After rebirth, I slapped the poor student teammate who humiliated
me on the night of the group formation.
Chapter 1
It was the finale night of the reality show,
“Pop Group Showdown.”
Brenda, our sweet but dirt–poor teammate,
wanted to take the final high note during our
last performance.
I shut that down real quick.
I had to think about our chances of winning.
I nailed the final performance.
We snagged second place and a chance to
く
We were celebrating when Brenda burst into
tears.
“If I’d hit that high note, we would’ve won
first place, I just know it!” she wailed.
“Just because my family doesn’t have a trust
fund like yours, doesn’t mean I don’t have
talent.”
“I haven’t had formal training, but I can sing
just as well as you, if not better. Is all my hard
work just worthless because I grew up poor?”
The audience went wild.
Everyone started accusing me of bullying
Brenda.
Even my fiancé, Chad, jumped on the
Г
He dumped me right there on the stage.
“I hate bullies, you’re disgusting,” he said,
“We’re through.
وو
The internet ripped me to shreds.
I was canceled and hounded until I died.
Brenda rode the wave of drama straight to
the top.
She became a huge star.
Then she started dating Chad and they lived
happily ever after.
I blinked, and I was back on finale night.
く
- 1.
“Ashley, I know you’ve got money, but the
lead vocals should go to the person with the
best voice. My family’s financial situation
doesn’t mean that my hard work is
worthless!”
Brenda, wearing a white dress, stood
backstage.
She had perfect makeup and glistening tears
in her eyes.
She looked absolutely heartbreaking.
“I know you’ve always looked down on me. It’s
because I sing better, and I’m prettier too…
But you can’t just bully me and keep me down.
because of that!”
Г
I recognized those accusations instantly.
I was flooded with memories of being doxxed,
harassed by reporters, and the car accident
that ended my life.
My anger flared.
I gave her a cold look.
“You cracked three times during one verse,
they’re calling you ‘Warble Whistle‘ online,
and you think that’s good singing?”
“And you’re saying I’m bullying you? Where’s
the evidence? If you don’t have any, this is
slander. I demand we call the cops and press
charges, you’ll be held responsible.”
<
Brenda clearly wasn’t expecting such a quick
comeback.
She just stood there, stunned.
I took the opportunity to look around.
I needed to be sure I was really back.
I was reliving the day of the “Pop Group
Showdown” finale.
Last time, before we went on stage, Brenda
threw herself at me, accusing me of stealing
the lead vocals.
I tried to explain, but the show was starting.
I had to go on stage.
<
I used my singing to help the group snag
second place.
But during the post–show interview, Brenda
started sobbing in front of the cameras.
“If I had done that final high note, we would
have won first place.”
“My family isn’t rich, but that doesn’t mean I
can’t sing. Why does my background
disqualify me?”
The controversy was instant.
Brenda’s accusation, combined with the pre-
show confrontation, convinced the media that
I was bullying her:
I was attacked online with countless insults
ᄀ
I couldn’t even leave my house.
My family cut ties.
My friends sold stories to the tabloids.
Even Chad, my fiancé, dumped me.
“I hate bullies, you’re disgusting,” he said.
“We’re through.”
Meanwhile, Brenda used the scandal to
launch her solo career.
She ended up with Chad.
I tried to defend myself, but Brenda made
sure the paparazzi were there to attack me.
I was hit by a truck while running from them.
I felt such rage.
My eyes narrowed with hatred as I looked at
Brenda.
Brenda found her composure and started to
tear up again.
“Do I need to bring out evidence? Last night, I
sang better than you during rehearsal. You
dragged me into the closet, slapped me, and
called me names. Are you denying all of
that?”
