Helheim

CHAPTER 5

On Friday morning people would not stop staring at me, they'd gossip as I walked by. I felt observed and judged. I wanted to be invisible, but I tried my best to not care, to ignore everybody. Until ballet class came around.

I was not as furious as last night before Maeve told me their story, but I could not just simply forget about the incident and act like nothing happened, like it hadn't hurt my feelings that Amelie hadn't intervened for me. Ms. Jones hadn't arrived yet to the salon, but everybody was already warming up. I tried to talk to Florence but she just eyed me before she left without saying a word. None of the girls looked in my direction at all. They wanted nothing to do with me after last night, I had been banned from social life after Nox kicked me out of the table.

I acted like I didn't notice but I saw Amelie staring at me from the corner of the room. When she saw I saw her she started walking towards me. I turned my back to her. Yet she still tapped me gently in order to get my attention.

-Hey Soph...-she started I noticed how everyone on the classroom stopped what they were doing, watching a listening carefully to the scene, the blonde girl knew it too, so she lowered her voice until it was only me who could listened to her, although I didn't dare to face her- I'm really sorry about last night, don't mind them, the boys are always jerks, and Kaden, well...she's just not good at making new friends-

I didn't respond, so she kept going.

-Maybe I should have said something...-

-Yeah, you should have...-I muttered.

-You truly seem like a nice girl Soph...-Amelie insisted- I'm sorry -

Then she left me alone. But as usual, we both had to stay with Ms. Jones after class. And when we were done, it was only us in the empty salon.

-Amelie...-I called her once I found the courage, but I faltered once her blue eyes met mine- I'm sorry too, I probably shouldn't have just sat like that, I just thought we were...friends- I knew how stupid, and naive I sounded, but she smiled sadly.

-Sure Soph...-she lied, but then she acknowledge- I should have been a better friend-

Suddenly we heard some rushed steps coming down the hallway, and seconds later, Kaden and Imani entered the room abruptly, they were laughing at something.

-Come on Amelieeeee!!! We've been waiting ages for you!!- cried out Kaden.

But the smile on their faces disappeared the moment they saw me there too, and suddenly they looked vacant and cold, maybe even a bit weary.

-I'm done guys- said Amelie nervously- Let me just grab my stuff, alright? –

They did not answer.

-Hello girls- I greeted trying to be polite.

-Hi- answered Imani soberly.

Kaden just lifted her head a little acknowledging what I had said, and then a little smile began dancing on her lips, it was the same as Killian's, cruel, mocking and filled with a sense of superiority.

-I can't believe Ms. Jones is making you lose your time like this- she said to Amelie.

The blonde girl didn't answer.

-Are you at least getting extra credits? – insisted the Russian.

-No- answered Amelie visibly uncomfortable, while I was too scared to move or to even say a word. It was like a scene of mean girls, with Kaden leaning on the door frame, and Imani standing beside her perfectly still. I could have sworn any moment they would just jump on me and start peeling the skin on my face until there was nothing left but bones. Ok, I'm getting too dramatic. I kneeled down to pack my stuff, because maybe that way they would ignore me, or at least I would feel less exposed.