The Moon Hiding at Dawn

Chapter 32: Convictions

"Does this have something to do with why you weren't around as well during the past few weeks?" I asked.

If I have learned anything from being her (fake) boyfriend, it's that she always takes the necessary steps towards the things she wants. Similar to what I do, the only difference being the fact that she has more sense and direction while I approach it as blind as can be. Another may be the fact that she doesn't care much about having anyone by her side as support.

Truth be told, she acts as if no one really cares about her even if there is at least one person that really does.

Riz scratches her head as she sighed. "Well... my absence does have a meaning to it but I'll have to start the story way back or it might be confusing."

I nodded and she proceeded to tell whatever it is that she needs to. A story that I really never heard about from either party.

Kallen was her first friend. Riz already told me that before. How they came to be one, however, was not known to me which is where she started.

It was back when all of us are freshmen in the university. The number one rule for female freshies was not to travel alone as the place is known for upperclassmen always looking for single girls to hangout and have a relationship with. Quite gross of a reputation honestly and partly why I distrust everyone here in general especially that the school never had a chance to change it as there were no cases of harassment or what that reached them. The mere fact that this place is still waiting for official complaints rather than trusting the rampant calls and rumors tells a lot about this place. That may also be the reason why the upperclass is seemingly confident about their unwanted intimidations and harassment. One that happened to Riz as well as she recounted it.

She told me that she was walking from one of the halls after Literature Club orientations that time. Three men were there and, clearly, she was targeted as there was no one else there. The lack of people by itself is already incredibly odd as if it was just accepted culture. Not even a single professor nor staff as well. Kallen, for some unknown reason, was still there and rushed to her aid. Not that she needed much. Riz already took care of two of them with her hardbound books and little knowledge of self-defense. She was, however, pinned to the wall by the last one before Kallen arrived, kneed the guy on his stomach before grabbing Riz by the hand and running away.

"We ran to the room back then since Kallen's stuff was still there" she added. "As soon as we entered, I collapsed and broke into tears before her. She was the first one to see me that vulnerable and weak." Although, to be honest, she sounded way too badass up until that point but I made sure not to say that and interrupt her.

Since that event, they became friends. They don't interact that often as Riz is your typical low-cost friend. That said, they always had each other's back. Only Kallen knows some of Riz's deep secrets from that point. The same is true the other way around.

We had to stop for a bit as she went to grab a drink since her head is still having problems of lightheadedness from all the liquor we previously had. She went back with two glasses and a pitcher of water so I went ahead and drank some as well.

"Remember the day you broke up?" she asked.

How could I forget that? That was straight down one of my most painful days where I looked so weak. Even now, just the flashback is causing me some internal ache of sorts. Apparently, Kallen was already talking about that matter with Riz before I arrived that day. That would explain their long faces back then. It all made a bit sense.

"I at least wanted you to end with happy memories so I convinced her to have some time alone with you" she said. "I guess I did overstep a bit and might've ended up making it more painful though I don't really know what both of you did. Sorry..."