Now that things were back to normal between Violet and Lila, an awkward tension broke out in the room. A silence that stretched until Lila, ever the chatterbox, broke it.
"You should stay here and prepare for class while I go get your breakfast," Lila said, her voice unusually gentle as though she was walking on eggshells.
"No," Violet said suddenly.
"No?" Lila repeated, her brows furrowing in surprise.
Violet's eyes shone with a fiery determination as she met Lila's gaze and said. "The whole school must have seen the news by now. They'd expect me to stay here, to cower in shame, but that's not going to happen. I can't let them get to me. I have to show them I'm unaffected by their gossip and mockery. I'm not someone who can be pulled down that easily."