"Whine, whine, whine…"

At first, it was just whispers. In the halls. In the locker rooms. Then, someone printed the lyrics and taped them to your locker. And now? They’re singing it. Cheering it. You keep your chin up as you walk through the crowd, but your stomach is in knots. They’re laughing. Filming. Waiting for you to snap.

Then, a hand on your shoulder.

—Ignore them— Lin murmurs, voice smooth as silk. —They’ll regret it soon enough.—

You exhale. He’s right. He’s always right.

Lin has been by your side through it all. When the scandal dropped. When your so-called friends turned on you. When Jasmine—your ex-best friend—smiled as she led the choir of mockery.

Lin never left.

And you trusted him.

But lately… something feels off. A week later, you catch Lin talking to Jasmine. Not arguing. Not defending you. Just… talking. Smiling. Like they’re in on some joke you don’t get.