Chapter 2 part 1: Things Are Never So Simple

It's my second day at this new school, and even though I was hoping for a quiet life, that seems like too much to ask for.

How could no one tell me there were no classes today due to a water shortage? I messaged Oli about it, and he just replied that he forgot to add me to the class chat.

Apparently, they made a chat group while I was in the nurse's office, and that's where they announced the class cancellation. Now, I'm wondering what to do.

If I walk home, it'll take me about 40 minutes, or I could wait for the bus and get there in 15 minutes. I could also head to the city center, which is pretty close, and hang out for a bit before going home.

I don't want to bother my family, so I guess that's what I'll do.

Just as I'm about to head towards the center, I hear a loud, high-pitched voice.

"Noooo! How can the school be closed today without any notice?" The voice sounds somewhat annoyed.

I turn around to see who it is, and I spot a familiar face. She sees me too, and at that moment, she smiles and waves at me.

"You're Aaron, right?"

"No, sorry, you've got the wrong person."

The last thing I want right now is to face this. Every second I spend looking at her is another second of remembering that day and what it caused in me and everyone else.

"Don't lie, it's you," she says, coming so close that she's just inches away. "You remember me, don't you?"

I guess there's no point in trying to deny it anymore. How could I forget you, Violeta?

She blushes a bit when she hears me say that. Is it because of the heat?

"Yeah, it's been a while. So, you didn't know there were no classes today either?"

"No, apparently there's a chat group that Oli forgot to add me to."

When I mention his name, I notice her expression darken. If I remember correctly, they don't get along anymore. That's my fault too, another one of my unforgivable sins.

"Oh, it seems they didn't add me either."

"That's odd, you used to be popular and the kind of girl who'd be in every chat group."

"Yeah," she says, putting a hand on her neck as if she's nervous. "I had to leave school early yesterday because of some things."

"Oh, I see."

At that moment, I think about going where I wanted. But she grabs my arm, firmly.

"Don't do it again," she says with a sad voice.

"Don't do what again?"

I have no idea what she's referring to. Maybe seeing me reminded her of those times, and now she doesn't want to see me anymore.

"It's nothing, sorry, I zoned out for a few seconds," she returns to her usual energy. "By the way, where are you going? Your house is in the other direction, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I was thinking about walking around the city center while I wait to go home."

Once again, I turn around and start walking.

Just as I hear footsteps beside me, I look and see that she's walking with me.

"What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious? Going to the center with you! That's where we're headed, right?"

I think she misunderstood and thought I invited her to come along.

"Don't you have things to do?"

"Yeah, but I can't let you go to the center alone with that gloomy face."

Again, it's always the same in these situations. I have to act so it doesn't go wrong again.

I turn around and hold her by the shoulders. She's just the same as she was a year ago, with the same energy as always and the blonde hair with green streaks just as I remember, which is why it hurts to say this, but there's no other choice.

"Listen, you don't have to do this. I know you don't want to, you just pity me because of the past."

She looks absolutely horrified.

"No, you're wrong, I don't want to accompany you out of pity..."

I don't let her finish the sentence.

"You're free to do what you want, you don't owe me anything, and I don't want you to do anything out of guilt or something like that."

At that moment, she stands still, looking down.

So, I turn around and start walking, but I end up taking the path to my house, those 40 minutes.

As I walk, I keep thinking about Violeta.

Why did she want to come with me? It's probably out of pity.

Yeah, she pities me. Otherwise, why wouldn't she have spoken to me in a year?

The truth is, she hates me for that day, she hates me but she's kind, which is why she spoke to me today.

And I don't blame her for hating me, quite the opposite. But that doesn't give her the right to talk to me as if nothing happened, that could confuse someone else, not me.

When I get home, I put an end to these thoughts and go inside.

When I walk in, I see my younger sister sitting on the couch.

"So you didn't have classes either, huh, Sophie?"

"Yeah, there's no water in the city. Don't tell me you went to school, ha ha ha."

Yeah, this is my dear little sister.

Who, by the way, also hates me.

She sees me as the destroyer of her family, and she might be right.

In fact, she's the most honest with me because at least she tells me what she thought of me back then.

POV Sophie

I hear the door open, and I know who it is.

It's my older brother.

"So you didn't have classes either, huh, Sophie?"

Of course not, in fact, I didn't tell you on purpose so we could have this interaction.

