Find your faith

Chapter 137: While we were away?! ⚠️

This chapter contains mentions of suicide attempts and a panic attack. Reader discretion is advised.
Crystal's POV
When I stepped into 3 Faith for the first time in a week, everyone's face lit up when I entered. I fully understood why, and my heart started pounding as I took a few steps and placed my bag down. Being everyone's social butterfly, the first thing that had to be done when I returned was to share about what happened when I was away. It has always been like this since Secondary 1, so I had no qualms as I waited for my classmates to come to me and spill the beans.
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RC: Hey, you know a lot went down in your absence? Like I don't even know where to start. Firstly, John won the public speaking competition. And then, we had a lockdown drill without you! It was raining and we were able to chill at the concourse and talk to each other. So cooling!

Crystal: And what else happened?

RC: Well, Lucas told us to keep this within the people that witnessed, but it involves one of your sisters, so I'm telling you anyway.

Crystal: gets uneasy Alright, tell me.

RC: We had not one but two suicide attempts on the day you left. The reason we didn't want to bring it up to you was because we wanted to tell you in person. Especially because your sister attempted.

Crystal: Seriously? But she was getting better, and now she's getting worse...

RC: Ethan recently denounced their friendship and she wasn't taking it well. And the other one...it's because 4 Faith will be a class of 39, not 40.

Crystal: Someone's retaining?

RC: Ningguang.

Crystal: Thanks for telling me. Now, if you excuse me, I need some space to process all that's happening.
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I dashed out of 3 Faith and to a secluded corner, trying to process everything that's going on. Someone in the class was retaining, breaking our shared promise at the end of the first day. How could this be happening? And my sister that was suddenly doing so well is spiralling out of control all because Ethan did what was best for him. He told me everything! I found myself curled up into a ball with all my thoughts spiralling out of control. Yes, they had a rationale behind not telling me on the day of the incident, but it still hurts! I found myself hyperventilating and out of breath, my cheeks turning lava hot and burning hot tears following down my cheeks. Out of all people in 3 Faith, why must Chloe attempt?
Ethan's POV
Daphne: Ethan, could I speak to you for a moment?

Ethan: Yea, what's up?

Daphne: I heard from Faye that Chloe committed because you unfriended her, so I'm going to ask you some questions. Firstly, do you remember anything you said that moment? And if so, please replicate it perfectly with the tone too.

Ethan:  I think it's time we move on and go our own paths. I don't know if your new personality was an act but if it is, then I think it's best we separate. I don't see a forever with you, not even as friends.

Daphne: Sounds like you were trying to be tactful about it all but it didn't come off as the way you wanted then. Next, where did this take place?

Ethan: East Coast Park, by the sea.

Daphne: Alright, that's good. I was under the impression you did it in public, shamelessly, screaming. No worries, I just wanted to check if you were publicly humiliating Chloe then which led to her attempt. Thanks for clarifying.

Lucas: Can someone come and help me? Crystal's having a panic attack!

RC: Ethan! Throws Crystal's water bottle
Somewhere on the third floor
Crystal's POV
I thought my sister was the strongest person on earth, braving through the death of our father and the imprisonment of our mother. No no no, that's something we went through together, but unlike me who had a life that was smooth sailing, she endured bullying for years, through different chapters of her life. And now RC drops a bombshell that she attempted to die? Why her? Why not Xingqiu? I tried getting on the floor and finding my ground, but to no avail. My hands was trembling like there was no tomorrow, but I knew that getting into a crawling position would be the only way to get out of my fix. Something to make me realise—my sister's still here, and at that moment, she was facing a huge obstacle she couldn't face alone.

Oh, I finally did it.

Every part of me relaxed as I turned around and asked my friends what had happened, causing an uproar. Some apologised to me for not texting me, while their friends said that "what they did wasn't wrong either." Others offered stuff like towels and water bottles to cool me down as I got out of my awkward positioning. And at that moment, I have come to realise—I have built the 3 Faith I've always wanted, and now—I got what I wanted.