CONSEQUENCES OF MY ACTION II

We both stopped talking and concentrated on our meal. At that moment, I saw Mr rude walking into the cafeteria with Alex and Jude behind him.

"Talking about the devil," I mumbled.

Lily heard me and looked up. "He is coming this way," she pointed out. I watched her arranging her hair and adjusting unseen ruffles on her clothes. I rolled my eyes.

Mr rude dragged a seat from another table and sat near me with a smirk.

"What?" I asked between clenched teeth.

"Don't be so dramatic," he said.

Gosh, did he just call me dramatic?

He grinned seeing how angry he made me. "Hope you enjoyed the math class? Mr Wilson shouting at you even when you got the answers right was only a warm up. I haven't started yet but I think I should get on with it. Don't you think so, Jude, Alex?"

They smiled wickedly and nodded their approval.

I was terrified. "What do you plan on doing?"

Mr rude didn't care to answer my question. Instead, he climbed on top the table and called the students attention to him, "hey, everyone. Don't you think is about time to welcome, Sydney?"

And just like that, every student began chanting 'welcome her' repeatedly. I looked at Lily expecting answers but was surprised by the dread written all over her face. Before I realized what was happening next, the cold juice on my table was poured on me. I felt it trailing down my body jolting up an irksome feeling.

Mr rude turned to Lily. "Won't you also welcome your friend," he flashed her a creepy smile.

I noticed as Lily tightened her grip on her skirt. She was scared and angry at the same time.

"Empty the juice on her already," Mr rude said. His smile being replaced by a stern face.

Lily took the juice with trembling hands and looked at me with sorry eyes. She won't do it, would she? Her gaze went back to Mr rude. In that swift motion, I read all the thoughts running through her mind. Lily was going to drain the juice on him. I can't allow her to be on his bad side because of me. I have to to stop her.

On impulse, I grabbed Lily's hand and emptied the juice on my head. She was so shocked that her eyes and mouth were opened wide. I saw in those shocked eyes, her questioning gaze of "why the hell did you do that?"

The students began walking towards me and pouring their drinks on me, every single one of them. They laughed and banged their lunch tables.

Mr rude jumped down from the desk and brought his face close to mine. "And with this you are welcome to this Auroral High."

I clenched my fist so tight that my knuckles turned white. I stood up from my sit and ran out of the cafeteria, towards the restroom.

Inside one of the toilets, I let out all the emotions I have been buckling inside. I felt so weak and powerless as I cried.

I heard a knock on the door, "Sydney, are you in there?" It was Lily but I didn't answer.

"I'm sorry, Sydney. I'm not a good friend to you. Back there, I should've stood up to them or even drag you out before it started but I was too scared to do so and instead joined them to bully you. I'm sorry, Sydney. Can you forgive me?"

Hearing this from Lily made me cry out more. I couldn't stand up to them, so how could she? She shouldn't blame herself, it was her fault. I controlled my emotions. I wiped my tears and came out.

I met her with teary eyes. I couldn't stop myself from hugging her, "Lily don't blame yourself. You are not at fault. I grabbed your hand and poured the juice on myself knowing you were about to pour the juice on him. I didn't want you to get on his bad side because of me and that would have gotten you entangled with Ms Sophie."

"But at least I would have tried helping you."

I pulled away from the hug. "You wanting to pour the juice earlier on Mr rude showed me how much you care and besides that, everything happened too fast for the both of us."

Lily sighed and said, "thank you."

"For what?" I asked confused.

"For stopping me."

"No need to thank me. What was the need of getting Mr rude messed up when I was already messed up," I joked. She chuckled. Our mood lightened up a bit.

"I almost forgot. Here is my old sportswear. You can change into it."

I thanked her before going back in to change. When I came out I washed my face and Lily helped me wash my hair in a sink.

While at it, she said, "I can't believe I had a crush on Rex. I'm so stupid. I hate him."

I was surprised and not sure if I heard correctly so I asked, "why?"

"Do you need to ask why? When he was hurting others, I thought he was cool but now I have realized he is such a bully. Is no fun watching him bullying you. I hate him so much," she said resolutely.

I smiled, walked towards the hand dryer to dry my hair. It wasn't of much help but it was better than taking a dripping wet hair back to class. That moment I remembered a question I have been wanting to ask since. "What did Mr rude mean by let's welcome her?"

"Welcoming you was actually a sarcastic phrase like an irony of what he really meant. Previously only Rex has been bullying you but now, he has opened a medium for other students to play dirty pranks on you. He had only done this to just one new student and a week later he quitted school. Ever since then, he didn't 'welcome' anyone else. You must have really push his buttons," she explained.

Lily's face became gloomy. "I never wanted to pour the juice on you because I didn't want to end up being among those hurting you. The worst part of all this is Rex can order me taunt you even if I don't want to."

I was in shock. I'm now regretting my payback so much. Sigh, if I could turn back the hands of time.

I stopped drying my hair and held Lily's hand. "You have to promise me that no matter what Rex ask you to do, you will do it. I don't want you being expelled."

Surprised, right? Even I am surprised. How did a girl I had just met yesterday began influencing me such way? Asking her to bully me. Ironic, isn't it?

Lily was hesitant, "but..."

"No buts Lily, just promise me," I pressed on.

"What you are asking is really hard Sydney, you know that."

Lily wasn't willing and I was stubbornly persuaded her. "I promise to still be your best friend no matter what so just promise me," I pleaded.

Lily was still reluctant and hence I tried convincing her more, "I'm so tough it would take the whole world to bring me down. But when I'm down, I need someone who would help me up my feet so I don't want you getting suspended or expelled."

She wiped the tears threatening to fall down from eyes. I could tell she was struggling within her to accept it but she finally said, "I promise."

I flashed her a smile before hugging her. After I finished drying my hair, we walked back to class, hand in hand.

During that walk, I realized that Lily has impacted me positively by being supportive. She was an amazing friend, no best friend. Us being best friend wasn't something we planned, it just happened and am thankful I was holding her right by my side. I wouldn't want her anywhere other than being close to me.