Since Harmony decided that she would start interacting with the others at a minimal level so her schoolmates wouldn't look at her negatively again, she needed it to be minimal so that she wouldn't attract their jealousy in another way.
She spoke with them more and stopped being as indifferent as she was before.
However, it wasn't easy to be on a minimal level since Beatrice and Kathrine seemed adamant about becoming closer to her.
In the end, knowing that no matter what she did, things had already deviated from her original plans, she just let them be. If they approached, she would speak with them, but she would never be the first one to approach.
While doing so, she was also studying her schoolmates, and even though she was no longer the wallflower, they were treating her rather normally, which was a great relief to her.
If she can keep this up for just a few more months, then graduating high school would be peaceful.
She would keep this up for a few more months. Once high school ended, she could start planning again to live the way she had lived to ensure no more incidents would happen.
After that, just a few more years.
Everything would be over in just a few more years. She only needed to be this way for a few more years.
"Harmony, do you think you can join us this time? Kenneth will have his winter competition a week after the winter holidays start," Beatrice walked over and invited Harmony after they were informed of the competition.
Kathrine and Beatrice had grown closer to the other four after Justin's competition.
It came to the point that the guys invited the two of them to watch their respective competitions.
On the other hand, the two of them would occasionally invite Harmony to join them, while Beatrice took advantage of learning from her about different roles.
Just like today, the two young ladies followed Harmony into the clinic during the break, and Beatrice asked for her opinion. While doing so, they remembered about the competition and asked her to join them.
"Elimination rounds?" Harmony asked.
"Yes. Can you? That is before the new year, so it won't hinder any plans with family," Kathrine eagerly explained.
They had been trying to invite her in different ways, like going home together or having lunch together, or sometimes going out to play after school.
But Harmony had only accepted having lunch with them twice.
They didn't push her; they were simply persistent. But they didn't take it to heart if she rejected them.
Harmony thought back to her schedule. Though it was a bit packed, she had time for a day or two of watching a basketball match.
And seeing how eager they were, she could no longer bear to say no again.
That was why she did not want to get close—because her resolve to remain unattached would be shaken.
She was not so unfeeling that she didn't desire to have friends or enjoy her life.
She simply could not because she had so many things she needed to do.
"Very well, I can go on the last day, when he will have a match before the New Year celebration."
Beatrice and Kathrine were obviously very happy that she had accepted.
"Okay, we'll tell the guys."
"Now that you're done with your questions, can you let me go already?"
Harmony had come here to rest since she had finished so many things the night before. But still gave time to help Beatrice who was eager to learn more about how to act in different other roles.
"Okay, go on and rest," Kathrine waved her goodbye before the two of them left excitedly.
The more they interacted with Harmony, the more they became at ease with her. However, they were also aware that there were still walls surrounding her.
"Are you feeling better now?" Larissa asked once the two of them left.
"What do you mean?" Harmony asked, walking over to one bed as if it was her own.
"There was a day when you seemed so cold as if approaching you would cause our necks to fly off," Larissa said, looking at her.
But most importantly, Larissa noticed that something was amiss with her face back then. There was even a wound on her lips, hidden beneath lipstick. Something she noticed when she approached Harmony after Harmony had fallen asleep.
However, when she tried to ask, the already cold feeling coming from Harmony turned even colder.
So she chose to just close her lips and let the young lady rest.
"Let's just say that I have my days just like the rest, Miss Larissa," Harmony asked, in a respectful manner.
Indeed, she was not in the mood for a few days because of what had happened at home, but she could only let it go and continue her usual routine.
"What about now? Your bags are darker and bigger," Larissa pointed out.
Harmony yawned, "I needed to finish quite a lot of things last night."
"You are barely keeping up with your schoolwork. What else are you doing?" Larissa would ask about her personal life from time to time.
"Not everyone is as talented as your nephew, Miss Larissa. I am just among those who are working hard. Double or triple the hard work of others."
After that, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
This place is currently her safe haven.
The garden had returned to its peacefulness, but it was already snowing, and the cold would only cause her damage.
In the past, she would stay by the door before the rooftop, since the rooftop is also closed at this time.
Barely anyone was going there. Though not as cold as outside since the heater within the building was reaching that part, it was still colder compared to the clinic.
Larissa sighed. She was trying to understand this young one, since she seemed like she was having difficulties, but she was adamant about not letting her in.
'Hard work… Double or triple… Aren't you just an 18-year-old?' Larissa lamented.
Larissa couldn't help but feel even worse for her. She somehow wished to know what was happening to this young lady to make her like this.