Time moved on. Rosie changed schools, leaving as quietly as she had ruled, her shadow lingering in the hallways not for long after she was gone. Aisha drifted away too, unnoticed until she became friends with Ashlin.
Ashlin stayed. She wasn't the same, though. She spoke softly now, as if afraid her words might break. Emily remained by her side, but their friendship had changed—Ashlin had lost her carefree laughter, the trust they once shared weakened by months of Rosie's whispers.
Sometimes, I caught Ashlin remembering the happy moments —the ones where she and Emily used to sit, sharing snacks and dreams—her eyes clouded with what had been stolen.
Rosie's name faded from the attendance register, but her influence was also forgotten by her "friends".Some villains don't destroy with anger. They do it with charm, and when they leave, all that's left are the petals they crushed beneath their feet.