NOVEL NEXT Chapter 91: Why Did All the Looks Change?
Alaric paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. Was it because he came by bike instead of the usual car? That seemed unlikely. Riding a bicycle was perfectly normal. If anything, it was more environmentally friendly. But their looks weren't just curious.
There was judgment in their eyes.
They whispered behind their hands, glanced at him with sideways glances, then giggled in that way that made it clear they weren't laughing with him, but at him.
Alaric stood still for a beat longer, holding the handlebars tightly. He felt a small pang inside. Not quite hurt, but not entirely untouched either. It was a familiar feeling, one he thought he had outgrown a long time ago.
Back in high school, he used to be the odd one out. The quiet student who rode a worn-out bike while others got dropped off in sleek cars. The boy who brought homemade lunch instead of buying fast food like everyone else. He had thought those days were far behind him.
But here it was again... an echo of the same ridicule, hidden behind polite smiles and quiet laughter.
He took a quiet breath, and then let it go.
This time, he wouldn't let it get to him.
He calmly walked his bicycle into the parking space and locked it securely. The sunlight touched his face, and the wind brushed against his skin, as if reminding him why he had chosen this path in the first place.
He turned away from the giggling girls and walked toward the campus building, each step steady and light. He didn't look back.
Somewhere in the sky above, the morning clouds drifted gently, and Alaric could still feel the trace of last night's stars in his chest, reminding him that no matter how others looked at him, he had found something that brought him peace.
And that, to him, mattered more than approval.
__________________________
Alaric tightened the straps of his backpack and began walking into the campus courtyard, passing groups of students who had been shooting him judgmental looks just moments earlier. He tried not to care, even though a giant question mark still lingered in his mind.
But just a few steps in, something small. But piercing, suddenly happened.
A male student sitting on a long bench near the walkway suddenly stuck out his leg, right in Alaric's path. The movement was quick, intentional but made to look casual.
Alaric, caught off guard, nearly tripped. His body wobbled for a moment, but luckily he managed to catch himself and grab onto his bicycle before falling flat in front of everyone.
A few chuckles rippled through the crowd. From the right, three female students who had been eyeing him earlier now openly jeered.
"Boo…!" they shouted in unison, their mocking smiles clearly aimed at him.
Their shrill voices drew the attention of other students nearby, though not everyone seemed to understand what had just happened.
Alaric stood still for a moment. A heat crept up the back of his neck. Not from embarrassment, but from confusion. He was sure he hadn't done anything wrong.
He tried to find a logical explanation for what had just happened. Had he unintentionally offended someone? Was there a rumor going around that he didn't know about? Or was this just some random prank pulled by bored students looking for a spectacle?
But Alaric didn't ask. He chose not to react, afraid that any response would only fuel the mockery. He looked down briefly, took a deep breath, and quickened his pace.
His sneakers hit the campus pavement with steady strides. He just wanted to get away from the stares.
Every gaze, every whisper seemed to follow him as he made his way to the bicycle parking area tucked in the quieter back corner of the campus. Only a few other bikes were neatly parked there.
Alaric guided his bicycle into an empty slot. He bent down slightly, adjusting the position so it aligned with the others. His hands worked swiftly to lock the front wheel. Trying to focus on the small task, even though his mind was spinning with confusion.
And just then, a light tap landed on his shoulder. It was soft, but startling enough. His eyes froze, still fixed on the bike lock that wasn't yet fully secured. For a moment, he didn't turn around, choosing instead to focus on stabilizing his bicycle.
Who was that? One of the girls who mocked him earlier? Or someone else with a different agenda?
The touch still lingered, and before Alaric could respond, a rushed voice broke through.
"Ric…" The voice sounded like it was trying to pull his full attention. "Your name's been dragged into something. The dean and the rector are waiting for you in the office."
His hand, which had just finished locking the bike, came to a halt. Slowly but firmly, Alaric turned his head. His eyes met a familiar face—Ricky, a classmate he got along with, though they weren't exactly close.
Ricky's face looked tense, his expression far from cheerful. In fact, he seemed genuinely worried, though he tried to hide it behind his urgent tone.
"What do you mean?" Alaric asked, eyes narrowing with confusion. "What did I do to get called in by the rector?"
Ricky shrugged, clearly hesitant to answer. "I'm not really sure, Ric. But the rumor's been going around. No one knows exactly where it started, but it's spreading fast."
Alaric frowned. His heart began to race, tangled in confusion and frustration. "Rumor? About what? I don't even know what people are talking about. How am I supposed to clear anything up when I don't even understand what the issue is?"
His voice rose slightly. Not out of anger toward Ricky, but from the pressure of the situation suddenly crashing down on him.
Ricky quickly raised his hands, signaling him to calm down. "Ric, listen. I don't know the details either. But from what I've heard, a few senior lecturers are already in the rector's office. If you don't show up soon, things might spiral out of control. You know how gossip works. Once it spreads, it can twist in any direction. Better to face it now, before it gets worse."
Alaric took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second. He tried to settle the storm inside him. It all felt unfair. Just this morning, he had set out feeling optimistic. Even choosing to ride his bike as a fresh start to the day. But now, everything had shifted.
"Clear up what? I haven't done anything wrong…"
Ricky gave him a firmer pat on the shoulder, this time more of a push. "No time to think about that now. If I were you, I'd go straight there. Don't give people more reason to doubt you. The longer you wait, the worse it'll look. At least go and hear what's going on."
Alaric stared at Ricky for a moment, as if trying to find a better answer hidden in his eyes. But all he saw was sincerity, a friend who didn't want to see things get any messier.
With a heavy sigh, Alaric finally looked toward the main building where the rector's office was located.
"Alright…" he said quietly, turning his gaze away.
But deep down, the fear of an unclear problem felt far heavier than one that was already known.
Ricky, still beside him, gave him a small nudge. "Go on, Ric. Don't let them wait too long. You can explain yourself, or at least find out what they're accusing you of."
Alaric cast one last glance at his bicycle, now securely locked. Perhaps the only stable thing in a morning that had spun out of control.
Then, he began walking, following Ricky's advice, toward the office that was already waiting for him.
....
Alaric walked down the long corridor toward the main campus building. The once plain white walls, faded and dull, usually felt unremarkable. But today, they seemed to close in on him, pressing down like an invisible weight. The corridor was filled with students passing by. But the moment they noticed Alaric, the atmosphere shifted.
Whispers began to rise, circling him like an echo designed to pierce his ears. Some stares were no longer subtle. Cold, sharp, and cutting, as if trying to shred his dignity.
"Boo!" a sudden jeer rang out from a group of male students leaning against the wall. The sound echoed through the corridor, causing Alaric's steps to falter.
Before he could react, a crumpled ball of paper flew from the crowd, landing just beside his foot. Another one followed, this time striking his shoulder.
Alaric turned quickly. Some students were stifling their laughter, while others clapped, as if watching some kind of performance.
His brows furrowed, a mix of confusion and irritation rising within him. "What is this all about?" he wondered silently. He hadn't said a single word since arriving, yet the way people were treating him. It was as if he were already guilty of something.
"Don't act innocent, Ric!" someone shouted from within the crowd. Laughter followed, loud and mocking, deepening Alaric's confusion.
His heart began to race. Just this morning, he had left home with a light heart, enjoying the breeze on his bike, even humming a tune along the way. But now, that peace had vanished in an instant.
"Why… is this happening?" he muttered, glancing around, searching for one face—any face that might offer some clarity. But all he found were suspicious eyes, icy murmurs, and hostile jeers.