The days passed quickly, and soon school arrived again—
another day where I had to face everyone.
I found John waiting for me.
I still couldn't believe it.
Had I really become friends with the "mysterious boy"?
He smiled at me, still wearing that same boring hoodie he never took off.
Susan, as usual, was staring—
but this time, she was staring at both of us.
Everyone felt different.
Whispers followed us wherever we went, eyes tracking our every move as if we were some kind of anomaly.
"Are we some sort of different species to them?" John asked quietly.
I sighed. "I honestly don't know. Something about them feels… off."
That's when I noticed Gina.
She completely ignored Noel and walked straight into the classroom.
"Well," John said, amused, "that's new."
I laughed softly. "Yeah. I think she's finally starting to come back to her senses."
I glanced at Noel with a faint smile—not exactly mockery.
I was just… proud of Gina.
Maybe with a tiny bit of satisfaction too.
That period wasn't long, but I learned a lot during it.
One thing especially:
You shouldn't love someone who hurts you—no matter who they are.
Yes, it hurts to leave, but it hurts far more to stay.
I exhaled and looked around with an unfamiliar sense of calm.
Then I saw Gina sitting in her old seat.
Next to me.
I sat down without saying anything.
No greeting. No words.
I focused only on the lesson in front of me.
"Emma…"
Her voice interrupted my thoughts.
"What?" I said flatly.
"I want to talk to you during break. Please."
"Not now," I replied. "I need to keep at least some dignity."
"It's really important, Emma… please."
Great.
Why did I agree so easily?
I'm so weak.
I blamed myself the entire time—but maybe she really had an excuse.
During Break
We sat together in silence for a moment.
"I really messed up, Emma," Gina finally said.
"I thought he was different… but if I look at it positively, at least I learned something."
I watched her closely, still suspicious.
People like her could go back at any moment.
"What happened?" I asked. "Tell me everything."
She took a breath.
"He messaged me yesterday. Said he wanted to see me and talk."
My heart tightened.
"And you went?"
"Yes… like an idiot."
She looked down at her hands.
"I thought he was going to apologize."
"What did he do?" I asked quickly.
She hesitated, then spoke in a quieter voice.
"He said I was rushing things.
That feelings don't mean anything if they happen too fast.
That I was exaggerating… getting attached for no reason."
Her fingers clenched.
"He said he doesn't like girls who cling.
That it's annoying."
My chest burned.
"So he didn't apologize?"
She shook her head.
"No. He just talked… and talked… until I regretted going at all."
She swallowed.
"I kept thinking—should I tell you?
Would you even understand me?
When I'm harsh with you, Emma, I don't mean it.
I was just scared… scared of rejection.
So I pushed everyone away."
I exhaled slowly.
"Fine," I said. "I'll let it go. But this was expected.
You didn't listen—and this would've only been the beginning of what he'd do to you."
Gina nodded, eyes lowered.
"You're right… I should've listened."
(No matter how reckless Gina was with her love—her jealousy, her impulsiveness—I understood her.
Even if I'd never felt it myself…
love like that hurts. A lot.)
To be continued…