"Yeah, there's no water in the city. Don't tell me you went to school, ha ha ha."

This is the only way I can communicate with my brother since a year ago, through mistakes or mocking him, and I'm tired of it.

A year ago, I was very mean to him and said things I shouldn't have because of an accident, and since then we haven't talked like we used to.

We used to be very close despite not being blood siblings.

And now I want to have that sibling relationship again, but I don't know what to do.

I know he thinks I hate him, but that's not true. I'm the one who has to ask for his forgiveness.

And I plan to do that, besides taking care of him so he doesn't suffer like he did last year.

But I get very nervous and end up being too harsh when I talk.

I know this is going to be difficult.

End POV Sophie

"Yeah, I went. Well, anyway, I'm tired, so I'm going to shower and take a nap."

"Alright, be careful not to slip in the shower, okay?"

There it is, that passive-aggressiveness that characterizes my sister.

I know that, even though she says it jokingly, part of her actually wants it to happen.

When I get out of the shower and get ready to take a nap, I receive a message.

It's from Jazmín, and there's a time and a location. She tells me to be on time or I'll have problems.

Problems? What kind of problems? I guess I'll have to go. She doesn't seem like it with her friendly personality, but something tells me not to make her angry.

By the way, where did she get my number from?

I guess it must have been that guy who loves to meddle in my life.

I wonder if he's going too since the place is a shopping mall.

I guess I'll go for a while, and when they see how boring I am and how I ruin the atmosphere, I'll be able to disappear without even Jazmín being able to keep me there.

Yeah, that's the plan.

Besides, the plan has already started well, because in the eyes of my classmates, I must be a killer, and I don't think they want to be seen near me.

Well, I'll have to dig through my clothes to find something suitable for going to a shopping mall.

But I haven't worn "fashionable" clothes in a year, I don't even know what's in fashion anymore.

"What are you doing?"

Apparently, I made too much noise looking for clothes, and my sister came over.

"I have to go out, and I don't know what to wear."

"Since when do you care about what you wear? I don't think Oliver cares about what you're wearing."

"It's just that I think there will be more people this time, I'm not even sure if Oli will be there."

She made a face of disbelief, as if she didn't believe what she was hearing.

"Eh, so you're making friends."

"No, not at all. I'm just going to go for a while."

"Mmm, or maybe you're interested in a girl and that's why you're going?"

"That's not it either, I'm going so they can see how I am and won't invite me again."

She made a face of deep disgust, as if she didn't want to see me in any way.

"Alright, I'll help you pick out your clothes."

"What? Why?"

"Because that's what a sister does, now let's see what you have in your closet."

It's strange that she wants to help me, but I accepted the help anyway.

After a while, we finished.

"Alright, this is the best I could do with what you had in your wardrobe."

"Thanks."

I thank her a lot, even though she did it because she was bored.

She blushes a little.

"Don't thank me and go already, or you'll be late. I'll tell Mom that you might be back late."

"Alright, see you."

I don't remember the last time we had this kind of conversation with my sister.

Well, it's time to head to the mall.

I arrive at the designated place.

And I see there are more people than I expected.

There are two guys and three girls in total, counting Jazmín.

I don't see Oli among them. This is going to be harder than I thought.

I decided to muster up some courage and approach them.

Jazmín was the first to see me and helped introduce me.

"Guys, this is Aaron, and I invited him to join us today."

I give a general, somewhat shy greeting. It's been a year since I've been around so many people so close.

They all greet me back, but their faces are strange.

I guess they weren't expecting me. She must not have told them who was actually coming.

I hear them start talking among themselves. They're probably talking about me.

"So, what do you guys want to do first? I saw they opened a new ice cream parlor, and I'm really excited to try it. How about we go there first?"

"Sure."

"Yeah, whatever you want, Jazmín."

Wow, she immediately took charge of the group and not only that, but she also calmed their murmurs.

She really knows how to handle crowds, she could be a good politician.

"Aaron, don't get lost, come on," Jazmín says to me with a smile.

After this, we spend some time walking around the mall.

At one point, Jazmín goes to buy herself a drink.

I take that moment to go to the bathroom, since it was right next to the store.

As I'm coming back, I hear a somewhat agitated voice in the group.

When I get a little closer, I hear them mention my name. So I decide to hide behind a nearby column to listen to what they're talking about.

I see how Jazmín is having a bit of an argument with the others.

"If you had told us you were bringing him, none of us would have come."

