Cold Hands

Memories of time part 2

"Quit blackmailing me you stupid bitch." I say standing my ground against their bullying. Everyone's cold glare turned to me and Mira, the room was stolen by silence and anticipation awaiting our next move. I'd be wrong to say I wasn't scared as that'd be far from the truth.

"Me? Blackmailing you??? Kaylee ... How could you assume such a thing? I thought we were best friends, and here you are accusing me of such a thing. Your words have a deep impact on others Kaylee... Can't believe you called me a bitch." She lied as her voice faded with tears. Her body was trembling, I had to give it to her that she was a real actor who deserved to rot in obscurity. I sighed, trying my best to appear confident and I wasn't going to take her bullshit. They say that you need to fake your confidence till you make it. The fact is I never made it.

"Leave me alone Mira." I muffled with a loud irritating sigh. I was so done with this world and its people.

"Oh... I'm sorry Kaylee, and I forgive you for your lash out as I would have reacted the same way if my parents were abusing me," Mira exclaimed, loud enough for the entire room to go peak silent with whispers. My eyes felt as if they couldn't blink; they were glued open in disbelief. My words stuck in my throat, aching in pain. Every whisper left a heavy silence, trapping me in a state of shock. I stared at Mira, my eyes shooting right at her, sweat dripping slowly from my forehead. Even in her state filled with tears, I could still see a small, vicious smirk forming at the corners of her lips. She couldn't hide her happiness, even though she wore a mask of sadness, just as I was wearing a mask of confidence, struggling to conceal my fear and surprise.

"You're getting abused, Kaylee?" A classmate whose name I can't recall, questioned. I froze; the air felt so tense though I managed to try to get a grip of the situation and shook my head. Everyone raised their eyebrows with judgmental looks. The situation spiraled like a tempest in a teacup, with Mira's tears crashing like thunder, demanding the spotlight while casting a shadow that kept empathy towards me at bay.

If I was an observer, my heart would have gone out to Mira, and I would have thought I was such a brat. Just like that, my day turned as grey as clouds before rain. Everyone rushed to comfort Mira, leaving me in the dust of shadows. After that day, my life felt like a garden choked by weeds, where every ray of sunlight was overshadowed by dark clouds. Every day was just everyone shooting cold stares towards me; it felt like I was choking under their judgment. The attention was as overlapping as a thick fog casting its misty air, making me feel lost. Silence echoes louder than any words. Whispers howl louder than any scream; the constant judgment was killing me mentally. Honestly, I wanted to die. I wished the earth would split in two, slicing everyone's hearts in half so they could understand the aching pain in my chest. Or I wished that everyone's brains were cut into small pieces like a puzzle, forcing them to collect their thoughts and doubt every move they made, fearing they'd lose a piece and, in the process, lose themselves.

I could visualize sympathy and empathy in others' expressions, but that wasn't enough for them to offer support for me; instead, they were silent ghosts observing. They were only in it for the drama, viewing my situation as burning tea on a cold day—too much, and your lips will burn. All of them were there paying for the circus, wanting pleasure and entertainment against their boredom, but as soon as they tried to help, they'd choke on regret. So they remained silent, minding their own business.

"Kaylee Harrison, to the principal's office now."