Love Beyond Rejection.

The Vexation.

Vivian stormed into the hallway like she was being chased, her stiletto heels clacking against the polished marble floor like a warning bell. Heads turned as she marched past a group of second-years, her signature red curls bouncing with each furious step. Her perfectly glossed lips were pulled into a scowl, and her eyes blazed like wildfire. It was obvious that she was hurt and her ego had been bruised, and for Vivian Kingsley, that was unforgivable not from anyone aside from Danny. She never passed unnoticed, and this time everyone began to wonder what had happened to her. Everyone feared to cross her path, hearing of past stories about her and seeing how much influence she commands.

The events at the field some minutes earlier kept replaying in her mind: Danny sitting beside her, that low-class charity case, Aria. The same Aria who couldn’t even afford a decent backpack, much less earn a second glance from one of the most unattainable guys in Harmony College. And yet, he had sat beside her without feeling ashamed. He talked to her like it was nothing serious. Smiled at her even while listening to her speak. That was the part that made Vivian's blood boil, he had smiled at Aria and never truly did with her.

Vivian shoved the classroom door open, interrupting the Literature lecture. The lecturer gave her a disapproving glance but said nothing. After all, she was Vivian Kingsley, daughter of one of the notable benefactors of the school. She didn’t wait for an invitation and slid into her seat beside Linda, her ever-loyal best friend and gossip partner.

"Look at who we have got here! Someone is obviously pissed," Linda whispered as she leaned closer.

"You wouldn’t believe what I saw," Vivian hissed, flinging her Birkin bag onto the desk.

The moment the lecture ended, Vivian turned to Linda and the other girls seated around her, Debby, Jane, and Melissa. They were from wealthy backgrounds and eager to stay in Vivian’s good books.

"Spill," Debby urged, popping her gum loudly.

Vivian checked the door to make sure the lecturer was gone. "He was with her."

"Who?" Jane asked, confused.

"Aria! That rag girl who wore the same shoes three days in a row. That peasant who everyone now refers to as the handkerchief girl."

Linda leaned in, interested now. "Wait, Danny? Danny was with her?"

Vivian nodded sharply. "He sat next to her on the field. Just them alone. Talking about only them knows what. Like old friends. And the annoying part, he smiled at her with a dazzling look."

Their collective gasp echoed louder than it should have.

"No way," Melissa whispered. "Maybe she put something in his drink."

They all looked at her weirdly knowing fully well that not anyone could serve Danny, not everyone had the access to. Then they all took their eyes off Melissa as Debby cut their focus.

"Or maybe she's pretending to be helpless to attract his sympathy," Debby offered.

"Exactly! That's what I think it is, that girl’s a manipulator," Vivian snapped. "First she gets his attention, then she’ll be in his car, and before we know it, she’ll be moving into his estate."

Jane looked amused. "From a once in a lifetime chance kid to a Cinderella story."

Vivian turned to her, her tone laced with venom. "Not if I have anything to say about it."

"So what’s the plan?" Linda asked.

Vivian smirked, regaining some of her poise. "We remind her where she belongs. This is Harmony College. Not a charity home. It's a school for the big dawgs."

Linda chuckled. "You mean… socially torment her?"

"I mean," Vivian said smoothly, "we make her so uncomfortable she questions why she ever stepped into this school in the first place. We’ll start with whispers, rumors, and exclusion. Just with small things. Then, we move to more public ones."

"Count me in," Debby said, rolling her eyes. "I’m sick of seeing her sad face anyway."

"Good. Because I won’t rest until she’s out of Danny’s line of sight forever."

Their strategy session ended abruptly as a sudden hush fell over the room. They knew only one person could command such silence.

The door creaked open, and he majestically stepped in.

No one other than Danny.

His presence alone always shifted the atmosphere. The air grew thick with tension, the girls straightened in their seats, and all whispered conversations died instantly.

Vivian froze in her seat. She hadn’t expected him so soon, and not to talk more of meeting her in a disorderly manner.

Danny looked around the room, pausing briefly on Vivian, then letting his gaze sweep past her as if she were just another random student. He knew for there to be those girls around her, she was gossiping and feeding them with words. He walked with that signature grace that made everything seem insignificant by comparison and took a seat at the back.

Vivian gulped and was still trying to recover her composure.

"Do you think he heard anything?" Debby whispered under her breath.

Vivian didn’t answer. She didn't really know what to say. Her mind was racing like she saw a ghost. But she thought to herself she couldn’t let this derail her.

She would win eventually. She always did.

But even as the lecturer returned and students opened their books, Vivian's thoughts were elsewhere. She stared blankly at the chalkboard, silently vowing that she would make Aria's life so difficult, she’d regret ever catching Danny’s attention.

And maybe… just maybe, Vivian could finally get what she always wanted.

Danny himself.

Just as she kept pondering, Aria passed walking timidly like she used to.

Vivian couldn't help but notice but not just her, Danny also did and it was obvious. He looked so lost in thoughts at the sight of her till she was off their radar.

Vivian began to boil more and Linda began patting her lightly.

“Everything would be fine. You always got this.” Linda whispered.

“I sure do!” Vivian gave a devilish smile as she journeyed back to class.