•❅───✧❅ 𝓑𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓴𝓮𝓷𝓭...?! ❅✧───❅•

══✿╡°˖✧𝓒𝓪𝓵𝓶 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓤𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰✧˖°╞✿══

As the tension between Grace and Circle simmered in the mall, Miss Thavel and Miss Bloomie had just exited a nearby boutique, their arms laden with shopping bags. The joyous chatter of their shopping spree faded as they caught sight of the escalating confrontation between the principal and the math teacher.

Thavel, her wendigo features illuminated with concern, turned to Bloomie, her voice barely a whisper. “Do you see that? What’s going on over there?”

Bloomie squinted in the direction of their colleagues, her short stature making it difficult to see clearly. But as she recognized Grace’s distressed expression and Circle’s fury, her heart dropped. “It doesn’t look good,” she replied, a sense of dread washing over her.

Without thinking, Thavel grabbed Bloomie’s hand, pulling her along as they hurried closer, their worry palpable. “We need to intervene. They look like they’re about to explode!”

As they approached, they could hear snippets of the heated exchange. Circle’s voice, laced with anger, echoed in the air, while Grace stood with her back slightly hunched, her vulnerability evident.

“Circle, please!” Grace’s voice trembled as she took a step back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Why do you even care?” Circle snapped, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

Thavel felt her stomach twist at the sight. “What are they fighting about?” she whispered to Bloomie, anxiety coursing through her.

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t look good,” Bloomie replied, her normally sharp demeanor dulled by concern. “We should step in before it escalates even further.”

As they drew closer, Thavel raised her hand, ready to call out to them. But before she could speak, Circle’s expression shifted. The anger that had clouded her face suddenly crumbled, revealing a raw vulnerability that left both teachers stunned. Grace, too, seemed caught in a whirlwind of emotions, her eyes widening as she processed the situation.

“Circle, I’m sorry, but I need some space!” Grace said, her voice trembling.

In that moment, Circle’s anger dissipated, replaced by a realization of the hurt she had inflicted. But before she could respond, Grace turned to walk away, her posture heavy with sorrow.

“No! Wait!” Circle called out, her voice cracking, but it was too late. Grace had already taken several steps back, and with a soft, defeated whisper of “Goodbye, Circle... ” she began to retreat into the bustling crowd.

Thavel and Bloomie exchanged worried glances, their hearts sinking as they witnessed the pain radiating from both women. “This isn’t good,” Bloomie murmured, her eyes reflecting the turmoil around them.

“Grace!” Thavel shouted, her voice piercing through the noise of the mall. But the principal didn’t turn back. She was lost in her thoughts, her heart heavy with unresolved emotions.

As Grace disappeared into the throng, Circle stood frozen in place, anguish etched on her face. The reality of the situation began to sink in. She had lost her chance, and the weight of that realization was suffocating.

“Circle!” Thavel called, rushing toward her, concern etched deeply on her features. “What just happened? Are you okay?”

Circle felt tears prick her eyes as she turned to face her friends, her voice trembling. “I messed everything up. I shouted at Grace, and now she’s gone.”

“Shouted?” Bloomie echoed, her heart racing. “What were you thinking? Grace is our principal! You can’t just—”

“I know!” Circle interrupted, frustration seeping into her tone. “I didn’t mean to. I just… I couldn’t control my feelings. I saw her with Emily, and it made me so angry and jealous. I didn’t want to feel that way, but I did!”