Look At Me & Gift

Look At Me, part 2

Ika tapped her hoof on the table impatiently as she looked at the time. She felt like the hand of the clock ticked slower than usual. This class is taking forever! She was surprised to find herself so irritated. Finally, the bell rung. Ika quickly ran outside.
She sat down on a table and took out her sandwich. She took one bite. The pegasus put her snack down; she didn't have the mood to eat right now. She thought about her friend. Maybe she does care..., Ika thought to herself. Like the time at the marathon, the sports day.... Suddenly she had second thought about whether what she was believing in was really true.

     Mai twitched her ears as the bell rung. She noticed her friends murmuring to one another on the other side of the room. The unicorn packed her belongings and headed closer to them. When she got into ear shot, her friends suddenly became quiet. They all looked at her with unease.
     "What?" Mai asked, confused.
     Her friends turned to each other for a moment. They nodded to each other. One of the mares stepped forward and guided her away from the group. Mai followed her in confusion. What's going on with them?
     "Mai," her friend began. "I think you should know something...."

Mai ran as fast as she could to the dorm. The tears in her eyes kept coming. Her face felt hot. She didn't care whether her friends were following her or not. Once the unicorn was nearing her dorm, she slowed down. She took a deep breath, cleaned her face, and slowly opened the door.

Ika looked at Mai from her bed, surprised. She didn't expect this. Her friend stood there like she was waiting for Ika to speak. "Y-yes, Mai?" Ika forced the words out.
Mai didn't say a word. She dragged her hooves towards her bed, keeping her head low. "Ika," she began. Her voice so quiet Ika barely heard it. "W-were you crying the night before because of...me?"
Ika's eyes widened in complete shock. Where did she find out about this? The pegasus's hooves trembled. Her eyes darted from side to side. "I—"
"I thought we were close," Mai interrupted with her head still lowered. "If you think that way about me," she sighed. "it's fine. I'm not forcing you to change your mind." She rolled to the other side of her bed without another word.
Ika felt a stone weighing in her belly as she stared at Mai. What have I done? The pegasus's purple eyes started tearing up. I know her more than my other friends do! Why did I ever believe them? Feeling like there was nothing else she could do, Ika rolled to her own bed and started crying.

A week has gone by since Mai's confrontation. Nothing much has happened. Sometimes Ika would catch Mai's eye by accident, and the unicorn would just quickly look away. They'd only talk if it was something important. Not like usual anymore. That week felt like torture to Ika. On some days she'd carry on, to others she'd feel weak.
Ika felt happier when the day finally ended. The weekend has arrived. Maybe I can distract myself, she thought. Ika opened the door to her dorm to find Mai sitting on her bed listening to music. She guessed the rest of their dormmates went out with their weekend plans. For a moment Ika could only stare at the cute unicorn who was, not long ago, her best friend.
She shook her head and walked towards her bed before Mai noticed her staring. Ika took one glance at her and sighed. She got up all her courage and walked towards her. "Hey, Mai," she said. Mai looked at her with a straight face. "Could I have a chat with you?" Ika forced the words out.
Mai nodded and gestured with her hoof on her bed for the pegasus to sit.
Ika tried to find the right words to say. "So...how was your day?" she asked.
"Good."
"So you don't have any plans for this weekend?"
"No."
Ika felt uncomfortable. Mai's face remained emotionless as she answered her questions while writing on her notebook. Come on, Ika, just tell her!
"Look, Mai," Ika's voice almost trembled. "I'm really sorry for what happened. I just wanted to let you know that I don't believe a single word my friends told me. I know you more than they do, and I know you're not like what they've told me. I should have trusted you more! I hope you can forgive me." She lowered her head, not wanting to see the same lifeless expression Mai kept giving her, or the anger she might've shown.
Ika felt a hoof touch her shoulder. "I do forgive you, Ika." Mai gave her a hug. Ika's heart lifted. She was relieved to feel that warm hug again.

The days went on as Ika's friends continued their false rumors. They kept telling her to stay away from Mai. But she didn't listen. Ika continued to talk to her. She knows this is the life she is happy with. She felt peace once more.