UNENDING PAIN
1266 Words
After three days, Rose regained her energy and returned to her usual routine. She began working through the backlog
Robin added, “Do you understand?”
“Yes, Robin, I understand. I think you need to support too,” Rose said aloud.
But everyone ignored her and retired to their rooms. From then on, holidays were no longer a pleasure for her.
A few weeks after school resumed, Rose’s classmates began bullying her at the slightest provocation. This continued until she finally summoned the courage to confront them.
“What did I do to you to deserve this?” Rose asked, fighting back tears. She bit her lip to keep them from falling, her arms trembling.
The group’s leader pushed her slightly.
“How dare you talk back at us!” the leader barked, circling her like a predator. “How dare you?” She laughed mockingly. “She’s afraid! I can smell her fear!” Her followers laughed along.
“Well, if you must know,” she continued, “we are the Girls’ Scouts.” She gestured to her followers. “And I am Kylie, the group leader. In this school, no one enters a classroom after enrollment without meeting us first. We are punishing you for failing in your assignments.” The girls laughed.
“No one told you about the rules, huh?” Kylie asked her assistant.
“No,” Rose replied.
“Then your friends don’t like you,” the assistant said, grabbing Rose’s collar and glaring into her eyes. “Didn’t your mama ever teach you that when you go to Rome, you behave like the Romans?”
“Don’t mention my mother in your games!” Rose warned, her hands trembling.
“And if I do, what will you do?!” Jane, the assistant leader, asked furiously as she shoved Rose.
Rose fell to the ground. As they prepared to pounce on her, a familiar voice interrupted.
“I dare you to try that!”
They all stopped and looked toward the voice. It was Rachel—Rose’s best friend—who had a black belt in kung fu. She stood with her hands on her hips and legs apart like a mafia boss.
“If a strand of her hair goes missing, I’ll sweep you all off your feet! I dare you!” she barked.
Immediately, they ran off before she could get closer.
Rachel helped Rose to her feet and took her to the restroom to clean up.
“Rose, what’s going on with those girls? Why are they targeting you? My ears are itching!”
“I didn’t do anything,” Rose said with a small chuckle. “I don’t even know who they are.”
“What did they tell you?” Rachel asked.
“They said…” Rose hesitated, trying to remember the group’s name.
“They’re the Girls’ Scouts,” Rachel finished for her.
“Yes, that’s it!”
“And why were they bullying you?”
“They said I failed my assignment of coming to meet them.”
Rachel scoffed. “Meet them? More like greet and gift.”
“You can say that again. But I’m broke… I feel sorry for them because what they want is something I can’t give.”
“Rose, I’m here. Nobody will bully you—not while I’m around.”
“Yeah,” Rose murmured, looking downcast.
“That means you need a master. Now bow to your master,” Rachel teased.
Rose looked around. “Where’s the master?”
“Huh! Are you blind? I’m here—here, Rose! Come on, bow to me!”
“What? Bow to you as my master?”
“Yes! Who else do you want as your master?”
“Nobody… I’m just surprised,” Rose said, smiling.
“Now do it!”
They were still joking when two girls walked in, interrupting them. They both left for their classroom.
....
Rose POV
As the university entrance exams drew near, Rose and Rachel were studying beside the old school building when a schoolmate approached them.
“Hi, girls!”
They looked up in surprise. It was Linda—of all people.
“What are you doing here?!” Rose asked angrily.
“Calm down, please,” Linda pleaded, gesturing for them to relax.
“Why are you here?” Rose asked again.
“I come in peace, please.”
“Then why are you here? And I hope your cohorts aren’t around—because I’m always ready for them,” Rachel said sharply.
“No, they’re not here. I’m alone.”
“Then why are you here?” Rachel repeated.
“Rose, I’m sorry for the pain I and my friends caused you.”
“Oh, really? Do they know you’re here?” Rose asked.
“No, they don’t. If they knew, they’d oppose it.”
“Alright, we’re listening. Why are you here?” Rose asked again.
Rachel added, “Linda, you’d better say it now or leave while it’s still safe.”
“Can I study with you? Can we be friends?”
Both Rachel and Rose were astonished.
“You want to be our friend? Like our best friend?” Rachel asked, exchanging a glance with Rose.
“Yes. I want to study with you. Please don’t say no,” Linda pleaded.
Rose chuckled. “You want to study with us? Oh God… after what you girls did to me? Aren’t you one of the Girls’ Scouts, you i***t?”
“Yes, I’m one of them—but I was never in support of what they do.”
“Like seriously? You don’t support them?” Rachel asked.
Linda nodded.
“If yes, then you’re a fool. Haven’t you heard the saying that your friend is you—in other words, the person you keep as a friend is who you are?”
“I know, Rachel, and that’s why I’m sorry. I promise to change. In fact, I’ve changed. Please, I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? If sin was easily forgiven, there’d be no need for police. By the way, why were you girls bullying me?” Rose asked.
“It’s… it’s Melinda.”
“Melinda?!” both girls chorused.
“Yes. It’s her.”
They stared at her.
“She bought food and drinks for us, and in return we were to bully you at every opportunity.”
“Mm. Life is a mystery,” Rose said calmly.
“Indeed. I thought you were family,” Rachel said to Rose.
“We are,” Rose replied.
“Mm. If she is, then you have to be careful,” Rachel advised.
“Exactly,” Linda added.
“But what was her reason? What did I do?” Rose asked.
“Nothing. She just said she hates you,” Linda answered.
“Just that?” Rachel asked.
“Yes, just that,” Linda replied.
“So Melinda rejoices when I’m sad? What a life,” Rose muttered, stumbling slightly as she tried to stand.
“Take it easy, Rose.”
“I’m fine. I’m just… surprised,” Rose said with a small smile.
“No wonder she keeps targeting you at home,” Rachel said.
“Exactly. But it’s okay—I’m sure I’m winning.”
“Indeed,” Rachel cheered.
Both girls looked at Linda and opened their arms, urging her to come closer. She stepped forward, and they welcomed her.
“You’re welcome!” they chorused, hugging her.
In return, Linda thanked them and promised to buy lunch for them for one month.
- Writer
