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I don't care if I end up becoming a loner by my senior year, but I'm done tolerating behavior like this. The mountains and Isha really provided the clarity of mind I've been missing for the last six months. Better late than never, right?
A tinge of belonging passed through me at the thought of the new friendships I've built on the peak. They make me feel seen. Except for one—the one I opened my heart to. But she, for a fact, doesn't deserve it now.
I can't see her in the same light since yesterday's lies. Vanie stood across from me, casting a pitiful, pleading look while mouthing, 'I wanted to be on the same team as you.' Lies. And yes, this is exactly how Ishaana used to guilt-trip me into understanding her.
Our morning activities wrapped up early, and we all agreed on getting the competitions done as soon as possible.
What stands ahead is the dodgeball competition, and I consciously chose to team up with others and not Vanie.
The ball Sakshi passed was aimed right at my face. I could feel their whole team targeting me, but I've got this—at least, I keep telling myself that as I'm enjoying the game.
Even though the opposing team keeps striking harder than they should, my team—Pratyusha, who dragged everyone, including me, into the game; Samrudh; Evyaan; and the other council members—has got it all under control. Evaana and Aakib are said to be fulfilling some of their duties.
"Watch it," Evyaan warned, catching the ball that was aimed at Pratyusha.
"Saved my beautiful face," she remarked with a grin.
"As if," I heard Prajakta mutter through gritted teeth. She'd been aiming at Pratyusha repeatedly, making it obvious she had a grudge. The game continued, and so did their rivalry, growing more intense with each passing moment.
Sakshi grabbed the ball, shot me a 'watch this' look, and threw it straight at Pratyusha. My body reacted faster than my mind could process, and before I knew it, we both landed on the ground with the ball bouncing beside us.
"Foul!" the referee declared as our teammates rushed to surround us. A burning sensation spread across my shoulder blade as soon as I touched the broken skin. Dust and blood soaked into my T-shirt as I heard Pratyusha crying out—her knees were cut open, bleeding onto the rough floor.
"Shit! This might hurt," Evyaan and Samrudh muttered in unison, quickly helping us to the side while others called the medical team.
"Are you okay? Does it hurt too much? I can call Kiaan's family doctor, wait!" Evyaan offered, pulling out his phone.
"Wait, it doesn't hurt that much," I assured him, stopping him from dialing. I've always had a good pain tolerance from being such a clumsy kid.
"This hurts so bad, though," Pratyusha whimpered, trying to fake a laugh.
