Anna looked up, where the girl on the top bunk was still watching her with curious, challenging eyes. Something about her told Anna that the conversation they were about to have wouldn't be the most pleasant, but she climbed up anyway.
As she hoisted herself up, she heard the creak of the old mattress beneath her hands, and the familiar sound of worn-out springs reminded her that she was far from the luxury of the Blackwood mansion.
When she reached the top, she was met with the steady gaze of a blonde girl, her hair neatly braided, and clear eyes that seemed to be constantly analyzing everything around her. Her posture was straight, almost haughty.
"Welcome to the big girls' bunk," said the girl, with a smile that seemed more like a formality than a genuine gesture. "I'm Margaret. I guess you're the new one."
Anna nodded, returning a polite smile, but still felt the awkwardness of the situation.
"Yes, I'm Anna."
Margaret tilted her head slightly, without losing her air of superiority.
"Anna... nice name. Well, I'm glad you came up. I wanted to talk to you. About earlier... when you cried."
Anna blinked, feeling slightly cornered. She had tried to forget that moment, but it seemed the girls weren't going to let it go.
"It was nothing," Anna said, trying to sound nonchalant. "The tears just... came out."
That comment prompted an immediate murmur among the other girls on the bunk. Anna could hear the whispers flowing between them, filled with little giggles.
Margaret, however, kept her expression calm and controlled.
"I see... but here," she began, nodding towards the rest of the room, "we're pretty quiet. We don't usually have problems. And the thing is, when someone does something... like crying, for example... it affects everyone else. You know?"
Anna felt that her words carried a hidden meaning. Margaret was imposing some sort of unspoken rule in the room.
"I'm sorry if I caused any trouble. It wasn't my intention."
The blonde girl smiled triumphantly, as if she already had the situation under control.
"I'm glad to hear that. The thing is, those who cause trouble here... well, they end up making things worse for everyone else. And nobody wants that, right?"
Margaret tilted her head slightly, her tone sounding friendly, but her gaze was full of condescension.
"If you have trouble controlling your emotions or behavior... I can help. Teach you a bit of basic etiquette. It's important to know how to behave if you want to please the adults, you know? Maybe, if you do it well, you'll get adopted quickly."
Hearing those words, Anna felt a mix of confusion and annoyance.
Were they really making such a fuss over a little crying?
The murmurs among the other girls continued, like an underground current supporting Margaret's words.
Some were saying things like:
"Yes, she needs to learn how to behave..."
"We don't want more trouble because of her..."
"It would be better if someone taught her some manners."
Anna, however, couldn't help but find the whole thing ridiculous.
Compared to everything she had experienced in the future... the games, the stress, Damian's manipulation, this felt like a game. And it was, literally.
With a slight laugh, Anna responded politely but without backing down:
"I appreciate your offer, Margaret, but I don't think I need it. What happened was an accident, and it won't happen again."
The reaction was immediate.
The other girls looked at her, mouths agape at her refusal.
Some started whispering again, this time more surprised and confused.
"Who does she think she is?"
"Did she just refuse Margaret's offer?"
"She has no idea what she's getting into..."
Margaret, on the other hand, also seemed surprised, though she quickly regained her composure, adopting a controlled expression.
"Are you sure?" she asked, her tone colder than before. "Because if you get everyone in trouble again... I'll make sure your life here won't be easy."
Those words, clearly a threat, didn't intimidate Anna. In fact, they seemed so childish and absurd that she couldn't help but smile a little.
Compared to the more sophisticated manipulations she had endured with Damian and his family, this was just a simple game. A little tug-of-war that didn't worry her at all.
"Thanks for the warning," Anna said kindly, but without losing her confident tone. "I assure you it won't happen again."
Margaret watched her with a mix of disbelief and frustration, clearly not used to being rejected so openly.
But before she could say anything else, Anna decided the conversation was over. With a slight nod, as if saying goodbye, she climbed down from the bunk.
The whispers continued behind her, the girls still murmuring among themselves, some laughing softly and others making mocking comments.
Anna could hear phrases like:
"Does she really think she can refuse Margaret?"
"She's going to be in trouble if she keeps this up."
"How ridiculous."
However, she paid them no attention. She walked calmly to her bed, and once there, lay down, ignoring the murmurs and the hostile atmosphere she had left behind.
Anna closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind, though she couldn't help but smile at the irony of the situation.
'This is nothing compared to what I've been through,' she thought as she gazed at the ceiling with half-closed eyes.
She still felt a slight emptiness in her stomach, but it wasn't fear or uncertainty.
It was more of a strange calm.
'When will dinner be ready?' Anna wondered.