Mirroring

Crystal

The meal was mostly silent, as dinners were usually in Crystal's house. But this time, Crystal could clearly hear the echoing voices in her head, especially Kimberly's phone call, Jeshan's confession about mirrors, and Rosalyn's pretty face as images in her mind.

However, this time Crystal's mother said something unexpected. Usually, she never gets work calls during dinner, and it's a very awkward "mother-daughter bonding" time. Either, she keeps working on her phone or staring in her bowl of spaghetti. But this time, she actually acknowledged Crystal's existence at the dinner table.

"Crystal, Ms Hawthorn is coming over tomorrow," she said, before hurriedly stuffing some spaghetti into her mouth. A simple sentence made Crystal's heart stop for a second.

"D-does that mean I can't go snowboarding?" Crystal's voice had a higher pitch than usual, and she fidgeted her hands under the table, eyes darting from her plate to her mother's eyes. Usually she would be instantly disappointed, angry, or immediately question why. But, none of these feelings came, and all she felt was... desperation. Seeing her mother's mouth move, she quickly crossed her fingers. Then, looking down, almost imagining her last conversation with Kim... she heard her mother's life-saving answer.

"No. Last minute change of plans..."

Her words faded out.

Crystal, also faded out.

Should she be sad? Happy? Relief and guilt were the two emotions that hit first. She felt glad that she didn't need to face Kim in real life, and then she felt guilty that she didn't want to explain a misunderstanding to her best friend ever since primary school. Stupid mirrors. Crystal grumbled silently. Why did they drag Andromeda and Jeshan along into this mystery? And, why did Rosalyn have to live next door, like a panther ready to pounce at the perfect moment when Crystal showed her weakness.

The table had been silent longer than Crystal felt.

"Well, Crystal. If you're full, this meal is over. Tell your friend..." she hesitated, "Kayla? Kylie? Whoever it is, you're not going. You can't change my mind." her mother finished, before abruptly standing up and turning around, and Crystal blurted a normal question , "Why? Why tomorrow? And, what's up with Ms Hawthorn to come so suddenly?" Her mother, back still turned, replied coldly, "We need to discuss things about... moving schools for future years. I think she mentioned something about you being below standard. You need to be present."

Moving schools? Crystal's eyes widened. That would save her from Kim... no, she shouldn't be excited. She's been here her entire life, and she needed to start over in a new environment. She liked stability, and there were too many unknowns in starting a new social life. However, she had too many things to deal with that Ms Hawthorn's visit just didn't bother her that much, and she was sure her friends wouldn't miss her when she's gone. But, maybe switching her school was turning over a new leaf, and she could improve herself, and never be bothered by social levels again, something that Crystal had been proud of her entire life.

But Crystal wasn't as scared as she thought she would be about the fact that her whole social life was upturned. In fact, she was a tiny bit grateful that Ms Hawthorn suggested this, even though it was because her grades were unacceptable compared to Kim and Meda. Who went on a vacation according to the latest gossip.

Crystal rubbed her temples and sighed, before trudging upstairs back to her room. Her phone was eerily silent, and she flicked it open to see one lonely message from Kim, as if it was reminding her she would soon be as ignored and alone as the message, trapped on the screen of her phone.

7:31 P.M.

Kim.berlyyyy_

Crystal, I don't really know why I care about your relationship with
Jeshan or Andromeda. Just... Well, have fun with them, I guess. I can't...
understand. You've changed. Maybe for the worst. Just know, we're not
really going to be good friends anymore. Bye Crystal.