Chapter 34 - Wronged

Julie decided to leave Amber after calming down from crying. She knew that it was the best way. It was enough for her to comfort the girl. She still needed some time to be alone by herself.

Julie already excused herself from the class and informed the school nurse about Amber's situation. She was the only one that was close to the girl. Because of this, she thought of passing by the cafeteria since it was almost lunchtime too.

She planned on buying the usual set for lunch for her and for Amber. The girl still needed to take her medications in time, and she was the only one who knew that again. She realized that she'd been with Amber for so long that even the small little things about the girl were on her mind.

She still can clearly remember the first day she met Amber. Her calm jade but sharp eyes. The way she followed the girl to her archery practice just to think of thanking her. It was really a pure coincidence that she got bullied in that old stockroom.

She never thought that it was Amber's favorite practice spot. However, after that horrible day, Amber never picked the bow and arrow again.

"Hey, have you seen that 2nd year?"

"The one who made a public apology by accusing the teacher? What was the teacher's name again?"

"It's Mister Sung. I heard he was an excellent one, so tainting his name was impossible."

"It was really impossible. I also heard that he was a strict homeroom teacher."

"Is that why that student got intrigued by him and tried to bring his reputation down?"

"Yeah, how shameless, but you know what's more exciting?"

"Come on, spill it.."

"The expression on her face the moment she saw her desk! My sister was in her class and got bullied by her. It's her karma.."

Julie froze. She couldn't explain all the feelings that stirred her up and the moment she blinked her eyes, she was already grabbing one of those 3rd years who said that. She was planning on ignoring them in the first place, but as soon as she heard those things they did, she couldn't stop herself.

Julie grabbed her forcefully and slammed her against the wall of the corner of the stairs going down to the lower floors. All of her nerves from her frail fingers pushed its limit to her hands, grasping the girl.

"Are you the one who did that?!" she sternly exclaimed. She pushed her harder. "Did you carve those words on her desk?! Do you even know what the impact of that is on her?!!" her voice cracked and she gasped.

She knew that she didn't have the right to do it, and she wasn't into violence either. Even though she's stopping Amber from doing so. This dau, all of her frustrations climbed up to her. She soon realized that she was also stressed out about what was happening to her best friend.

She didn't even get the chance to explain her side to Amber and now she was hearing everything that adds another burden. Why wasn't she there when that happened? They're friends and classmates, right? She could have protected Amber. No, maybe she could have stopped them before they even tried anything.

"So what if I did it? She deserves it anyway.." the girl in her grip didn't even faze out. She let out a smirk and looked at Julie. "Are you defending her side because she was your friend? Well, you should have left her"

She pushed Julie off and fixed her collar. "I did it because she bullied my sister! What the heck is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind? Why are you taking her side?!" she said it word by word by poking Julie on the forehead.

By this, Julie couldn't resist. The feeling of being bullied was something she knew, too. She was once a victim, and she has no right to talk about what's proper and what's not in this situation. She knew how hard it was to go to school while carrying the trauma every day.

Every piece of you, you just wanted to disappear so badly. When someone's asking you, you can't bring yourself to tell the truth and just tell a lie.

However, despite these feelings and fear, is it really okay to live for revenge all alone? Even though you got hurt and hurt the one who caused you those traumas. Isn't it really enough? The emptiness in the end will soon devour you slowly until you feel lifeless.

Her vision turned blurry and before she could realize, the group of third years already left her alone. Julie slid down on her knees and found herself crying. She didn't know what to do anymore. She wanted to protect Amber, but she didn't know how.

Amber was also a cheerful child back then. She was also one of them who only wanted to go to school freely, without worries. She has since had a dream, too. She longed for friends, whom she trusted the most.

Julie's chest tightened, and she felt the lump in her throat. She hugged herself and felt all the emotions she's been hiding from Amber. All this time, she's trying to be strong in Amber's eyes, but little did the girl know that the guilt was also eating her up inside.

'Where did I go wrong? If only I was there in the time where you got hurt, will I be able to help you too? Will I be able to bring your burdens on my shoulders too? All I wanted was to comfort you and make you feel that you are not alone?'

Sobs escaped her lips. Completely drowning into that shattering emotions.

'Will it make you feel better if you are in the wrong? Then, can we just stay in the wrong way even though I will face the consequences for you? I will accept it.'

As those inner thoughts shake her mind.. Julie cried more silently and alone on that staircase.