The Secret Friend

"DO YOU WANT TO COME TO MY PLACE ON FRIDAY NIGHT? Perhaps a sleepover?" Aria invited.

We walked down the hallway during our free period, which meant we had to go to our respective clubs. I don't want to join these clubs, but I need them for my portfolio as part of my college application preparation. In a nutshell, I don't have a choice. By the way, I am a member of the Academic Club. Where else would I be?

Anyway, the debate team was recruiting me, but I declined. Aside from the Academic Club, I am an Associate Editor for the student newspaper and have another club that I keep hidden from everyone. Yes, everyone. No one knows about it, and I have no intention of keeping it from them, but it just happened, and I'm not sure why I kept it a secret until now. At the moment, only one person at school is aware of it. But previously, two of them were aware of my secret club, and the other, who had already graduated, was the one who recruited me. Perhaps I'll inform the others after I graduate. Maybe.

"This weekend is completely booked for me. Miss Winter has asked us to review with the team this Friday night in preparation for the local inter-school quiz bee next month," I explained.

"But why late at night? Can you do it on the weekend or during club hours?" Aria enquired.

"The rest of the members have separate plans for the weekend. The only time we are all available is on Friday night. It was also critical that we meet before next week because we have a lot of material to prepare." I'd need to answer Aria's questions because she won't leave me alone until she gets the answer she requires. "Please accept my apologies, Bon."

"That's fine. It's difficult to have a brilliant and talented friend. I understand, Gianna."

"By the way, when and where is the local inter-school quiz bee?" Madison enquired. Yes, she was accompanying us on our walk. I assumed she wasn't in the mood to talk because she was so quiet earlier.

"It will be held on the 22nd of next month at the Justice City National Library," I said.

"Alright. We will be rooting for you, Gianna."

"Thank you very much, Madison. You're going as well, right?" I asked Aria.

"Of course, I'll bring the club members to cheer on the academic team," Aria said, smiling.

"I'll invite the team as well," Madison added.

I was grinning from ear to ear. My friends have been extremely helpful. I am overjoyed.

"Thank you so much, ladies. I am extremely grateful, but even if the Martial Arts Club and Music Club members do not attend, just seeing you two will be more than enough for me."

They were staring at me as if I had said something to embarrass them. Both cheeks are strawberry red.

"You are far too sweet. I want to eat you," Madison exclaimed as she leaped at me. Aria was tackling me as well. I laughed because Aria was tickling my side and Madison was trying to kiss me on the cheeks. I was trying to flee with the two, but Madison gripped me so tightly.

Don't worry about her lice. The salon treatment was very effective. She also stated that she did not have any itchiness on her scalp. She was lice-free. As well as her sister.

But her sister is still in elementary school, and you know how hyper children can be, so Madison was expecting her sister's lice to return, but she said she would be more vigilant from now on. We also looked for home treatment, which helped Madison.

"I smell a threesome," someone said.

They're back. The Bewitcher resembles mushrooms that appear out of nowhere.

Yes, it was the charmer bullies again. Paisley was the one who mentioned the threesome. She has a foul vocabulary in addition to a very tactless tongue.

And today, it wasn't just the four of them. Jack was with them, and he was now wrapping his other arm around Isabella's shoulder. I tried to keep my poker face consistent, but I was sure my one eyebrow was reacting to what I was seeing.

I tried to look at Isabella, but she wasn't looking at me. She was flirting with Jack. When did they become so close? Are they still a thing?

My heart feels like it is being ripped apart. I'm going to puke if I stay here looking at the two being so sweet and PDA.

I walked past them without saying anything, but Scarlett, being the annoyance she is, blocked my path again.

"Where do you think you're going?" Scarlett asked.

I take some deep breaths. Deeply. I'm holding my rage, but I can still see and hear Jack and Isabella flirting with each other in my peripheral vision. So, are they now a couple? Gianna, take a deep breath. Relax.

I didn't say anything, but I tried walking in the opposite direction, but Scarlett and Paisley were now ganging up on me. They wouldn't let me pass peacefully.

"We don't want any trouble, girls. Could you please let us pass peacefully?" I overheard Madison say. I'm almost at the end of my patience. "Are you going to do anything about this, Miss President?"

'She doesn't want her reputation tainted, Madison. Don't even try.' That's what I wanted to tell Madison. But I know I can't say it.

But I was taken aback when Isabella actually said something. Not the one I expected, but this is the first time she has diverted the bully's attention away from me. Claire was always the one who kept me safe from them. I'm not sure what happened to Claire, but I didn't hear her bully me anymore after we started high school. Perhaps she has matured? I'm not sure.

"I'm starving, and I don't have the strength for this. Today, Jackson will treat us to Haruto's. So, let's go," Isabella expressed her thoughts.

