Baptism Of Fire

THE NIGHT OF HORROR

After that day, one of the school's janitor found her cold and dead body. And that incident made a noise on the whole University, it became the talk of the town. Every time the other students talked about her death, my heart seemed to be racing fast. I'm afraid they'll find out I'm the culprit. But the police's investigation eventually stopped after several months because they didn't even find a clue that will point to the killer.

I wanted to lament on the death of my friend. I wanted to regret killing her out of resentment. I wanted to get mad at myself for being blinded by my envy and anger. I wanted to surrender to the police and admit the heinous crime that I have done because her death becomes my worst nightmare. But I can't... I just can't.

No matter how much I tried to deny it, I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off of my shoulders with their disappearance. My father and mother's relationship is slowly becoming better. I can now see the glint of happiness on my mother's eyes because my father is trying to fix their relationship that was once on the verge of collapsing because of his affair.

After several months, Ridley University seemed to forget Summer's existence. Their so called 'legacy' that she left was buried on the oblivion along with her death.

The suffocating feeling that Astreia and Summer brings into my life vanished into thin air.

I now have the perfect control everything. The world was wrapped around my fingers. Everything is going on my own accord. I thought it will continue to be like that. But something unexpected happened.

It was one of those usual mornings. While I'm waiting for Airen, Ashley and Lorelei, I heard gossips from the students near me.

"Have you heard of the news?"

"What is it?"

"Someone saw Astreia inside the school."

"Wait, for real? The graduation is already near and she still came back?"

"That's just what I heard. I don't know if it's true though."

I didn't hear what they said next because they're already meters away from me. But those words bothered me. My jaw clenched as my expression hardened.

Why did you come back, Astreia? What's your reason?

"Amber? Let's go!"

I lifted my face and look at Lorelei. I sighed heavily and walk towards them.

True to the rumors, the woman who almost destroyed my family came back. I don't know why the dean still lets her attends class though it's nearly the end of the school year.

"So it's true then. Astreia, after went missing for months, is now here. What's your plan, Amber?" Ashley asked me.

Lorelei shoot daggers at her. "Stop provoking her, you nitwit," she said and turned her attention on me. "If you're planning something, stop it already. The problem inside your family was already fixed, getting back at her is utterly useless now."

I rolled my eyes. "What are you, my mother?" I asked sarcastically that made her scoffed. Airen and Ashley chuckled. "I know that, no need to tell me. As long as she will not do something against me, then I will not lay even a finger at her," I responded in a serious tone. She nodded.

Every time our paths cross, she's the one who always avoids me. She's now more aloof and distant. The coldness in her eyes can freeze anyone. It's still a mystery to me while she came back. I don't have any idea where is her mother right now. But it's none of my business though.

Nothing strange happens. The last months of my stay in the University went well. I graduated as the valedictorian of our batch. I forgot the past and went on with the life that I'm accustomed to. The disturbance that I felt with Astreia's unexpected return vanished. My anxiety was pacified.