Part 3Negative Exposure

After class, we were heading to the dining hall when my roommate nudged me, grinning.

"Dressed to kill for a date, huh? Look, lover boy is waiting at the door."

I looked.

Damien was leaning against the wall. But he didn't look happy. He looked impatient, constantly checking the classroom door.

The Chat started cheering.

[Zoe! He came to you! This is him giving you an out! Grab this chance!]

[It’s so hard for him to swallow his pride. Be nice to him, Zoe.]

[He loves you so much! He barely slept and didn't even eat breakfast just to catch you here.]

I ignored the floating text, clutching the laptop bag tighter.

I walked toward him.

When he saw me, his pupils constricted.

Before I could speak, he sneered. "Zoe, you look like a hooker. Again."

My body went rigid. It felt like someone had stuffed cotton down my throat.

Students walking by paused, whispering and staring.

Before I could react, Damien barked an order. "Go change."

The Chat nodded in agreement.

[Why is she so stubborn? She knows he hates revealing clothes. She asked for this.]

[He just wants to protect her modesty. He’s giving her a chance.]

[Damien’s mouth is harsh, but his heart is in the right place. Just go change, sis.]

I was about to snap when an arm draped over my shoulder.

My roommates had my back.

"Damien," one of them scoffed. "It’s 2025. Maybe cut the misogyny?"

"You know a lot about hookers, huh? Speaking from experience?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with a slip dress? If I had Zoe's body, I'd walk around naked. Mind your own business."

Damien’s face turned a violent shade of red.

[Wow, Zoe’s friends are toxic. Why isn't she defending him?]

[This FL is so selfish.]

[Poor Damien. He came here with so much courage and just gets humiliated.]

I looked away from the delulu comments. I didn't say a word to him.

I just pulled the laptop out of my bag and shoved it into his chest.

Suddenly, a petite figure popped out from behind him.

Lexie hooked her arm through Damien’s, smiling up at him.

"You got the laptop? Yay! Damien, you promised to shoot my new portfolio!"

She turned to me, a smug smirk on her lips.

"Zoe, mind if I borrow your boyfriend? We just have such good chemistry."

Before I could speak, Damien ruffled her hair, his voice dripping with honey.

"We don't need Zoe's permission."

"She’s nobody."