"This wasn't me..." My voice trembled.

"During gym class this morning, only that woman and I noticed our uniforms were missing. We searched every desk drawer and personal locker in the classroom. And guess where we finally found them? In yours!" Ghoul Xueling grabbed my shirt, slamming me hard against the corner wall.

My back crashed into the sharp edge, pain flaring as I crumpled against the wall. Stunned and helpless, I turned my head toward the row of lockers behind me.

Neat grid lockers lined the back of our classroom—one per student, all locked. Only the owner held the key. They usually held gym uniforms and small personal items.

But my locker had been forced open. A broken lock lay on the floor—mine. They must have smashed it.

"You're disgusting. How does someone like you even exist in this world?"

"Damn, you're not just trash—you're a pervert too?"

"Just get out!"

"Don't cry, Lixiaochun..." Classmates whispered, their gazes sharpening from old sneers and eye-rolls into pure venom—like staring at garbage.

"Kid, you've got guts! I don't care about that woman's stuff, but you dared steal mine too? You're dead!" Ghoul Xueling stomped her foot on my shoulder.

"It wasn't me! I'm being framed!" Shoulder burning, I shouted back.

"The whole class was in session—except you. Still denying it?" Ghoul Xueling loomed over me, hands on hips, voice low and dangerous.

"If I stole them, would I hide them in my own locker?"

"Who else would put them there? Who else has your key?"

"I..." I froze. Who’d set me up?

"And where are our gym shorts? Where did you hide them?"

"I really didn’t do it!"

"Liar! Worthless trash! Filth!" Ghoul Xueling spat vicious words.

"..." I glared, voice trapped in my throat. I understood now. Nothing I said would matter. They’d never believe me.

"Dare to say what you were doing yesterday? Sneaking back to steal, pervert? Tell me! Where are my athletic shorts? Just thinking about you touching them makes me sick!" She yanked my collar, dragging me up from the corner before slamming me against the wall again. Her furious face filled my vision—pretty features twisted with rage.

"I was gaming yesterday." My heart turned to ice. Suddenly, the world snapped into sharp, cold focus. I smirked, locking eyes with her.

"You—gaming yesterday? You think anyone would—"

"—believe you? I know no one will." I cut her off.

"You bastard!" Humiliated fury flashed in her eyes. She shoved me back into the corner, jabbing a finger at my face. "You’re dead! I’ll have your arms and legs broken!"

"Whether you believe me doesn’t matter. Even if you all think I’m guilty—I don’t care! But! Lixiaochun—" I crouched in the corner, roaring at the whole class. "Do you think I did it too?"

"Shut up! You’re obviously guilty, you creep!"

"You were the only one absent this morning! It had to be you!"

*Would I be that stupid? Stealing clothes right before gym class?*

"We found them in your locker! What’s your excuse now? This is theft!"

*If I were the thief, would I hide the evidence in my own locker? Idiots.*

I bit back the retort. Too tired to argue. My eyes hardened as I slowly rose from the corner, wiping my mouth. "Lixiaochun," I shouted again. "Do you trust me?"

She’d turned around, surrounded by girls. Tears welled in her eyes, hands clasped tightly over her heart. Unlike Ghoul Xueling’s rage, her pain was raw, fragile—a wound carved deep.

I ignored everyone else. Only she existed. Their voices meant nothing. Only her trust mattered. Even if the whole world abandoned me, her faith would be my armor.

But... this world had already cast me aside.

"Don’t come near me again... please don’t speak to me..." Lixiaochun whispered, tear-streaked face hidden behind her hands.

Her soft words cut through the noise, clear as shattered glass.

My heart stopped. Life drained from me in an instant. My eyes glazed over.

Sixteen years of friendship. Our bond. So fragile... To you, I was just someone disposable.

My fists clenched. My legs moved on their own, stepping past Ghoul Xueling.

"Where do you think you’re going? I’m not done with you!" She screamed at my back, kicking hard between my shoulder blades.

But I felt nothing. Heard nothing. Like a walking corpse, I stumbled out of the classroom—empty, drifting into the silence.