I love internet trolls

It was at the start of Emma's first semester at this college. Most of the college freshmen were already sorting themselves into groups, forming life-long bonds with one another. Everyone tried their best to stand out in their own ways, others got up to their own shenanigans.

One guy decided it would be a good idea to take a dump in the guys' toilets and put the paper he used in the vents, they had to close the toilets to air them out for a full day.

Another student was seen eating at the fish and chip shop every day.

Most people were trying to socialise and were focusing their energy on getting to know their peers, however, due to his good looks, Mr Thomas was already instantly popular and drew a large hoard of girls to flock around him. The girls began joking around and asking him questions.

They batted their eyes at him flirtatiously. "Mr Thomas~ What kind of women do you like? Do any of us have a chance?"

Emma, who was watching at the time, couldn't help but laugh at their antics, one of the girls heard and glared at her causing Emma to turn away and stifle her giggles.

After some continued pestering Mr Thomas finally answered them, and at the same time, Emma tapped Ren's shoulder to get her attention.

"Well, I like mature women. Preferably kind and warm-hearted ones who have a stable lifestyle and support me."

Emma had drowned his words out with her hushed complaints, "Don't you think those girls are shameless? They barely know the guy. Don't you think he could be, like, a serial killer? Oh, oh what about a secret agent sent by the government to keep tabs on us?"

Emma's eyes lit up and she shook her fists in excitement, Ren looked her over and sighed internally. When would this best friend of hers become more realistic?

"Very plausible, most definitely."

Emma hadn't been paying attention to Mr Thomas at the time, otherwise, she likely would've approached him differently. This was due to the fact she hadn't started to like him till later so she found no need to listen to such details.

Emma was currently regretting it as she stared lifelessly at her mother and Carly laughing happily and drinking together. She tried turning her attention to her meal and started hastily shovelling her food into her mouth.

Dinner didn't taste nearly as good as it usually did, Emma stole a slight glance at Lou and Carly just to see him place his hand atop hers on the table. She turned her gaze away bitterly, she didn't have much of an appetite so she forced a bit more down before deciding to leave for her room.

Feeling dead inside Emma slowly pushed her chair away from the table and got up, doing her best to avert her eyes from the happy couple until she left the room. They continued flirting and laughing joyfully making it seem as though they hadn't even noticed her disappearance.

Emma's phone vibrated violently indicating a notification for an update from one of the fashion accounts she followed on instantgram. This would normally excite Emma, however, at the present time she only had one thing on her mind. That was her irresistible urge to sulk in her room, she also wanted to have some snacks to make her feel better but couldn't be bothered to traverse all the way to the kitchen.

She walked up the stairs at the slowest pace humanely possible, she could still hear their laughter as it echoed through the halls. Emma reached the top of the stairs and paused for a moment debating whether or not she should go into her room or stay by the stairs and listen in on their conversations.

After mere seconds of listening to them laugh wholeheartedly Emma subsequently decided she'd rather sit through Mr Thomas' visit in her room, she entered quickly whilst carefully closing the door so the noise wouldn't reach downstairs. She hastily went to sit on her bed.

As she was trying to take her mind off Carly she suddenly recalled the notification she received from instantgram, it was one of her favourite fashion designers' newest designers. She remembered her fleeting thoughts of opening an online store to sell her designs. Emma glanced at the door quickly before deciding to give it a try, after all, no harm no foul.

Being as unknowledgeable about setting up and running an online business' as she was, she had to first look up and watch some guides online. This took her a considerable duration of time as she wanted to make sure her execution was good.

After making sure everything was in order, Emma opened a site online and a social media account and posted pictures and descriptions of her existing designs.

She knew not to expect a flood of orders soon, as the algorithm hadn't picked up her posts yet, and she hadn't set up ads. However, to her great surprise, on her shop's newly set-up instantgram account she had received a comment. Emma was beyond excited, in her haste to open the comment she pressed the wrong button and ended up closing the application. This didn't shake her and she quickly went on the app and opened the message.

"Ur designs stink lol" Emma rubbed her eyes and looked again at what she'd just read. Her face contorted painfully into a forced smile, luckily no one was there to see it otherwise they'd have likely been scarred for life.

She hurled a string of insults at them in her head whilst digging her nails into her palms. She took a few deep breaths and let go of her tightly closed fist. She couldn't let this phase her, what did some ignorant little troll know anyway? She rolled on her bed in barely contained exasperation and put her phone on the bedside table.

She was exhausted, this day drained her in every way it possibly could. Emma dragged herself out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a quick warm shower before heading to bed.