My Silver Lining in the Dark Clouds

My father had a car accident while on his way to pick me up. The news hit me like a ton of bricks, bringing back memories of how my mother had died during childbirth, which led my father to blame me for her death. After I turned five, he sent me away to live with my grandfather in a small town, and we had not seen each other since. I stood there with my luggage, suddenly remembering last night's dream. While it seemed absurd, I could not shake off the suffocating scenes from my dream and my tragic end. A chill ran down my spine. After a while, I called Xavier Kingston, and he showed up at the airport shortly after. He asked, "Home or straight to campus?" Xavier was my arranged fiance and the only person who had stood by me in my dream. Even though he was a minor character in the story, he was brilliant and had excellent grades.He could have inherited everything from the Kingston family and had a bright future ahead. Instead, in my dream, he took the blame when I hurt Rosie Cant

At his command, several thugs rushed at me. I panicked and turned to run, but I crashed into someone after just a few steps. Looking up, I found myself in Xavier's arms. He pushed me away quickly and said firmly, "Stella, run!" The alley was not far from school, so I sprinted to get campus security.When I returned, Xavier was being beaten by the group. My heart clenched painfully at the sight, and my whole body shook with fear. The thugs scattered when they saw the security guards approaching.Tears blurred my vision as I helped Xavier to his feet and shakily called the police. "I'm fine," he insisted, shaking his head despite the bruise on his lip and cold sweat on his forehead. "As long as you're safe."I bit my lips, my guilt and concern for him growing stronger. Fortunately, Xavier only suffered minor injuries, and the police quickly arrested the thugs that evening.The next day while working on practice tests, our class president approached my desk. "Stella, the homeroom

"How dare you glare at me!" The girl shouted angrily, swinging her hand at my face. When I dodged, she grew angrier and ordered the others to hold me still.Then, she struck me repeatedly across the face. "You're nothing but bad luck! Remember this—next time you mess with Rosie, I'll end you!"From outside, I heard Shawn's voice. "She deserves it. Don't feel sorry for her." Xavier found me later on the rooftop, tending to my wounds. His eyes blazed red with fury, ready for a fight.He demanded, "Who did this?" I tried to smile, but the slight movements on my face pulled at the bruises. The pain made my head spin, and I could only manage a weak smile."Xavier, can you help me with the medicine?"He took the first aid supplies silently and gently applied the medication."Does it hurt?" A tear fell from his face onto mine, feeling ice-cold in the breeze. "It won't happen again," I promised. The story had already gone off the rails from my dream, but one thing was sure—I w

It was Rosie's voice, instructing Nicole to strip me and film it so she could blackmail me if I ever 'bullied' her in the future. The recording made everyone's faces grow even grimmer."Rosie, how could you?" Shawn stared at her in disbelief.I laughed bitterly at Shawn's act. "Why are you acting surprised? Weren't you the one who had people burn me with soup in the cafeteria yesterday and slap me in the bathroom?" Seth's eyes widened in shock. "So, yesterday's injuries... were your doing?"I produced the surveillance footage. Even though it was incomplete, it would be enough for a thorough investigation. After that, Xavier and I left the office, followed by Rosie's sobs about how she only acted out of fear—afraid she would lose her dad and brothers to me.By the afternoon, disciplinary actions were announced. Nicole and her gang were expelled for repeated bullying, while Shawn and Rosie, thanks to their Cantrell name, received major demerits.If the demerits were not cleared by

That was just perfect. Everyone was looking at me with admiration, their eyes practically sparkling with respect."Of course, she got a perfect math score. She won first place in the national math competition," Xavier remarked, chuckling. The moment he said that, people started recalling Shawn's earlier accusations. One by one, they all turned to look at him. Shawn's face turned bright red as he ran away, with Rosie following close behind. The school released the full video of me taking the test to clear my name. If not for the 30-minute minimum rule, I could have finished 15 minutes earlier. While my reputation was restored, Rosie's took a hit. The school discovered she had started the cheating rumors, earning her academic probation.Even Shawn ended up apologizing to me. However, his relationship with Rosie seemed even more strained after everything.Not that I cared. After all, my only focus was on the upcoming college entrance exam.Before I knew it, finals were over, a