SOUL DORM

34

One way or another...

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CHAPTER 34:

SOMEHOW

Pam's hand, poised to choke me, was stopped by my arm acting as a shield between us. The angel's arrival seemed to magically realign everything. Harsh words choked back, unthrown punches clenched in fists, the fight ended before it began.

"Yes," Ria pressed. "Will someone explain?"

I opened my mouth to detail the events leading up to this moment, starting with Pam's bullying. But Pam was quicker. She wrapped her arm around my neck in a mock embrace and smiled joyfully.

"Of course, we were just reviewing what we learned in class, Angel Ria. You must have misunderstood." She winked and turned to me. "Olive is having a bit of trouble with the dance. Well, as you know, I'm a ballerina, so I'm doing my best to help her. There seemed to be some confusion in the choreography. We got a bit carried away discussing the steps, forgetting where we were."

She laughed again, playfully thumping my shoulder. Chills ran down my spine. How swiftly and fearlessly she lied... How could she think she could deceive an angel? But...

"Be careful," Angel Ria cautioned. "You could hurt each other or someone else. The cafeteria is not a suitable place for dance practice. If I recall correctly, you have a very nice dance studio already, Pamela."

Pam's eyes widened like a guilty little puppy. "You are absolutely right, Angel Ria. We will be more careful next time. Won't we, Olive?"

Her purple eyes locked onto my face. Venom seemed to drip from her gaze. She dug her nails deeper into my shoulder. I should say no, tell the angel in front of everyone that Pam is a liar, a terrible soul. But... something was off. My gaze shifted to Ria. I thought about how she had read my thoughts before, predicted the future. She must already know everything. Pam's lie, my thoughts, what really happened... Yet, she was allowing this farce. Why?

"Is there something you want to tell me, Olive?" she asked.

My gaze swept over the crowd that watched us intently. If I ventured to speak the truth, who would actually stand by me? Maybe Ursa? But even as I considered her, her ashen face gave me pause—I wasn't sure at all. Everyone was scared. Everyone! Chances were, I'd end up isolated, branded with accusations Pam would never acknowledge, all without a shred of evidence to back me up. Even if I managed to persuade the angel, she wouldn't act without concrete proof. And then, she'd depart, leaving me to contend with Pam and a Dorm full of wary souls. I could almost foresee my doom. It appeared that the norms of the afterlife mirrored those of the living: no one likes a snitch. Not one bit!

I shook my head. "Just as Pam said," I replied. "We apologize. We will be more careful."

The angel studied my face a bit longer, as if waiting for me to continue. I didn't, and finally, she said, "Alright. Pamela, please clean up this mess. Olive, could you come with me? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

I was shocked, Pam was shocked, everyone was shocked. Pam's eyebrows were furrowed, her head tilted as if trying to unravel the mystery of the situation. Slowly, her arm withdrew from my shoulder. Being freed felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off me. With all eyes on me, I followed the angel to the exit of the cafeteria. Trouble was right behind me. Glancing back, I saw Pam's soulmate collapsed on the ground, picking up the spilled items, while Pam stood erect. Her eyes never left me, watching me intently. We would settle this; I was sure of that. Time would tell how.