Chapter 3After They Forced Me Out of School, the Campus Tyrant Fell into a Ten-Year Depression

"Stealing and now you’re playing the victim? If your parents won’t teach you how to behave, society will."

Melinda stood up, grabbing the lipstick and advancing toward me.

I scrambled backward, but her friends grabbed me and held me down.

The lipstick moved across my face, cold and waxy.

When she was done, four words were scrawled across my cheeks.

【I AM A THIEF.】

As she drew the last stroke, the classroom erupted in cheers. A few people even took out their phones to take pictures from every angle.

Melinda’s eyes were dark and wide. I’d seen it in movies before—the way a villain’s pupils dilate when they’re doing something evil.

"Don't think this is over," she said, her voice low. "This lipstick cost eighty dollars. I expect a new one from you in three days."

Eighty dollars?!

That was my entire living allowance for half a year.

Seeing the tears welling in my eyes, her smile grew wider.

I scrambled toward her, my voice trembling. "It wasn't me… it really wasn't…"

Her patience wore thin. She shoved me away. "Then why didn't you go to gym class? Funny how that worked out, huh?"

"Yeah! Who else could it have been?"

"Tell us!"

I clenched my fists, the thought of that eighty dollars burning in my mind.

"Because… because my shoes are broken."

The classroom fell silent. Every eye in the room fell to my feet.

The sole of my worn-out canvas shoe was peeling away, hanging on by a thread, as if it was about to detach completely.

A snort of laughter broke the silence.

And then everyone was laughing.

The bell rang, and the nightmare finally ended.

As Robert returned to his seat, he bumped my shoulder.

It was the second time he had ever touched me.