Chapter 102 The Stained Clothes
The moment Terrence closed the door behind him, Bianca finally released the breath she had been holding.
Jasmine smirked, her tone teasing. "That afraid he might catch you?"
A faint smile tugged at Bianca's lips. Of course she was. A surprise only worked if it stayed hidden.
Morning light spilled through the window, warm and golden, falling across the half-finished scrapbook spread open on the desk. Bianca carefully gathered every piece of card, ribbon, and photograph before heading to her wardrobe.
The air was cooler today. She chose a cream-colored knit dress, the fabric skimming her figure in all the right places. Her hair was loosely curled, and from the jewelry case she picked a pearl necklace to match the pale pink bracelet on her wrist.
Once she was ready, she left with Jasmine.
The chatter in the classroom cut off the moment Bianca stepped inside. Every head turned. Her skin was pale and flawless, the knit dress making it look even softer. She hadn't tried to impress anyone, but somehow she stole the room's attention without effort.
Melissa entered moments later, slowing her pace deliberately before stepping through the door. She flicked her perfectly styled hair over her shoulder, book in hand, chin lifted high. The corner of her mouth twitched upward when she caught the admiring glances from a few classmates.
Then she saw Bianca.
The satisfaction drained from her face, replaced by a sharp, ugly twist of jealousy. Her nails dug into her palm. All that effort, all the careful styling... and she was nothing but background against Bianca's presence.
Why does she always have to be against me? Melissa thought, her pulse spiking. The jealousy burned hot enough to make her want to lash out, but the weight of the eyes around them kept her in check.
She walked over and sat beside Bianca.
"Bianca, you look so beautiful today. I almost didn't recognize you."
Bianca's gaze slid to her, then to the already occupied seats on her right. She let out a short, dismissive laugh.
"Melissa, your shamelessness is unmatched. How do you have the nerve to sit next to me?"
A few chuckles rippled through the room.
Melissa's face flushed, then paled, her hands curling into fists. Still, she kept her voice soft.
"Bianca, I think we've misunderstood each other. I want to clear the air. We used to be close... I don't want to lose that friendship."
She reached for Bianca's hand, refusing to let go no matter how Bianca tried to pull away.
Even the calmest person had limits, and Bianca wasn't in the mood to play nice. Her smile sharpened to a blade.
"Melissa, I don't think you're listening to me. You spread lies about me behind my back because you hate me. And if you hate me, why keep showing up in front of me? Every time I say something you don't like, you run off telling people I'm bullying you. I don't care how pitiful you act or how many apologies you spit out... I'm not forgiving you."
Melissa's expression darkened, jealousy flickering in her eyes alongside a slow, deliberate breath. She lowered her gaze, and images flashed in her mind—Bianca behind the wheel of a limited-edition car, Bianca laughing with Terrence.
The bitterness was almost choking.
When she looked up again, her face was softer, her voice trembling just enough to sound believable.
"I was wrong before. The things I said in the dorm... I only said them because I was jealous."
The word hung in the air. Bianca blinked, surprised by the bluntness.
But Melissa's tone shifted.
"I was jealous because you have so many people around you now. It's not just me anymore. I wanted you to look at me, to be with me. I was childish. I'm sorry, Bianca. I need you."
Her lashes trembled. The words sounded like a confession, but they made Bianca's stomach turn. There was no warmth in them—only something cold and unsettling.
What is she really trying to do? Bianca wondered.
As they tugged against each other, Melissa's elbow knocked her pen to the floor. The nib caught Bianca's dress, bleeding dark ink into the cream fabric.
"Ah!" Melissa snatched up the pen, but in the process dragged more ink across the knit. "I'm so sorry. My fault."
Bianca's eyes narrowed. Melissa's apology was all performance, her movements deliberate enough to deepen the stain.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
If Bianca stormed out now, Melissa would play the victim, claim it was an accident, and Bianca would be painted as petty. But if she let it go, she'd choke on the anger.
She forced her temper down, ready to speak—but Melissa cut in first.
"Bianca, I'll tell the professor. You should go back to the dorm and change. It's my clumsiness that ruined your dress."
Bianca's smile was thin, her voice low as she leaned close to Melissa's ear. "You really know how to play the game." Then she straightened, tone flat. "Thanks."
The ink stain was stark against the cream knit. Melissa's lips curled slightly as she admired her handiwork.
"No need to thank me. We're best friends, after all."
She lingered on the words, letting them linger in the air.
Bianca's laugh was humorless. Best friends... what a joke.
She forced her temper down again and walked out of the room.
Melissa waited until she was sure Bianca wouldn't return before slipping out herself.
In the dorm, Bianca tossed the dress onto the desk. Thankfully, she had spare clothes, or she would have had to walk across campus in a stained outfit. The sight of the ink spreading across the hem made her jaw tighten. She exhaled hard and left.
Melissa eased the door open minutes later, peeking in. No Bianca. She stepped inside, shutting the door quickly.
Her eyes locked on the dress. Then she looked down at herself, at the body she kept in perfect shape.
Her breathing quickened.
If Bianca could use her charms, why couldn't she? She'd always believed she was braver, more willing to cross lines than Bianca ever would be.