Fame.

Such a small word with such a complex meaning. Being famous and being known by everyone are two completely different things. While many fight their whole lives to reach that level, I was born at the top. Beautiful, charismatic, straight A's, physically perfect, and maybe even mentally.

But, as everyone knows—or has at least heard—nothing good lasts forever. And you know the first thing anyone loses when faced with unbearable pain?

There are many "right" answers to that question, but the true one is sanity. If you're confused, I'll explain more later. But always keep this word in mind: sanity.

--------------------////----------------------------

"He's losing too much blood. I'll do it—it's the only way."

"Yin, you're insane! You both could die if you do this... It's not worth it!"

"Oh, like you've got a better damn idea? Huh?"

"..."

"No? Then shut up and hold this. On three, you flick the switch. No more, no less, or I'm toast.""Alright...""One... two... three... now!"

-------------------////----------------------------

"Damn it, not again." I opened my eyes, waking up from that same dream for the third time this week. It haunted me, but not a single psychiatrist had been able to figure out what it meant. Maybe money wasn't the key to solving everything.

With school starting soon, I was already in the classroom, head down on my desk, half-asleep. I turned to look at the blonde staring at me, worried. "What?"

"Thank God you're alive. I was about to splash holy water on you," she sighed, visibly relieved. Alicia—one of my two best friends. Beautiful, innocent, and as pure as a newborn. Those three words summed her up perfectly.

"I've been calling you for like ten minutes, and you didn't even twitch. One more minute, and I'd have started praying."

"Leave me alone, you Catholic fanatic. I'm exhausted," I grumbled, turning back to my original position. "Rebeca made me play a new looter-shooter with her all night, and now my eyes are killing me."

"What irresponsible friends I have," Alicia sighed again. At first, I wanted to punch that angelic face—nobody's that perfect. But then I remembered she kind of is.

I could write a whole book on reckless things teenagers do, but Alicia hadn't even heard of most of them.

Before I could come up with a solid argument to shut her up, our "beloved" English teacher strutted into the room.

"Good morning, my favorite students!" she greeted, walking in like she was still an 18-year-old model. This would've been fine if we were at Paris Fashion Week, but we're in a high school classroom. And, as always, her skirt was scandalously short. Only God knows how she got away with that.

Trailing behind her was Rebeca, my other best friend, who—as usual—arrived at the last second. This time, though, she shocked everyone with her zombie-like walk and bloodshot eyes.

That girl was the definition of a gamer. She spent her days obsessing over what game would steal her sleep next. But her friendly, bubbly personality made her one of the most popular girls in school. Obviously not above me, though—I'm the queen here, and no one's taking my crown.

"Morning, class—" Before she could finish, her exhaustion caught up with her, and she collapsed. Thankfully, Aiko—a classmate of ours, not important—caught her just in time.

"Miss Rebeca! Are you okay?" the teacher exclaimed, rushing to her.

"Yeah, yeah, we get it. That cheap English course you took is paying off," I cut in, pulling Rebeca from Aiko's arms. "Thanks for catching her."

"Miss Yumi, why so hostile today?" Aiko said, trying to touch my shoulder, but I dodged. I'd heard pettiness was contagious.

"Sorry, but I'll have to disappoint you there. Now, excuse us," I replied, leaving the classroom.

"That girl gets more brazen every day. I need to put her in her place."

"Yumi, you should give her a chance. She's not that bad." Alicia's comment made me speed up in frustration.

"Hey, wait for me!"

When I opened the infirmary door, we found our math teacher a bit too close to the school nurse.

"Sorry, are we interrupting something?" I asked sarcastically.

"No! Not at all!" the nurse stammered, pushing him away. "What do you need?"

"We're here to let Rebeca rest for a bit," Alicia said with a fake smile before leaning close to whisper, "I'm 80% sure they're having an affair."

"You think? Congratulations on finally noticing the painfully obvious," I replied.

We laid Rebeca on one of the beds, but as I let go, she suddenly hugged me.

"Yumi!" she mumbled, clearly dreaming. "Flank them! We can't lose that precious loot—we've got one hour to hit level 40!"

"Oh, for God's sake... Let go, you gaming addict!" I struggled, but somehow, she was magically stronger than me.

"Yumi, relax... God will help y—"

"Don't even start with that church nonsense. God's got bigger things to worry about. Be useful and help me!" I yelled as Rebeca rubbed her face against mine.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that blasphemy," Alicia said, trying to pull Rebeca off, only to get caught herself. "Ah, she's got me too!"

Before I could curse them both out, Dr. Aristide approached us.

"What on earth are you girls doing?"

"Help!" Alicia whispered dramatically.

Dr. Aristide stared at us like we were out of our minds.

"What the hell are you girls doing?"

"Help!" Alicia whispered dramatically, stretching her hand toward the doctor.

"Dr. Aristide, is everything okay over there?" Professor Nathan called from the other room.

"Oh, nothing, just girls being... well, girls, I guess," she replied, nonchalantly pulling the curtain closed. "Next time, find a better place for your shenanigans."

And with that, she left us there.

"That bitch..." I muttered, but Rebeca interrupted before I could let loose.

"So, Yumi, have you asked David to the party yet?"

The sudden, out-of-nowhere question froze the room in an awkward silence. Disappointment hit me like a ton of bricks.

"She hasn't grown the balls to do it yet," Alicia chirped, trying to act all helpful. "But I could totally—"

"Shut up, idiot, or I'll shove a cross so far up your ass you'll be able to pray through your mouth," I snapped. Alicia flinched, looking horrified at the mental image. "It's just that, when I'm near him, I can't speak, my legs feel weak, and... something starts dripping dow—"

"Whoa, stop! TMI! Keep that nasty shit to yourself," Rebeca interrupted, suddenly letting us go.

"Wait a damn minute... you've been awake this whole time?!" Alicia yelled, furious. "If I had holy water right now, you'd be fucking toast!"

"Actually, I woke up when you dumped me on the bed. But, haha, you should've seen your faces—especially yours, Yumi!" Rebeca laughed.

But I wasn't laughing. Oh no, all I wanted now was to strangle this little brat.

"You'd better brace yourself, because I'm going to make you suffer so much, you damn clown. Alicia, close your eyes and cover your ears."

"Got it. Not even God would want to see what's about to happen."

"Wait, Yumi, let's talk! Please! No, Yumi, don't—stop! Wai—!"

End Of Chapter