The Life of Renn Alrose: The Complete Petals

Chapter 22 - The Other Depression

SERRA

That same day, in Phoenix Ruby High...

Oh... Hello. I'm just an ordinary girl doing effort in Phoenix Ruby High, I guess. What am I doing here? I'm just here at the edge of the open area library, looking down. The ground looks so great right now... Perfect, I planned on staining that soon. But for now I'm just standing here doing nothing. No one usually goes to the open area, so I'm at peace.

But it doesn't last.

"Kuso... (Damn...) Emerardo hyusuton ni hairenai... (Can't enter Emerald Houston...)" I heard a girl enter, but I didn't pay attention to her.

"Renn-san kawaisō... (I feel bad for Renn...) If only there's something I can do... I wanted to tell his friend Syrra about this, but they implemented a new policy. I can't enter during school hours... Why did it have to involve him..." My eyes widened. I don't know if I am hallucinating or I heard Renn's name right now.

I wanted to ask more, but I literally don't know her. Yet she knows Renn...

"Renn... Alrose?" I opened my mouth.

"A, hai! (Ah, yes!) Do you know him? We've been friends..." She asked. Renn has a lot of friends... Too bad all my friends become traitors.

"Why do you know him?" I asked.

"I saw him and we interacted once. He's very friendly... Though he got expelled by something he didn't do." And in that moment, I got slightly frustrated.

"So he did..." Wait... Why am I frustrated? Why am I gripping the edge of the open air library so much? I only said that I gave him a little of my trust...

Is it because he's now experiencing the pain I am feeling? Being pushed down by the people that trusted him?

"I really wanted to help him out, but I don't know what to do..." There is not much on what to do... She's worried about him. It pains me to say this, but...

I also want to help him out. And to do that, I'd need to blindly trust this girl. Trusting anyone is a risk, but the situation right now is big...

"Tell me more." I can't believe I am pushing myself to deal with his problems...

"You might not like it..." She stood beside me to the edge and began explaining all that had happened. My frustration was increasing while I listened to it. They really went for the person that understood my situation. They made him feel worthless.

The fact that he's just wasting away makes me upset.

"It's always those people who'd just work on something for their selfish gain. Selfish... Selfish... SELFISH!!" I slammed my own hand on the metal bar on the edge. Not caring if it hurts or not.

"Ah! Don't do that!" She was shocked seeing me like this. I lowered my frustration a bit because I don't want to get any more attention right now.

"... Your... Number..." Here I am, pushing myself again for her number by slowly handing over my phone number to her. I'm really taking the risk, not knowing if this will end up in betrayal or not.

"Ah! Hai! (Yes!)" She did take my phone and quickly put in her number and I got my phone back from her. I checked to see if she did input her number here. And she did.

"Oh! I'm gonna head for class now, mata ne! (See you again!)" She left the area, and I am back to my peace.

I'll stay here for a while... Maybe even think about how painful my hand feels right now... But even then, to be reminded that the world is full of people that is open to the concept of "betrayal" just makes me agitated.