She Who Left [COMPLETED]

six

"Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself"

- Lois McMaster Bujold, A Civil Campaign

_____

When Normani arrived at school she was seething and her blood was boiling. She had read more of the letter in the parking lot of the school once she parked. She needed answers, and she wanted them now. The note left a bad taste in her mouth and she hadn't even gotten to the third paragraph. She knew there was probably worse to come and she knew that she played into this but her guilt was drowned by the rage she felt. Sure she knew that Lauren disliked Camila but she had no idea how evil Dinah and Ally were in her schemes. She at least thought they were like her and put in between a rock and a hard place.

Opting that it was indeed best Normani waited until lunch to confront her first target, Ally. The smaller girl did after all have a kind heart with good intentions. That wasn't just Normani's slightly blinded knowledge but Camila's note. The petite girl had often been sweet to the brown eyed Latina, baking her cookies and helping with homework, but that of course was all done privately. Those small acts, however, were to be quickly overlooked by Normani as she remembered the rest of the paragraph about Ally.

Don't let her southern charm fool you. She may be small but she comes with claws. Whilst I'll be the first to admit her small acts of kindness went a long way when you chose to ignore me that doesn't mean she's innocent. So this is where the story begins. With two girls doing music homework whilst eating cookies. Trust was gained but I soon realised that was my first mistake. The saying keep your friends close but enemies closer really doesn't end well. She was the person I was talking about all those months ago, some unknown source that spread the first rumour about me. But I bet you already knew that, didn't you.

The rumour Camila talked about was painfully obvious in Normani's head. The rumour that Camila liked girls. This was the truth but at the time it was a simple rumour yet to be confirmed.

Through Ally's various tutoring sessions she had built up quite the bond with Camila. A genuine bond but once Lauren caught wind of it, it was exploited. Ally could've lied to Lauren, in fact, she thought about it for a few days. That all ended rather abruptly though when she overheard some of the other cheerleader's chitchat. Word was her beloved boyfriend and star football star Troy had also seemed to have grown close to Camila. A bond that was not shared in a way Ally liked. So instead of being level headed and asking Camila about her newly found friendship with Troy she created the start of a train of whispers.

Although passed that point Ally was merely a look out, the talker, and a pretty face in the grand scheme of things. She had too much love in her heart for others, she was a liability to the plans. So she watched our for any on lookers who could possibly witness any of the beatings, talked the way out of trouble and played the role of the innocent angel. Her grade A acting skills could have anyone fooled, so maybe that was why Normani couldn't imagine the small girl being involved in any malicious activity.

As she rounded the corner her eyes settled on Ally. She was smiling, laughing just like always did. As she nearer she heard the conversation being exchanged. "It really is horrible, I'm heartbroken I couldn't be there for her"

She was being comforted for the loss of Camila when she helped push her over the edge. Her sullen looking face contrasted nicely with her previous happy demeanor. The thought of Ally claiming to be even close to being Camila's friend made Normani want to vomit. Sure she had not been there for Camila herself and will no doubt blame herself for the next few years, but she knew she had been a friend once upon a time. Normani stopped directly across from Ally with rage filled eyes. The girl she was talking to noted Normani's clenched fists and soon left with a small goodbye. Ally straightened up against the wall and gulped as she took in the other girls angry presence.

"What can I do for you Mani?"

Normani gritted her teeth as she shook her head. "You don't get to call me that Hernandez, you know what you did"

Ally dropped her act as her face paled. She reached out for Normani's arm and before the other girl had a chance to withdraw she pulled her closer to her. To outsiders, it looked like a friendly hug. To the two girls, they knew exactly what it was.

"You tell anyone, and we will make the rest of your senior year hell, you hear me, Hamilton." The change in attitude was impressive from this girl. Nobody would ever see it coming. One minute she was all sunshine next she was a thunderstorm. Ally quickly shoved Normani away from her as she stormed down the corridor.

_____

Ally was calm when she first woke up. The investigation hadn't turned up any old demons she had lurking around and so far she remained under the radar. That calm exterior was replaced with paranoia. She noticed a small crisp white envelope sat on the table with her name scrawled across it. She hesitantly picked it up and opened it.

Ally,

I hope you find happiness in your bitterness. You know I actually believed you were different and could be trusted. Obviously not after you spread that rumour, well truth, about me. I'm glad you did because now everyone will get fo find out who the true Ally is. You had a nice run, a good reputation but now it's time to show them what amazing honour you have. Or lack of should I write. Everyone who was involved in my death will know. They'll talk. It's amazing what people do to save their own asses, isn't it? Of course, you'd know all about that.

Besides all the pain you caused I actually do wish you well in life. I hope you settle for Troy and that you lead a happy life. I guess deep down you have good intentions, you have a heart somewhere. I don't know if you ever gave me a second thought throughout the past few months and I don't know if you ever will. I'll pray you break away from the others, maybe God will still let you into heaven even after all you've done.

Camila.

P.S. I'm sorry I was never good enough to be your friend.