New Girl

Redemption

Sophia's POV:

I didn't want Y/N to be seen at the party, especially not with me. It would've made me look weak, after I put so much effort into making them feel unwelcome. But now I wish I had cared less and just invited them. Deep down - and I know I already knew - I wanted them there.

But shit happened, and now I have nothing at all. I don't blame Laura though. All of this is my fault! I should have told Laura to stop nudging Y/N to leave right after I noticed that I actually enjoyed the time I spent with them in my car. Wait no, that's also not right! I shouldn't have told Laura to help make Y/N leave in the first place.

Why was I so stupid?

I really hope it's not too late to fix things. I've told Y/N what I want, but I think I'll have to do more. Of course, to apologize and hopefully get them to forgive me, and then to win them over. But how? If I'm being too pushy, that won't do any good. No, I really have to be careful this time. And I also have to apologize to Laura.

She hasn't really let me talk to her since she went over to Y/N's house during the party. She's probably angry at me too. I know that her friendship with Y/N was sincere. I've only ever gotten the idea to get her to befriend Y/N and help me with making them leave after I've seen them together the day they accidentally met. So I guess Laura would've wanted to be friends with them either way. Until I had to step in, of course, and take that away from her too. 

I've used Laura's loyalty against her, and only now do I realize how absolutely wrong that was. I really fucked up!

Laura's POV:

On Tuesday, one and a half weeks after that fateful night, Y/N talks to me. Really talks to me. They approached me and asked me to go on a small walk with them after school. So I did just that.

"I'm sorry", Y/N begins after we've walked in silence for a little while.

I turn my head toward them in surprise. "Why are you apologizing?"

"I shouldn't have treated you like that. I mean, you only wanted me to know the truth and you apologized and said that you still wanted to be my friend. But I didn't react so nicely, and I'm sorry for that. I shouldn't have been so rude."

I vigorously shake my head. "No, you had every right to be angry. I really think I should've told you sooner. Or maybe I shouldn't have agreed to help Sophia at all."

Y/N laughs a little. "Yeah, that would've been nice. But I still get it though. She is charming, plus you're her friend. And you know what she is capable of, so I get why you didn't say no."

"Actually, I've been kind of avoiding her", I confess.

Y/N raises one eyebrow in question.

"I really love her, she's been my best friend for so long. But I don't always agree with what she does. I mean, what I've told you is true; she does not bully without a reason and most of the time it's a good reason ... but it's still bullying. I shouldn't have stood back for so long. There are other ways to deal with problems."

"Yeah, that's true", Y/N agrees because there's not much else to say.

"And then she got me involved. I never wanted to be part of her ... stuff, but she persuaded me. I thought it wouldn't be so bad because I wouldn't cause any direct harm." I take a deep breath and look Y/N right in the eyes to let them see how much I regret everything that's happened. "But that's not true, is it? I did cause a lot of harm."

I know I deserve it, but I'm horrified when Y/N nods. "You betrayed my trust. But I have thought about it, and I will forgive you. But only if you really want to be my friend without any ulterior motive. And if you swear that you don't really want me to leave."

Relief seeps through my bones at last. "I swear it! I want you to stay, and I want us to be friends again! For real this time!", I eagerly assure.

Y/N smiles and stops walking altogether to embrace me tightly. I also wrap my arms around their back and pull them close. It feels so good to know our friendship survived this mess.