"Di- did you argue with her?", I asked.
Lucy chuckled. "Sort of". She gave me my part of the snacks to carry and walk away, leaving me behind.
I need a definite answer. I sighed like it's hopeless for me to think about it more and more. I'm curious though, but I should just stop here. I move my feets and hurriedly catch up to her.
She stopped and touched the doorknob. "Pardon my intrusion. Kaezi, I'm here to visit you".
"Hello, everyone". Claude entered secondly.
He put down the snacks while I was still bedridden. Lucy sat down beside me and touched my forehead. "I'm not sick, bestie", I said and smiled.
"Just checking. Anyway, how's the issue?". Lucy turned to Jeremy who was about to chomp down the potato chips.
"Why are you asking me? I don't know what's happening since 2nd brother and Lewis took care of it instead".
Jeremy never really changed. He just said 1st brother's name behind his back.
"Is that so?". Lucy opened the snacks for me and I blankly received it. Lucy averted his attention and suddenly recalled Melody's attitude towards Kaezi.
There's something wrong with her. Given how she acts, I have a feeling that she's somehow connected to this issue.
Lucy taps her index finger on the table next to her. Jeremy knew at first glance that she seems to have a clue about Kaezi's perpetrator.
"Hey. Do you think you should go back now?". Kaezi said and that made the three of them look at her with one same reaction.
"It's almost class, y'know".
The three look at each other. Lucy and Jeremy seem to be talking telepathically and turn to Claude. He suddenly felt shiver down his back.
Lucy grinned. 'Surely you won't leave Kaezi behind right?!',, it's what her face is telling him. Jeremy did the same grin with a heavy aura on him. 'If you dare leave her alone, you know what will happen'. His aura turns dark with a threat look in his face. Claude smiles with sweat and chills. "I.."
"I'll stay here and guard Kaezi". He got won over with the two's grinning faces. The two winked at each other.
Jeremy patted my head and said, "Don't worry about us. Focus on healing yourself. We'll be back later".
"Mm.", I nodded obediently.
He's right. But I've only been sheltered for as long as I can remember. My brother's are there to protect me while I can't even protect myself. I feel pathetic.
I covered my face in shame while Claude see the two out. Claude soon returned with a sigh. He went to get some snacks and fruits. He took out an apple and a knife.
As he peeled the apple, I looked out the window. The curtain of white sways along the wind and the sunlight gently showed itself after the thick clouds dispersed.
Claude suddenly spoke.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there. Although, I'm your friend, I let you get into some kind of danger".
I suddenly felt warm in his words. I was lost for words about how he cares for me, his friend. I let out a chuckle.
"I'm not in danger. It's just slander and lies and..". I stop halfway and he looks concerned. I smile so he won't worry about me like that.
I took my eyes off him and stared back at the window. "I admit it hurts me how others see me. I wanted to change for them so they can accept me and stop hating me". I close my eyes as I finally have the strength to hold on.
Claude suddenly rushed onto me and held my hands. It took me a while there but I was startled.
He looked desperate. "No. You're wrong! You don't need to change for them". He clasped my hand again and my face back off by instinct. He withdrew his hands and blushed like a tomato. "I mean.. I…". He suddenly waved his hands together as he flustered.
"I know there's someone who would accept you as you are. I mean, you don't need to change yourself for others. Let those others come and accept you as you, yourself". He put up a bright face and soft expression with a smile.
I suddenly realized he was right.
Why should I change myself for others so they could accept my true intent?! I have my brothers and friends and.. my classmates. I got so much support from them and they believe in me. They accepted me for who I am.
I was a fool to think I needed to change myself as someone they wanted me to be. Because Claude, Lucy and the others love me.. because I am me.
I didn't realize it but my tears dropped as it flowed to my cheeks. Claude smiled like he usually does but much more warmer. He rested his face in his palm and smiled for me as I wiped off the tears I had.
"Thank you, Claude. I'm glad I have a great friend like you".
She couldn't thank him enough. The gratefulness she felt sunk deep into his heart and felt an abnormal feeling. He was shocked and suddenly ran off outside. At the door, he suddenly felt a tight feeling to his chest. His breathing got a lot heavier than before.
…
Afternoon at 5 pm,
"Are you sure you don't need me to walk you to your dorm?". Claude said and blinked his eyes towards her.
"It's fine. Jeremy and Lucy are with me. And I think I'll be doing just fine. Thank you for earlier!".
Jeremy's eyes widened and a funny one at that. "What do you mean? Did something happen while I was gone?!". He pinched her cheeks.
"Jerewii, let wi gwo!". (Jeremy, let me go!")
He let go and she rubbed her cheeks. "Nothing at all. Don't be such a busybody".
"What did you say?!".
Right now, we are standing outside of the infirmary. Kaezi was officially allowed to go back to her dormitory but her brothers opposed it. Lewis said that she must be fully protected under his watch so he disagreed. Though he was our students council president, he can't say no to the nurse since she also has patients she needs to lay on the bed.
Lucy appeared from the inside with our things. They didn't let me carry one since they said I'm still fragile. Fragile, where?!
