The Colors In Her Voice

☆Chapter 47☆

After giving a mediocre performance, I took off to search for Bethany. I wanted the answers. No, I needed them. For my sake of sanity and peace of mind, I had to confront her.

"Rach?" I turned around to see Mason approaching me confusedly. "You… going somewhere?" He asked me carefully, staring at the diary in my hands.

"To see Bethany." He was about to say something but I stopped him with my next words. "I… I want to tell her off."

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he nodded his head. "All right."

"Yeah."

"You did absolutely great up there, Rach. I am rooting for you and I really am proud of you," he said, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

Smiling, I leaned into his touch. "If you say so."

"No, really. You have to trust me," he assured me.

"I do trust you, Mace," I whispered. 'More so than you can imagine.' I had this sudden urge to kiss him but I saw a group of people walking past us, chirping excitedly. Clearing my throat, I told him, "Will see you later."

"Sure. Just… just be careful, okay?"

I shook my head and laughed softly at his worries before walking away from him.

With a heavy heart, I let my instincts work as an indicator and moved toward the restrooms. I had tried searching for her in the back room but couldn't find her in there so the only plausible place I could think of was the restrooms.

Before I could reach the restroom area, I saw the door of some room left ajar and heard someone sniffling. My steps slowed down when I was just a few feet away from that room.

Walking toward it slowly, I opened the door fully and my breath hitched at the sight in front of me. My heart clenched looking at her state.

A pair of black stilettos thrown across the room, all the kinds of accessories strewn around like someone slayed a dragon's baby.

"Bethany?" I had wanted to sound tough and confident but it came out as a question.

She looked up at me with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her hair was dishevelled, her face streaked with tears and mascara. With her arms wrapped around her knees, she continuously rocked back and forth. "Rach." She sobbed.

As soon as I heard her voice, my previous hurt came rushing back to me. But that hurt quickly transformed into anger now and all the concern I felt for her quickly vanished.

"Why would you do that to me, Bethany? I trusted you with every fiber in my body and this is how you repay me? With betrayal? By stabbing me on my back?" I had truly considered her as my best friend. That day at the garden, she had termed us as her "best pals".

"Rach, let-"

"No, don't "Rach" me, Bethany Johnson. It's true that I am some stupid, naive girl. And you know what, you can win not only one Oscar but thousands of them or maybe even more. Your act was so convincing that no one saw it coming. So flawless and clean. How'd you pull that off? Kudos to you though," I said, all the hurt I was feeling, pouring out through my words.

"Please… please, listen... to me. Hear me out," she pleaded, sobbing with pain.

"Of course, I will. That's what I am here for so do enlighten me. Because I've been wondering what your explanation is going to be this time." I scoffed but internally I wanted to make sure that she was okay. Although I didn't want to be fooled this time. She'd done the same thing last time by luring and making me feel bad about how her parents don't think she's worthy enough. But not this time.