I tried to look at her, but she was not looking at me. She was looking at Madison, and her eyes seemed to say, "Satisfied?"

What the—-Is Madison in a position of greater authority than I am? Why isn't anyone listening to me?

I was becoming increasingly irritated and enraged. I'm not sure what's going on in my heart and mind right now. I just want to get out there.

I didn't wait for them to respond. Scarlett was still blocking my path, so I shoved her as she did to me in the hallway the last time. I don't care if it was forceful. I didn't feel anything, but I know Scarlett's fall had a significant impact, and luckily Claire was there to catch her.

Paisley was calling me names again, but I didn't stop. I heard Aria defending me, but I didn't dare to look back. I'm not sure why I was enraged. All I know is that I wanted to punch someone at the time.

Aria and Madison caught up with me, and I'm relieved that the charmer bullies let me go this time. I'm sure Scarlett will plan a new counter-attack, but I'm not concerned with that right now. I wasn't thoroughly thinking this time. My emotions clouded my judgment. This is not good.

Aria and Madison didn't ask me any further questions about the encounter. Perhaps they assumed I had reached my limit. They said they were so proud of me for standing up for myself. I just smiled. A hoax. I was enraged, but not because of the bullies, but I can't tell them that. I can't.

They were laughing because of what I had done to Scarlett. Scarlett's face was said to be shocked when I shoved her. They claimed that the bully's leader was caught off guard. I felt bad. I should apologize to Scarlett when I see her. I should not have done that to her, regardless of how I felt at the time.

This is not good, God. The anger, the feelings that eat away at my inner peace. I can't let this eat me alive. I am not like my mother.

When we went to our distinctive clubs, the three of us were separated. When I entered the Academic Club, I was able to unwind. My thoughts were diverted by the mock quizzes we took for a brief moment.

I've been a member of the quiz bee team since I was in elementary school. The furthest I've traveled was to compete in an international quiz bee in Nevada. That was last year. We were national champions for the last two years in a row, with me on the team.

I'm not bragging about how far we've come because of me. There were geniuses in the junior and senior years as well. Before I started high school, Justice HS only had junior and senior teams. But Miss Amelia invited me to join, and they put my knowledge to the test, and I exceeded their expectations. So that's why I've been on the team since my first year. However, we now only have junior and senior teams because no underclassmen passed the average to join the Quiz Bee Team.

The Academics Club has at least twenty members who have tested and passed the average grade and score for membership. Every six months, we test these members and welcome new ones. The Quiz Bee Team consists of only four members, all of whom are top students with the highest evaluation score.

Clark Sanchez is a member of the Quiz Bee Team, which is ranked second in junior high. The other two members are in the top 1 and 2 senior years. Addison and Hazel were their names, respectively.

We finished just after seven o'clock in the evening. I was walking with Addison and Hazel when I heard someone calling my name from the darkness. I could only see their silhouette and had no idea who they were, so I didn't stop.

"You've heard that, haven't you? Someone is calling you," Addison stated.

"Yeah. Do you recognize them?" Hazel inquired.

"I'm not sure." I checked my phone, but no one texted or messaged me about today's meeting. So the person calling my name is not one of my family or friends.

"Anna," that person said. I recognized them by saying that word. I only remember one person who called me that and gave me that nickname.

"I'm going to be okay. You are free to leave first. Don't be concerned about me," I said.

They just stared at me for a moment, then I smiled at them with a reassuring smile. That's when Hazel and Addison took off.

"What exactly do you need?" I inquired of the individual without approaching her. I'm not sure if she was alone or if this was a trap. I was distancing myself to flee if this was a trap. Yes, it was a female.

"Can we talk?" She responded to my inquiry by asking one of her own. Classic.

"We are now. Is this a trap or something?"

I heard her laugh. This time, it was genuine. I haven't heard it in a long time.

"Your shallow remarks still make me laugh. Anna, you're adorable." She said this and moved closer to me. I can clearly see her face now.

Was she in tears? Her eyes appear puffy and red.

Fortunately, we were alone on this side of the school. It was a little darker in this section, but we could still see each other's faces thanks to the light from one of the school streetlights.

I was just staring at her, waiting to see what she would do.

"I'm sorry, Anna," I overheard her say. I can hear the sincerity in her voice. She hugged me so tightly that I couldn't say anything. She was sobbing silently. "Anna, Anna, I'm so sorry. I miss you so much. Anna, please take me back. Please take me back."

She mumbled incessantly. I could sense her sincerity in what she was saying. I simply held her and let her cry on my shoulder while gently rubbing her back.

Junior year is getting better by the day. I am very optimistic that more beautiful things will happen to everyone in my immediate vicinity this time. There was a lot of pain and tears, but time heals all wounds.

Who am I to deny this person another chance?