Hate Me Love Me

35| So Embarrassed 😳

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"It's not that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but it's your best friends who are your diamonds." --- Gina Barreca.

֍҉֍҉♥҉֍҉֍

Lola's voice shakes as she tries to get the words out of her mouth. I can hear her because I'm sitting beside her, with Alaric on my other side. He's playing with my hair, taking a dark red lock, twisting it around his fingers, releasing it, and repeating it.

'Speak up, sweetie,' Mrs Carrie says. It's the last day before Winter break, but she's set on teaching ancient history.

I reach out and gently rest my hand over Lola's trembling one, panic filling my veins as I feel the heat radiating off her skin.

'By the fifteenth century, many American Civilizations had... had...' Lola tries again, and fails. My eyebrows furrow and I bite my lip in thought. Madison isn't here today, so maybe this has something to do with her...

All of a sudden, Lola stands up and whispers erupt around her. I choose to ignore them.

'Lola honey, what's wrong? Why aren't you reading anymore?' the teacher asks, but Lola's packing up her books with her hands aquiver, shoving her laptop in her bag and slinging it over her shoulder.

She walks out.

Just like that.

And I get the feeling that I can possibly commit cold-hearted murder when I find out who's made this strong girl feel so weak.

Everyone gasps as the door slams shut behind her, and the teacher just stares wide-eyed at the door.

Before I can stop myself, I gather up my books and laptop in my hand, slip everything into my bag, and make to walk out after my friend.

'Excuse me, Miss Dornan. Where do you think you're going?' Mrs Carrie asks, hands on her hips. Alaric, noticing that I'm about to leave, gets up and packs his books too.

I don't have time for this.

'Sorry, Mrs Carrie. I have my priorities straight, and that girl,' I point to the door. 'Is near the top of the list.'

I ignore the whoops and laughs and whispers, and walk out after Lola, making sure to bang the door extra hard for no reason in particular. Just to be dramatic, because it's what I do.

The pristine hallways of Evermoor High Institute are devoid of life. The ostentatious plants are vibrant and artificial. The chandeliers are made of compressed carbon. This school looks more like a palace than an education centre, and I'm once again reminded of my place in the hierarchy. I can never afford this kind of grandeur.

I find Lola in the bathrooms on the 1st floor. I know it's her because I can hear her soft cries from the last stall. I drop my bag on the sofa in the corner and walk past the sinks to her sanctuary.

My knuckles meet the door in a light knock, and I say 'It's me, Lola. Valerie.'

There's a moment of silence before I hear the rotating of the lock. I step inside and close the door before facing Lola, and when I turn to her, my heart jumps to my throat.

Her eyes are bloodshot and her light brown skin is soaked with tears. Even her short hair is ruffled, like she'd been clutching it in agony.

'Lola,' I whisper. Without waiting for a response, I step forward and take her thin frame into my arms, holding her tightly. She wraps her arms around me after a few seconds, rests her chin on my shoulder, and then she breaks.