"I don't understand why you're saying that, he's a classmate."

"Yeah, and he's also a killer, Jazmín. We don't want to be seen with him."

One of the guys says that to Jazmín, and the others nod.

"That's not true. Were you there that day? Do you know what really happened?"

"It's not necessary, he confessed it himself. He only avoided jail because he was a minor."

"I..."

Jazmín is about to speak, but she realizes it's useless to keep arguing.

Well, she's not wrong about the first part.

I should do something; it's my fault that Jazmín might get into trouble.

If this keeps up, they'll end up despising her too.

"I was there that day, and I can assure you that's not how it happened."

What? She was there a year ago?

"Oh yeah? Then what really happened?"

"Sorry, I'm back. There were a lot of people in the bathroom."

Jazmín's face turns a little red, but she quickly recovers.

"You sure took your time, huh? Well, let's keep going. There's one more place I want to go."

Sorry, Jazmín, for stopping you, but I don't want you to say unnecessary things.

We keep walking around the mall, though the atmosphere is different.

Jazmín and I are much further ahead than the others.

Apparently, they're making it clear to Jazmín that they don't want to be around me.

It doesn't bother me, but it seems to bother Jazmín, since she looks a little angry.

Even so, she keeps talking to me in a friendly way, as if she doesn't care what they think.

"Alright, we're here."

Oh, so Jazmín wanted to come to the arcade section of the mall.

"We're going to win stuffed animals from those machines, let's go!"

She looks very excited and drags us to all these machines.

"Oh, Aaron, is that you?"

Oh no, it's true what they say, the world is too small. Why is she here?

"Yeah, it's you. What are you doing here?"

It's Violeta, apparently with some friends. With a huge smile, as usual.

Before I can answer her, she's already asking more questions.

"Aaron, who's she?"

Violeta asks with a not-so-friendly look.

"Aaron, do you know her?"

Jazmín asks curiously.

"Eh..."

They both asked at the same time, and it made me nervous. Where's Oli to save me when I need him?

"I'm Violeta, an old friend of Aaron's, nice to meet you."

What? Friend? I don't think we've been that in a year.

"Oh, hi. I'm Jazmín. I'm the one who invited Aaron and the others here."

"Oh, so it's an outing with your classmates?"

"Ah, yes, that's right."

Violeta's murderous look calms down and returns to its natural state when she hears this.

I don't understand anything that's happening.

"Aaron, why didn't you tell us before that you knew Violeta? You were hiding it, huh?"

One of the guys I came with says in a friendly manner. He even gives me a friendly nudge with his elbow.

I don't understand what's going on, he hadn't even spoken to me until just now.

"Hi, I'm a friend of Aaron's, I'm..."

At that moment, Violeta interrupts him and looks at me again.

"So, where did you meet Jazmín, Aaron?"

The guy is left feeling depressed and goes back behind me with the group.

Does he like Violeta? Now that I think about it, it makes sense. She's always been very popular and got asked out a lot.

"Oh, I met her on the first day of school while I was on my way. Not just me, but Oli too."

"Tsk."

It seems she didn't like that I mentioned Oli. I guess they didn't end on good terms after what happened last year.

"Yeah, I invited him along with several friends from class to get to know each other better. By the way, would you all like to join us?"

Desperately, I give Jazmín a look pleading with her not to, but she ignores me.

"Oh, we'd love to. Right, girls?"

Her friends don't seem very convinced, but they end up nodding. I think it's to not be rude to Jazmín's invitation.

So, we keep playing at the machines for a while longer.

During that time, Violeta didn't leave my side.

It's suffocating to have her so close to me.

I look at Jazmín, asking for help with my eyes.

"Aaron, can you help me with this machine? I'm having a hard time."

Phew, thanks, I owe you one.

"Sorry, Violeta, I'll be right back. I have to go help her."

"Yeah, don't worry."

She says that, but I can see how angry she is by the look in her eyes.

While I'm with Jazmín, Violeta doesn't stop staring at her.

After this, we walk around the mall a bit more.

Luckily, Violeta has calmed down a bit and isn't so close to me anymore.

And the guys I initially came with are treating me better. They even look me in the eye when they talk to me.

I think it's because Violeta is present, but I'm not sure.

Well, finally, it's time for everyone to head home.

Jazmín, as the great leader, organizes us according to the location of our homes.

In the end, it's just her, Violeta, and me, going in the same direction.

