Season 3 Chapter 18

Instead of having lunch, I went to the roof to calm my head. Jules and Julie seemed to be concerned regarding the incident, Julie even started crying saying that all this happened because she is a bad captain. It was frustrating to watch her cry over others mess, but I wasn't in a mood to explain that shit to her, so I preferred escaping instead. I just need some peace of mind before I can prepare for my next move…or so I thought…

Someone was already there sitting on my favourite spot, I sighed and sat beside Lotte, she was hugging her legs tightly while staring blankly, her eyes looked aimless and she was lost in her own thoughts. I  lightly tapped her shoulder to make sure she was fine, but she got startled beyond my imagination. She flinched looking at my face then regained her composure.

Lotte: W-What are you doing here? Leave! (She says furious)

Me: Well….(I took out a chocolate from my pocket and unwrapped it and placed it in front of her mouth)

Lotte: (she opened her mouth and eats the chocolate then pouts) Fine…you can stay….

Me: (I smiled) I am grateful to you, your highness.

Lotte: (she looks away to stop her blush then turned towards me frowning) Why are you doing this?

Me: I don't understand what you are trying to say. (I tilt my head while taking out another chocolate from my pocket)

Lotte: Trying to gain my trust. I know you want something from me. (She pouts more then starts sulking) Please don't play with me….

Me: (I sighed and patted her head) I am not playing with you. Neither am I trying to gain your trust. I just want you to feel safe and open up about your feelings.

Lotte: (she bites her lower lip and stares at me) That's what you call trusting! Are you an idiot?!

Me: (I started laughing hearing her words) Cute little Lotte is so intelligent.

Lotte: (she gets flustered then pouts) I am only two years younger than you. Stop treating me like a kid. Hey…don't you know about my past?

Me: Which would make you feel more comfortable? I know regarding it or if I don't know? (I raised my brow)

Lotte: Stop making me confused and just answer! (She asked me to get annoyed which was mixed with curiosity)

Me: I do know regarding your past. (I said in a straightforward manner)

Lotte: And….you still want to be around someone like me?....(her eyes were filled with hope and embarrassment)

Me: (I put my hand on her head) Adult mistakes shouldn't be passed on to their children…. We shouldn't judge an offspring based on their parents'sin. You are an individual, create your identity in such a manner that nobody will look back at your past and dark to taunt you ever again. Make your mother proud of raising you. (I pinched her cheeks) Bullies will always be there, so prepare yourself mentally and physically to not give a fuck, understood?

Lotte: (she nods slightly) So….what if they insult your mother. What will you do then?

Me: (I blinked slowly as past memories flashed in front of my eyes) Bite….bite their flesh off….(I murmured in a low cold tone remembering Helena's face) Nobody should insult those whom you care about in front of your face. Or even behind you. (I said while taking a deep breath)

Lotte: I see…(she nods along) Bite them. (She whispered softly while smiling)

Me: Did you say something? (I tilt my head)

Lotte: N-No…. nothing. (She stands up) Listen, stop trying to gain my trust. I hate people like you who have ulterior motives to approach innocent people like me. (She pouts even though her reaction was much softer than the first time we met)

Me: I will remember that. (I winked at her) I will bring something new next time we meet. (I grinned widely)

Lotte: YOU IDIOT!!! THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!! (She gulps her spit then murmured in a low voice feeling embarrassed) W-What will you…bring? (She gulps her spit)

Me: I don't know, I will think about it. (I said patting her head)

Lotte: Can you bring something for my mom as well? She never spends money on herself, I feel bad….I am a burden for her, that's why she never gets to buy anything for herself….(she seemed embarrassed)

Me: (I pulled her in a warm hug) Never call yourself a burden, alright? Think about your mother. She is working hard just for your well-being. If she discovers the fact that you think of yourself as a burden to her, she will be heartbroken. Do you want her to hurt her feelings? (I asked in a soothing voice)

Lotte: (her voice starts breaking as she tries to hold back her tears) N-No…I don't….

Me: Good girl. (I kissed her head) you are not a burden. (I smiled)

Lotte: I….I….I hate you!!! (She pushes me and runs away but I knew she didn't mean what she said, she was just feeling embarrassed to show her vulnerable side)

"Cute!!" I laughed while sitting on the rooftop. It was interesting to watch Lotte slowly open up her emotions even though I still have a long way to go, before she can trust me. Victoria avoided me for the rest of the day. For some reason it felt like someone was stabbing me with a dragger each time she treated me like an air. This was the first time I have argued with one of my close acquaintances, and it felt like shit. My whole mood was low, first it was my periods, now this. The whole day went down the drain as usual. By the time I returned to the restaurant, I was already drained of my energy. I sat near the counter catching my breath. I kept my hands on the counter and placed my head above them and closed my eyes relaxing and trying to clear my head when a warm aroma entered through my nose making my stomach growl loudly. I opened my eyes and looked up noticing Naomi placing a bowl of hot soup and bread in front of me. My mouth starts drooling as I try to divert my attention from the food.

