Caught in 4K

"Kilin...," whispered Keele when she saw her enter the classroom. Her mood was also a far cry from what it was when Kilin told her about the messages in the stairway.

"Look," she said handing her her cellphone to take a look at the school forum. Kilin placed the cake in her desk and took the cell phone from her.

There was a high-definition picture of Luna stepping out of the car this morning with Wyatt following behind her. The comments were countless with some speculating that they were dating and how good they looked together.

Kilin pursed her lips as she read through some of them. It was like getting stabbed in the heart repeatedly. Her uncle was right. Nothing good could have come out of associating with someone like Wyatt. She finally realised how delusional she was for actually thinking that he was interested in her.

The classroom was almost empty with only the two of them left and three other students.

A loud knock drew their attention. At the back door, a tall figure stood there before speaking in a deep voice.

"Didn't you hear the bell? Do you want to get demerits on your first day back to school?" said Mr Harris their new homeroom teacher. He had a track record for being strict with his senior class and before he even introduced himself to them he was already checking on his class.

"Sorry sir," said a few students before scurrying out of the classroom. Kilin slipped Keele's cell phone into her blazer as the walked out of the class.

Two minutes later they stepped into the assembly hall, their footsteps echoing through the grand space. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the entire school had gathered for the first assembly of the year. The hall was abuzz with chatter, the sound of hundreds of students conversing filling the air.

It was adorned with a sense of grandeur, befitting the ranking of the school. A thick red curtain, embellished with intricate designs, hung prominently on the stage.

At its centre, a large eye-catching emblem of the school hung. It was a majestic phoenix dancing amidst vibrant flames a symbol embodying the spirit of resilience and rebirth, a reminder to every student of their potential.

Kilin's eyes traced the rows of seats designated for each class, with the seniors occupying the front row. The sea of faces radiated a mixture of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. Teachers and staff members moved about, ensuring everything was in place for the assembly to begin.

As they made their way towards the rows of seats, Kilin couldn't help but notice the piercing gazes following her every move. Whispers floated through the crowd, the curiosity and speculation palpable. But she ignored it all completely unaware that the forum was exploding with another scandal and it had everything to do with her.

As she sat down in her seat, Lance one of Wyatt's friends glanced in that direction. Resting his elbow on the armrest he said, "Wyatt, you are so heartless. You could have waited at least a week. Look at her...tsk she looks so heartbroken."

Wyatt's gaze remained fixed in front seeming unbothered. He rubbed his upper lip exuding a regal aura as he said, "Sometimes you need to be heartless lest you give them the illusion that there is something when there isn't."

Kigen leaned forward disregarding Lance who was sitting between him and Wyatt. "I heard she cried," he said before letting out a soft chuckle. "You are such a heartbreaker." He clutched his chest with a grimace acting like he was having a heart attack.

Lance laughed along as Ross pursed his lips glancing in Kilin's direction. They had been separated with the boys to the right and girls to the left of the hall but he could still see her.

Kilin had her head lowered looking at the phone screen in her hand. Behind her, she heard a couple of girls giggle which shouldn't have bothered her. What did bother her was what they said after that. In a tone as though they were imitating someone one of them said, "Here... boyfriend," followed by another giggle.

The other followed up in a deep voice saying, "You are not my type," before they covered their mouths giggling again.

Kilin bit her cheek having realised that this was the conversation she had with Wyatt. Keele turned to look at Kilin and her chest tightened.

Kilin opened the notification she had ignored before on the school forum and there it was... an entire 4K video of her conversation with Wyatt now playing for everyone to see? The caption read, 'Kilin gets dumped by Wyatt!'

Her fingers trembled and she almost dropped the phone in her hand. The world around her started to spin, the giggles and whispers behind her becoming a cacophonous roar in her ears. She felt a wave of nausea hit her as she clutched the phone, her vision blurring. This was a nightmare, and all she wanted was to wake up. But as she sat there, the cruel laughter and mockery echoing around her and the video of her humiliation playing on a loop, she knew that this was reality. And it was a reality she had to face, no matter how painful it was.

"Hehehehe hehe, you sound like freaking hyenas. Now stop... geez," said Keele reprimanding the girls behind her.

"What's it to you, huh? Mind your business," said one of them and Keele's lips twitched as she spun around with a balled-up fist as though ready to fight.

"Miss Keele!" yelled their homeroom teacher as he passed by bringing her back to reality.

"If you are desperate for more exercise then I can recommend you for two more hours of physical education per day."

Keele, "..."

Lucky for her the head teachers had started their procession on the stage otherwise Mr Harris might have really given her punishment.

The hall fell into silence as the principal stepped onto the stage, his voice resonating through the speakers. He welcomed the students, emphasizing the importance of unity and progress within the school community.

Kilin half listened, her mind still in a daze.

When his speech concluded the room erupted into applause. Kilin joined in, clapping her hands along with her classmates, the sound reverberating through the hall but her mind wasn't there.

The rest of the day drifted by with Kilin's actions almost robotic. She just wanted this day to be over so she could go home and cry while streaming a sad romantic comedy.