But Inna just bit her lip as she still can't shake off the feeling of unfairness.
Raghnall noticed her lack of response so he gave up on cheering her up. Instead, he figured to just ask her what's wrong.
Inna looked at the ground with a frown.
"They were the ones who picked a fucking fight. They were the ones who started it. But why is it that when I fought back, they tell me I'm freaking cruel? When they fight back and the villains cry, the victim ends up looking like the bad guy. What the actual fuck? Just because she cried she's the good one? And besides, I never would've hit her if they never started it."
"And they said they simply made a barrier? A harmless joke? They were obviously slandering and humiliating me! It's the same with placing dead rats on a girl's desk and carving cruel nicknames in it. It may not hurt her, but it's going to isolate the person from the rest. Then, it will start affecting her attitude and then she'll start seeing everyday as hell. She might even suffer from anti-social behavior and severe anxiety. Now tell me, is that any better than beating a person up?"
"A thousand venomous words may not be visually strong but each word will be a punch if you let it get to you. So, even though they didn't do any physical harm, there's still damage done isn't it?"
As she continued talking, Inna remembered her days back on Earth. She knew it all too well how it was like to grow up with low self-esteem and to find herself alone in a sea of people. Being rejected, called names, and being seen as having a pitiful existence were just one of the few things she experienced.
If she wasn't saved by that person, then she wouldn't be the person she is today.
Now with this happening again, with her pride being trampled on, she can't help but feel bitter and open up old wounds.
After hearing her complaining with a heavy voice, Raghnall just nodded along. Actually, he was at a loss of what to do because there was a heavy suffocating atmosphere that surrounded them as Inna ended her monologue.
His eyes darted back and forth as he tried to think of a way to lighten up that heavy atmosphere. He tried to backtrack what she just said and now had a reply ready. But his mind shut down as soon as he saw her face. Her eyes were glossy and her mouth was curved into a deep frown. Her lips were lightly trembling and it looked like she was about to cry. So right now, he was full-on panicking inside.
Is she going to cry? Oh god oh god oh god help!
Do I have a handkerchief? No, I don't carry those around.
Should I use my robe? But my other spares are at the Rose dorms. I'll end up going around with a wet patch on my robe.
Should I just leave her alone? No, that's worse!
Seeing her face again, his panic reached its maximum level.
He really didn't know how to comfort a crying girl well!
So, he spat out anything that came into his mind.
"Ah… uhm…. food… Let's eat?"
Inna stared incredulously at Raghnall.
Here she was pouring her sentiments and that's all he can say?
At least an 'I agree' would suffice!
But strangely enough, his stupid statement made Inna relax and the tense aura around her was slowly dissipating. She shook her head as she involuntarily let out a small laugh.
"Okay, okay. I'm hungry too."
Raghnall breathed a sigh of relief as he guided Inna towards finding a vacant and comfortable seat.
Meanwhile, it didn't occur on Inna's mind that she's been holding hands with Raghnall until they arrived in a vacant table. She was about to sit when she felt a tug by her hand. She looked at their joined hands before quickly withdrawing it like it was scalding hot.
Then, she rubbed her hand on her robe like she just touched something filthy.
"Ew. You got sweaty hands. Gross."
She scrunched up her face in disgust.
Raghnall merely raised an eyebrow at her comment before mimicking her in cleaning his hand.
"You were the one clinging to my hand."
His smugness made Inna annoyed.
"You were the one who held it first."
Inna shot back.
Raghnall merely smiled at her before silently sitting down. Inna followed suit as they sat beside each other.
Their table was at the most isolated place in the room. They were at the end of the last table by the corner of the room. Since these were five long tables that spans from one side of the room to another, most students would either occupy the middle tables or the foremost part of the table which would be nearer to the elevated tables meant for teachers.
Now, of course, in this academy, social propriety is still upheld. They were called the unbreakable and unspoken rules.
And in the lunchroom, social hierarchy is also still being implemented. The place you're staying at will be the telltale sign of your standing in the hierarchy.