##shattered ##

chapter seven

Burned Pride( Continuation)

The hallway still buzzed with the echo of gossip.

Saira stood in front of her mirror, brushing her hair with long, deliberate strokes. But her reflection didn’t calm her. It mocked her.

Rihan.

The one boy in the entire university who remained untouched by every trick in her book. Money? She had it. Looks? She was crowned campus queen two years in a row. Influence? Students bowed when she walked past. Professors gave her soft grades. Staff gave her way. But not him.

Rihan Clatzer had humiliated her. He hadn't even looked at her when his security dragged her away like trash from his property. That memory still burned under her skin.

Now some new girl—some scholarship nobody—had done what Saira couldn't. Daisy had gone in... and come out unharmed.

Worse, he spoke to her.

The rage twisted inside her like a serpent.

She turned from the mirror and stormed across her room, knocking over a stool in the process. Campbell, who was lounging on the bed scrolling through her phone, jumped.

"Hey! What's—"

"We're done waiting," Saira snapped.

Campbell, blinked. "For what?"

"For Daisy to crawl away on her own. That girl needs to learn her place. She thinks just because she exchanged a few words with Rihan, she’s one of us."

Campbell frowned. "She does not seem interested. maybe it just a coincidence.

"Exactly," Saira cut in sharply. "She’s building sympathy. Playing innocent. That’s how these scholarship rats get attention. Poor little Daisy, the quiet girl who survived Rihan’s wrath."

She paced the room like a queen preparing for war.

"We need to remind her that this school doesn’t run on fairy tales. It runs on power. And in River Nightingale, I decide who belongs."

Campbell hesitated. "What do you want to do?"

Saira turned, eyes cold. "Something elegant. Public. Psychological."

She picked up her phone and tapped a few buttons.

"First, we invite her to the Welcome Night photoshoot. Tell her it's tradition for first-years to attend. Make it sound friendly."

Campbell raised an eyebrow. "And then?"

"Then... we give her a makeover." Saira’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

---

The Invitation

The next day, Daisy was walking to the cafeteria when a soft voice called her name.

"Hey... Daisy, right?"

She turned and saw a girl she didn’t recognize. She had soft curls and carried herself like she belonged in a magazine shoot.

"Yes?"

"I’m Serena. I’m part of the Events Club. We’re hosting the Welcome Night magazine shoot tomorrow. It’s a small photoshoot for the university’s website—first-years only. Your name came up because you’re a scholarship student and you are in your first years.

Daisy’s face went pale. "What do you mean?"

"Don’t worry," Serena smiled sweetly. "Nothing bad. Just... people are curious about the girl who met Rihan Clatzer and survived."

Daisy swallowed hard. "I don’t know if that’s a good idea."

"You don’t have to say anything. Just show up, dress up, take a few pictures. It’ll make you look good."

Daisy hesitated. She didn’t like attention—but something about Serena’s tone was disarming.

"Alright," she said quietly. "I’ll come."

---

The Setup

Daisy entered the Events Club lounge the next evening and immediately felt out of place. The room shimmered with lights. A photographer was setting up. Clothes and makeup kits were neatly arranged in a corner.

"Daisy!" Campbell called, waving her over. She smiled with too many teeth.

Saira stood nearby, flipping through a rack of dresses

you look familiar. Saira asked** you are the girl that bumped into me. . am sorry for the way l behave that day . it's ok ! Daisy smiled thinking she might have misjudged her. on the other end Campbell and Irana exchanged ' their face saying what's she plotting .

"This one," she said, pulling out a glittery pink gown. "Perfect for you."

Daisy blinked. "It looks... a little much."

"Don’t worry," Saira said smoothly. "We’ll tone it down with makeup. Trust us. You’ll look amazing."

Before she could protest, they swept her into a chair.

An hour later, Daisy stood in front of the mirror, stunned. Her face was heavily contoured. Her lips were a bright purple. Glitter sparkled around her eyes.

The dress clung tightly to her body, too short, too loud.

"I... don’t look like me," she murmured.

"You look better," Saira replied. "Go stand over there. It’s your turn."

As Daisy walked onto the mini-stage, whispers broke out.

Snickers.

Camera clicks.

Someone coughed the word "clown."

Her heart pounded.

She froze in place.

"Pose," the photographer said.

She lifted her chin slightly, trying to fake confidence.

A bright flash blinded her.

Then another.

Then laughter.

She turned and saw a girl showing her phone to another.

They were laughing at a picture.

Of her.

Her head spun.

She stepped off the stage and rushed to the dressing room, heart racing, cheeks burning.

Behind her, Saira watched with satisfaction.

Campbell leaned in. "That was brutal."

"She asked for it," Saira said calmly. "Maybe next time, she’ll stay in her lane."

---

Back in the Dorm

Isabell was waiting when Daisy returned.

One look at her face and she stood. "What happened?"

Daisy dropped onto the bed. "They tricked me. Made me look like a joke in front of everyone."

She wiped a tear from her cheek. "And it’s all because I met Rihan." Someone that l despise Daisy said in between her tears.

Isabell’s jaw tightened. "They’re jealous. Especially Saira. You embarrassed her just by existing."

"I didn’t mean to," Daisy whispered.

"That doesn’t matter to people like her. But listen to me—don’t let her win. Don’t hide."

Daisy nodded slowly.

"They want me to disappear," she said softly. "But I won’t."

Isabell smiled. "That’s my girl."

To Be Continued…

guys Daisy is so naive someone poured a coffee on you and you thought you might have misjudged her. nahhh

Aishhhh...