Saving the Villain

Meanwhile, in the room next to where Cosette and Luke were…

Amie was sitting among the young delinquents drinking drinks they shouldn't while singing and partying.

"You haven't touched your drink." She snapped her eyes when the guy sitting beside her spoke, making her raise her head to him. "Is there something wrong, babe?"

Amie pressed her lips into a thin line and shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just thinking of school."

"Huh? What about it?"

"Well…" She scratched the back of her ears, shrugging. "Just some of my classmates bothering me."

Since Amie changed, everyone in the classroom would inevitably give her some attention. Back then, no one would even bother to give her a look. She didn't even know if her classmates know she even exist. It was always Cosette since she was beautiful, smart, and also kind. Cosette was the popular girl, after all.

Sarah was also popular because many of her classmates and even students from other classes turn to her for help. Sarah had a respectable reputation in school as the perfect student model; even though Sarah wasn't as smart, many think she was reliable.

Meanwhile, many other students liked Fay. Fay might now be as popular as Cosette or she might not be the perfect role model like Sarah, but she was known to be a chill and fun person. Thus, many people likes her and wanted to be her friend.

Unlike those three who shine as individuals, Amie had always felt she was an outsider. She had no special characteristics, always part of the backdrop with no one noticing. Back then, she didn't mind this because she was always happy for her friends. But when Fay ended their friendship as if the years of being friends were nothing to her, it took a huge blow to her little self-confidence.

Between Fay and Amie, Sarah and Cosette chose Fay over her. That was what Amie saw in their actions and it hurt her to a degree she couldn't even describe.

"Those aren't friends," said the guy sitting beside Amie after she shared the summary of her former friends. "If only they were friends, they wouldn't one-sidedly choose the other friend who could end such friendship so easily."

"Right?"

"Also, they're probably insecure."

"Huh?" Deep lines appeared in between Amie's brows, facing the youth squarely. "Why would they be insecure?"

"Because you're pretty and smart, and hot too." The guy grinned, assessing her from up and down. "From what I see, they purposely made you a backdrop so you won't outshine them."

Amie pressed her lips into a thin line as her cheek turned slightly pinkish. "You're just saying that because you hadn't seen them. Especially the school bell — she's really pretty. I don't even know where to start."

"No." The guy shook his head adamantly. "In my eyes, Amie is the prettiest. With or without make-up, Amie is the best. Also, Amie is always fun to be with."

Her eyes softened, staring at the youth who deemed her as her savior. No one ever told Amie she was pretty with so much conviction in their voice. It was flattering to be looked at with desire, making her pretty. It was always Cosette or Sarah who was pretty and Fay who was the best to hang out with.

"See?" the youth cupped her face, stroking her cheek gently. "You are the prettiest when you're smiling like this. Those girls who pretend to be your friends will not even compare."

Her breathing slowed down as the noises in the room as the rest were talking loudly or singing sounded distant. She pressed her lips into a thin line, staring at the youth who looked at her as if she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

Seeing that the youth's face was getting closer, her heart thudded nervously. The latter tilted his head to the side while Amie slowly closed her eyes. This would be her first kiss, she thought. A kiss from someone who liked her the best and see her as the most beautiful one.

Little did Amie know, as she closed her eyes, the youth smirked deviously. Contempt and lust glinted in his eyes, glancing at this foolish girl who was so easy to manipulate.

'She's not bad,' he thought as his lips were an inch from hers. 'I can play with her for a little while.'

Just when their lips were about to touch, the guy stopped when a loud bang was heard from outside the door. He frowned as the noises inside subsided. Another loud knock was heard, and as everyone turned their heads in the door's direction, the door was kicked open.

Amie furrowed her brows, opening her eyes as she gazed at the tall person by the door.

"What's going on…?" she wondered, gazing at the youth beside her. Much to her dismay, surprise and horror flashed on the youth's face upon recognizing the person who barged into their room.

"Hah… this fucking bastard is really shameless," said the bulky goon by the door, eyes on the person sitting beside Amie. "Oy, Henry. Did you think you could get away from us after running away from your debts?"

Amie held her breath, setting her eyes on the person outside. Just when the latter stepped inside the KTV room, she noticed that there were more people outside. One look and she was certain they came to look for trouble.

"Henry," came out her tiny voice, reaching for Henry's hand, but the latter suddenly sprung up to his feet. She flinched, seeing anger dominate the youth's face; the gentleness in them was gone.

"What the — what the fuck are you doing here, eh? I told you guy I will fucking pay!" Henry, the youth, harrumphed angrily. His reaction, however, didn't intimidate anyone.

The person who barged into their room chuckled, motioning his fingers, and that second, the people outside also entered. The tension in the air slowly peaked with the intruder cracking his knuckles, eyes on the guy named Henry.

"This junkie here surely is shameless. After consuming all that drugs and running away without paying, do you think I'd believe you? We've been looking for you for months. You should've stayed in the hell you hid in." The guy sneered at Henry. "Get him, boys. No. All of them."