"Um, Amelia," Dean began hesitantly, "if Rebecca's allegations are true, we'll have to suspend your position as student council president. And you won't be hosting the freshman ceremony."
My heart sank. I managed to croak out, "Dean, what are you saying?"
"As for your priority status for grad school admission..." he glanced at my crumpled form on the floor, "that's on hold. You might need to stay an extra year under probation.
"Don't think I'm being harsh. You're a ticking time bomb for the school's reputation. Consider yourself lucky I'm not expelling you outright!"
"How dare you try to negotiate, you shameless hussy!" Rebecca sneered.
Emboldened by Dean's words, Rebecca grew even more confident. The students, now fully convinced, waved their phones in the air, calling for my head. They vowed to eliminate the "homewrecker" for the greater good, to keep "trash" like me off the streets.
A mob rushed forward, raining dozens of slaps on my face and stuffing a sock in my mouth to silence me.
Rebecca raised her chin, gesturing for them to calm down. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, making sure to put it on speaker near the microphone.
After three attempts, the call connected.
"Leonard, boo-hoo-hoo," she wailed, "I'm so scared! There's this senior skank trying to seduce you, and she's causing trouble at the opening ceremony!"
Leonard's calm, reassuring voice came through, "That can't be right, Rebecca. I've never been with anyone else. You're the only one for me! Don't worry, I'm on my way. I won't let anyone hurt you! Don't believe those rumors, babe."
Rebecca's voice was dripping with feigned sweetness and desperation as she sniffled and relayed her sob story, prompting Leonard, ever the first-time lover, to rush to her aid with fervent assurances.
The call ended abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.
Rebecca put on a wounded expression, her eyes narrowing with contempt as she looked at me.
"Did everyone hear that? My boyfriend said he only loves me. This homewrecker is clearly trying to sabotage our relationship. Ugh, my heart is breaking."
The crowd, now more inflamed with righteous anger, grew even more incensed.
"This Amelia is so stupid. Even after seeing how in love they are, she still tried to seduce him."
"I gotta admit, even though she's old and dumb, she's got a decent look. With that figure, if she was working the streets, I might be tempted."