Chapter 3: The Confession Game
953 Words
“Some people fall in love slowly. Others? They trip face-first in the middle of the cafeteria with everyone watching.”
– Katienne Vale, victim of his own mouth
SCENE 1: Orientation Games
The university auditorium buzzed with energy. Students packed the rows, chatting, laughing, throwing paper airplanes while the orientation host, an overly energetic senior in neon green suspenders—tapped the mic repeatedly.
“Alright, freshies! Welcome to The Helaria Hype Games! Our next challenge is… the CONFESSION GAME!”
Wild applause. Groans. Nervous laughter.
Katienne, slouched in his seat, turned to Dax.
“Confession? Like… religioius?”
“Bro,” Dax grinned. “They mean confessing your crush. In public.”
“I’m dropping out.”
“Too late. They already picked you.”
The spotlight hit Katienne like a divine slap.
Host: “Our lucky contestant is… Katienne Vale! Come on down!
”
Dax (laughing): “Rip.”
SCENE 1.1: The Walk of Doom
Katienne stood up slowly, like a prisoner being summoned for execution. Students cheered, some chanting his name like a sports team mascot. Someone threw confetti. Where did they even get confetti?
He shot Dax a betrayed look. Dax gave a thumbs up and mimed a heart with his fingers. Traitor.
As Katienne walked to the stage, he could feel his soul trying to leave his body through his socks.
SCENE 2: In the Spotlight
Katienne climbed onstage, one hand shielding his eyes from the blinding spotlight.
Host: “Katienne, Katienne! Are you ready to tell us who’s stolen your heart?”
Katienne: “Can I plead the Fifth?”
Host: “Nope!”
Crowd: “CONFESS! CONFESS! CONFESS!”
He scanned the crowd, eyes moving past strangers, curious stares, and, Liora, standing near the back, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Then he saw Yuna, off to the side, cupcakes in hand again, smiling nervously.
He could confess to no one.
Or he could play the game his way.
Katienne (grinning): “Alright… my confession goes to…”
(dramatic pause)
“Liora Celestine. My hot, dangerous roommate who keeps threatening to kill me in my sleep.”
Gasps. Laughter. Applause. Someone yelled, “GET HER, KING!”
Liora blinked, slow and deadly, like a cat calculating whether to shred someone’s face.
SCENE 2.1: Liora Reaction Cam
From the crowd, some of her classmates leaned toward her and whispered, "He’s brave. Or suicidal. Maybe both."
some of her classmate nearly dropped her drink. “Did he just call you hot?”
Liora didn't answer. Her expression didn’t change. But her pen snapped in half.
SCENE 3: Aftermath Explosion
Back in their dorm.
SLAM.
Liora stormed in ahead of Katienne.
“What the hell was that?” she snapped.
“I made the crowd happy.”
“You embarrassed me in front of the entire student body!”
“No no no. I flattered you. ‘Hot and dangerous’—that’s premium PR.”
“You made it sound real!”
“And what if it was?”
Silence.
That stopped her cold.
She blinked. Her grip on her book loosened slightly.
“Is it?” she asked, quietly.
“… Would you freak out if I said yes?”
More silence. She walked past him, heading for the bathroom. Just before shutting the door:
“Next time you confess to someone… ask first.”
Click. Door locked.
Katienne let out a breath. He didn’t realize he’d been holding.
SCENE 3.1: The Mirror Talk
Inside the bathroom, Liora leaned against the sink.
“Hot and dangerous,” she whispered to the mirror. Then snorted.
She splashed cold water on her face. Her reflection looked furious, and maybe a little flustered.
“Stupid games,” she muttered.
Outside, Katienne stared at the bathroom door and whispered to himself:
“Stupid honesty.”
SCENE 4: A Pink Glare
That evening, Yuna showed up again, conveniently just as Liora left for night class.
“Nice stunt today,” she said, dropping a fresh cupcake box on his desk.
“Ah yes. My public execution.”
“Didn’t know you liked your roommate.”
“I don’t.”
“… But you confessed?”
“I panicked. She was there. It was better than choosing nobody.”
“Right. So… just for the crowd?”
“Yeah.”
(Beat.)
“…Right.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Katienne looked at her.
“You okay?”
“Totally!”
She turned to go.
“See you around, Vale.”
She had never called him that before.
As the door shut, he sighed.
“I’m excellent at digging holes,” he muttered.
SCENE 4.1: Cupcake Symbolism
He opened the box.
Red velvet. Of course.
He took a bite. Sweet. Soft. Familiar.
Just like her.
And now he’d made her feel like a leftover dessert.
SCENE 5: The Photo Strip
That night, Yuna curled up on her bed, staring at the tiny photo strip in her phone case.
The two of them, laughing. Her lips near his cheek. His eyes were wide like he didn’t expect it.
She touched the edge of the photo with her thumb.
“You don’t remember, do you?”
“… Maybe I should stop hoping.”
SCENE 5.1: Friend's Wisdom]
From the upper bunk, her dorm mate peeked down.
“You okay?”
Yuna shoved the photo away. “Yeah. Totally.”
“You want me to beat someone up? I have heels and rage.”
Yuna laughed weakly. “No violence yet.”
she tossed her a stuffed bear. “Then cry it out and restart tomorrow. New day, new delusions.”
Yuna hugged the bear tight. “Thanks.”
- Writer
