Chapter 2: The Bet

Rosa’s POV

I grabbed the phone, bringing it closer to my face. It was really Gary and me from last night.

My hands trembled so violently that the phone slipped from my grip. I stumbled back, my body shaking. That wasn’t possible. Gary would never do that to me.

My stomach dropped as laughter erupted around me.

“This isn't me! It's AI! It's not me! Someone is trying to ruin my reputation!” My voice broke.

The taunts increased, and I turned and began running towards the stadium. I had to find Gary! We had to fix this! Someone was clearly trying to ruin my life.

I had already begun crying when I heard that one familiar voice behind me. “Wow,” Gary said lazily. “You look like you've seen a ghost.”

My blood ran cold as I spun around.

Gary stood a few feet away, leaning casually against a bench, while his friends surrounded him.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, then rushed over to him. “Gary… Gary… they have something out there.” I hiccupped, “It's a clip from last night, Gary, someone posted a clip of us from last night!”

I expected him to say something, maybe hug me and tell me he'd sort it, but instead he tucked his hands casually into his pockets.

I gulped. “I'm serious, Gary—“

“Of course you are.” Gary cut me off. His tone sounded weird.

I stepped back, my brows furrowing, and that's when I noticed the way his friends were grinning and staring at me like I was the joke of the century.

For a second, I couldn’t move. My brain refused to process what was happening.

“I guess you've already seen the video, huh?” He pressed his lips together while the laughter around us grew louder.

“This…” My voice was getting shrill. “This is fake, right? Tell me, Gary, this is fake, right?”

For a moment, Gary simply stared at me, then he burst out laughing, joining his friends. “Oh wow,” he said between laughs. “Fake?”

He pushed himself off the bench and walked toward me slowly, his eyes gleaming with mockery. “You think it's fake?” he repeated.

My heart pounded painfully as I nodded.

“Yes, it has to be. You… you would never do that.” I whispered desperately, clinging onto the little hope left in me.

He tilted his head, studying me, then his lips curved into a cruel smile. “Sorry to disappoint you, it’s very real.”

The words slammed into me like a physical blow. The ground beneath my feet trembled, and my head spun. No, no, no. That couldn't be right.

Gary stepped closer, lifting my chin with his finger. “Relax, Rosa,” he said lazily. “It’s not like you didn’t enjoy it.”

His friends burst into another round of laughter.

“Why…?” I whispered, the tears burning in my eyes.

He raised an eyebrow. “Why what?”

“Why would you do this?” I asked, my voice trembling. “What did I ever do to you? Why?”

He was about to speak when one of his friends stepped forward, grinning widely. “Oh my God, she doesn't know?”

Another one snorted. “Someone please tell her.”

Gary rolled his eyes dramatically. “Fine. The game’s over anyway.”

Game? What game? Was this a prank?

Gary crossed his arms and looked down at me. “We had a little challenge,” he sighed. “Twenty bucks says I could get the nerd to sleep with me.”

I blinked as the words echoed in my head. Twenty bucks? A bet? Sleep with the nerd? My entire body went cold.

Gary shrugged. “Faster than I expected, though, just three months.”

“I thought she'd play hard to get. All that nerdiness only to be laid in three months? Guess you weren't as hard to get as we thought.” Another guy laughed.

“Honestly, she was the easiest girl I’ve ever had.” Gary chuckled like I wasn't standing right there.

By the time they were done, I couldn't even breathe or move, my vision blurred, and my body went cold.

Gary reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, then he took out a crumpled bill.

He grabbed my trembling hand and pressed the money into my palm. “Here,” he said with a lazy grin. “Thanks for your participation.”

“Gary, you're too kind.”

“Awnn, Gary is so sweet.”

Different comments from different angles, all showering the bastard with praise.

The stadium was filled now with phones everywhere and students recording everything. Capturing every second of my humiliation. It was obvious they followed me here.

My hand slowly opened, staring down at the wrinkled ten-dollar bill sitting in my palm.

My face burned with shame and regret as I replayed the video in my head. The dim lights, the bed, the moment I trusted him with everything.

I trusted him! Why? Why throw my dignity in the mud for just twenty bucks? Why pick me for his game?

My throat tightened as I slowly looked back up at him.

“Take the video down.” My voice trembled with desperation. “Please.”

Gary shrugged. “Why? I can't lose the game.”

“This is my life! You're ruining it all just for a game! Is this how much you hate me? What did I ever do to you? I trusted you! I trusted you!” I cried, my body shaking so bad. “Please…”

“Rosa,” his voice dropped slightly as he leaned closer. “Everything is already ruined; everyone saw it already.”

My knees buckled as I fell to the ground.

I should've known something was fishy when the school top boy decided to be nice to me.

My first love had never existed; he had only been playing a game.

No one ever wanted me or cared… I guess the little affection he showed me fooled me, and now I regret it.

As everything was getting intense, and I was on the verge of losing it, I felt someone suddenly grab my arm and lift me up.

I glanced up weakly, only to see one of the male teachers who had me as their favorite student. The student dispersed immediately he arrived, while he pulled me along with him. Apparently, I was being called to the principal's office.

We got to the door, and then he paused, giving me a sad smile. “I'm sorry we failed you.” He whispered, then turned to leave.

I wasn't strong enough to even force a smile; I just stumbled into the office.

When I walked in, the disciplinary board was already seated, their faces cold and judging.

The room was silent except for the sound of my moans, coming from the big screen behind them.

I stiffened.