Chapter 1

My roommate, Chloe, used my photos for online flirting and catfishing, which led to me being harassed by some creepy guy.

I stormed over, ready to confront her.

But my other roommate, Ashley, just looked at me reproachfully. "Chloe was just so insecure she borrowed your pictures. It's not like you lost anything, can't you just be a little more understanding?"

Later, I was raped, had explicit rumors spread about me, my reputation utterly trashed. I ended it all.

When I opened my eyes again, Ashley was glaring at me, her face flushed with annoyance. "What? Jealous I'm prettier than you?"

I took in her sharp nose, delicate skin, and perfectly sculpted figure, a faint flicker of appreciation on my face. I gave a barely perceptible nod.

"You really are quite beautiful."

Ashley, who always competed with me tooth and nail, never expected that. She shot me a weird look, muttered "psycho," and turned back to fussing with her face in the mirror.

Her upward-curved lips reflected in the glass, a clear sign of her smug satisfaction.

*You should smile more,* I thought sarcastically. *You won't be smiling for much longer anyway.*

I pulled my gaze away, opened my closet, and picked out the ugliest clothes I owned to change into in the bathroom. Then I pulled a pair of black-rimmed glasses from a drawer, obscuring most of my face.

Ashley, who had just finished her makeup, glanced over casually, a sneer on her lips. "Summer, finally realized you're ugly and should cover up?"

I simply gave her a look of pity, not bothering to argue.

What she didn't know was that a great misfortune was about to befall her, and she would become the designated victim in my place.

That evening, Chloe returned from her part-time job, her ponytail swinging high, bouncing with joy like she'd just won the lottery.

She noticed my unusual outfit today and frowned. "Summer, why are you dressed like that? So ugly."

I let my gaze sweep over her and Ashley's faces, seemingly without intention, then smiled. "Well, there are a lot of bad people out there. Dressing too flashy just makes you a target."

My words hit a raw nerve with both of them. Their faces darkened, and the air immediately fell silent.

Watching Ashley's oblivious expression, I mused silently.

*Ashley, Ashley, I've hinted enough. What happens next? I won't be helping you anymore.*

A look of schadenfreude I didn't even realize was there played on my face.

Chloe's gaze reluctantly left me and settled on Ashley.

I watched her pull out her phone and secretly snap photos. Her thumb scrolled across the screen, the smile on her face growing wider and wider.

And I, too, began to smile.

*I can't wait for the show to begin.*