BEYOND THE PERSON I USED TO BE
1070 Words
Chapter 7
Glenira's pov
"You're acting strange what's the meaning of this? What do you want?" Danielle's voice was sharp, her words cutting through the air with the weight of her frustration. Her eyes were narrow, brimming with anger just barely contained, and her crossed arms only added to her imposing stance.
I froze, unsure what had set her off this time. I replayed the last few minutes in my mind, trying to figure out where things had gone wrong. What had I said?
Her piercing gaze didn't let up, and I could feel it digging into me, as if she was waiting for me to confess to some hidden crime. When she spoke again, the tension in her voice was thick enough to suffocate me.
"Michelle, we've been friends forever since we were kids. Even with your arrogant, rude behavior, I stayed. Everyone else avoids you, but not me. I've put up with your outbursts, your selfishness, and the way you act like the world revolves around you. And you never appreciate it. Not once. Remember when you told me your family was richer than mine? Like it even mattered?" She paused, her voice bitter. "And now, you want us to split the bill for everything? Really?"
Her words hit me like cold water. I blinked, struggling to find the right response. "You should've told me earlier," I muttered defensively, my voice trembling as I tried to regain control. "I would've asked my mom for some money."
Danielle raised a skeptical eyebrow. "But you never ask your mom. You always go to your dad-he spoils you. Why pretend now?"
"I meant Dad," I stammered, feeling the ground beneath me slip. My heartbeat quickened, knowing I had been caught in another lie.
"Sure," Danielle responded with a sigh, her patience wearing thin. "It's fine. I'll pay for you."
Without thinking, I threw my arms around her, clutching her tightly as a wave of relief washed over me. "Thank you, Danielle! You're the best friend ever. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm so sorry for how I've been acting. I swear, I've changed."
Danielle's arms hung limply at her sides for a moment before she slowly returned the hug. Her expression softened slightly, but there was still an edge of doubt in her eyes. "You always say that, Michelle," she muttered. "But this time, something's different. You didn't even defend yourself like usual."
I forced a smile, my lips trembling as I tried to appear sincere. "That's because I have changed."
Her lips curved into a small, uncertain smile, but the tension remained. She turned away, stepping toward the car. The drive was filled with an uneasy silence, the weight of our conversation hanging in the air. As we pulled up to the City Mall, I couldn't help but be taken aback.
The mall towered over us, its sleek, futuristic architecture shimmering under the afternoon sun. The clean lines and towering glass walls gave it a modern, almost otherworldly feel. Light streamed in through the skylights, casting a warm, golden glow over the massive atrium. The buzz of shoppers echoed through the open space, but it felt surreal, like stepping into another world.
I tried to maintain my composure, but the excitement bubbling up inside me was almost impossible to hide. Back in Glenira, the malls were nothing like this there; everything felt small and confined. Here, it was grand, alive, and electric with energy.
We grabbed some food, and after a quick bite, we wandered into one of the boutiques. It was filled with the latest trends, racks of vibrant dresses, and bold accessories that screamed luxury. I pointed to a dress displayed on a mannequin, its silky fabric catching the light just right.
Danielle chuckled, her laughter was soft but teasing. "That dress? You're kidding, right?" she said, glancing at me with amusement. "Last time Camille recommended it to you, you said she had no taste in fashion. Have you really changed that much?"
I blinked, confused and embarrassed. "Did I really say that?" I asked, genuinely horrified by how petty Michelle had been.
Danielle gave me a knowing look. "Yeah, you did. But don't worry, I will pick out the five dresses you said you wanted last time."
I watched Danielle as she picked the dresses one after the other, she also got some for herself.
She really had great taste when it came to fashion.
We moved to the cashier, where Camille, the store clerk, barely acknowledged me. She avoided eye contact, her face blank as she quietly folded our clothes. The silence between us was palpable, and I could feel the cold distance in her demeanor.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to speak. "Camille," I began hesitantly, my voice small. "I don't know what I did, but I'm sorry. I've changed. I don't want things to be awkward between us anymore."
Camille didn't look up. She finished packing our items, handed the bags to Danielle, and moved on to the next customer without a word. It was as if I didn't exist.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Michelle's past bearing down on me. No matter how much I tried to fix things, there were still people who couldn't see beyond the person I used to be.
As we headed back to the car, the atmosphere between Danielle and me lightened, and we talked more casually. It felt like the real Michelle- more polite, less guarded. But as we drove home, I couldn't shake the feeling that no matter how much I apologized, some things couldn't be undone.
We pulled into the driveway, and after grabbing the bags from the trunk, we headed to my room to try on the outfits. As I stood in front of the mirror, admiring the clothes that Danielle had picked, I couldn't help but wonder how long I could keep pretending to be someone I wasn't.
I picked out a pink dress from the pile, admiring its intricate patterns. I would love to wear something as pretty as this.
"Mich," Danielle called, passing me a strange look.
"How did that get here?" She asked, and I grew confused.
"What?"
She pointed at the dress in my hands.
"Pink disgusts you. Are you sure you are alright?"
I swallowed, unsure of a reply to give. But how in the world will anyone hate pink?
- Writer
