Mrs. Yang waited for four volunteers from their section. Until one of the girls raised her hand, "Sandra, I want her to represent our section."
"Sandra!"
"Sandra!"
Most of the students cheered for her. She smiled secretly until, "Halora Chui! I nominate her to represent our section than someone who doesn't even have a brain at all!" spoke a young girl with golden-brown hair.
"Halora!"
"Halora!"
The group of boys cheered loudly enough and caught Sandra's attention. They annoyed her but Sandra winked at them and said, "It will be fun then!" She exclaimed.
Until they all cheered for Halora's name. Mrs. Yang smiled at her, covered her face with the book on her armchair.
"Okay, so for the girls, we have Sandra and Halora. Now, let's move on to two handsome and confident young boys," she paused when Halora finally earned the courage to raise her hand.
"Yes, Halora?"
The students looked at him especially Roy, and Sandra. They waited for a couple of minutes yet, she remained silent.
Lou wanted to laugh but Sandra stopped her. She glared at her sharply which has made the tension greater and bigger.
Halora played with her fingers, "I'm so–sorry, bu–but I... I can't join the competition! I... do not have enough mo–money for the entire contest!"
Roy gulped and was mesmerized by her honest statement. He looked at her back and she was too nervous.
All of their classmates were left dumbfounded. A long deadening silence embraced them all until someone giggled.
It has caught everyone's attention, they turned their heads into the boy who laughed at Halora's honesty.
"Why did you laughed at her?" Roy stood up from his seat and was about to pull the boy's collar.
Fortunately, Mrs. Yang banged the table and said, "Let us all accept her decision. This is a voluntary act and we won't force anyone to join in the competition,"
Sandra smirked at Roy who always there at Halora's back. She felt envy, and a little bit disappointed. Roy has never been a protective cousin to her but when he met his longest childhood friend, he became a superhero, a guardian angel who was willing to save his only beloved.
If being kind and pathetic was the things to be forgiven. Sandra suddenly stood and said, "No! If that's the case, I am willing to help Halora with all the costs needed," she paused.
"From now on, you can count on me and I hope this time..., you will forgive me and accept my sincere apology."
Everyone was shocked and surprised. That was unbelievable but Mrs. Yang smiled. She was grateful and happy to see her asked for forgiveness.
Halora felt guilty about her decisions. She was confused, worried, and pressured by the eyes of the students around her.
Mrs. Yang walked into the middle part of the classroom. She looked at her and murmured, "What will you say, Halora? Sandra seemed sincere with her words, are you willing to forgive her?"
She was cornered. She was in the middle of the deep ocean. She was caught off guard and there was no way to run out of her seat.
"Sa–Sandra!" She called her name but her lips trembled because of fear.
"You... you are for–forgiven," Finally, she told those words as she looked deeply into Sandra's watery eyes.
And the heaviness and burden she felt inside of her chest vanished and faded away. Sandra burst into tears and quickly walked nearer to her.
She encircled her arms around Halora's back and cried out in her shoulders. She was sorry for being an abusive classmate towards her.
And all of them who witnessed it touched their hearts. They never thought Sandra, the daughter of the school's principal swallowed her pride and asked for forgiveness.
In front of twenty-nine students, one teacher, Halora forgave the girl who bullied and took the confidence she has.
It was not easy for her but she was left with no choice. "I... I am really sorry, Hermione! I am... I regretted being a bad girl!"
"Shh, pl–please stop crying now. You are forgiven but promise me you will stop being rude to me!"
Sandra quickly raised her hand and pledged to be a good student and classmate like others.
She then smiled and embraced her again tightly. "I... I want to thank you for being kind despite the fact. You are truly an amazing girl, Hermione!"
Mrs. Yang watched them as well as Roy, and Sandra's friends. Few of the girls cried loudly while the boys sobbed silently.
Halora closed her eyes for a second. She stopped herself from being too kind but there was no turning back.
"Since we are okay now, what if you will be my friend?"
"Wh–what did you say again?" She widened her eyes as she heard the campus crush suggestion.
She then quickly shook her head and refused to take it. She was still doubtful of her sudden public apology and she felt uncomfortable being with rich girls like Sandra.
She took a deep sigh, "No! I... I mean, I don't belong and fit in your circle of friends and I am happy to be alone..., always." Hermione looked at Sandra's meaningful gaze.
But one of their classmates exclaimed, "Accept it! Don't you like it? You will be the campus crush's friend and from now on, no one will ever hurt you."
"She's right! Trust me, trust my words and promises. You will be safe with us," Sandra reached her hand and squeezed it.
There was no hint of hatred, and envy in her face. Sandra nailed it! And the only thing missing was recognized for being a great and best actress of all times.
But, Halor remained silent as it was hard to decide. For the longest time, she stared at the girl sincerely who stood right before her.
Roy held his breath as he wanted her to refuse Sandra's offer. He felt something odd, something big like a bomb that will explode.
He looked intently at Sandra's eyes until Halora said, "I'm sorry but I can't see myself as your friend,"
All of them were surprised by Halora's bravery. And since that morning, a poor, bullied teenage girl became legendary.