Dear Lucy

Chapter 16 : The Girl Behind The Lie

"If you really care about your life, you should get out of this school," Ethan said, releasing his grip on my hand and walking away.

I called out after him, "So you're only trying to help me because someone else has already suffered?" Ethan stopped in his tracks.

"You said it yourself , she suffered, and you couldn't do anything to stop it. Now she's gone, and you're filled with regret," I added, scoffing. "But I'm not Zoey. I won't give up easily."

With that, I turned to leave, but my eyes landed on Liam, who was standing just a few meters away. Our gazes met for a few seconds before I quickly looked away and took a different route to the washroom.

As I entered the washroom, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The powder covering my face was a harsh reminder of the humiliation I'd just endured.

I clenched my fists, fighting back tears. It hasn't even been a week since I started at this school, and already I'd been slapped with a week-long suspension.

Why was this happening to me? I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. I turned on the faucet, rinsing my face and trying to clean the powder out of my hair and I adjusted my clothes.

But my mind quickly turned to the real issue: finding the actual culprit.

I thought back to the party and the girl who had lied about me.

Why had she done that? If she wasn't the thief, then someone must have forced her to lie. But who?

I needed to find that girl and get some answers. I walked out of the bathroom, lost in thought, when the school's broadcast system crackled to life. My name echoed through the speakers:

"Miss Lucinda Maxwell, you have 30 minutes to vacate the school premises. Your week-long suspension will begin in 30 minutes, and you are to submit the apology letters upon your return."

I let out a deep sigh. Why did they need to announce it publicly again? It felt like they were trying to shame me twice.

I walked towards my locker, trying to ignore the stares. That's when I saw her , the girl who had lied about me the day before. As soon as she saw me, she quickly changed direction, and I followed her. She started running, but I caught up to her.

"Why are you chasing me?" she asked, panting and trying to catch her breath.

"Is that really a question?" I replied, gesturing to my hair and clothes, which still had remnants of the powder from earlier.

"I'm in this mess because of you. Did you see me take the diamond chain? When? Why did you lie about it and ruin my life?" I asked, my voice rising.

She stammered, avoiding eye contact. "Y-you...you took...took it."

I glared at her. "You can't even look me in the face. Who told you to lie?" I demanded.

She quickly replied, "No one."

My suspicion grew. "I know someone put you up to this. Are you really okay with ruining someone's life? Don't you feel guilty?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Your life isn't ruined. It's just a week's suspension. In a month, everyone will have forgotten about it."

I was taken aback by her response.

Like seriously??

"What? You have no idea what would have happened if I had denied stealing the diamond chain. I would have been expelled for sure. But I confessed to a crime I didn't commit, and you think it's no big deal?" I said, incredulous.

Just as I was about to continue, the school's broadcast system interrupted me again.

"Miss Lucinda Maxwell, you have 30 minutes to vacate the school premises. Your week-long suspension will begin in 30 minutes, and you are to submit the apology letters upon your return."

I yelled in frustration, "I know, already" I said, even though they can't hear me

Then I turned to the girl. "Mark my words, you'll pay for this."

She shot back, "I've already been paying for it."

I turned to her, curious, and she removed her bubbly beret. I noticed she always wore it, even at the party. As she took it off, she bowed slightly, revealing a bald spot on the middle of her head. I was shocked.

She quickly put the beret back on and rolled up her sleeve, showing me some scars. "I had no choice but to do what I did," she said, her voice shaking. "I've been tolerating all this , the burns, the hair cutting, but I couldn't risk them going after my mom. She's all I have."

I was taken aback. Someone had clearly forced her into lying.

"Who did this to you?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you."

Before I could press her further, she took off, leaving me confused and concerned.

Who would go to such lengths to make me suffer?

Just then, the announcement came on again. "Miss Lucinda Maxwell, please vacate the school premises."

I scoffed. This supposedly elite school is a toxic nightmare.

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A/N :- Apologies for the delayed update. 😔