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It started with glitter.
And ended in detention.
Monday Morning
The entire hallway outside the Principal’s office was covered in pink glitter, glue, and torn-up photos of Joy and Marian—defaced, vandalized, made into a mockery.
One photo had “UGLY HYPOCRITE” scrawled in red ink.
Another had devil horns drawn on Marian’s face.
The entire school buzzed with gasps and screenshots.
And everyone pointed to one person.
Ruthie Villanueva.
Because who else would have the guts?
“It was her!” Joy sobbed, eyes red and puffy. “She’s the only one who hates us this much!”
Marian chimed in, clutching her chest dramatically. “She’s been tormenting us for weeks! Now this?!”
The Principal glanced at Ruthie, who sat quietly, arms folded.
No reaction.
No defense.
As usual.
“Do you deny it?” the Principal asked.
Ruthie looked up. Her voice was calm, almost bored.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MfbsY6ZDZ
“Did you see me do it?”
Joy sniffled louder. “You’re cruel.”
“No,” Ruthie replied flatly. “I’m consistent.”
Marian gasped. “See?!” she shrieked. “She’s not even sorry!”
Ruthie smiled. “Should I be?”
She got three days of detention.
No hearing. No investigation. No proof.
Just three days.
Inside a dusty classroom no one used anymore.
Alone.
At least, that’s what she expected.
Day 1 of Detention
The air was thick with chalk dust and old secrets.
Ruthie sat near the window, doodling knives in her notebook.
Her eyes were hollow. Her fingers still.
She wasn’t angry.
She wasn’t even surprised.
This was how it always went.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsIiD8oRH2
No one asked for her side. No one cared.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMRxoi43ek
Because once they labeled you a villain, they never stopped looking for the next crime.
So when the door creaked open, she didn’t look up.
Until she heard the voice.
“They really put you here.”
Jay Armada.
Ruthie didn’t answer.
He walked in anyway, pulled a chair, and sat backward on it, arms resting on the top rail like he owned the silence.
She sighed. “You lost or stupid?”
“Neither,” he said. “Curious lang.”
Ruthie raised a brow. “About?”
Jay leaned closer. “Why you didn’t defend yourself.”
She scoffed. “Because it wouldn’t matter.”
Jay tilted his head. “But it wasn’t you.”
Her eyes flickered.
He noticed.
“You knew?” she asked softly.
He nodded. “Saw the footage from the science lab hallway. Two girls with hoodies. Not you.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because,” he said, eyes sharp, “I wanted to see what the so-called monster does when she’s caged.”
Ruthie smirked. “You think this is a cage? This is recess.”
Outside the Room
Joy and Marian were watching from the hallway.
When they saw Jay enter the detention room, Joy’s expression twisted.
“Why is he with her?”
Marian clenched her fists. “He’s supposed to be a faculty assistant. Not her fan.”
Joy bit her lip. “We need to be careful.”
Back Inside
Jay stood and walked over to the whiteboard. He picked up a marker and wrote one word:
"Truth."
“Do you want it?” he asked.
Ruthie looked up at him slowly. “What if I do?”
Jay tapped the word. “Then stop playing villain.”
“I’m not playing.”
He smiled, almost gently. “I know. That’s what makes you terrifying.”
She stared at him.
For the first time in a long while, someone looked her in the eye…18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57e7d6VxTN
…without fear.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbFr2rUu4N
…without disgust.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtn8vXAija
…without judgment.
Just interest.
And understanding.
Flashback – Years Ago
Ruthie was twelve. Crying. Knees scraped. Accused of something she didn’t do.
Her mother slapped her. Her classmates cheered.
Only one boy gave her a handkerchief.
No words.
Just kindness.
Present
“Why are you really here?” she asked again, softer this time.
Jay’s voice was low. “Maybe I want to see if villains bleed too.”
Ruthie stood and walked toward him, close enough to feel his breath.
“They do,” she whispered. “But they bleed alone.”
And for once, Jay didn’t look away.
He just nodded.
