After the dismissal bell rang, after the professor walked out of the class, Rachel and Raul made a stop at my desk, before heading to the detention room.
At first I ignored them, gingerly and slowly putting my books inside my bag, aware that my classmates weren’t moving, even with the noises of students’ movements in the hallway. They were all waiting to know why the twins were standing in front of my desk; they were standing to protect.
It should have made me happy, considering at one time it was what I had wanted most, solidarity. But now, it seemed like a disturbance.
Was it because of my powers? I wasn’t sure, but it was what it was.
I thought of dismissing them myself, but then I let it go; I didn’t think the twins would be here for long, I didn’t want to seem like a dictator either. I wasn’t a bully, and I surely wouldn’t order people around.
"Dora, can we speak with you for one second..."
I said nothing in return. Rather I made sure that my backpack was up to date, before turning to Levina. "I will see you later?"
Levina furrowed her eyebrows, but nodded either-way.
Then I stood up from the chair, and started toward the exit door. But before I had even made two steps in that direction, Raul called me back. "Dora, I asked for an audience...you wouldn’t grant me that too...?"
I paused, and swerved. Taking my time to run my eyes along the contours of the twins. "Do you want the audience in front of the whole class?"
The sudden light in his eyes informed me that he had thought I was walking out on them. Well, I had almost done so, but for my ardent curiosity.
However, I walked out of the class, aware that they were right behind them, aware that the students were dying of curiosity, aware that they wished I had asked Raul to continue with his speech in front of them. They were spoiling for gossip, but I wouldn’t give it to them.
I walked to the garden after the library, and sat on one of the benches. When they came in, I crossed my legs on each other, and then crossed my arms on my chest. They stood in front of me, causing me to pique an eyebrow.
"Aren’t you both going to sit down?"
Raul shook his head. "There is not a need for that. We wouldn’t be wasting your time."
"I am counting on that." I looked away from them to the beautiful plants, which had been planted and were used for something like the greenhouse effects, if the transparent roof above them was any indication.
There was a beat of silence, where I wondered if they were staring at me, thinking of how best to murder me for shaming their family, but I didn’t panic, neither did I turn to them. I was waiting for the speech, whatever it was.
It was Rachel, who spoke next, surprising me with her words. "I am sorry, Dora."
These four words brought me confusion, and so I had to turn to them. When I did, I was shocked to see Rachel kneeling before me. What was happening to my senses? I should have seen that!
’You saw it, you just were too distracted.’ El spoke, causing me to furrow my eyebrows, and ruminate on her words.
Two seconds in, I knew she was right. I had seen it, felt it rather, but unbelief had held my mind and heart from seeing it, from bothering to check it out.
’You should be more open; I’m talking about your heart and mind now. It would help the flow of your magic.’
I nodded, then remembered that I had an audience. Raul was looking at me to say something. But what could I say to that? What exactly was Rachel apologizing for? For her hostility since my presence here? For her wickedness in the contest? For trying to murder me?
My questions must have shown in my face, because she sighed and bowed her head. "I am sorry for everything. For being a pest in your life, for trying to kill you, for no just cause."
"Who put you up to this? Raul? Or you think it is a way out of the life that you had dealt on some students in the past years? Your way out of being bullied?" I paused, then glanced at the twins.
"Well, sorry to burst your bubbles, but I am not behind the bullying. I hate that act, and won’t stoop that low, not even for you, Rachel. As a matter of fact, I spoke to the students after you left with your brother. I washed my hands off the act. So, if that’s why you are apologizing, don’t waste your words..."
"That’s not the reason she is apologizing..." Raul interrupted me, cocking his head to the side. "Well, not the main reason though; we are just sorry for hurting you. My family is terribly sorry for being a thorn in your flesh, for trying to sabotage your victory at the contest, for trying to kill you...We are sorry, Dora. We are here to make amends."
For the betterment and unity of the community. I added in my mind. The Queen was playing politics. But I wasn’t one to fix myself in that. I would just watch my back, and that of my family and close friends.
I didn’t trust the Queen, no matter the amount of apologies I received from her or the queen.
"No problem then, Raul. You were behind this strategy right?"
He was about to deny it; I could see it in the tilting of his head, but Rachel spoke first.
"Yes, he persisted in making us see reasons, and I am glad that he did. He burst the stupid bubbles we have been in since. We are truly sorry, Dora..." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel⁂fire.net
I didn’t think that she understood the sarcasm behind my sentence, behind the ’strategy’, but I nodded all the same. "That’s okay, Rachel."
"So, we are cool now?" she asked with a smile.
I nodded, without a smile. We have not gotten there yet.