**ARIA POV**
I took a uniform from the locker and went to the restroom to change out of my juice-stained clothes. I can't understand why Hannah is still so mad at me—I've been keeping Cairo away, which is what she wanted.
I also didn't expect that someone would record a video of our argument on the bench yesterday. The slap Hannah gave me was so hard that the left side of my cheek is still red. I don't know if I can keep studying here. I just want to avoid getting involved with anyone, hoping that this mess will finally end.
Once I finished changing, I headed straight to the classroom. While walking down the corridor, I was shocked when people started throwing crumpled papers and other things at me.
"Leave this school! You just want attention!"
"You're so shameless! You don't belong here!"
"Poor girl!" "You're a flirt, Aria!" "Attention-seeker with the four princes."
Those were the words they were hurling at me, along with whatever objects they could find. Then, someone threw a shoe at me, and the heel hit the side of my forehead. It hurt so much that I fell to the ground and instinctively touched the spot on my forehead where the shoe had hit—it was bleeding.
I wanted to scream, to beg them to stop, but no words came out of my mouth. I felt so small at that moment, so insignificant, to be treated this way. My tears started falling uncontrollably.
"Stop it!" I heard a girl's voice shout.
I looked up to see a female student who had somehow managed to silence everyone. They all left, and I wondered who this girl was for them to listen so easily. She knelt down and looked at my wound.
"This is bad. You're hurt. Let's go to the clinic." she said, helping me to my feet and taking me to the clinic.
She even insisted on treating my wound herself, borrowing supplies from the school nurse.
"I'm sorry that it happened to you." she said to me.
I couldn't understand why she was apologizing. Who is this girl?
"I don't know, maybe I should just get used to it." I said as she treated my wound.
"Don't say that. No one deserves to be treated like this." she replied firmly.
"I'm Luna, the SSG president of the school. I didn't expect that this would happen upon my return here—the students have lost their respect." Luna said.
This is the first time I've seen her, and now I understand why the students listened to her earlier. I didn't know there was an SSG here in the university; I thought SSG was only for high school. But I guess because this school is prestigious, nothing is impossible here.
"Don't worry, I won't let this happen again." she added.
"Thank you." I replied. She smiled at me.
"Good thing I didn't end up going to France, because if I did, this school might be a living hell by now because of those trouble-making students." Luna said.
"France?" I asked.
"Yes, that's where I was supposed to study, but my dad didn't allow it due to business matters. I've been away from this school for a while because I was studying the French language, but eventually, I returned. My dad wanted me to study here instead." she explained.
Business matters—another sign that Luna is wealthy. But she seems kind. After she finished treating my wound, she excused herself, saying she needed to call an SSG members' meeting.
I stayed in the clinic, feeling reluctant to leave, fearing that I might encounter more misfortune outside. So, I decided to take a nap. When I woke up, it was already afternoon. I quickly got up from the bed and left the clinic.
I went straight to the music room. I wanted to thank Asher for defending me earlier and also apologize for how I acted, as I'd left so suddenly without even thanking him.
I peeked through the window outside the music room. A few members were inside, and I saw Asher near the stage—and Luna? Do they know each other?
"I'm glad you're not going to France anymore." Asher said to Luna.
"Well, I'm sad because I wanted to go to France, but at the same time, I'm happy because I can continue fulfilling my duties here as the SSG president." Luna replied.
Business matter—another sign that Luna is also wealthy. But she seems kind enough. After she finished treating my wound, she excused herself, saying she needed to call an SSG members' meeting. I stayed in the clinic, still hesitant to go out, afraid I might run into more misfortune. So, I just decided to take a nap. When I woke up, it was already afternoon. I quickly got up from the bed and left the clinic.
I headed straight to the music room. I wanted to thank Asher for defending me earlier and to apologize for my behavior, since I'd left without even thanking him. I peeked through the window outside the music room. A few members were inside, and I saw Asher near the stage—and Luna? Do they know each other?
"I'm glad you're not going to France anymore." Asher said to Luna.
"Well, I'm a little sad because I wanted to go to France, but at the same time, I'm happy because I can still fulfill my duties here as the SSG president." Luna replied.
"That's why I'm so proud of you, Luna. Being the SSG president is a big responsibility, but you're handling it all so well." Asher said to Luna.
"I just want the school to be a fair place for all students." Luna replied.
"Just know I'm always here to support you. I'm your number one supporter." Asher said.
"That's what I love about you, and that's what I would have missed most if I'd gone to France. I wouldn't have been able to hear all these comforting words from you." Luna replied.
I didn't know why, but I felt a pang in my chest—something I knew I had no right to feel. Maybe he's just naturally kind, and I've been reading too much into all the nice things he's done for me.
Could Luna be the "someone close to his heart" that Asher mentioned when he was working on that song? The thought just made my heart feel heavier, so I walked away from the music room and headed to the parking lot.
It was already late afternoon, and the day was ending. But when I reached the parking lot, I was shocked to see my bike—it was completely wrecked, with the tires slashed and parts torn off. Who could have done this?
Just then, I saw Denzel and Sade heading toward the parking lot with Cairo. I looked away, but they would still pass right by me. As they got closer…
"Aria, what happened to your bike?" Sade asked, surprised.
"I don't know, it was already like this when I came here." I replied.
"Come on, Aria, did some students mess with you earlier? Why do you have two band-aids on the side of your forehead?" Denzel asked, looking confused.
Cairo, on the other hand, was just looking back and forth between me and the bike.
"No, it's nothing… I just bumped into something." I lied.
"Well, now your bike's wrecked." Denzel remarked.
"I'll just take a ride home." I said.
"Why don't you come with us?" Sade offered.
"Tsk, why would you let her ride with us… just leave her there." Cairo said.