Me: I….I am not hungry. (I said even though my eyes were fixed on my prey…I mean food)

Naomi: Stop acting like a brat, and eat it. I know you haven't had anything since morning. (She said while glaring at me)

Me: You didn't need to bother yourself taking care of me. (I said before taking the first bite of the soup) Thank you…(it made my body feel warm)

Naomi: Bother? What are you talking about? (She looks at me with surprise) it's just soup. Did no one take care of you when you were sick? (Her expression softened)

Me: (my lips trembled as I stammered) I-Its not like that. (I bite my lower lip while eating the food) I just don't want to be a nuisance who bothers other people with their problems.

Naomi: (she pulled me in a warm hug) Oh my dear child….(her voice was soft filled with sorrow)  I don't know about your past, so I won't judge your upbringings. But my child, expecting for a bare minimum, isn't being a nuisance. (She kissed my forehead) I know, that I am not your mother, so you might wonder why you should expect anything from me. But here I am like your caretaker…..if I had a daughter, she would have been around your age. (Her eyes were moist) So think of this as a favor you are doing for this old woman and let me take care of your needs. Alright?

My heart felt like someone was stabbing me with a dragger. I grabbed Naomi's T-shirt and hugged her tightly. My head felt heavy, everything was hazy in my mind. I felt like crying, but as usual I couldn't . Naomi's heartbeat started increasing for some reason. I stared in her eyes for a second, her eyes were filled with deep affection towards me. She was warm….so warm that I thought I would melt. We finally let go of each other as Naomi wiped her eyes before entering the Kitchen. After having my food, I washed the dishes and went back to my room. I sat on my chair and started playing chess to clear my mind. Jules barged in my room as usual without bothering to knock. She looked anxious and excited at the same time.

Jules: ANNE! What was that about?!! (She asked out of breath) Do you even know how much energy it cost to calm Victoria down? Jeez! You two were on fire!!

Me: (I threw my pillow at her) Knock then take permission and then enter my room. (I rolled my eyes) How many times do I need to teach you the basic manner? (I sighed before focusing on the game)

Jules: Are you playing with yourself? (She tilts her head before sitting down)

Me: Hm….I do this to relax. So what's up? Why are you so agitated? (I stared at the board before giving my next move)

Jules: What are you going to do? How are you going to get more marks than Victoria?....(she asked worried)

Me: Don't stress yourself with these useless thoughts and ask Julie to prepare two new jerseys. (I said while smiling to myself)

Jules: How are you so confident? (She seemed confused)

Me: Because I know what I am doing. Almost everything is under my control. Just like this game of chess. (I said while defeating the white king in my own game)

Jules: I don't understand what you are talking about. (She blinked)

Me: No need. Just go and sleep. Tomorrow is a big day for us. I hope Choon Hee doesn't back out from her promise. (I said in a serious tone) Everything….needs to be perfect. (I murmured to myself)

While I was busy preparing for my battle, there was another internal battle going on with Victoria which we were ignorant about. Victoria sat with her mother in the dining room as her mother stared at her sternly. She wiped her lips before finally opening her mouth.

Greta: I heard what happened in school. I hope it won't be repeated. Losing your temper over a peasant? Disgraceful. Don't forget your background before fighting like hooligans. (She gave Victoria a look of disappointment)

Victoria: I am sorry….mother….(she bites her lower lip and looks down)

Greta: You better be, because that isn't the only thing I am disappointed about. Your academic performance has considerably reduced . I think I need to reconsider your participation in that worthless club. It's better to join something that has more academic value rather than a distraction. Anyways, all those useless members are there in your team. Don't think that I don't know how they are in their academics. (She said in a cold manner) Get better companions or remain alone, that would be far better than roaming around with lunatics.

Victoria: Yes ma'am….(she tried holding back her tears. Even though Greta's tone was calm, her words were sharp like a sword that made Victoria bleed. The sad part was, she never opened up regarding her troubles and kept on suffering alone, until we discovered the verbal abuse she was going through because of her mother)

Greta: I heard that you challenged one of your so-called 'friends'. It is that brown haired Lass right? (Victoria nodded her head) Good. This will help both of you understand your places. I hope you won't disappoint me further or else, it would be the last day for you in that useless club. (She said before standing up) Goodnight. (She walks off as Victoria sits there trying to stop herself from shedding tears).

To be continued....