CHAPTER XXIV: Approaching the Fearful Days

"Do you have any business with me?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about what happened in the cafeteria." She stated.

I sighed.

I wanted to eat good food but I guess that'll have to wait again.

I turned towards the bunch, "You guys can go ahead."

They all nodded hesitantly.

I watched as they began to walk away. Ross stood still for a few seconds while looking at me with eyes that asked if I was okay with that.

Although she was someone that he didn't even know, he somehow still felt the need to confirm if I'm alright being left alone with her.

I shrugged and signaled to him that I can handle her.

With one last reluctant glance, he eventually left to follow Solar and Haru.

A few seconds passed with my back still on her and she still hadn't said a word.

"I am not initiating this conversation, so you better talk now or I'll leave you here."

That seemed to have woken her up.

She must have been fidgeting behind me because I could hear the rustling of her clothes.

"It is true that we went to the same highschool together."

I turned to her.

"Ah really? What an interesting story you have there."

She looks taken aback by my answer.

"Is that what you're wasting my time for?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"No! I just wanted to apologize for how I behaved during that time!"

"Like how you acted all friendly, forcefully demanded things, and invaded other people's privacy?" I took a step forward for each offense.

She, in return, took a step back.

"I-I know it was wrong for me to do that-"

"Yet, you still did."

"I'm reflecting on it. That's why I want to ask for your forgiveness."

"Just now?"

"W-What?" She looked dumbfounded.

"You had all the time in the world and you came to apologize a few weeks after?" I continued.

This made her gulp quite loudly.

"I was scared. I didn't know how to approach you."

"You could have walked towards me or you could have not dared at all."

Her mouth visibly twitched.

It looked like I successfully irritated the hell out of her.

"Why are you being a bitch about this?!"

Nice vocabulary. I almost forgot how she cursed everyone out before.

Unfortunately, things like that don't trigger me the least.

I tilted my head to the side and smiled at her.

"Unlike you, I don't bitch around by acting all sincere only after her problems are solved. Girl, you should not pray nor ask forgiveness to God only when you receive your blessings."

This made her shut up.

"I didn't mean to. I just, I-I just…" She looked around. Trying to grasp the right words to defend herself.

If I let her search for it any longer, we would take all night and I wouldn't be able to eat free food.

I crossed my arms, "You are taking too long, I still have somewhere I need to be."

"Wait! I-I'm sorry. For being rude. For calling you a bitch. For everything. I'm really sorry." She looked ashamed as she admitted all of it, with her head down and eyes casted on the floor.

I sighed. I was about to turn around and just leave it at that, but a thought suddenly passed by as I was about to do so.

"You should learn from someone. When she offended a person, intentionally or not, she would chase you all the way to hell just to pester you with her apologies."

Gwenne immediately looked up. Although she looked confused, she still felt relief after hearing what I said.

"Plus, you should look at the person you're apologising to." With that last remark, I strutted out of there.

I haven't even gotten far enough when I heard her shout.

"MIRADIA!"

This made me stop at my tracks and so did everyone who was at the parking lot.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH!" Gwenne even waved her hands enthusiastically in the air.

I facepalmed myself for the embarrassment I am yet again to receive.

However, behind that, I couldn't help but feel light because I knew exactly what she was thanking me for.

Without bothering to answer her, I calmly left the place and headed towards the path of my waiting food.

When I reached the fastfood place we were supposed to meet up, I was immediately bombarded with questions.

Since I already used most of my saliva earlier, I didn't explain it any further than having someone go into the light of goodness.

Of course, they all looked at me incredulously.

Except for Haru who just ate away at his food without a single concern for the world.

After we ate, we all headed home like usual.

I instantly went to my room upon arrival and decided to sleep the remaining hours of the day.

But before I could do that, I couldn't help but glance at the large portrait leaning against one side of my room's wall.

Going back to what happened today, I think I can slowly move forward with my fear.

I picked up the canvas and scanned it.

It was painted with aesthetically-inspired colors. It had a large house at the center which looked cozy and comfortable to live in.

