Chapter 7

As they walked through the corridors, Adelaide suddenly stopped to tie her untied shoelace. She didn't say a word to Lucas, assuming that he would notice that she had stopped and wait for her.

But as she bent down to tie her shoelace, she saw that Lucas was walking straight ahead, without even looking back at her. He didn't seem to notice that she was no longer by his side, and he just kept walking.

Adelaide felt a pang of surprise and concern. She had expected Lucas to wait for her, or at least look back to make sure she was okay. But instead, he just kept walking, leaving her behind.

As she finished tying her shoelace, Adelaide felt a red flag waving in her mind. This behavior was not okay, and it was not what she expected from someone who claimed to care about her.

But despite the warning signs, Adelaide ignored them. She told herself that Lucas was just distracted, or that he didn't realize she had stopped. She didn't want to think that he was intentionally ignoring her, or that he didn't care about her feelings.

So Adelaide took a deep breath and hurried to catch up with Lucas. She fell into step beside him, trying to pretend like nothing had happened.

"Hey, sorry about that," she said, trying to sound casual. "I had to tie my shoelace."

Lucas didn't even acknowledge her words. He just kept walking, his eyes fixed on some point ahead.

Adelaide felt a pang of disappointment and frustration. She had expected Lucas to apologize, or at least acknowledge her presence. But instead, he just seemed to be ignoring her.

Despite her reservations, Adelaide continued to walk beside Lucas, trying to pretend like everything was okay. But deep down, she knew that something was off. And she couldn't shake the feeling that she was just ignoring the warning signs, and setting herself up for heartbreak.

As they approached the classroom building, Adelaide realized that they were going in different directions. She had a class to attend, and Lucas had his own class to go to.

But as they stood outside the classroom door, Lucas didn't even say a word to her. He simply let go of her hand and turned to walk away.

Adelaide felt a pang of disappointment and hurt. She had expected Lucas to at least say goodbye, or maybe even give her a quick kiss before they parted ways.

But instead, he just walked away, leaving her standing alone outside the classroom door.

Adelaide took a deep breath and quietly walked into her classroom. She took her seat and tried to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept wandering back to Lucas.

Why had he been so distant and cold? Didn't he care about her feelings at all?

As the class went on, Adelaide found herself zoning out, lost in her own thoughts and worries. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that Lucas was hiding something from her.

But despite her doubts and fears, Adelaide couldn't help but feel drawn to Lucas. She loved him, and she wanted to make things work between them.

So she sat quietly in her chair, trying to push aside her doubts and focus on the lesson. But her heart was heavy with worry, and she couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot worse.

As Adelaide sat in her classroom, she couldn't help but think about Lucas and how popular he was on campus. He was like a celebrity, with everyone knowing his name and wanting to be his friend.

Lucas was the star quarterback of the university football team, and he had a reputation for being charming and charismatic. He was the kind of guy who could walk into a room and instantly command attention, and everyone seemed to love him for it.

Adelaide, on the other hand, was a smart girl who kept to herself. She was a bookworm who spent most of her time studying and reading, and she didn't really have a social life to speak of.

While Lucas was out partying and socializing with his friends, Adelaide was usually holed up in the library, studying for her next exam. She didn't really have any friends to speak of, and she often felt like an outsider on campus.

Despite their differences, Adelaide had always had a secret crush on Lucas. She had watched him from afar, admiring his confidence and charisma. And when he had finally noticed her and asked her out, she had been over the moon.

But now, as she sat in her classroom and thought about Lucas's behavior, Adelaide couldn't help but wonder if she was just a trophy to him. Was she just a smart girl who he could show off to his friends, or did he really care about her?

Adelaide sighed and shook her head, trying to push the doubts aside. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her feelings cloud her judgment. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel drawn to Lucas, despite his flaws.

As the class came to a close, Adelaide gathered her things and stood up, her mind still reeling with thoughts of Lucas. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let herself get too caught up in his world. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel excited to see him again, to see where their relationship would go next.

As Adelaide packed up her things, she glanced out the window and saw Lucas walking by with his friends. They were all laughing and chitchatting together, completely absorbed in their own conversation. Adelaide felt a pang of disappointment as she realized that Lucas hadn't even waited for her. He had just left her to pack up her things alone, without even a second thought.

Adelaide felt a surge of frustration and hurt. She had been looking forward to walking with Lucas, to spending some quality time with him. But now, it seemed like he had completely forgotten about her.

She reached for her phone, tempted to call him and ask him why he had left her behind. But something held her back. Maybe it was pride, or maybe it was just a sense of self-preservation. Whatever it was, Adelaide decided to let it be. She wouldn't call him, and she wouldn't make a scene. She would just let him go, and see if he even noticed that she was no longer by his side.

As she watched Lucas and his friends disappear into the crowd, Adelaide felt a sense of sadness wash over her. She had thought that things were going well between them, that they were finally starting to connect on a deeper level. But now, she wasn't so sure.

