Flame Academy

Special Chapter #3: Home

I stared at her and my eyes landed on her left arm. Guilt arose inside me when I saw a big scar on it, a sign that her skin was severely burnt.

"You are back, huh?"

Hinawakan ni Dereen ang braso ko habang nanatiling tahimik ang iba. My eyes was fixed on her left arm and I can't imagine how painful it was for her.

As a flamer, I already felt my skin burning a hundred times. But since I have a flame protecting me, there won't be any scar. But for a normal person like her, that scar may stay with her until her death.

Tinago niya ang braso niya sa likuran niya kaya napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. She looked at me with annoyance.

"What? You are happy that my skin has a scar?"

I shook my head. "No. I-I feel sa—"

"Oh c'mon, Kate! You don't need to act as the kindest person in the world like what you used to do. At isa pa, bakit ka ba nandito? You are not welcome here anymore."

"You, bitc—" Ace already stopped Jillian when she was about to take a step forward.

"Hoy, bruha! Who are you to say that? Ikaw ba may-ari ng school?" Dereen asked in a sarcastic tone. "You should change your bitchy attitude, you know. Pinapahiya mo ang Limestone."

"Yeah, right," Bea and Neo whispered in unison.

Lacey laughed sarcastically. "Right, the best friend is here."

"Lacey, c-can I talk to you?" I asked and she frowned. Pero ngumisi siya bigla.

"No. Why will I talk to you? I don't even know why I'm talking to you now." She rolled her eyes and walked passed us.

Pero bago pa siya makalayo, I already grabbed her right arm and made her face me. She looked at me, annoyed.

"What?!"

"I'm sorry," I said and she frowned. "I'm sorry for your arm. If I can just take it, I would. But I can't. And apologizing to you is what I can only do."

She stared at me with confusion in her eyes. Kinagat ko na lang ang ibabang labi ko habang marahas niyang binawi ang braso niya. I almost fell on the ground but Zach caught my shoulders.

Lacey glared at me before turning her back. I saw black flames forming on Zach's right hand. Mukhang susundan niya pa si Lacey pero natigilan siya nang hinawakan ko ang kamay niya.

"I'm going to burn that bitch!" Jillian said but I shook my head and smiled.

"I was able to do something terrible to her. And I think, she will carry it as long as she's alive," I said and they all looked at me.

"T-that scar, did yo—"

Tumango na kaagad ako bago pa man matapos sa pagtatanong si Ace. They all fell silent, realizing some things and the weight of my words.

"It's not your fault. It was an accident," Dereen said and I just sighed.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila. "Tara na. It's still morning. Marami pa tayong pwedeng puntahan."

They all nodded and we started walking towards the gate. Zach held my hand tighter and I didn't bother letting it go. I really feel light when he's near me.

"I was not there when it happened but I know that you didn't mean to do it. It's not your fault."

I looked at Zach when I heard what he said and smiled. Tumango ako at ngumiti din siya bago ako marahang hinila dahil nakakalayo na 'yung lima.