ARIELLE
"Hey, you're awake," I said softly when Marine slowly fluttered her eyes open.
"Miss Arielle," her voice was hoarse, her grogginess evident as she tried to force herself fully awake. "Oh, Miss Arielle!" She then yelled out, jolting her upper body upward. "How is your back? Did the doctor check you? Are you in pain?"
I froze, completely taken aback by her genuine concern. My eyes scanned her face, drinking in every little twitch of her lips, nose, and chin, not really understanding what was happening.
Marine's face was still blue and red. She had gone through so much pain, had taken so many beatings, and yet, the moment she woke up, all she cared about was me.
It wasn't fair. It was my idea to alter the dress so that I could humiliate Angela and Serena. It was my idea to bring Marine here in the first place, and all for my own incredibly selfish reasons.
And now I had to pay for that. I had to pay for that by nearly handing Marine over to the grips of death.
