The next few days blurred into a nightmare of whispers and sideways glances.
Emma walked across campus with her head high, but every step felt like walking through broken glass. Groups of students went quiet when she passed. Some stared openly. Others pretended not to notice her at all. Her phone had become a minefield, messages from curious classmates, a few cruel anonymous texts, and worried voicemails from her mother that she still hadn’t returned.
In the dining hall, her best friend Sarah finally cornered her.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” Sarah said, sliding into the seat across from Emma with two coffees. “Talk. Now.”
Emma wrapped her hands around the warm cup, staring into the dark liquid. “There’s nothing to say. It’s all over the forums. You’ve probably seen the videos.”
Sarah l
