Reiko came out of the shower wrapped in a towel. Kaat was still staring at her. She then put on her wet clothes. The clothes covered blue and tattoos. The pariah, then looked at the young woman and saw her gaze.
"What's the matter?" she asked her.
Kaat came to her senses and shook his head.
"They beat the hell out of you," she replied, "the rosy cheeks.
"No, it's not all from today. I have a life outside of this school."
She turned her back and put on her shoes. Pressing on the door, she threw a "thank you for your help" and got out, Kaat caught her by the arm.
"Wait! Why do they put you through all this? Why you and not another? What did you do at them?
"Why do you care? You helped me and I thank you, but in less than a week you will be like them or like me. It is up to you to choose your side. There is not always a reason for everything. It is life. If you cannot change anything on your condition, you must accept it.
- You don't know that yourself?"
- They need to let go of their hatred for someone, that's all I don't want to know. Maybe one day I bumped into one of them, maybe I stole his girl, maybe I just look like I don't belong to them. You don't go far with a maybe.
- That scares you to know, is that it?"
- I'm not afraid of anything."
Kaat shut herself with a gaping mouth. How can we be so detached from everything? She understood that she had only one year left to live there. But if this has gone on since the beginning, why doesn't she ask someone from the outside for help? Out of pride? Out of shame? The more she thought about that girl the angrier she got and the more intrigued she was.
When the bells ring, everyone forgets the role they play in that institution. The teachers, go back to their families, relax, have a beer with friends or attend boxing fights in a basement. The pupils are no longer subject to the rules of procedure of the establishment; they act as they see fit under the supervision of their parents. They smoke, drink, go out, or fight in a basement for a few pennies.