The Corpse of South Tserron

Chapter 8: Evelyn in their eyes part 4b Piatrice

Four hours of driving and I already feel tired. It was 10 AM but I felt my eyelids getting heavier. The lack of drivers in South Tserron gave such a calming aura that it weirdly lulls me. I needed something to keep me awake so I looked to my right and found Evelyn sleeping soundly. My gaze averted from her and straight to the radio to help me stay awake but when I turned the knob, classical music started to play. It didn't help my case as the soothing violins only lulled me to sleep. I quickly turned off the radio and slowed down my pace. I was about to pull over to the side when I heard a voice calling out to me.

"Jun....You Okay?'

Piatrice's voice was such a lovely sound as it snapped me out of my sleepy daze. I quickly replied.

"Hey Pia, I thought you were asleep."

"I was asleep until I felt the car slow down."

"Was it that obvious?"

"No, my intuition is just sensitive."

I could sense the drowsiness in her tone but I know that she's willing to talk if I find a topic we could agree on. She then spoke to me which sparked the conversation that I needed to stay awake.

"I always dreamed of the day that we would be complete when we go on a trip. You, me, Raizen, Justin, Anne, Wally, and Evelyn. I guess this is the closest we will ever have."

"You mentioned Evelyn. That's sweet."

"You haven't moved on from Evelyn have you? Oh my, What if Ashley woke up and suddenly became jealous?"

I held my chuckle and glanced at Evelyn sleeping soundly in the passenger seat before replying.

"Ashley doesn't mind if I talk about Evelyn, I'm pretty sure she's over her by now."

"Really? Does she know that you were a thing?"

"We were never an item Pia."

"That's not what she told me."

"not what she told me?" What does She mean by that? Is it possible that they were friends before I met Piatrice? It couldn't be, I've been with Evelyn for a long time and she didn't mention Piatrice to me. Maybe she's just screwing with me, she is Raizen's girlfriend after all. I played her game by continuing the conversation.

"Yeah, I guess I couldn't hide it huh?"

"I knew that you were going to break sooner or later."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's obvious that she's into you. I'm just surprised that you were so dense."

"How do you know that?"

"We were friends even before you guys became close."

"I don't get it. If you guys were friends then......"

Shoot, I can't talk about Evelyn's reincarnation. None of this is making sense, why didn't she crumble when she saw Pia? Did something happen between them? I know that Evelyn could hide her emotion but she couldn't hide it that well. I pressed on with my questions.

"Why didn't she mention you when we were together?"

"She's a popular girl and I am a weird one. I only became normal when I dated Raizen and even then, we kept our friendship a secret."

"Would it damage her reputation for you to be seen with her?"

Piatrice's jolly tone shifted to a more somber one as she recalled her memories.

"Evelyn was my only friend in that wretched High School. Everyone bullied me because I was special and people took advantage of me because of it. She was the only person that saw me for who I am and treated me like a sister."

"We would often converse online through vchat. I know that she's a true friend but I actively chose to stay away from her. Even if she's okay with me I don't want to drag her down."

"But you're an amazing person Pia, you can cook, you can draw, you can dance. Why would people bully you?"

In a tearful voice, she replied.

"Because they can......."

I heard her muffled cries under her breath as I continued to drive. We became silent momentarily before I tried to reassure her with comforting words.

"I'm sorry that happened to you Pia, it must have been horrible to grow up like an outcast. Let's look at the bright side, you have us now."

"Yes but for how long Jun?"

"What do you mean Pia?"

"What if Raizen lost interest in me? Would I still keep you as friends? You would take his side and seeing as how I treat him, you'd find no reason to hear my side."

Her voice morphed into a full cry muffled by her shirt covering her tears. I could feel the pain etched in her voice as she cried silently. Maybe she muffled it on purpose to avoid waking up Evelyn and Raizen but I couldn't find the words to comfort her but I still tried.

"I'm sure that Anne will see both sides before judging and Justin will stay. Even if they turn their backs on you, I'll-"

"Always be there for you"

Did I just.....hear a transmission? I looked to my right and was shocked by Evelyn's tears flowing to her shirt. Perhaps this was the reason why Evelyn was drained and wanted to come out. It seems like Piatrice and Evelyn were close friends and she couldn't bear to see her buddy be in this shape. Piatrice collected herself before she replied.

"You sound like Evelyn. I miss her."

I could hear Evelyn cry in her seat as we approached the resort. I could tell that everyone was okay now with Evelyn and I can't wait for her to come out. I just hope they won't be too shocked by it.