"Yes, I can do those. Do you need me to get working on it?". Claude and Lucy talking to each other. I can't follow through with their conversation at all. What are they chatting about anyway?!.
Lucy suddenly grabbed my arms. "That's settled then. I leave it to you!".
Claude nodded.
Huh?! What are they talking about?! Why aren't they saying anything about it to me?!
"Uhm.. hey!". Before I can ask anything, Lucy carefully drags me away. Claude waves his hands as we're getting farther away from him.
Lucy joyously smiles while Jeremy beside me keeps playing with his phone. These two… really?!
We arrived at the girls dormitory. The hostility kept getting worse as I appeared so suddenly with Lucy and Jeremy. Though I didn't feel scared anymore, these two protected me from their envious stares. No.. much more than envy and hostility.
I don't know why they hate me so much. I haven't done anything wrong.
"Don't mind them, Zi". Lucy smiled at me and I did so, too. I just sighed as I kept my heart strong. Maybe because of the reassuring words Claude gave me, I walked bravely till we arrived at my dorm.
"You can go back now". I turned to him.
"No. Get inside first", he bluntly demanded of me. He then glanced at the nearby girl's room and saw some female students eyeing them. "Then, I'll come pick you up tomorrow".
Wait, what?!
"No need. Lucy is with me anyway".
"Ha? Are you an idiot? Don't tell me you've forgotten it already? You do know that those two will scold me and also you if I left you walking with just Lucy".
Remembering my two older brothers, I got chills down my body. Lewis and Derris will definitely give me an earful if I don't do as they said.
"Jeremy is right. Besides, I cannot make you walk to class tomorrow. I have scheduled a meeting with the council's vice president… for some reasons".
I-is that so?! I guess I have no choice but to do as they say.
"Alright. Do come early tomorrow", I gave a sigh and went inside to our room. Before the door closes, Jeremy smiles and waves at me.
What was that?! It's the first time I saw him smile with that kind of expression. Faintly genuine but also.. lonely.
I stop thinking about it and immediately change into comfy pajamas. After dinner, I lay down on my bed and hug my pillow.
I am still curious about the situation with my brothers handling my problems. I wanted to help but they kept saying I should just relax and heal myself mentally.
Just who did that?!
Why are they targeting and slandering me?!
What did I do wrong?
…
There are lots of questions in my mind right now but there's no use in thinking about it alone. I fell asleep without knowing it.
Next day,
"Zi, wake up".
Huh?!
I opened my eyes and there I saw Jeremy.
"Good morn-". I was shocked at how Jeremy was in my dorm. "What the heck?! Why are you here?".
He gave me a weird look and reminded me. "You're the one who told me to come early". He pokes my forehead and stands up from his sitting position beside me.
"But how come you're inside? You could have knock".
"Knock what?! I did so and received no response. I entered and you're still asleep". He took his bag and touched the doorknob. "Hurry up and get change. I'll be waiting outside"
"..."
Anyway, I quickly prepare myself before getting out. At the door, there was my twin brother leaning on the wall beside the door. Wearing earphones, I took the other pair and listened to it. "Let's go!".
He looked at me and blinked. "What?", I said.
"Nothing. Here you go". He took the other and handed it over to me.
Wait what?! Is he thinking I wanted to borrow his earphone and phone? I think there's a lot of misunderstanding here.
We walked together to the class building and entered the room.
But what's strange is that there's no one in the hallway looking at me with hostility anymore.
"Kaezi Iura!".
I was startled when a classmate of mine suddenly waltz in infront of me.
"Calm down, Elisha. You're more panicked than I am", I smile. She then gave me a letter.
"!!!".
[EXTRA CHAPTER]
Claude humming while cooking. "Hmmm~ ".
"Why are you in a good mood today??", Kimi said while he took off his apron. He then take a look at Claude's cookies.
"Don't bother asking. That guy is like that the whole cooking session", Ian said with a sigh.
Claude snapped out from humming when Kimi tapped his shoulder. He apologized many times for ignoring his two friends and Ian waved like it's nothing.
"Do you know Kaezi Iura from the other class?".
The two nodded. They carefully listen to him. Well, curiosity kills the cat, y'know. Claude then recalled what happened.
"Hey, can you make some cookies". She said with pleading eyes.
It's here! She's asking me to make her cookies!, my inner-voice is screaming.
"Sure. Leave it to me, hehe".
…
"That's it?!", Kimi and Ian synchronized. Claude was clueless as to why they reacted that way.
Later on that day,
"Here's the cookies!".
'I did my best effort and hardwork for you to eat it', it's what he thought.
"Thank you! Now I have something to give my sulking brother".
Huh?!
"Brother Klein didn't talk to us after we ate the snacks that was hidden under the drawer of 2nd brother. He then sat on the corner and spread such a gloomy state then..
Brother Derris told us he was keeping those for him".
"I.. I see".
While Kimi and Ian were peeking at the two behind the bushes, hiding themselves. They only have one thought in that scenario… 'Poor Claude. Hang in there'.
And he thought it was meant for her to eat.
-to be continued-