Unpredictable Connection

19. Unraveling Threads

Third-person POV (Present Time):

Engfa paused, letting the weight of her story settle between them. "Are you bored?" she asked, her tone softer now.

Char chuckled, shaking her head with a warm smile. "Bored? I could never be bored when you're talking. So... what happened next? Did they meet again after that?"

Engfa nodded, her gaze drifting to the rain streaking down the window. "They did. Freen was her neighbor, after all. Of course, they met again. And at that time, I was around a lot too, unfortunately. So I met her as well. Honestly, every time I saw that mask of indifference on her face, I just wanted to tear it off."

Char stifled a laugh. "Habit, maybe?"

Engfa let out a dry chuckle. "Probably." Then she continued, "One day, Freen saw Rebecca outside her house and tried to strike up a conversation. The younger girl didn't even pretend to be interested."

Char murmured under her breath, "Yeah, she was an ass back then."

Engfa smirked slightly, then added, "I remember standing at a distance, rolling my eyes as Freen walked back to me."

Engfa's POV (Flashback)

"Is she always like this? Or did something make her that way?" Freen whispered, clearly shaken.

I was already done with this girl. Why was Freen so drawn to someone that cold?

"Forget her. Let's go." I grabbed her hand and pulled her back inside.

I wished that would be the last time I had to see Rebecca. But of course, destiny had other plans.

A few weeks later, we were sitting under the school building—Nam, Noey, Freen, and me—just enjoying a slow afternoon.

Freen unwrapped her lunch, her eyes lighting up. "Phi, this dish is my favorite!" she said, popping a dumpling into her mouth.

"I know, Nong," I replied, chewing my own food. Once I swallowed, I raised an eyebrow. "So? How was your test in that awful subject?"

She beamed. "It went well!"

Noey and I exchanged surprised glances and clapped dramatically. "Good news indeed," we said in unison.

But then Nam frowned and pointed behind me. "Hey, Phi... is someone getting bullied?"

I twisted around to look. A group of girls had gathered in a circle, and it didn't look friendly.

Freen's expression darkened. "Rebecca?"

I looked at her. "That's her?"

She nodded, her concern unmistakable.

Noey sighed and slouched back down. "Then we don't need to help."

"She's still getting bullied," Freen snapped.

Nam leaned forward. "It's not just color. Look again..."

I turned and felt my stomach twist. The bullies had poured drinks over the girl's head—her face was barely recognizable beneath the mess.

Despite Freen and Nam's urge to help, Noey and I were too jaded by Rebecca's past rudeness. To us, she was like an unspoken enemy.

Still, Freen and Nam marched over. Noey and I reluctantly followed when things seemed to escalate.

"What's going on here?" I asked, slipping my hands into my pockets.