Or so I thought.

"Sorry, guys, but my mom is picking me up since we have some relatives to pick up."

"Goodbye," Violeta says somewhat dejectedly.

"Goodbye, Jazmín."

As she's leaving, she winks at me, and I feel like she's laughing a little.

And then Violeta and I start walking.

She's been a bit quiet compared to when we were at the mall, though I notice she keeps glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.

I guess she's nervous, probably because of what happened a year ago.

After all, I ruined our relationship, and my life as well.

"So, you still live in the same place as always?"

I ask her this question.

Although I don't want to get too close to anyone, the tension and awkwardness are affecting me, so I'd better talk a little.

"Yeah, but it seems like you don't live in the same place anymore."

"Yeah, I moved. In fact, I'm closer to your house now than before."

"Oh, is that so? Maybe I could come by and visit it someday."

How do I respond to that? I clearly want to say no, but I don't know how.

I stay quiet for so long that Violeta speaks up again.

"Hey, why did you go to the mall with them?"

"What? I guess to get to know my classmates better."

It's a complete lie, but I guess it's better than the truth.

Though, what is the truth? I don't even know why I went. It's not like Jazmín forced me or anything. I didn't even put up a fight.

Thanks to Violeta, I now have some doubts about my behavior and the reasons behind certain things.

"Could it be that you accepted because that girl invited you?"

"Huh? Are you talking about Jazmín?"

"Yeah, her. I noticed you two got along well. I also noticed the others didn't want you there."

"Oh, so you noticed, huh. Well, it's nothing. I'm used to it."

"It's not something you should be used to."

"It's not that big of a deal. I have that effect on people, making them want me out of their lives. And you should know that better than anyone."

"Don't say that."

I see how Violeta starts to tear up.

"Huh, why are you crying, Violeta? Did I do something to make you like this? Sorry."

"You didn't do anything, quite the opposite, in fact."

After a brief period of silence, she decides to speak again.

"I have something to ask you. I know you don't want to be close to anyone. But, is it different with Jazmín? Do you like her?"

Huh, what is she asking me? And how does she know I don't want to be around anyone?

"No, I don't like her. It's just that she doesn't seem to like my idea of distancing myself from everyone."

And she wants to prove to me that I'm wrong, that's why I agreed to go with them to the mall, and that's why we seem close to you.

I notice some relief in her when I say those words.

"I see, so that's what it was. By the way, I also think your thinking is wrong, but considering everything you've been through since last year, I understand."

"I see."

"Hey, can I ask you for something?"

"What do you want?"

"Just for today, just until we get to our houses, can we be like we were a year ago?"

"What do you mean?"

"Can we act with each other like we did back then? Just for a while, and then I'll give up and try to move on."

What does she mean by "give up"? I don't get it. And as for her proposal, I don't want to get close to anyone, and this would be the exact opposite.

But…

Is it wrong that, just for a moment, I could talk to her and get close to her like a year ago?

Maybe I should accept, and then I'll also give up and continue as before. Tomorrow, I'll tell Jazmín that I can't keep doing this. This will be my last time enjoying fun.

Violeta waits for my answer. She's starting to cry a little again.

"It's alr..."

I get interrupted just when I was about to respond.

"Aaron, is that you? Are you heading home?"

"Oh, Sophie, what are you doing around here?"

"Mom asked me to go buy some things. Do you want to come with me and carry the bags? Oh, sorry, I didn't see you were with someone. Is she the girl who invited you to the mall?"

"Oh, no, she's not. Sophie, don't you remember Violeta? She used to come to our house when we were kids."

Sophie's face changes and becomes strangely serious.

"Oh, of course, how could I forget. So, are you coming with me?"

She says this and doesn't even greet Violeta. I don't understand what's going on.

"It's just that I was going to walk her home."

"Don't worry, Aaron. Go with your sister, I can go home alone. It's not that late yet."

"See you tomorrow."

And she walks away, but at a fast pace, almost like she's running.

"Oh, sure, see you."

Wait a minute, see you tomorrow? What does she mean by that?

"Hey, why were you so rude to her? I know you can be like that with me sometimes, but you're not like that with others. Did something happen betw...

"Nothing happened, it's just that I'm hungry, I guess. Let's hurry up and buy things so Mom can cook."

"Alright, let's go."

I still think this is weird, not just this, but my whole day today.

I hope tomorrow goes better, or at least is a more peaceful day.