There were flowers and trees scattered everywhere with small butterflies and birds fluttering their wings across the sky.

I clutched it near my chest and let the tears slowly fall to the ground.

Yeah, I could feel it. Someday, I'll be able to let this fear go, but not yet. Let me savor this pain, one I desperately hold onto for reality.

Just a little more…

The following morning, I dreamed of having a peaceful day.

With nothing to do but eat and hopefully enjoy the remaining activities.

But with a woman clutching onto my hands tightly, I guess that would be an illusion I tied myself into.

"Please Dia! Do us this one last favor!" Gwenne held my hand tighter, clearly expecting me to escape her deathly grip.

Which I intend to do.

"Who allowed you to call me that? And for the hundredth time, no!" I raised my knee and was about to hit her abdomen but Ross got in the way and took the hit with his hands.

"No violence, my lady." He scolded me.

"And this isn't violent?" I forced him to look at the predicament my hands are in.

"Um, what's happening here?" Solar, who just arrived, asked aloud.

"Ask her and tell her I profusely refuse." I forcefully pulled my hands away from Gwenne's hold. I rubbed my reddened wrists and glared at her.

"I just wanted to ask for a simple favor from Dia."

"Don't call me that and didn't I already do you enough favors?" I seethed.

"That's a favor I greatly appreciate from the bottom of my heart, but this is an entirely different issue!" She said and lunged at me again.

I swiftly avoided her attack and moved aside.

"I told you that is something you cannot make me do!"

"Wait, wait. Stop. Time out! What favor are you even fighting about?" Solar cut in.

I sent her a cold look which made her flinch. I also have Gwenne a glare for what she's making me go through in the early hours of the day.

After thorough explanation from Gwenne, Solar stood frozen in her spot, trying to process what she had just heard.

"WHAT?!" Was her initial response after a few minutes working her gears.

"You want Dia to serve as a maid in your department's café plan?" She tried to clarify. Her eyes were incredibly widened like she heard the most bizarre thing to ever exist on this planet.

"Yes. Unfortunately, one of our classmates caught a cold today, so we needed back-up."

"And you want Dia? Miradia? This Miradia?!" Solar pointed at me.

Was I supposed to feel offended by that? Because I feel extremely insulted.

"Yes!"

"But why her?!" Now, Solar was obviously aggravating me.

I rolled my eyes at both of them.

"Yeah, why me? There are plenty of women there that you could claw at."

"Yeah, but we need an extremely beautiful woman! It'll definitely boost the sales of our department if you help us out!" She excitedly exclaimed.

This made me frown deeper.

"I don't know if I should feel elated to be used as a tool."

"I don't agree with this!" Solar once again interrupted.

Although I didn't need Solar's permission, I'm still glad that someone disagreed with Gwenne's ridiculous idea.

"Why?! Dia's beauty is way above average in the entire campus and her cold personality actually attracts most of the male population residing in this academy!"

This is becoming stupid in a while new level.

I even saw Haru blink rapidly in surprise and Ross furrowing his eyebrows.

"That's basically it! We're enemies so I won't allow your department to have an advantageous push towards victory, you know?!"

I wanted to slap her. Right now.

I leaned closer to Ross and whispered, "Could we leave already?"

"So you attract males now?"

"Like hell I care. Do I look like someone who pays attention to anything that doesn't involve myself?"

"And that's why you're clueless." Ross 'tsked' loudly.

"How did that become my fault?" I asked.

"I didn't say it was." He clenched his jaw and looked away.

What the fuck is wrong with him?!

I turned away from him, annoyed.

Everyone just gets on my nerves today!

And I'm not having it further!

I was supposed to quietly walk away from this fiasco when I suddenly felt someone clasp onto my arm and began pulling me in a specific direction.

"What the fuck?!" I yelled.

I tried to snatch my arm back but Gwenne kept on grabbing it back.

I looked at the place where I had just been and saw all of them shocked about the unexpected turn of events.

Ross, in particular, had a dark look on his face.

What the heck is he angry for?!

Argh! God, please save me!

This is how my peaceful day turned into a daylight nightmare.