Unlimited Chances

|15| Judgement

{} Aria's POV {}

        "Come on, we can't hide in this room forever," Leon joked. "What's the use of making yourself look pretty if you won't show off your face?"

        Sayaka fidgeted, biting her lip as she stares at her door. She's still in the same clothes as the night before, all cut and bloody. Yet, her face has donned a new mask of perfect makeup. We've been standing in the same spot for nearly twenty minutes. Trying to convince the poor girl to open the door.

        "Sayaka," I sigh, "If we don't leave soon, they're going to think something happened to us." I recall Makoto making a mad dash to his room when she doesn't show up. He did that after a half hour of waiting for everyone to arrive. I'm getting anxious as we near the time.

        "I know, but," Sayaka clutched her arm hanging in the sling. "I can't help being scared."

        "Hey," Leon placed his hand on her shoulder. "Didn't we say we would stick by you?"

        "Y-Yeah...?" Sayaka gazed at Leon.

        "So then stop panicking over this. You can count on Aria and I having your back. You're not facing them alone," he grinned.       

        Sayaka faced the door again, "You're right. I need to do this sooner or later." She takes a deep breath and straightens her posture. "Let's go." Taking advantage of her courage, she finally opened the door. We all followed behind her as she made her way down to the dinning hall. The trip was silent, and the red lights of the hallway gave off an ominous feel. As we passed my little stakeout spot, I found myself looking over at it. The notepad is gone, I had taken it back to my room last night when I was getting a new set of clean clothes from my room. Which I'm now wearing, but the blue makeshift bandage can clearly be seen through the knitted pattern of my white poncho.

        Soon, the dinning hall doors stood before us. We can hear the murmurs of voices on the other side. The three of us share a look, all taking some courage from each other. Sayaka takes a deep breath, preparing herself for what's to come. She stepped forward, and pushed open the doors.

        "I-I need to go," Makoto's panic filled voice reached our ears. "I have to check-!"

        The doors fully open, revealing a very familiar scene. Makoto is standing up, leaning over the table. The other students all seated at their respectful places except for three empty seats. All eyes that were once on Makoto, all simultaneously turned to us. That's when they spotted Sayaka's sling, and their eyes widen.

        "S-Sayaka!" Makoto exclaimed, mouth agape.

        "Oh my God!" Hina threw a hand to her mouth.

        "Y-Your arm!" Hiro shouted, pointing a finger at it.

        "What the fuck happened?!" Mondo yelled, shocked at the sight of Sayaka.

        Everyone else was shocked into silence. Many with open mouths and horrified faces. I could hear the start of words trying to leave people's mouths, but they just couldn't get them out. Toko just looked away, shielding her eyes and trembling in her spot. Byakuya had his eyebrows raised, he too, looking caught off guard. The only sign that Kyoko was thrown off too was how her lavender eyes went wide.

        Sayaka gripped the upper part of her arm, almost as if she's trying to protect it from all their stares. Not that it would do much good with her disheveled state.

        "Sayaka!" Taka finally found his voice. His red eyes wide as he kept looking Sayaka over. "Why is there blood on your clothes?"

        "Y-You look like you went through hell!" Junko shouted, leaning forward in her seat.