Alex pov

The morning sun streamed into my room, mocking me with its warmth and brightness. I pulled the blanket over my head, wishing I could disappear. My chest still ached with the weight of humiliation, and the memory of yesterday haunted me. Andrian’s smirk, the crowd’s laughter, the whispers, they all played on a loop in my head.

“Alex?” My mom’s voice drifted in softly, followed by a gentle knock.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to see anybody, ...