For The Better (Original Version)

Danielle

As Skie followed the taller blonde girl into her dorm, she felt nervous. She didn't know what she would say or how she would explain herself. As she entered the dorm, she looked around at the now familiar decor. Danielle had stuck up dance posters above her desk and had a chain of small lanterns with Christmas lights inside above her bed. Skie appreciated the style although dance wasn't really her thing.

"Izzy's out right now, she'll be back later." Danielle spoke in a quiet voice.

Skie nodded silently, not able to meet her friend's eyes.

Danielle sat quietly on her bed and Skie sat on Izzy's. It was quiet for a long moment.

"Skie..."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me!" Skie burst out, looking wildly into Danielle's face.

Danielle's face softened. "I don't. I just...why are you hiding things from me? Have you told anyone else?"

Skie shook her head. "No, only my sister knows. I don't even think Hazel knows everything."

Danielle nodded. "I won't ask you to say anything if you're not ready, but I hope you can trust me when I say I wouldn't tell anyone."

Skie knew she was telling the truth. She sighed and spoke.

"I owe you an explanation. I used to go to school with Madi. We were never close friends, but we did get along. Then one day..."

She stopped. She couldn't say what had happened. Not yet. It wasn't time yet.

"I did something very stupid. I was expelled from that school. I went to a different one for two years before, er, transferring here. I apologized to Madi, but she never forgave me."

Skie looked down and took a deep breath, shaking. It was the truth. It just wasn't the whole truth.

"That's dumb."

Skie felt like she had been punched in the stomach. She felt tears come to her eyes.

"It just shows what a horrible person she is."

Skie looked up, confused. "What?"

"Madi. She should have forgiven you by now. I don't know what you did but it couldn't be anything worth hanging on to."

The tears in Skie's eyes started slipping down her cheeks, and she smiled. "So, you don't hate me?"

Danielle stood up, walked to Skie, and grabbed her in a hug. "Of course not, silly. I've done some stupid stuff in my life too. We all do."

Skie hugged her friend back, thankful that she still cared about her.

"Are you mad that you kinda got involved in the incident?"

Danielle shrugged. "Nah. Hazel was chill about it." The girl grinned a little. "And, to be honest, slapping Queen Bee Madi in the face is, actually, pretty badass."

Skie burst into laughter at that, and felt the knot in her stomach loosen a little.

AN: Shorter chapter, I know. I just wanted to tie up some loose ends and develop Dani's character a little more. 

Coming soon, Hazel and Skie begin to meet!