Far into the future

Chapter 2: forgiveness

She grabbed me into a tight hug, sobbing over my shoulder like a baby. Somehow I found myself hugging her back.

"Now now... Just tell me what's wrong?" I said as I led her to a park bench to take a seat.

"Nikki, look. I know you have all the reasons in the world to hate me for what I did to you, but please... just hear me out." She said, pleading.

"I'm all ears." I said, my voice laced with ice.

"When I got expelled from WCD, I was furious. I thought that I could blame you for all my mistakes..." She said, and noticed that I was trying not to get angry.

"When I came home that night, both my parents were furious. When I... I yelled at them, they knew that I couldn't continue being the bratty bitch that I was. They sent me to military school. In five years, they learnt me discipline and respect.

I looked back at my old self, and tried to imagine a good person in there. But all I could see was a pig in makeup. I... I couldn't believe how blind I was, to not be able to see what a nice person you actually were. " she started crying again.

I patted her on the back. "I- I don't even remember the reason why I wanted to make your life so miserable! Could you ever forgive me? I mean... I don't expect you to, because I can't even try to forgive myself." She said, looking into my eyes.

She hugged me and kept on saying I'm sorry over and over again as the tears kept coming.

My heart melted completely. I always had a soft spot for everyone, even her. I smiled at her, and folded my arms tightly around her. "Of course I forgive you!" I said.

"Y... You do? Really?" Said Mackenzie, sounding relieved.

"Yeah! C'mon Mackenzie, that was five years ago. I know you ruined my life in middle school, but I'm completely over it! I almost forgot about it." I said, laughing.

"You really mean it?"

"Of course I do, silly! I have no right to judge you on your past. Your past doesn't define who you are."

"Thank you! Thank you so much! I... I don't even know what to say. How- how do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Forgive people so easily! I mean, you never got revenge from what I did to you!"

I smirked. "I've learnt that to try and get revenge is pointless. I knew that the universe has its own ways to sort people out. Holding onto a grudge is like drinking poison, and expecting the other person to die."

She laughed. But not the evil little witch kind of laugh that I used to hear all the time, no. This laugh was pure happiness and joy. " Phew! You just lifted a huge weight off my shoulders." She said, with the brightest smile I've ever seen on her face.

For the rest of uni, I became friends with the last person I thought was possible. (Even the president had a better chance than her!) She was a whole new Mackenzie, and she also asked for forgiveness from Chloe and Zoey. After her whole story, they both forgave her with a big hug.