DETACHED

Chapter 5: Exposed Insecurities

Xavier remained frozen. The money was still clutched in his trembling hand as he watched Amara walk past him. She had seen everything. She had seen him take Esther's money. Yet, she said nothing. Without a word, she pulled out her chair, rested her head on her desk, and closed her eyes as though nothing had happened. Xavier couldn't understand it.

"Why didn't she report me?" He looked down at the money, his chest tightening with guilt.

He wasn't borrowing anymore. He had stolen it. No matter how he tried to justify it, the truth remained the same. Taking a deep breath, he slipped the money into his pocket and hurried out of the classroom.

The school canteen buzzed with students buying snacks before the next period. Xavier stood quietly in line, avoiding everyone's eyes.

"One banana milk, please," he said softly. The cashier handed it over after taking the money.

As he walked away, the carton felt heavier than it should have. Every step reminded him of what he had done. Victor was already waiting outside the cafeteria. The moment he spotted Xavier, a slow smile spread across his face

. "Took you long enough." Xavier stretched out the banana milk. Victor snatched it from his hand. Smack! His palm landed hard on the back of Xavier's head. "Ouch!" Victor laughed. "Next time, don't keep me waiting." He pushed the straw through the carton

Victor pushed the straw into the banana milk and took a long sip.

"Hmm... that's better."

He glanced at Xavier, who was still rubbing the back of his head.

"You know," Victor said casually, "running away from me was a stupid idea."

Xavier lowered his gaze. "I'm... sorry."

Victor chuckled.

"You should be."

Without another word, he walked away, leaving Xavier standing alone in the middle of the cafe. Xavier watched him disappear. His hand slowly slipped into his pocket.

Nothing, the money was gone.

So was the guilt.

No...

The guilt remained, only the money had disappeared.

The loud whistle echoed across the school compound.

"Sports period!" one of the teachers announced.

Within minutes, students flooded onto the playground, laughing and chasing one another. Some rushed toward the football field. Others gathered around the volleyball court. The afternoon sun burned overhead. Everyone had removed their sweaters because of the heat.

Everyone...

Except Amara.

She stood quietly beneath a tree, dressed in the same oversized hoodie that covered her arms almost completely. Sweat rolled down the side of her face, still, she refused to take it off. No one knew she was hiding the bruises beneath it, no one except herself.

Tiffany noticed her almost immediately. She nudged one of the girls beside her before smirking.

"Look at her."

"In this heat?"

"Does she think she's living in Antarctica?"

The girls burst into laughter.

Amara didn't even turn around, her silence irritated Tiffany even more.

She picked up a rubber ball from the ground and bounced it lazily in her hand.

"You know what?"

"I bet she won't even react."

Without warning—

Thud!

The ball struck Amara on the shoulder, Amara slowly turned. Her face was unreadable.

She looked directly at Tiffany.

"What?"

The single word made the laughter die down. Tiffany folded her arms.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Did I do something to you?"

Amara blinked once., then she turned away.That simple act made Tiffany feel completely ignored. Something about Amara's silence made her feel... small.

The sports period finally came to an end. Students returned to their classrooms, still talking and laughing about the games.Amara quietly walked back to her seat without looking at anyone. She had long stopped caring what people thought of her.

As everyone settled down, Esther suddenly frowned.She unzipped her school bag and searched through it. Then she searched again. Her movements became quicker.

"No..." She emptied her books onto the desk.

"My purse..."

"It's gone."

The classroom grew quiet.

"I kept it here this morning."

"I know I did."

Panic spread across her face as she searched every pocket of her bag.

"It's gone!"

Xavier's heart nearly stopped. His fingers curled beneath the desk.

I was going to return it tomorrow...

I was going to...

His breathing became uneven.

Across the classroom, Tiffany wasn't paying attention to Esther anymore.Her eyes were fixed on Victor. He wasn't looking at her, he was looking at Amara. Again.

Tiffany frowned.

Her?

She looked at Amara's oversized hoodie, her messy hair, her worn-out shoes, her expressionless face. Then she looked down at herself, she was prettier, better dressed, more popular.

Boys usually noticed her first.

So...

Why was Victor staring at Amara?

Her jaw tightened.

"What's so special about her?"