Marvi's day

It was those kind of days that made you feel like staying in bed all day. I woke up feeling groggy and there was this indescribable feeling I had settling in my stomach. That feeling you get when something is about to go all wrong. I looked over to the other side of the room and saw that my roommate as usual didn't come over to sleep last night.
I opened the curtains and looked out the window. "Dear umbrella, you'll be of use today". I said to myself then turned to head towards the bathroom. I showered then got dressed after taking all my time. I couldn't care less if today was going to be good or not.

Getting to school, I looked around for Verona, my best friend. I couldn't find her. I began to head to the classroom then noticed people pointing fingers and stares from every corner. "Did I miss my period date or is my uniform torn and now revealing?" I questioned myself. I managed to maneuver my way through the horde of stares piercing through me and got to the classroom. Only for everyone to make way for me in the crowded classroom. 'What could have gone wrong to warrant such attention from the whole school and why isn't Verona anywhere to be found? Could she have done something clumsy again?'. I kept on finding possible reasons for the current attention I've been receiving. Hardly anyone knew me in this school.

Settling into my seat, I opened my phone and entered the class group chat. I found a video of me and Asher two weeks back. My head spiralled right then and there. So this was about Asher?

2months ago...

Asher the nerdy but handsome looking guy came to me one faithful afternoon to help him explain some sums the teacher had taught earlier on which he didn't understand. I conceded and explained to him. Since then, he always brought his questions whenever he had issues understanding one thing or the other particularly in maths. (Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not really a nerd in all senses. I'm just very good at mathematics and science and introverted at the same time).
During the course of our tutoring sessions, I discovered that he was actually a very fun and outgoing person who knew how to weave humour into every situation despite the aloof and cold personality he gives off usually. As time went on, I found myself being swayed and thinking about him more than usual.
"Verona, I think I like Asher". I blurted out one particular evening on our way back from school.

"Ohh wow. Seems like the little Marvi is beginning to finally act like a teen. I can't believe you now have a crush. But are you really sure it's not because he's the only boy you've interacted nicely with?" "Nooo. I just feel-"

"Marvi, you know they say that the heart tends to be swayed automatically by someone who is in a good way different from the others. Are you sure of yourself?"

"Yes I am. Do you think I should tell him about it?" "Of course. It's good to let him know how you feel. I mean it's safe to characterize it as attraction since you've both gotten to know each other for over a month" "Thanks V. What would I do without you?" "You'll definitely ace your sums rightly without me" We both laughed as we had gotten to where we had to part ways.

That night, my mind was filled with so many 'what ifs'. 'What if Asher likes me too?' 'What if Asher rejects me?' I slept off in anticipation of what's to come the next day.
After a whole day of not paying attention to everything the teacher taught in class, I went over to Asher as he was getting ready to leave. "Asher can I get a few minutes?" "Woahhh, Am I safe?" "I just have something to talk to you about" "Okay okay, shoot".

"I think I like you Asher" I blurted out and he stared at me in disbelief. "I'm really really sorry. I knew my charms were irresistible but even for you? I guess I'm too handsome to exist." We both laughed. The awkwardness killing me. 'Was that a rejection or not?' I kept asking myself what he meant while an awkward silence ensued. "I'm so sorry to say this but I don't think the feeling is mutual. Don't get me wrong. I like you but I'm not really attracted to you". I stared at him in disbelief. So, this is how it feels like to be rejected. I watched him walk away. Tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

I walked home feeling dejected. I don't even know what gave me the courage to confess to Asher.

Back to present...

How could everybody have known about that? That was over two weeks ago. Was this all done by Asher? "Oh my Goodness, Marvi what's with all this ?" said Verona, jolting me from where I had spaced out. I didn't even know I was still capable of moving my legs as Verona dragged me out of the class. Getting to the entrance of the class, I heard Verona shout at the swarm of students who were staring at us like we were some specimen in a biology lab.

"Can you all cut this out? Most of you have been rejected by your so called crushes once in your lives, haven't you? Stop making it seem like it's more than a rejection. And to whoever posted that video on the school platform, I know you're in this crowd, I'll be waiting for you" The urge to smile at how she fought for me in front of the students was overshadowed by the hollowness in my chest. "Who could have taken the video? Why now? Why post it after about two weeks when I had begun to heal from the after-effect of being rejected? What does he/she stand to gain in this?" I said to myself again and again.

I was so lost in my world that I didn't know how I got to the field. "Ohh Marvi, you must be feeling so so embarrassed right now. Who exactly could have done this? It's definitely not Asher as he's not such an attention whore. You're not one to go around offending people. Who then would want to drag you into such mess?".

"Verona" I said. My unshed tears beginning to choke me. "Seeing the angle the video was filmed, the culprit did it discreetly."

"Marvi" I heard someone voice my name from afar. It sounded like Asher's. I and Verona looked up at the same time to see Asher dragging a junior towards us by his shirt. "What's this Asher?" said Verona. "Tell them everything." Asher said facing the junior. "I'm so sorry. It was all a dare. My friends asked me to get the most embarrassing video of a senior. And that day, I happened to see the two of you in the empty classroom and decided to film it. I never knew it would turn out like this Senior. I'm so sorry."

"What!!!? So this was all the result of a dare? I can't believe this" said Verona. Immediately, it began raining heavily. Thankful for the tree above us, we couldn't really feel the impact of the rain. "Marvi, I'll take you home. Asher tell the teacher that Marvi is in no position to participate in schooling activities today". Turning to the junior, she said, "And as for you and your friends, I'll be reporting you to the authorities. Disciplinary measures will definitely be taken against you" "Let's go Marvi".