Is Karma a b***h?

Chapter 5

Unlike usual, today Eddy was anxious. He didn’t know if there was truly something called Karma, but one thing he knew for sure—he needed to apologize to Evy soon, or he would lose her. Or maybe… he already had.

NO! Eddy would get their friendship back on track. He just needed to say sorry. That’s it. Five letters. One word.

After an hour, he drove to school. It took him around fifteen minutes to get there. He wanted to clear things up, solve their misunderstandings. So he decided to wait in the parking lot.

You might peg him as desperate. But no, he wasn’t. He simply wanted his best friend back in his life. Over the past year, he had missed her more than he cared to admit.

His train of thought was interrupted by the view in front of him.

Evelyn. Owen. Hailey.

They were cycling to school. And he would be lying if he said it didn’t matter.

You might be wondering why he was making such a big deal out of them riding bicycles.

The reason was simple.

Initially, all three of them used to cycle to school together. It was their thing. But when Eddy became popular, that little tradition quietly faded away.

Seeing them now brings back those blissful memories stored in his heart. It didn’t take a genius to see how much they were enjoying themselves.

They parked their bicycles and walked into the school building.

Eddy noticed them glance in his direction for a brief moment.

There was hurt in Hailey’s eyes. Owen gave him a sad look. But Evy… She looked at him the way she looked at any other classmate. Like they barely knew each other.

The entire day, Eddy tried to find a way to talk to her, but she always seemed busy. She spent every moment with Owen and Hailey.

And to make matters worse?

All three of them were in every single one of his classes.

Finally, school ended. Eddy waited near the exit. After five minutes, Evy finally appeared.

“Uh, hey Evy,” Eddy said nervously.

“Hi,” she replied, her face unreadable.

“How have you been?” He scratched the back of his neck.

“What do you want, Edward?” She asked bluntly.

“You can call me Eddy.”

He didn’t like Evy calling him by his full name. People call him Edward when he is in trouble. Usually, he goes by Eddy or Ed.

She was about to leave when he suddenly blurted, “I am sorry.”

She stopped and turned back.

“Evy, I am really sorry. I know I’ve been a jerk to you, and I feel guilty about it.”

“It is okay.” She cut me off.

“What?” Her response stunned him.

“I said it was okay.”

He instinctively moved forward, about to hug her, but she stepped back.

“Whoa! Watch it,” she said coolly. “You asked for forgiveness, and I accepted it. No need to go all buddy-buddy with me. Like every day, you go your way, and I will go mine. Wouldn’t want you ruining your so-called reputation by being seen with me, right?”

And with that, she walked away.

Though she had accepted his apology, it was clear she hadn’t forgiven him.

Evelyn had actually had a good day. For the first time in a long while, she felt like herself again.

They had ridden bicycles to school—just like old times, when Eddy and Hailey used to cycle with her. But once Eddy became popular, that little tradition had disappeared.

When they reached school, she noticed him watching them. She knew it hurt him to see Owen in his place. But he had it coming. He had always taken her and Hailey for granted.

Today, Evy noticed something different about Owen. He was unusually chirpy—lighter, happier. And he and Hailey were getting along effortlessly. Something was definitely growing between them.

However, at the end of the day, Eddy had abruptly asked for forgiveness.

Sorry.

A five-letter word.

Sorry is supposed to mean regret, real regret. But these days, the word has lost its meaning. People tossed it around carelessly, using it for everything, meaning nothing.

And when Eddy said it… She felt disappointed. Hurt. She didn’t even know if he meant it.

For years, it had been a pattern. He made mistakes, and she forgave him. Over and over again. If he didn’t truly mean it, why should she accept it wholeheartedly?

The old Evelyn Brook would have hugged him instantly. But the new one? She had learned the hard way.

If he wanted their friendship back, he would have to earn it. Nothing would be handed to him on a platter anymore. He was getting the same treatment he had given her for years. And he deserved every bit of it.