chapter-6(Love Triangle? More Like a Disaster Zone!)

 Thana's car speeds off, leaving me standing there, fuming. And as if on cue, the gossip kicks into high gear. Nearby students start whispering like I just committed a crime. I storm ahead, still fuming, I'm power-walking, still grumbling under my breath about Thana's audacity, when—BAM! A wild P'Yeepun appears, stepping right in my path. Oh, wonderful. Just the person I don't want to see. Arms crossed, eyes full of fire. Here we go. Her friends are whispering furiously, but she? Oh no, she's just staring. Plotting. Like some villain, arms crossed, with a cold smile. "So it's you. the one who's in my way, " I was blinking, pointing at myself "Huh? Me?". She walked forward with a mean look"Who else, Pearl? The tree behind you?" it is a voice laced with sarcasm. "Did you think pulling this trick would make you win?"My jaw almost DROPS, absolutely lost"Huh?! What did you just say?!". Win what?! The 'Unfortunate Life Choices' award?! Because if so, yeah, I'm currently leading in votes."I know exactly who you are, and what kind of a person you are". I stepped back as I heard P'Yeepun. Fantastic! Because even I don't know who I am in this situation! Let's be honest, I'm just a girl trying not to be murdered before, today's first class. "You ruined my moment last night."My figure raised in confusion. only your moment was ruined last, what about me? my whole life is ruined, because of that Thana you loves. "Moment...? You mean the part where you knelt in front of hundreds of people to propose to a guy who doesn't even love you?"P'Yeepun's eye twitched. My hand flies over my mouth. Oops. that's not what i indented to say, it just slipped out. " How dare you?" "i mean-"Before I can back away, an arm snakes around my shoulders. I don't need to look. I already know who it is.It was DEW grinning, and overly cheerful. "Hey, hey, hey! What's up, ladies? Fighting first thing in the morning?" Oh for the love of—NOT NOW, DEW! Behind him, my other equally unhelpful friends appear, looking way too excited. " Ooooh, is she Thana's fan club president?". tarn said smirking at Yeepun, arms crossed. Someone please take them away before we all get cursed!"I'm not just a fan club member!" P'Yeepun said as she glared at tarn. Tarn continued. "OMG! Were you engaged?!" shit!This is getting out of hand. "Hah? I told you, he already has a girlfriend." Tee replied to Tarn . CAN YOU PLEASE SAY THAT IN A LESS CHAOTIC WAY?!!. P'YEEPUN'S FACE IS RED WITH ANGER. Yeepun glares, looking like she wants to lunge at me, but my friends casually form a wall around me, like a bunch of smug bodyguards.But before she can say another word, Tarn nudged Tee grinning, "Wait, wait, wait! So P' Thana is the male lead in this tragic love triangle?". That's it. I'm done. I face palm so hard it hurts while Dew BURSTS OUT LAUGHING. I need new friends. Immediately!Without another word, she snaps at me. growling, and said, pointing at me. "You... I won't let this go so easily!". Yeah, because my life isn't already stressful enough. " I 'm warning you Pearl, Don't interfere with Thana anymore!" Then, she storms off, leaving us in a sea of laughter. Dew didn't stopped as he calls out.."Oh! You don't want to be in a love triangle, huh?" then he changed his gaze towards me, as he said in a teasing tone. "Oh ho! Our friend just became the villain!"I let out an exaggerated sigh. Because, really. What even is my life right now?finally we all started to walk to our class, Tee was laughing like this is the highlight of his life, then he elbows me.

"Spill it, Pearl! How'd you manage to catch P' Thana?!"

Catch him?! I groan, rubbing my temples.

"You idiots! I didn't catch him! I'm the victim here!" But do they listen? Of course not. Tarn dramatically gasps and clutches Tee's arm like we're in some kind of drama.

"Victim?! Then what about him picking you up this morning, huh?!" Tee smirked, shaking his head. That's it. I throw my hands up in frustration.

"He caused all this! I knew nothing!"

But Tee and Tarn? They just exchange glances... and BURST OUT LAUGHING. Meanwhile, Yok walks a little behind us, completely silent but clearly amused. He doesn't say a word, but the look in his eyes? He already gets it. And then there's Dew. Hands in his pockets, staring straight ahead, not saying a damn thing.Tarn, still wiping a fake tear from laughing too hard, sighs dramatically.

"Damn, I feel bad for you! Having such a cold boyfriend!" and Tee pats my shoulder with mock pity. "Ohhh, I totally get why P' Thana is always quiet! He was secretly flirting with you the whole time!" I Screamed. Grabbing both of them by the shoulders. Shaking them.

"Stop SAYING THESE INSANE THINGS ALREADYYYY!!!"

But that only makes them laugh harder. Yok just sighs like he's already tired of our nonsense. Dew, still silent, rubs his temple. And I stomp ahead, fuming. Tarn nudges Tee again, still grinning.

"Omg, look! She's totally blushing!"

