Chapter 90: Trust Issues
Andria’s POV
"We can go to visit Becca after lunch," she suggested in a low tone, and Michaela nodded her head in affirmation.
She triggered me, but I stayed calm to avoid upsetting Liara further.
I drew closer to Liara’s ear, causing my chair to scrape hard against the floor. But I didn’t mind even though the noise drew unnecessary attention to me.
"I hope your new friend isn’t coming with us?. You can’t be that trusting, right?" I whispered into her ear, trying hard not to let Michaela hear anything I said to Liara.
"You don’t want her to come?" Liara whispered back to me in a surprised tone.
"Becca doesn’t know her; she just survived an accident, obviously caused by me to make our plans work, and now you are bringing a new face into a room that should be a safe place for her. How can she express herself when she wakes up? Be reasonable," I retorted, but in a calm tone to avoid Michaela hearing our argument.
I don’t hate Michaela, but it’s strange just to befriend someone who was just one of Tracy’s supporters not too long ago, in the middle of a plan that we are not sure has been actualized yet.
And if it has worked out, how do we celebrate our win in front of a new face?
"How is Becca, your friend? I heard she was the casualty earlier announced today by the headmistress," Michaela chipped in, bringing us out of our little discussion.
I gave Liara a look of accusation, and she quickly threw her hands in the air in denial.
Surprisingly, how a small news actually spread so fast in this academy.
Then I studied Michaela carefully. She followed my gaze too, as if she were confused as to why I stared at her.
"Did I do something wrong?" Michaela asked, her eyebrows arched as if she wanted to cry.
Maybe my doubts about her and my jealousy over her being with my friend are getting the better of me, because her hands were beginning to shake.
I’m not a bully; therefore, I should let her be. "No, you didn’t, I’m just surprised you knew about Becca’s predicament, and I’m not sure if I can trust you after knowing that you were at Tracy’s supporters camp not too long ago," I replied to her in a low but firm tone.
"I was surprised to find out that I was actually about to vote for her, too. I just came to that realization today after the chemistry lab disaster. It was as if I was lost and suddenly came to my senses," she replied, and I could sense sincerity and honesty in every word she spat.
"I find it hard to trust, don’t betray me."
That was what I said before getting up from my seat, "I’m heading to the sick bay now, maybe you and your new friend can join us later," I said, and quickly left the cafeteria.
I don’t know why I felt so bad about Liara’s new friend, Michaela. I had hoped it was just a feeling of jealousy, but Michaela’s attitude bore a striking resemblance to Lena’s.
Lena would befriend my friends, especially those she knew were very close to me, then bully me in front of them or play the victim in front of them, making them leave me.
I lost many of my friends to Lena, and the worst part of it all was that she couldn’t keep any of them either.
I learned to let go of the idea of friendship after experiencing immense pain from unrequited love and rejection from everyone, especially Lena, whom I had tried to win over. Instead, she grew to despise me more and hurt me even more.
My heart stung as I recalled those horrible memories.
"Leave my head," I mentally screamed in anguish. " I’ll make them pay for all they ever did to you," Athena whispered to me.
I got to the sick bay before I realized it.
"Why are you here?" The receptionist at the sick bay called out to me, drawing me out of my thoughts.
"I have come to see my friend who was admitted earlier today," I replied to her a little impatiently.
"Who is your friend? There are other students admitted here just as your friend who has no name was," the receptionist answered aggressively.
"Oh, I know her, aren’t you Aria, the contestant for the student council president post?" One other staff member in the sick bay cut in, excitement written all over her face as if she had just seen her Idol.
I was uncomfortable, but if she could help me get to Becca easily, then so be it. "Yes, I’m Aria," I answered her in a low tone.
"And your friend must be Becca, the casualty that was brought in earlier on due to the fumes from the laboratory, right?"
I gave her a tight smile and nodded.
"Then come with me, she is in room 47," she said and then turned to lead the way.
I turned towards the aggressive receptionist, gave her a triumphant smile and a sarcastic wink and then followed the staff.
She walked fast, so I had to walk faster to keep up. I eventually met up with her.
"Excuse me, Ma, what’s your name?" I couldn’t help asking her.
She turned to me and gave me a quiet smile. She was advanced in age, but she still appeared strong and very pretty.
I will tell you my name when you are done with your friend. For now, your friend needs you more than you need my name.
A slight frown appeared on my face. How can she know that much about me and yet deny me the privilege of knowing just her name?
She noticed the change in my countenance and turned to face me with that smile that was once sweet but now feels so annoying to me.
"You have met me before...