Morning of a new day…
Look at me. Why do my eyes look this tired? I really need to buy that dark‑circle cream again.
I stared at myself miserably. Even my hair looked dull today—brown, but not the bright pretty kind.
I actually feel…less than.
I looked at my clothes to get ready.
Alright, Emma…you need to get yourself together for a new day full of positive things…hopefully.
Gina walked into school and saw Susan, Sara, and the other girls orbiting around them.
"Sara, can I talk to you?" Gina asked.
Sara looked worried. "What?"
"I just want to talk."
"About who?"
"About Emma."
Sara glanced nervously at Susan.
Gina laughed. "Does she threaten you not to talk to Emma? How embarrassing."
"What? No—I'm not weak. Watch your mouth!!" Sara snapped.
"And what does this have to do with you?" Susan said. "Are you Emma's lawyer or what?"
"No, I'm not. It's just…weird. One day she talks normally with you, and the next she changes completely because she suddenly has friends."
Susan rolled her eyes, grabbed Sara's wrist, and pulled her away.
"Wait! I'm talking to you!" Gina yelled.
"And why should we care?" Susan said coldly.
"I'm talking to Sara, not you."
"You defend your friend, so I get to defend mine."
"What kind of stupidity is this? Emma isn't even here. And Sara has a tongue—she can talk for herself," Gina said sharply.
"Then go away. I don't want to see you in front of me," Susan snapped.
Gina laughed. "And who are you to tell me to leave?"
Susan approached her slowly with a smug smirk.
"Looks like you don't know who I am… You're not on my level, girl. Save yourself the embarrassment and get out of my face. My mood isn't great today."
Gina stepped even closer, completely unfazed.
"Really? Well, I'm not scared of you, ugly."
The girls gasped—no one had ever stood up to Susan like that.
I walked in and saw the crowd. They never gather for nothing—they love gossip. So there had to be a reason.
I didn't care at first—Susan was involved, and she's not worth my time—but then I noticed Gina standing right in front of her.
I raised my voice.
"What's going on here?"
"She called Susan ugly! Can you believe that??" one girl said.
"I swear, I want her courage," another whispered.
Endless chatter—of course, all on Susan's side.
I sighed loudly.
"Gina! Let's go. Don't waste your energy on her."
"No, Emma! I'm ending her attitude today!!" Gina yelled.
"What?? You come to school for one day and suddenly think you're better than me?" Susan shot back. "Unbelievable."
"Your arrogance makes you believe that—but I'll take full responsibility for what I said," Gina replied.
I looked at her desperately. She needed to calm down; I didn't want her getting kicked out again because of these clowns.
"What even are you?" Susan mocked.
I tried to step in, but Sara grabbed my arm.
"Don't. It's between them."
"Sara!"
She avoided my eyes.
"sara changed so much… I know we didn't talk much during the last vacation, but our years of friendship—did you forget them that easily?
While I was distracted with Sara and how much she's changed…
Out of nowhere, I saw Gina punch Susan—full force—and Susan dropped right in front of me.
I couldn't believe it. Did Gina seriously just do that?
"What—Gina!! Why did you do that?" I shouted, acting shocked, even though honestly… I kind of expected she'd do it eventually.
"You—!! You're going to pay for this, you hear me?!" Susan yelled, tears coming down even though she clearly didn't mean to.
Yeah… that punch must've hurt. A lot.
"Oh really? And what exactly will you do? I punched you—as you can see—and embarrassed you in front of your little audience. I feel sorry for all of you who see her as some kind of role model. Look at her now — pathetic," Gina said.
"Gina!!!"
The principal was standing right there.
That's when I knew this wouldn't pass quietly—especially since Susan was involved.
"I'll come," Gina said, then muttered, "Ugh, I can't believe this."
"Good that you admit it," the principal said.
Gina stared at Susan for a moment, then followed him.
"I hope they expel you, you deranged slut!!" Susan screamed, red‑faced and humiliated in front of everyone.
I went outside to wait for Gina. Inside, the principal was definitely tearing into her.
Finally, she came out.
"Well?" I asked nervously.
"As you see—I just got a written warning," she said with this annoying confident smile.
I sighed in relief. "Gina, please don't do that again. Do you want to get expelled again??"
"She's insane, can't you tell?! I had to shut her up!"
"There's no point in this. It's our last year. Remember? We'll graduate and be done with trash like her."
"Worse if she ends up in the same university," Gina muttered.
"I doubt it. I hope she travels far so we can breathe. Anyway—her parents are rich, what do you expect. Come on, let's eat something before class starts."
"Of course," Gina said.
We sat down to eat and talk.
"You were a total hero today, I'll admit that," I said, looking at her.
"…I'm sorry for dragging you into my chaos. I know you hate fights," Gina said.
"Good. At least you know that. But honestly? I kind of wanted this to happen too. I always wanted to punch her like you did.
I don't know… maybe you've become my role model."
"What?" Gina said, embarrassed. "No—don't see me like that. I'm just a normal friend. I have so many flaws."
"That doesn't matter, Gina. What matters is that you're bold. You're not scared of anything. You do whatever is in your head—even if it's dangerous. And also… honestly, you're really pretty. Everyone stares at you. I'm not trying to envy you, but… you really are lucky."
Gina smiled. "Thank you, Emma. But I'm actually a mess. I have so many weird things about me that nobody would believe. Like… hahaha… I actually believe there are other beings out there."
I blinked. "What??" And I laughed.
"Yes! I believe that. There could be others like… monsters, vampires, witches… I don't know. It sounds weird but—don't you believe that?"
"What? Hahaha—of course not," I said.
"I don't believe you. Why not?"
"Gina, are you insane? Why would I believe stuff that only exists in fantasy stories??"
"You should believe it! There ARE strange beings and they live among us! They just don't show themselves!! I've always wondered why they never reveal their existence. They must have rules or something. They're not like us."
"Okay, okay—I believe you. Class is starting, we need to go," I said just to stop her from spiraling into her imagination.
"But!! You really don't believe me. You don't believe in love at first sight, and now aliens? You're nothing like me, Emma."
"Gina, I said I believe you. What more do you want—should I scream: 'There are strange beings living among us!!' ??"
"Ugh, forget it," Gina said.
I sighed. "I believe you, Gina. Why are you being annoying right now…"
Gina slapped my arm and walked ahead toward class.
Time to see what the day has for us.
to be continued...