11 : Rejected
1705 Words
What’s this? Noleak wrote.
Meldei stood motionless, phone in hand. Her mind yelled the same question as Lea staring at herself in the photo.
Her back was facing the camera. Youhei's head rested on her shoulder, looking almost delicate in the way his body leaned toward hers. The angle made it look as if they were staring at each other's faces. Meldei's stomach turned cold.
Her fingers finally moved—stumbling across the keyboard.
Where did you get that?
That’s the first thing you have to say? Seriously?
Meldei realized with a jolt what it all seemed like to Lea.
Before you assume anything, she typed shakily, we were just talking, okay? Nothing else.
I don’t call that talking, Noleak replied. Tell me this isn’t happening right now.
Her mind raced; she wasn't ready for something like this. She barely wrapped her head around it herself. Had someone been following her that day?
Who took it? Meldei asked, then— It’s not what you think, Lea—of course not. We barely know each other, and you know I wouldn’t do things like that.
The picture already said it all. I can’t believe you’re still trying to lie.
Meldei stared at the screen like someone had struck her.
Far away, the sky flashed, followed by a deep rumble.
She had no other choice. At this point, she had to tell Lea the truth—anything to get rid of that absurd accusation.
Meldei left the chat and called her. But then the line immediately cut off.
Don’t call me, Noleak texted. I don’t want to hear you right now.
Meldei wanted to shake the railing. Her hands trembled as she typed, feeling like the world was going to slip over the edge if she wasn't fast enough. She told Noleak everything about the bargain with Youhei.
So you told him everything?
She hesitated. I just wanted to help, that’s all.
Should I be happy to be humiliated? You promised me you wouldn’t say anything.
I’m sorry, she said, struck by guilt.
You’re too selfish.
Meldei swallowed. Her thumb hovered over the keys, not knowing what to say.
You’re right, and I’m really—really. But I promised I was only there to talk. Him too. Believe me, Lea.
Noleak didn't respond for a long moment. Two insufferable minutes passed. Meldei stood facing the dark sky, trying to let the sparkling fireworks calm her wits.
Footsteps sounded inside. Soon, her family also emerged on the rooftop, Tevi asking if the fireworks were visible from there.
Meldei checked her phone again, only to see a message from Youhei.
"I'll be back," she told her mother and went inside.
She shut the bedroom door. It was dark inside, the thick curtains drawn. But instead of switching the light, she dialed Noleak's number again.
The line failed. She tried again—failed. Then she went back to their chatroom and was shocked to find that she could no longer type in there. The bar was missing.
Lea had blocked her.
_____•_____
Nika was livid when Meldei told her what had happened after their holiday. It wouldn't be surprising if Nika refused to talk to her for a few days. The girl hated keeping secrets.
English class felt like a trial, where Meldei was the criminal waiting for the judges' verdict. The judge, in this case, was Noleak the moment she showed up to class late.
Only around half of the students made it to the first session. And considering that the rest won't show up until Monday, Mr. Foster allowed an early break.
Meldei strode to the back of the class.
"Lea." She stopped near her desk. "Can we talk?"
Noleak was sitting with another of their classmate. Reaksa smiled and nodded at Meldei. But Noleak continued talking.
Meldei stepped forward so that she was nearly in front of their desk.
"Can you give us a minute?" she asked Reaksa. The girl glanced between them, uncertain, and nodded before getting up.
Noleak acted like nothing happened when Reaksa was gone. Meldei wasn't past the point where her ignorance wouldn't hurt, because it still did.
"Can we talk?" she said regardless. "Please?"
Lea didn't respond, nor looked at her, but she stopped fussing with the papers on the desk.
"I know you're still upset," Meldei began, "but I really don't know what to do besides apologizing. For breaking my promise and—everything. I never meant to hurt you."
"Is that all?"
"That picture doesn't mean anything."
"So someone just edited a picture of you both and send it to me?" Noleak's gaze flashed for a split second. "Why are you still trying to hide it?"
"I'm not hiding anything." Meldei was starting to sound desperate. "You are. Someone sent it to you, but who?" Noleak ignored her.
"Barely anyone knows about that place, behind the school. I mostly go there with Nika," Meldei confessed.
"It doesn't change anything."