I spin around so fast I nearly trip."I AM NOT THANA'S GIRLFRIEND!!!"Dew sighs, running a hand through his hair, looking like he's questioning all his life choices. But it's the way his fingers curl into a fist in his pocket that catches my attention—except before I can think too much about it, Yok smirks slightly. He noticed. But he doesn't say a word. As I pretended I don't notice either.[THANA]University life is noisy. Chaotic, Full of people who seem to have too much time on their hands. But I'm used to it. Used to the whispers, the stares, the exaggerated reactions over things that shouldn't even be a big deal. Today, though, it's worse than usual. As I walk through the hallway, my name is everywhere. My name and hers.FEMALE STUDENT 1 (whispering, but not really):-Oh my god! He's insanely hot! FEMALE STUDENT 2 (dramatic, clutching her chest):-But why does my heart hurt?! He has a girlfriend now?!MALE STUDENT 1 (snorting, scrolling through his phone):-Look! The university page is flooded with P' Thana and Pearl!. I kept walking, unfazed. Hands in my pockets. Face unreadable. As it was Not worth my time.[Thana's CLASSROOM]As soon as I step inside, two pairs of hands shoot up like I'm a celebrity they've been waiting to interview. Franc and Ploy. This will be annoying.Franc grinning, tapping the seat beside him. "Get over here, bro! Let's talk about your girlfriend!" I sigh but take the seat anyway. raising an eyebrow, Ploy said amused

"Last night, you set the whole university on fire, you know that?"

then I let out an exaggerated sigh. Because, really. What even is my life right now?. Then Franc, shoving his phone at me. "Look at this! They posted pics of you dropping Pearl off at her house and picking her up this morning!"My eyes flick to the screen. My timeline is a mess.· "Thana x Pearl! The unexpected but iconic campus couple?!"· "BREAKING: Cold Engineering Prince Thana actually has a girlfriend???"· "Pearl, how did you tame the untamable?!!"· "Are they real? Are they fake? Or is this a secret contract love story?!"If Pearl sees this, she's going to explode. I lean back, adjusting my sleeves, completely indifferent."Hm" ploy leaned forward

how exactly are you gonna explain this to the entire collage and to your, fans and followers? Or... you intended for them to believe this all along?"

Finally, I glance at them. Just a small look. Then, a slow, deliberate smirk forms at the corner of my lips. "Damn! This guy is dangerous!" Franc said as he leaned backwards dramatically. Shaking her head ploy said "I'm actually starting to feel bad for Pearl..."I didn't respond. Just leaned back, resting my chin on my hand. Completely unbothered by what is happening. The storm has already started. All I have to do is sit back and watch, As the Mission is accomplished.The classroom is alive with whispers, giggles, and the occasional not-so-subtle glance in my direction. It's been like this since I walked in—Franc and Ploy making it worse by nudging me every chance they get. They think this is entertaining and I care. I don't...Then, just as Franc is about to say something else, the door swings open. The room falls into instant silence as Professor entered adjusting his glasses, setting his books down

"Alright, everyone. Today, we're going to discuss..." Everyone sits up, pretending to be model students. Well, almost everyone. Franc sneaks another glance at me, smirk still intact. He's enjoying this way too much.

I didn't react. No eye contact or No acknowledgment. I flip open my notebook, completely indifferent and ignoring franc, As if nothing happened.[PEARL]-ClassroomMorning classes? Already a struggle. Morning classes after last night's disaster? Absolute hell. I slumped over my desk, half-asleep, while Tee, Tarn, and Yok chatter away. My brain isn't processing a single word.Tee started to nudge me all grinning "Still not awake?" Tarn continued supporting him, laughing, waving a hand in front of my face

"Pearl~ Or should P'Thana wake you up?" My head snaps up so fast it could break the sound barrier. "What the hell are you guys talking about?!" But before I can strangle them, the air shifts. You know that moment in movies when mean girls make their grand entrance? Yeah. That's happening. A group of three or four girls struts toward my desk, exuding smug, passive-aggressive energy. Arms crossed. Smirks ready. I already know this isn't going to be fun. One of the girls who looked like the leader of that group, glared at me scoffing, tilting her chin up)

"I knew this would happen." Another girl continued, rolling her eyes. "This kind of girl..."

...I'm sorry, what? raising an eyebrow, confused I asked "What is your problem?"Girl who looked like the leader, leans in, her voice sharp enough to cut."Are you happy being a homewrecker?" The classroom went DEAD silent. Tee and Tarn's jaws hit the floor. Yok tensed up. My brain? Completely malfunctions." ...Huh?" i asked Deadpan and confused

the third girl said crossing her arms, huffing. "You did all this just to get popular with P'Thana, didn't you?" What. The. Hell. Are they even talking about?? "What exactly are you talking about?" asked as I frowned

The leader Girl smirked and shoved her phone in my face. The Screen? Blown up with posts about me and Thana!!!. Photos of him dropping me off!. Picking me up! . Gossip flooding the comments.)📲 "Thana's unexpected girlfriend—Pearl?! Who would've thought?!"📲 "Yeepun got played?! Is Pearl the real deal?!"

📲 "Thana and Pearl—REAL or FAKE? Debate in the comments!"

My soul leaves my body. I sprinted out of my seat. And Before I can go commit a crime, a hand gently lands on my shoulder. I spin around—Dew. His eyes are steady, voice calm. "Calm down, Pearl." Yok steps in, blocking me from the Girl Squad, his voice tired but firm. Yok, rubbing his temple. "You all have the wrong idea. It's not what you think. A girl among them scoffing, flipping her hair continued. "Oh yeah? Well, we'll see if it's real or not." Another one glared and said. "We'll be watching you closely, 'NONG PEARL'" With that, they strut off, leaving behind a ticking time bomb—me. I inhale. Exhale. Hands on my hips. Trying. Not. To. Explode.Tee whistling, leaning to Tarn said "Damn, that was intense!"I feel like I just watched a soap opera unfold." Tarn said as he fanning himself. "I CAN'T with this anymore!!"I said, GROANING covering my face. Yok pats my back like I just survived a war. Dew? He's quiet. Too quiet. His eyes are still on me, unreadable. Like he knows something. Like he's thinking too much. I don't have time to care. Right now, I just need to find Thana—AND KILL HIM.