for reading this book. See ya next week.