The sun filtered through the college corridor windows, its golden light mocking the heavy shadows trailing Samanda's heart. She walked towards her locker, hazel eyes scanning the familiar bustle of campus life—laughter, whispers, the usual hum of the morning. But today, something was different.
She felt the weight of their stares, sharp as shards of glass slicing through her confidence. The laughter wasn't warm; it was cold, biting. She froze when she saw it—a piece of paper slapped across her locker door like a cruel announcement.
"Samanda, the Great Cheater."
Her breath caught, her world tilted. The words screamed louder than her pounding heart. She ripped the paper off with trembling hands, her voice breaking into a raw, desperate cry.
"No… no, no, no!" she wailed, tearing it to shreds. But the pieces weren't enough to bury the humiliation.
Her legs moved on their own, carrying her far away, past the judgmental eyes and whispered rumors, until she reached the sanctuary of the washroom. Slamming the door shut, she slid down to the cold tiles, burying her face in her hands.
"Why me?" she whispered, tears cascading like rain. "God… why me?"
---
The bell rang, echoing in the silence of her refuge, but Samanda didn't move. She couldn't face them—not the posters, not the whispers, not the eyes. When the hallway quieted, she slipped out, her body heavy with dread, and found solace in the quiet corners of the library.
---
Bennet tapped his pen against the desk, his gaze wandering to Samanda's empty seat.
"I saw her earlier," he murmured. "Why isn't she here?"
His phone buzzed. Jenny, seated across the room, smirked and gestured for him to check it. Reluctantly, he glanced down. His eyes widened as the image filled the screen—a picture of the poster.
"Samanda, the Great Cheater."
"What the hell?" he muttered, anger bubbling beneath his carefully composed demeanor.
"Bennet! If you're so distracted, you may leave my class!" the professor snapped. All eyes turned to him, but he didn't care. He clenched his jaw, locking his phone and ignoring Jenny's smug expression.
As soon as the bell rang, he rushed out. He had to find her.
---
"Sam! Answer me!" Joe's voice trembled as she dialed Samanda's number again. No answer. Desperation gnawed at her. Samanda wasn't just her best friend—she was her sister, her pillar. And someone had shattered her.
She stormed through the library, her heart pounding. At last, she heard it—a faint, shaky sob coming from behind a row of shelves. She turned the corner and found Samanda huddled in the shadows, her hazel eyes red and swollen.
"Sam…" Joe whispered, kneeling down and cupping her friend's face. "Please don't cry."
"I can't…" Samanda's voice cracked. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Joe rushed to open a nearby window, letting the crisp air wash over her.
"I don't want to live like this," Samanda whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I thought college would be my escape. A fresh start. But it's worse… so much worse. No one wants me here."
Joe's own eyes filled with tears as she pulled Samanda into a fierce hug. "Don't you ever say that, Sam. You have me. You have Aunt Lu. We love you more than anything. Don't let them win. Don't let them control your life."
---
They left the library together, Joe holding Samanda's hand like a lifeline. As they stepped into the hallway, Bennet appeared, his expression unreadable.
"Nice poster, Samanda," he said coldly, though his voice cracked ever so slightly. "I never thought you'd stoop this low."
Before he could say another word, Joe shoved him hard. "If you talk about her like that again, you'll regret it," she snarled, her dark brown eyes blazing.
Bennet didn't respond, but his fists clenched. As Joe led Samanda away, he whispered to himself, "I can't see her cry anymore. But who… who did this to her?"
Behind him, Jenny smirked. "Well, she deserved it," she said under her breath, but Bennet ignored her, storming away.
---
Joe led Samanda down a quiet road lined with trees, away from the chaos. They sat on an old bench, the sunlight filtering through the branches above.
"I miss her," Samanda said softly, her eyes misting. "Grandma… she always knew how to make things better."
Joe watched as Samanda gazed at a nearby park, lost in her memories. "She'd take me there every day, even when she was tired. She was my rock when everything else fell apart.And he will be here also".
"He?" Joe asked confused.
Samanda's tears fell again. "Bennet." "You were friends?But you didnt told me about this ". "You know him.He was my Bennie Pam. My best friend. My everything. I thought coming here would bring us back together. But the first day he mocked me in front of everyone… it broke me." Samanda said,her voice soft
Joe's jaw dropped. "Bennet is Bennie Pam? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't," Samanda whispered. "I didn't want to ruin the memories of him. But he's not the same. He's not my Bennie Pam anymore."
Joe hugged her tightly, her heart breaking for her friend. "Maybe he misunderstood you, Sam. Maybe he's just… scared."
Samanda shook her head. "No, Joe. He's gone. The boy I knew is gone."
Joe pulled Sam into a tight hug, feeling her tears soak into her sweatshirt. She held her even closer, her voice teasing. "Don't soak me with your tears."
Sam let out a soft laugh despite herself. "Sorry."
They shared a brief, shaky laugh, but then Sam's expression shifted. "Is that him?" she asked, her voice laced with fear.
"Joe, run…" she whispered urgently.
---