"If you won't say who it is, then fine," she said. "But ask them. They would've seen everything that happened after he leaned on me. He somehow fell asleep and he apologized. We went home after talking."
"Stop explaining, Meldei."
"Do you know what he said that time?" Youhei wasn't in class, and Meldei wished he was next to her. "He thinks you being with him was what made you unhappy. He wants to see you smile, Lea, like before."
Noleak's fingers her white as she gripped the assignment papers. She exhaled, and her face was hard.
"You're both so close," she said and stood up. "I've had enough."
Meldei veered around in disbelief. "You're going to believe some random person—instead of your friend? Noleak!"
Several of their classmates looked up.
Youhei came into class. And as soon as he got away from the door, Noleak fled.
_____•_____
Class resumed soon later. Meldei buried her face in the papers for Carrol's Though the Looking-Glass. Though, it was all an act for Mr. Foster to see.
She hadn't felt as terrible with Nika's blatancy, because that was Nika. But Lea—it was the first time Noleak looked at her that way that, it was impossible to ignore the hurt.
Every truth was out, but this was the outcome she feared before school began. Nika was right; she brought it all down on them. What if Lea never forgave her—or worse, never believed her?
Standing up, Meldei asked to go out.
She realized how much tension pulled her shoulders once she got out. She leaned against the corridor wall, sighing.
Her head was a mess of questions. She didn't want to lose Lea, lose their friendship, even if it was only a few months. What had she done?
The door opened. Startled, she quickly turned away, wiping her face.
"You okay?"
Youhei stood at the door. It was just the two of them in the hallway.
"Why are you crying?" he said, a bit bewildered. Meldei could've sworn her face was dry.
Her tongue felt like liquid. "I just needed some air." She cleared her throat. "I'm fine."
There was concern between his brows. "Sure?" he said. "You know you can talk."
She didn't want to talk. There was no point in talking if Lea refused to change her mind.
But Meldei hesitated.
"You haven't heard about anything?" she asked at last. "About a photo?"
"What photo?"
Seemed like she was right about Noleak being the only one with it.
"Give me your phone," she said. She prompted him with a look until he finally felt his pocket and handed her a black smartphone. It took no time to pull the picture up from her account.
"Is that us?" Youhei blurted.
Meldei nodded, strained. "I didn't notice anyone following that day. Did you?"
"Same. Did you shut the gate properly?"
"Of course I did," she said. "But—I didn't make sure if nobody saw. Someone must've sneaked in afterward and sent that to Lea."
Youhei lowered the phone. He was silent for a minute. "That's why you're out here crying?"
She stared at the ground. He pocketed the device with a sigh.
"I'm not her boyfriend anymore," he said. "Why should it matter? Even if we're together I mean."
Meldei's head temporally spun with the thought. "After what I told you," she said. "Isn't it understandable?"
He became quiet. "She'll get over it."
It certainly didn't seem so. Meldei slumped against the wall.
"She won't believe anything I say. And I don't know who's behind it." She paused, feeling his eyes. "But maybe... Maybe she'll listen to you."
"Meldei—"
"You don't want to get involved—I know," she interrupted. "But I just—don't want our friendship to end like this. It-it could end. Can you do me this one favor?"
He stared at her, then sighing, took out his phone again.
"Noleak still hasn't unblocked me," he said, showing the evidence. "See? She still hates me."
"She doesn't—that's one thing I can guarantee," Meldei assured dryly.
"Well, now she hates both of us." He grinned.
"Lea never stays near you, so you can't talk to her," she went on, again looking at her feet. She let out a big breath. "I guess an outsider should never step into someone's relationship."
"It never worked from the beginning."
The smile was gone from his face. It was a face she probably would never get used to seeing—a stranger's face. She thought of the first time she saw him at the lake again when he was cradling the bird. She remembered thinking it was kind of beautiful.
To think she would end up in that kind of situation with this boy...
"What are you two doing outside?" The Director's voice jarred Meldei from her thoughts.
He was approaching them. Meldei tensed realizing how the circumstance seemed.
"Toilet," Youhei said and casually went through it. The Director's gaze went to Meldei.
"Principal office," she blurted. "I—needed to ask him something."
At the corner of her eye, she caught Youhei snigger.
The Director nodded. "Let's go then. I also have things to discuss with him."
- Writer
