DEUTERAGONIST

In the bustling halls of Silver Monarch Highschool, there was a girl who exuded confidence and turned heads wherever she went. With her striking looks and an infectious charisma, she was the epitome of drop-dead gorgeous. She had a presence that commanded attention. She is a remarkable teen who possessed both beauty and fame. She was known far and wide for her stunning looks and her exceptional talents. She was the daughter of the president of the country, renowned for her striking beauty and charming personality. But her aspirations extended beyond her prestigious lineage. She had a deep passion for the world of fashion and dreamed of becoming a successful model just like her mom. She had the appearance of a celebrity with her lustrous hair, captivating eyes, and an aura that could light up a room. She had been scouted by modeling agencies and appeared on magazine covers and billboards. Her social media following grew by the day, and she seemed to have it all. Her name is Stella, which means "star" in Latin. She shines brightly in whatever path she chose. As she walked through the school corridors, she was greeted by admiring glances and whispers of awe. Some students felt intimidated by her stunning appearance, while others were drawn to her magnetic energy. Alongside her fame, she was often seen with her equally handsome boyfriend, Xander, who had his fair share of admirers. Xander has earned quite a reputation for his striking looks and undeniable talent. With his charismatic smile, deep-set eyes, and perfectly styled hair, he was the embodiment of charm and confidence. He had become famous not only within the school but also beyond its walls. He was an accomplished actor, having starred in a series of successful movies and TV shows. His talent was undeniable, and his performances captivated audiences worldwide. As news of his talent and good looks spread, he became a heartthrob among his fellow students. Girls swooned over his every move, and his popularity soared to new heights. Stella and Xander were the power couple of Monarch Silver Highschool. With their stunning looks, undeniable chemistry, and a sense of confidence and allure, they were the talk of the school. Stella had everything one could dream of, a perfect life that seemed to be straight out of a fairytale. Unfortunately, reality was far from perfect… Yes, she is Stella Laurier, the main character of the webtoon I made. With a smile on my face, I picked up the first episode of my webtoon and began scrolling through the pages. As I admired my creations, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and connection to the characters I had brought to life. Today, I woke up with an idea burning brightly in my mind. I jumped out of bed, eagerly donned my favorite cozy sweater, and settled into my desk, ready to immerse myself in my storytelling world. My pen danced across the tablet as figures flowed effortlessly onto the screen. Hi, I’m Layla and I found solace in creating a webtoon, where I could create characters and shape their lives according to my own vision. It’s a sunny morning, I decided to continue writing a story about a girl named Stella. She was everything I had ever wished to be; beautiful, talented, popular, and rich. In the story, she effortlessly had a magnetic charm that drew people toward her. I poured my heart and soul into creating the perfect character, meticulously crafting every detail of her life. Because through my story, I yearned to escape the struggles I faced in my own reality. You see, I often felt inadequate and overlooked. I believed that if I could write about a flawless character like her, it would somehow compensate for my own perceived shortcomings. Hours flew by like minutes as I delved deeper into my story. I was so engrossed in my writing that I lost track of time, completely unaware of the world outside my room. "Layla, it's time to wake up dear," my mother called out with a hint of concern in her voice. "Breakfast is ready, and you don't want to be late for school." The clock next to my tablet is a crafted soft, pale wood that resembled the tender flesh of a strawberry. Intricate leaves adorned the top of the clock, and beneath them, some carved seeds that seemed to dance across the surface, as if alive. Each seed was a tiny work of art in itself, meticulously shaped and polished to perfection. The round body of the clock was smooth and inviting, just like a plump strawberry waiting to be picked. The clock was painted with vibrant red and green hues, capturing the essence of a freshly picked strawberry. The clock's face was adorned with delicate numbers, and the hands were shaped like tiny green stems. And to my surprise, the clock's hands approached 7:27 AM. "Oh no!" I exclaimed, realizing that school would be starting in an hour. Panic gripped my heart as I hurriedly closed my tablet and leaped out of the chair. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I dashed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and splash water on my face. I glanced in the mirror and tried to tame her unruly hair as best as I could, but there was no time. I rushed downstairs,where my mother had prepared breakfast. "Hurry, dear! You need to eat something before you go," my mother said, handing me a slice of toast. I took a few quick bites, grabbed her backpack, and dashed out the door. I thanked my mother with a hurried smile and promised to make it up to her later. Outside, the city was alive with the hustle and bustle of people starting their day. My heart raced as I realized that I still had a considerable distance to cover to reach our school on time. Without a moment to spare, I began to run. Panicking slightly, I dashed out of our apartment and onto the busy streets. The bus stop was a few blocks away, and I knew that I needed to sprint to catch it. With determination in my heart, I started running, my backpack bouncing on my shoulders with each stride. As I weaved through the crowd, I encountered various obstacles. People stopping to chat, delivery trucks unloading their goods, and even a street performer drawing a small crowd. But Alex was in the zone, focused only on reaching the bus stop on time. With each step, I felt the rush of adrenaline pumping through my veins. I dodged pedestrians with expert precision, apologizing as I hurried past. My heart pounded in my chest, and my breath came out in quick bursts, but I didn't slow down. I knew I had to catch that bus. As the bus stop came into view, I saw the bus waiting, its doors closing just as I arrived. My heart sank for a moment, thinking I had missed it. But I refused to give up. I waved frantically at the driver, hoping for a miracle. To my surprise and relief, the bus driver noticed me and reopened the doors. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude as I stepped onto the bus, thanking the driver profusely even though he didn’t look happy when he saw me. Catching my breath, I tried to find a seat but the bus was packed to the brim, and every seat seemed to be taken. I looked around, hoping to find an empty seat, but people were unwilling to move or offer me a place to sit. Some had their bags occupying the adjacent seats, pretending not to notice my predicament, while others deliberately gave a disgusted look when I tried to make eye contact. Feeling disheartened but undeterred, I decided to stand near the door. I held onto the rail but the bus driver took a sudden turn to avoid a pothole, catching me off guard. I tried to steady myself, but due to my weight, I lost my balance, stumbling slightly. At that moment, all of the passengers couldn't help but smirk and make rude remarks under their breath. Instead of helping me, I overheard the whispers and snickers of a small group of passengers sitting nearby. Their hurtful comments made her heart heavy. I felt embarrassed by the incident. But I can’t blame them, I have a large round glass perched on my large flat nose, curly hair that often seemed to have a mind of its own, and a body that was way bigger than the other girls of my age. Suddenly, a stunningly beautiful woman boarded the bus. She had perfectly styled hair, flawless makeup, and an air of elegance that captivated everyone's attention. As soon as the passengers saw her, they scrambled to offer their seats, trying to impress her with their kindness and generosity. I tried to regain my balance, held onto the railing as the bus began to move, trying my best to keep my spirits high. As I grew older, I became acutely aware of the superficiality that surrounded me. I witnessed how people with outer beauty were often given preferential treatment, while those who didn't meet society's conventional standards were overlooked or dismissed. I couldn't help but notice the stark difference in how the other passengers treated the beautiful woman compared to my own experience just moments ago. It seemed that society's shallow standards of beauty had overshadowed our worth as a person.