My Words Are Law

Trifles

"Good morning..."

Amaryllis paused in her tracks as she stared at Chryses, who was standing at the center of a crowd. He was brandishing a benevolent smile— the same artificial smile he shows everyone. It's frightening how he could easily fool people with a single lift of his lips. Even Amaryllis' friends are deceived.

The corner of her lips began twitching uncomfortably as she debated whether to smile back or not. He greeted her, didn't he..? Her eyes momentarily glanced at the faces around him and felt relieved that they didn't seem to notice her yet.

After the misunderstanding at the party, she'd been trying to avoid them, and counting today, it would've already been four days. Would have... This must be the limit of her luck...

"G-Good morni-"

"Good morning!" A familiar voice chirped behind her loudly.

She began to shrink in her spot as she realized the greeting was not for her. Amaryllis quickly retrieved her gaze away from Chryses just as he focused his eyes on her.

How embarrassing..! Her face crumpled as she sneaked away speedily, fortunately avoiding unwanted attention. She could only hope they won't notice her now.

"Amaryllis?" It was Samantha.

Amaryllis paused stiffly in her strides before gingerly trying to resume her escape, thinking it was better to act deaf.

"You're Amaryllis, right?" Samantha called out again, crushing her hopes of dodging a confrontation.

Amaryllis bowed her head, cursing her deplorable luck before turning around and fixing a calm mask on her face. There's no way acting deaf would work twice now. "Sorry..? Were you calling my name..?" She tilted her head innocently. Despite this, she didn't move to go closer to the woman. The closer they are, the higher the possibility that the conversation will take longer. She'd much prefer it short, so she remained a distance away.

"Yes..." Samantha frowned as she narrowed the space between them. "That night at the party..."

As expected... They're still hung up about it... Amaryllis quickly scanned the people crowding Chryses. They were looking at her with sour expressions on their faces. Ugh...

"Chryses said you're allergic to alcohol. We're sorry for being insensitive about it. Right, Jaxton?" She added as she looked back at the tall man, who had flinched at the sudden mention of his name.

Chryses told them..? His impassive face surfaced in her mind for a moment. That Chryses..?

"Y-yeah. Sorry 'bout that." Jaxton's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. Amaryllis glanced at the guy, who smiled at her awkwardly, nodding in response, similarly in an awkward manner.

"The rest should apologize, too. Don't think I didn't hear your insults when she left the room." Samantha muttered fiercely.

Everyone's mood turned sullen at her words as Amaryllis looked at them dryly.

"S-sorry..."

"We were in the wrong.."

"You'll forgive us, right..?"

She should've felt happy with their apology, but she didn't miss the insincere looks on their faces as soon as Samantha's eyes left them. The last question was distasteful to hear, too.

They were clearly unhappy with how they were reprimanded, but they couldn't retaliate because Samantha isn't someone they could easily offend. Compared to Amaryllis, Samantha is popular, and her family isn't something to be scoffed at, either.