Standing Up for Myself

So there's this new girl in our class, and one day, she straight up called me out in front of EVERYONE:

"Emma, are those real or fake?" she pointed at my chest. "My mom says girls with big boobs have no self-respect. Wearing such a tight uniform too - trying to seduce someone with those?"chest. "My mom says girls with big boobs have

The guys in class burst out laughing. I instinctively looked at Ethan sitting in the front row. Usually, whenever someone spread rumors about me, he'd stand up for me without hesitation. But this time? Nothing.

I lowered my head, feeling the new girl's malicious, triumphant stare.

The internet was right - counting on men is a recipe for disappointment.

So when I looked up again, I didn't hesitate. I grabbed my water bottle and poured it over her head.

"When was the last time someone washed out that filthy mouth of yours?"

"Let me help you brush your teeth since your breath stinks so bad!"

"AHHH! EMMA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" A piercing scream shattered the quiet classroom.

The half-bottle of water was enough to soak her completely. Vanessa looked like a drenched chicken, wet from head to toe.

Summer was approaching, and most students had already switched to short-sleeved uniforms. Now Vanessa's uniform clung to her body, making her look completely disheveled.

"Emma, you're such trash!" she shouted. "I was just joking around! Can't we talk things out like normal classmates? Did you have to humiliate me in front of everyone?"

Vanessa, who seconds ago wanted to kill me, now had tears in her eyes. Her carefully styled hair that had made her face look smaller now hung in wet strands. With water dripping down her pale cheeks, she actually looked somewhat pitiful.

Meanwhile, I, the perpetrator of this mess, wasn't flustered at all. I felt zero guilt despite her attempt to flip the script.

"Isn't it exhausting making 'jokes' that big? Your makeup's literally running down your face," I said.

"Now I see why you always act like you have skin thicker than a rhino. With all that makeup you wear to school every day, your skin probably IS thick."

"Want me to open another bottle and help wash off some of that weight?"

I reached for my friend's unopened water bottle beside me and started unscrewing the cap. Seeing this, Vanessa's eyes widened in panic.

"Emma, you wouldn't dare!"

"Have you lost your mind?!"

"Everyone's watching! If you pour that water on me, it's bullying! I'll report you to our homeroom teacher!"

"Ohhhh," I responded with a bored tone.

Seeing I didn't make any further moves, Vanessa assumed she had me cornered.

"Enough, Emma. Vanessa just likes joking around with people," Ethan suddenly appeared beside me, looking at me with exasperation.

"We're all classmates here. You've both made your points, so don't hold a grudge against Vanessa anymore."

"For my sake, be the bigger person."

Ethan's words seemed comforting on the surface, but I could feel my smile freezing as I realized what he was really ...