Chapter 3Breaking the Cliche Romance Script

Jessica said nothing more, maintaining her tear-streaked, victimized expression as she looked between me and Mr. Glazer.

Mr. Glazer hesitated. He lowered his voice, trying to placate me. “Let’s not let this escalate between classmates. How about we just drop it for today? I’ll talk to everyone individually later.”

But I wasn't having it.

Why should I be the one to back down just because she was crying? Did having more people on your side automatically make you right?

Not a chance.

I walked straight to the front of the classroom, stood at the lectern, and switched on the microphone.

“Real kindness is about what the other person actually needs and wants, not about making yourself feel good. Jessica didn't know my real situation. She just spied on my daily life and jumped to her own conclusions. She didn’t consult me, and she didn’t respect my wishes. She organized this so-called fundraiser, which was nothing more than a public humiliation. If any of you think what she did was okay, then go ahead. Pick up the money on the floor, and go thank her one by one. If even one of you can do that, I’ll apologize to all of you.”

No one moved. Many of them hung their heads in shame.

I pressed on.

“Being a student on financial aid just means I started from a different place. It doesn't make me less than anyone else. As long as we’re willing to work, we can manage just fine. And for the record, I’m on a student loan—money that I have to pay back—not a grant. I suggest we reconsider Jessica’s position as class president. And a word of advice for everyone else: spend more time with your books and less time caught up in drama with idiots.”

After I finished, Mr. Glazer spoke up, his voice firm. “Daniella is right. You all need to focus more on your studies. If you have a problem, talk to a teacher. To have this kind of incident on the very first day of choosing a class president… we definitely need to hold a new election.”

At his words, the faces of the other students fell.

Jessica let out a loud sob and ran out of the classroom.

Mr. Glazer sighed, made the few remaining students apologize again, and said he would talk to Jessica privately.

I didn't push it further.

My shift was about to start. Arguing with them wasn't nearly as important as earning a living.

But when I got to the library, someone blocked my path in the main hall.

He was handsome enough, but the moment he opened his mouth, he sounded like some cringey YA protagonist. “A student has filed a complaint that you falsified your financial aid information to take a work-study position. You need to go explain yourself to the library director. You're not welcome here anymore.”

Just then, the comments flickered back to life.

[Aaaah! The hot male lead is here! The heroine sheds a few tears, and he immediately kicks the side character to the curb!]

[The side character was so proud of earning her own money. Let’s see how cocky she is now!]

[Wait… isn’t he being a little unreasonable? He’s the Student Council President, not the campus police, right?]

[Get out of here with that logic! We’re here for the swoon-worthy romance, not a courtroom drama!]

[Exactly! I live for seeing the male lead go crazy for the heroine and burn the world down for her!]

Right. Now I knew what I was dealing with.

I couldn’t help but think to myself: If these two are the main characters, this world is probably screwed.

But this wasn't the time to worry about the fate of the world. His loud declaration had drawn the attention of several people nearby. They were keeping their voices down, as required in a library, but they were whispering furiously and tapping away on their phones.

They were spreading rumors, no doubt.

To stop my reputation from being completely shredded, I decided to face him head-on.