Aria said nothing as she continued to walk, her head bent.
Joseph was surprised and the two walked in silence. As they emerged out of the forest and into the grounds, Joseph grabbed Aria's wrist and said, "But that would be what I have done. And you know, I've come to understand that I'm rarely right."
Aria turned around, surprised. It was the first time she didn't pull away her hand or shrink away from human touch. "What do you mean?"
Joseph chuckled, "I've learnt a lot in the past year. And I've come to understand one thing. There's no right, or wrong in this world."
Aria stomped her foot. She hated being confused and not knowing what she should do. "Can't you talk clearly! Do you have to talk like Professor Thomas!" Aria huffed.
Joseph smiled, "What I am trying to say is that everyone has their own priorities and way of thinking. And with the level of kindness in you, I think what you did was both very brave and kind."
Aria smiled, "Well, what's done is done. We'll just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow."
Joseph: "Yeah. After all results are coming out. What do you think? Will you pass?"
Aria laughed, "I'll fail the day the sun rises from the west."
Joseph shook his head, "I just need this level of confidence in my life."
The next day, all the students assembled in the North hall for the declaration of results.
Aria sat alone in a corner at the back, deep in thought.
She had not seen Bella the whole day, and was wondering what was happening.
Aria saw Jacob and Helen in the front row, Jacob was looking around the hall for some reason. Aria waved with a smile. Jacob stood up, but she waved her hand and shook her head. He was better off being sitting with Helen, and she wanted some alone time anyway.
The ceremony had already started and Aria sat with her head bowed, deep in thought.
Suddenly she felt a tug on her sleeve. Aria turned her head, surprised, to see Zach. His face was set in a hard line very different from his usual smiling face.
Aria raised an eyebrow and Zach handed her a letter. It was sealed and addressed to her.
Aria frowned and looked at Zach. He whispered, "Bella gave it to me in the middle of the night. She wanted me to give it to you."
Aria was dreading the words of the letter as she opened the seal and unfolded the letter.
It read as follows :-
Aria,
I won't accept your terms. You are not the queen of anywhere that I will have to follow you. I'm leaving the academy like you wanted, but I'll never apologise to that b*#ch. She runs around trying to seduce boys and that's the truth.
And you're trying to help her, that makes you the same as her. And if you dare to say anything to my family, you'll regret it very much.
I'm going away, but I hope we meet again. Because when we do, you're going to regret it a lot.
Someone who used to be your friend but isn't.
Bella.
Aria sighed as she folded the letter. "What did she do?" she asked, not meeting Zach's eyes.