Peculiar

She was not 'her'

"H... hello. Goodmorning... my name... is.. C- Cael Brandeis, nice to meet you all..."

It was just an introduction, few words, two sentences; yet I couldn't even hear what she said.

A transferee in East Ashford senior high sure would be hard. Given that this is such a prestigious school, catching up would be a problem but having company would be yet another talk.

Moving in in the middle of the semester won't help her either, such a poor girl.

In all honesty, I almost didn't recognize the person in front of me, Cael Brandeis... I've known her since before.

She was nowhere near from what she looked like before, if you knew you'd be shocked too.

It was like a total transformation, her lashes be so curled up and flimsy. The most-defining eyebrows above her sparkly hazel eyes are like the embodiment of innocence itself.

Her kissable lips added an overall impact in the simple yet elegant clothing she's wearing, a maroon top partnered with the aesthetic jeans that seems to be off in some parts.

If I was a guy, i would definitely crush on her, haha...

Not like I'm not pretty myself, being labeled one of the most popular class queens is of no joke you know.

I, myself, was a beauté, hehehehe...

Unlike me,  Cael was a girl of a low self-esteem.

Although, all she wanted so strongly was to have a friend.
No one really stayed with her though, even after all of her undying attempts.

Before, she would say hi to everyone individually hoping to find someone to talk with but all in no avail.

She was mostly ignored because of her low character.

It almost didn't matter being with her or not, she was just there for some reason.

I saw her trembled a bit in front of the class as she noticed the mockery behind the smile everyone seemed to have.

Overwhelming pressure was on her as she tried her best not trip while looking down finding her seat.

As soon as she sat on her chair, a classmate already approached her and encouraged her to join their lunch table.

It will sure be bad for her.

If I was her, for my own sake, I would try not to befriend anyone at all, it is risky.

But human being's greed for conviviality is unfathomable, I understand.

Cael's apparent happiness was all over her face, and everyone right away liked her.

No one can resist someone who's cheerful and happy, being around Cael was a bliss.

She sure did like attention too, she was sweet and innocently cute.

Although, I know she's hiding something.

"Emma."

I looked up to see her blushing shyly in front of my desk.

I have a weird feeling about this.

"W- would you like to eat.. with us?"

Oh, she remembered me.
I'm such an amazing woman, no one will ever forget moment spent with me, I am after all, Emma Burns.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Cael and I were old friends, she was my old childhood friend.

I didn't wanna say friends because I mostly just observed her for her uninteresting life events.

I just didn't care at all, generally speaking.

"Nah, I'll pass... I have my girls to eat with."

I turned her down with thoughts of avoiding unnecessary arguments or maybe I just didn't wanna be involved with her at all.

She was such a sad girl.

She left dejected like she had never been and retreated to join her friends again.

I, too, went back to have my lunch with my squad hoping for a nice and normal meal.

After then, we finished eating and as I walked past by the girls comfort room, Cael is seemed to be caught in some issues.

I didn't expect events to come up so fast.

She mustv'e had a birthmark in her butt to be this so unfortunate.

Everyone looked at her with condescendingly without concealing their disdainful eyes at all.

It was as if Cael was something dirty that they regretted breathing the same air as them.

I knew why.

"...sigh."

Students gathered around vying in for gossips they could get, chatters started around and as seconds passed by, the voices got loud and ear-piercing.

My group of friends wasn't of exception.

"Wow, she's so cool. It wasn't even a week since she's here and yet she's already caused a mess."

"What really happened in here?"

Without even knowing the true story, gossips elaborated more and more.

"I heard she has some kind of contagious disease."

"They said she was so deceitful and used her kind friends for something malicious."

Hearing all of these, Cael was in distress not knowing what else to do.

Reflecting on the adversity that she had been forced to endure, tears of sadness rolled down her face.

She can't even protect herself nor turn down the misinformation going around.

I just stood at the same spot watching the scene unravel in front of me.

Cael finally woke up from the reverie searching the crowd with her eyes begging for someone's help.

Our eyes met, intensifying the embarrassment she's already feeling.

With everyone and out of the tens of people that can be present it had to be me, that's what she's prolly thinking.

It was her end.

She wasn't even her at the first place, it was his fault for being so envious of it all.

Yes, she's a guy.
Cael isn't her but him.