Cass Winfield had learned to expect chaos. She had learned to hold her head high, let the whispers roll off, and pretend the fire around her didn’t touch her. But today, the storm was different. This wasn’t just a rumor, a snide comment, or a viral video. This was a full-blown public humiliation designed to break her, orchestrated by Marvin Woods himself, and he had planned it meticulously.
The gym smelled of sweat, popcorn, and nervous anticipation. Students crowded in bleachers, chattering, their attention divided between the pep rally performances and the undercurrent of tension Cass felt in her chest. Marvin stood at the center stage, chest puffed, girlfriend on his arm like a trophy, smirking in a way that made her blood boil.
Cass had prepared for this. She had allies, evidence, an
