THE BET 🦋

XVIII.

When I came upstairs, I knew that Bitna would be curious about what we were talking about. I appreciated it all the more when she didn't jump on me right away, but asked "Do you want to talk about it?"
I shook my head. I really didn't want to because I was incredibly exhausted from this day and the only thing she felt like was sleep.
She nodded as if she understood and I went to the bathroom to dry off a bit. I replayed our entire conversation and the events of today in my head. My main thought was whether I would have ever found out about the bet if those guys hadn't told me. That pissed me off even more because Jae-eon was supposed to be the one to tell me. He shouldn't have been a coward.
I think Bitna sensed my mood very well when I came out of the bathroom dried off, because I came out of the bathroom with a frown on my face and went straight to bed. A few minutes later I heard her turn off the TV and come lie down next to me and hug me tightly from behind.
This semester went by quickly. All too quickly and I didn't even realize it and the semester exams were here. I knew that for the next few weeks I would sleep a few hours at night and the rest I would work on my paintings. It was something that filled me but also destroyed me during sleepless nights.
It had been several weeks since the incident with Jae-eon and the bet. I had been avoiding him as much as possible, focusing instead on preparing for the final tests in painting and other subjects. I spent most of my days in the atelier, working tirelessly on my projects.
During this long days that we spent in the atelier, Bitna was sending me encouraging looks, but they didn't always work. Obviously. I couldn't bring myself to discuss it with anyone, not even my best friend. I was afraid of what might happen if I did.
My professor also noticed that something was wrong and that I was not concentrating on my work.
"Nabi, where are your thoughts flying?" she sighed, "you won't have time to finish the final exams like this."
Do you really want to know where my thoughts are going?
I know she just wanted to help me, but I didn't need this right now.
Bitna still kept up her habit of going to smoke on the roof of the school. But I didn't go with her. I tried to avoid that place in circles so as not to meet "you know who". I also avoided Tae-jin and his friends quite successfully. Not always, but at least most of the time. I know it won't go on like this forever, but I'm not ready to face them yet. I'm sure they're laughing at me now for how naive and stupid I am, and they're patting Jae-eon on the back for how well he handled this whole thing.
As the final tests approached, the stress and pressure were starting to get to me. I was constantly worried about whether I had prepared enough, whether my paintings were good enough. I found myself unable to sleep, tossing and turning at night, my mind consumed with thoughts of the upcoming tests.
One day, as I was leaving the atelier, I saw Jae-eon waiting for me outside. I tried to walk past him, but he called out to me.
"Nabi, wait," he said.
Nabi hesitated for a moment before reluctantly stopped.
"I just wanted to wish you good luck on your final tests," Jae-eon continued. "I know how hard you've been working, and I'm sure you're going to do great."
I was surprised by his words. I hadn't expected him to know anything about my final tests, let alone wish me luck.
"Thanks," I said, finally finding my voice. "But how did you know about my tests?"
Jae-eon looked sheepish. "Some of your friends told me," he said. "I've been trying to avoid you, but I couldn't help but ask her how you were doing."
I felt a pang of jealousy at the mention of "some of my friends". They had been, obviously, spending so much time with Jae-eon lately, and I couldn't help but feel left out.
But I pushed those feelings aside and focused on what was important. "Thanks for the good wishes," I said and turn around to leave.
"Wait, Nabi," he said, his voice urgent. "I have something for you."
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him. He held out a small wrapped box to me.
"I don't want it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
He looked hurt by my words, and I could feel a pang of guilt in my chest. But I couldn't let him win. I couldn't let him think that he could just play with my emotions and get away with it.
"I know I messed up," he said, his eyes pleading. "But please, just take it. It's a late birthday present. I had it custom-made for you."
I saw him standing there, holding the wrapped present in his hand. He looked at me with a hopeful expression, but I couldn't bring myself to take it. Not after everything that had happened.
I turned on my heels and started walking away, ignoring his calls for me to stop. I didn't want to deal with him right now. I didn't want to talk about the stupid bet or anything else.
But he followed me, trying to catch up with me. "Nabi, please," he said, his voice filled with desperation. "Just take it. I know I messed up, but I still want to give you this."
I stopped and turned to face him. "I don't want it," I said firmly. "I don't want anything from you."
He looked hurt and confused, and I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. But then I remembered how he had lied to me and used me for a stupid bet. I couldn't forgive him that easily.
I started walking again, leaving him standing there with the present in his hand. I didn't look back.