Guided by a Glow (73)

The adrenaline coursing through Starfania's vein began to subside as the reality of what had just happened set in. A crowd of students had begun surrounding them, their chants reverberating like an unforgiving drumbeat in her ears. Starfania froze. Her gaze locked on Becka as she clutched her stomach, her face pale and twisted. Starfania's mind swirled with guilt and disbelief–this wasn't her, or who she wanted to be. Becka slowly lifted her head, her eyes filled with tears that sparkled like shattered glass. Her lips trembled, but no word came, only the sound of her shallow, pained breath. Starfania glanced down at her bloodied hand and then straight towards Becka. The weight of the moment pressed down on Starfania like a heavy fog. She could feel the stares of her peers, a mixture of shock and curiosity washing over them. Some whispered among themselves, while others pointed, their expressions ranging from horror to thrill. 

 Starfania opened her mouth, ready to speak, but the words caught in her throat. What could she possibly say? Becka's breaths became more rapid, a desperate rhythm that echoed in Starfania's ears. She took a tentative step forward, each movement feeling like wading through mud. 

"I didn't mean to," she finally managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. Becka looked up at her, the pain in her eyes piercing through Starfania's heart. The air was thick with tension, and Starfania felt the crowd's anticipation; they wanted something. But all she could manage was to stand there, her own emotions a chaotic storm. She wished she could turn back time, to undo the snap decision that had led to this moment. As the murmurs grew louder, Starfania could barely hear her own thoughts. 

 Before Becka could rise, the sharp echoing sounds of footsteps silenced the crowds. It was Professor Shadow. He simply raised his hand to quell the noise.

" Cease this meaningless behavior at once! " Professor Shadow said, his voice booming across the hallway. The students fell silent, their excitement replaced by something else. Starfania remained rooted in her spots, her heart pounding in her chest as if trying to escape this crushing reality. As he stepped forward, his gaze immediately landed on Starfania.

" What have you done this time, Miss Night? " he demanded, his tone leaving no room for lies. Becka, still on the ground, took a shaky breath before pointing a figure at her. " She attacked me! For no reason! "

Starfania opened her mouth to protest, but no words came. The guilt pressing down on her silenced any defense she might have to offer. She couldn't deny what she had done, nor could she explain the firestorm of emotions that had led her to that breaking point. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. Her voice barely came out in a whisper. " Yes… but— " 

"—it was an accident…" The words hung in the air, fragile and uncertain. Professor Shadow's eyes narrowed, his expression a mix of disbelief and disappointment. "An accident, you say? You seem to have a talent for these 'accidents,' don't you?" 

 The room was thick with tension. Students shifted uncomfortably, some exchanging worried glances. Becka glared at Starfania, her face twisted in anger. "You're just making excuses. You wanted to hurt me!" 

Starfania's chest tightened. The truth was, she had been overwhelmed. The pressure of expectations, the ache of loneliness—it all threatened to drown her. 

"Is this how you wish to be remembered? " Professor Shadow continued, stepping closer, his voice a low growl. "As someone who resorts to violence when things don't go your way?" 

Starfania felt the weight of his words crush her. 

"I never meant to…" she began, but her voice trailed off. He simply raised his hand in the air. " I've heard enough. Both of you will follow me to the principal office. "