NINE MASK TO HEAL MY HEART

The first rumor started with a whisper. Rei didn't even hear it. Not at first. It passed from one person to another, quite and harmless at the beginning, like a joke shared between friends. A small lie twisted just enough to sound believable. "She said that?" "No way" " I heard it too" Rei walked through the school gates that morning like she always did head slightly down, earphones in and trying to ignore the world before it could ignore her. Everything felt normal or at least it looked normal She didn't notice the stares right away. Didn't notice how conversations stopped when she passed. Didn't notice how someone whispered her name...followed by a quite laugh. It wasn't until lunch that things began to feel off. Rei say at her usual table, placing her stray down carefully. Her eyes searched for her friends. Mika, Lianne and Rose. they were there But something was wrong They weren't looking at her "Hey" Rei said, forcing a smile as she sat down, "What's with the serious faces guys?" No one answered Mika glanced at Lianne Lianne looked away Rose stayed quite, her fingers nervously tapping against the table Rei's smile slowly faded "What?..." still nothing the silence stretched heavy and uncomfortable "I asked a question and you all didn't answer me, can you tell me what's going on here guys?" Rei said as her voice is firmer now. Mika finally spoke. "Rei is it true?.." Rei blinked "is what true?" Mika hesitated, then looked at her directly. "that you've been snitching on us and talk behind our back?" Rei was confused and ask again "what? I didn't even spoke any single word on anyone" "That you've been saying things...Private things" Lianne added quietly Rei let out a short confused laugh "Are you serious? since when did this happen? and why I didn't know this?" Rose finally spoke "someone say you did it...." "Who?" Rei demanded" Tell me who said that" no one answered because they didn't know or maybe they didn't care at all. Rei felt something sink inside her chest. "So you're going to believe some random person over me? she asked, her voice shaking slightly. "It's not just one person" Lianne said. " A lot of people are saying it....while you're here still hanging out with us.." Rei stared at them A lot of people That's how it starts.. One lie becomes two Two becomes ten And suddenly...it's everywhere. "I didn't do it.." She said it again, softer this time But her words felt weak Mika sighed "We just...need time to think.." Rei let out a hallow laugh "Time? For what? To decide if I'm a bad person? Guys we been hang out for almost 5 years and you guys already know me for who I am and what kind of person I am and you all are doubting me?" Rei spoke like she's going to snapped out in a minute Rei it's n- Rei cut her off "It's always been like that..." Her appetite was gone Her chest felt tight. "Forget it" she muttered, standing up. She grabbed her tray and walked away ignoring the stares that now followed her more openly. that was the moment everything changed. By the next day, the rumor had grown. it wasn't just about her talking behind her friends anymore. now she was a "fake writer" A "backstabber" Someone who "pretended to be nice" Rei walked through the hallway, her steps quick, her eyes fixed on the floor. "Isn't that her?" "Yeah, the one who spreads secrets" "She looks so innocent though and she still got a nerve to steal the moonlight whispers book and even it her name on it?" A group of girls laughed quietly Rei clenched her fists. She wanted to turn around. To shout To defend herself. But what was the point? They already believed that they wanted to believe. In class, It wasn't any better. Her seatmate moved his chair slightly farther away. While her step sister name Clara came inside the room and everyone looks at her admirable as they take her a seat. Clara looks at Rei and smirked because her planned to humiliate Rei already work. The teacher name Miss Denise called her name and she answered like normal but even that felt different, Like everyone was watching her and judging her already. Waiting for her to prove the rumors right. Clara was gossiping with Rei's former friends "it's okay to me that she's going to steal my book but I'm still the original author you know" "Clara you're the best!" "Yes you're more 10 times better than Rei!" Rei clenched at her fists.. She wanted to shout.. to cry that everything is plotted by Clara but no one is willing to believe her. When the bell rang, Rei packed her things quickly. She just wanted to go home But that wasn't even easy. As she stepped out in the hallway, someone bumped into her shoulder Her bag slipped from her grip, falling to the floor. Books shattered. "Watch were you going" The gurl muttered. Rei looked up. "I didn't even-" But the gurl had already walked away Rei swallowed her words Slowly, she knelt down and gathered her things. No one helped her No one ever did Days passed The rumors didn't stop as they changed and they grew. Now, she was "attention seeker" "She lies all the time" "She can't be trusted" Each version worse than the last. Rei stopped sitting at her usual ta le Stopped talking in class unless necessary. Stopped trying . Because no matter what she did.. It didn't matter .. One afternoon she overheard something that made her chest ache even more than anything else... "I felt bad for her" Clara then spoke while she was doing her make up "why? Everything goes as I planned and of course she's delusional being on a top student? Her work? is my work. everything she had will also be mine bit by bit even her best friend and her parents love too. She giggled and quietly grinned Rei stood up frozen behind the wall, her sister plot this...she wanted to expose her...but she's scared... because her family might hate her again.. Everyone hates her now.. The words seem to echoed in her mind Over and over Until they started to feel real.. At home things weren't much better Rei sat on her bed while Clara spoiled by their family with luxurious things and even snatch her two brothers love and trust already. Her messages were all empty no notifications no nothing... She opened her chat with Mika Her thumb hovered over the keyboard I didn't do it. Please believed me.. She type the words and deleted them.. what was the point? if they trusted her they wouldn't need any proof. If they didn't... Then nothing she said could matter... Rei dropped her phone because her and lay back on bed.. One day as she walked past a group students, she hear her name again "Rei right!" "Yeah" "She's the one who ruined her own reputation" Ruined. Like it was her fault Like she did this to herself Rei kept walking Step by step until the voices faded behind her.. Then came the rain It started suddenly, just as classes ended students rushed out, laughing, and shouting as they ran for cover. Rei walked slower She didn't mind the rain In fact... She liked it... Because when it rained, people didn't look at her as much. They were too busy avoiding getting wet . she stepped outside, letting the cold drops hit her skin.. Her uniform quickly soaked through, but she didn't stop. Didn't run didn't hide the sky was gray heavy just like her thoughts Rei walked past the school gates, her bag hanging loosely from her shoulder Cars passed by, splashing water on the road. The world kept moving like nothing had changed Like she didn't matter she let out a laugh "of course..." she muttered why would it stop for her? why would anyone care. She reached the old waiting shed near the street. The roof was cracked, barely giving any protection Rei stepped under it anyway. Drops of water still fell through the gaps, landing softly on her shoulders She didn't move didn't adjust. Just stood there. Alone.. Her mind replayed everything... The whispers The stares The Blame The silence of people who to be her friends.. " I didn't do anything wrong" she whispered her voice tremble But the rain drowned it out A tear mixed with the raindrops on her face Then another She covered her eyes with her hand, biting her lip to stop herself from crying harder. I didn't do anything" She repeat but it didn't change anything After a while, she lowered her hand Her eyes were red Her expression empty Something inside her had changed Not broken Not completely But....Cracked... "If they want a villain.." she murmured softly.. Her fingers slowly clenched into fists "then maybe I become one".. the though scared her but it also felt comforting.... because being misunderstood hurt more than being hated on purpose. .. At least then .... She would have control Rei took a small step forward, out into the rain again. The cold hit her instantly. But she didn't flinch. Didn't stop Didn't care.. And that was the moment Right before everything changed Right before she would meet someone who would turn the world upside down Right before kindnesses would find her In the most unexpected way....