Maybe Lucas was just using her, maybe he was just playing her like a fool. Maybe he didn't really care about her at all, and was just using her for his own entertainment.

Adelaide shook her head, trying to clear the negative thoughts from her mind. She didn't want to think about Lucas like that, didn't want to believe that he was capable of hurting her like that. But at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that Lucas was hiding something from her.

As she walked out of the classroom, Adelaide felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her. She didn't know what to do, didn't know how to process her emotions. Part of her wanted to confront Lucas, to demand answers and explanations for his behavior. But another part of her just wanted to let it go, to pretend like nothing had happened and move on with her life.

Adelaide sighed, feeling like she was stuck in limbo. She didn't know what to do, didn't know how to navigate the complex emotions that were swirling inside of her. All she knew was that she needed to take a step back, to give herself some time and space to think.

As she walked across campus, Adelaide felt a sense of isolation wash over her. She was alone, and she felt like she was the only one who didn't know what was going on. Lucas was off with his friends, laughing and joking like he didn't have a care in the world. And Adelaide was left to pick up the pieces, to try and make sense of the confusing emotions that were swirling inside of her.

She walked for what felt like hours, lost in her own thoughts and emotions. She didn't know where she was going, didn't know what she was doing. All she knew was that she needed to get away, to escape the confusing and painful emotions that were swirling inside of her.

As the sun began to set, Adelaide finally found herself at the edge of campus. She looked out at the world beyond the university, feeling a sense of longing and uncertainty. She didn't know what the future held, didn't know what would happen next. All she knew was that she needed to take a step back, to give herself some time and space to think.

And so, with a sense of determination and uncertainty, Adelaide set off into the unknown, leaving Lucas and the university behind.

***

As Adelaide walked across campus, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly found herself face to face with a group of girls. They were standing in a circle, blocking her way, and their eyes were fixed on her with a mixture of hostility and curiosity.

Adelaide recognized some of the girls as members of the university's sorority, and she knew that they were known for being cliquey and exclusive. But what she didn't know was why they were suddenly interested in her.

"Hey, Adelaide," one of the girls said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "We've been looking for you."

Adelaide felt a surge of unease as the girls closed in around her. She tried to step aside, but they blocked her way, trapping her in a circle of hostility.

"You're Lucas's new girlfriend, right?" another girl sneered. "We've heard so much about you."

Adelaide felt a sting of embarrassment and humiliation. She knew that Lucas was popular, and that many girls on campus had a crush on him. But she had never expected to be confronted by a group of girls who were jealous of her relationship with him.

"Yeah, I'm his girlfriend," Adelaide said, trying to sound confident and assertive. "What's it to you?"

The girls snickered and exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with malice.

"Oh, it's just that we can't believe Lucas would settle for someone like you," one of the girls said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're so... plain and boring. We thought Lucas had better taste than that."

Adelaide felt a surge of anger and hurt, but she tried to keep her cool. She knew that the girls were just trying to provoke her, and she didn't want to give them the satisfaction of getting a rise out of her.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Adelaide said, trying to sound calm and collected. "But Lucas seems to like me just fine. And that's all that matters."

The girls snickered and laughed, their eyes flashing with amusement.

"Oh, we're shaking in our boots," one of the girls said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think you're so special just because Lucas is dating you? Newsflash, Adelaide: you're not special. You're just a temporary distraction for Lucas. He'll get bored with you soon enough, and then he'll move on to someone better."

Adelaide felt a sting of hurt and humiliation, but she tried to keep her head held high. She knew that the girls were just trying to hurt her, and she didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

"I'm not afraid of you," Adelaide said, trying to sound brave and confident. "And I'm not going to let you bully me. So back off, and leave me alone."

The girls snickered and laughed, their eyes flashing with amusement. But Adelaide stood her ground, refusing to back down. She knew that she had done nothing wrong, and she wasn't going to let a group of mean girls intimidate her.

As the girls continued to taunt and tease Adelaide, they suddenly grabbed her arms and started dragging her away. Adelaide struggled and tried to break free, but the girls were too strong. They pulled her across the campus, laughing and jeering as they went.

Adelaide's heart was racing with fear as she realized where they were taking her. They were heading towards the old building on the edge of campus, the one that was rumored to be off-limits to students.

The girls dragged Adelaide up the stairs, their grip on her arms tightening as they went. Adelaide stumbled and tripped, but the girls just laughed and pulled her along.

Finally, they reached the rooftop, the girls' hideout. It was a cramped and dingy space, with old furniture and trash scattered everywhere. The girls pushed Adelaide into the center of the room, where they began to circle around her.

"Welcome to our humble abode," one of the girls sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice. "We don't often get visitors here, especially not ones as... unsophisticated as you."

The girls started to tease and mock Adelaide, making fun of her clothes and her hair. They called her names and insulted her, their words cutting deep into Adelaide's heart.

But Adelaide refused to cry. She stood tall, her eyes flashing with defiance as she faced the girls. She knew that she couldn't let them see her weakness, or they would never leave her alone.

Just as it seemed like the girls were getting bored with their game, one of them suddenly grabbed a bucket of cold water and dumped it over Adelaide's head. Adelaide gasped in shock, her hair and clothes soaked through.

The girls burst out laughing, their eyes shining with cruel amusement. "You're so pathetic," one of them sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "You think you're worthy of Lucas? You're just a joke."

Adelaide's eyes stung with tears, but she refused to let them fall. She stood tall, her heart pounding with anger and humiliation. She knew that she had to get out of there, and fast, before things escalated any further.

But as she turned to leave, the girls blocked her way. "You're not going anywhere," one of them sneered, her eyes glinting with malice. "You're going to stay right here, and we're going to have some more fun with you."

Adelaide's heart sank, and she knew that she was in grave danger. She had to think fast, and come up with a plan to escape. But as she looked around at the girls, she realized that she was outnumbered, and outmatched.

She was trapped, and at the mercy of the girls. And Adelaide knew that she had to do whatever it took to survive.

As the girls continued to taunt and tease Adelaide, she finally broke down and started crying. She had tried to hold it in, but the pain and humiliation had become too much to bear.

"What did I do wrong?" Adelaide sobbed, her body shaking with sobs. "Why are you doing this to me? I don't understand."

The girls just laughed and jeered, their faces twisted with cruelty. But the leader, a tall and imposing figure, stepped forward and sneered at Adelaide.

"You think you're so special, don't you?" she spat. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal Lucas away from us? Well, let me tell you something, Adelaide. You're not special. You're just a pathetic little girl who thinks she can handle a guy like Lucas."

Adelaide cried even harder, her heart breaking with pain and sadness. She didn't understand why the girls were being so cruel to her.

"Just leave me alone," Adelaide begged, her voice shaking with sobs. "Please, just leave me alone."

The leader sneered at her again. "We'll leave you alone," she said, "but only if you do one thing for us."

Adelaide looked up at her, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "What do you want me to do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The leader smiled, a cold and calculating smile. "We want you to break up with Lucas," she said. "If you do that, we'll leave you alone. We'll stop tormenting you, and we'll let you live your life in peace."

Adelaide felt a surge of shock and horror. Break up with Lucas? How could she do that? She loved him, and she knew that he loved her too.

She looked up at the leader, her eyes flashing with defiance. "No," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "I won't break up with him. I love him, and I'm not going to let you or anyone else come between us."

The leader's face twisted with anger, and she took a step closer to Adelaide. "You're making a big mistake," she spat. "We'll make sure that you regret this. You'll be sorry you ever crossed us."

Adelaide stood her ground, her heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. She knew that she had just made a powerful enemy, but she was determined to stand up for herself and her relationship with Lucas.

"I'm not afraid of you," Adelaide said, her voice steady and firm. "I'm not going to let you bully me or intimidate me. I'm going to stand up for myself, and I'm going to fight for my relationship with Lucas."

The leader sneered at her, but Adelaide could see the faintest glimmer of respect in her eyes. "We'll see about that," she said, before turning and walking away, her followers close behind.

Adelaide watched them go, her heart still pounding with fear and adrenaline. She knew that she had just made a powerful enemy, but she was determined to stand up for herself and her relationship with Lucas. She was ready for whatever came next.

As the girls walked away, Adelaide was left standing alone on the rooftop, soaked to the bone and shivering with cold. She felt a deep sense of sadness and isolation wash over her, and she couldn't help but break down into tears again.

She stood there, crying and alone, her mind consumed by sad thoughts. Why did the girls hate her so much? What had she done to deserve this kind of treatment? And why did Lucas seem so oblivious to her pain?

As she stood there, the wind whipping her hair into a frenzy, Adelaide felt like she was all alone in the world. She had no one to turn to, no one to confide in. She was just a small, insignificant person, lost in a sea of cruelty and indifference.

She thought about Lucas, and how much she loved him. But she also thought about how he had ignored her, how he had left her to face the girls alone. And she wondered if he was really worth all the pain and heartache she was going through.

As the tears streamed down her face, Adelaide felt like she was drowning in her own sorrow. She was trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain and heartache, and she didn't know how to escape.

She stood there for what felt like hours, lost in her own thoughts and tears. The world around her was a blur, and all she could feel was the deep, crushing sadness that had taken over her heart.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the rooftop, Adelaide finally stirred. She wiped her tears away, and took a deep breath. She knew she had to get out of there, to find some way to escape the pain and heartache that had consumed her.

But as she turned to leave, Adelaide couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking away from something important. She was leaving behind a part of herself, a part that she might never get back.

And as she walked away from the rooftop, Adelaide felt like she was walking into a dark and uncertain future, one that was filled with pain and heartache. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she knew it couldn't be good.