words do hurt

Chapter 12

"What happened yesterday?" Maria asked softly as we were behind the school buildings, since it was free period, and class wouldn't start for another 15 minutes.
"Well, the principal didn't suspend me, because there wasn't proof that I was doing any of that stuff that Tiffany was lying about, but she told me to go home to just.. relax." I explained.
"Oh." she commented simply.
There was a question occuring in my mind during our conversation.
"Why are we hiding? Don't you want to actually be around people so people won't think we're doing... things?" I asked curiously.
"No." she blurted out. "I mean, it's just really crowded, I like the peace and quiet out here."
"Oh come on, tell me the truth." I said, rolling my eyes at her.
"What are you talking about?" she questioned, trying to play it all innocent.
I twisted my hair into a curly strand, as I eyed her down.
"I've known you too long to know that you're lying. Now why don't you tell me the real answer?" I said, pursing my lips, expecting an clear answer.
"Nothing, really." she muttered.
I sighed deeply; I knew what she was thinking.
I ran my clear, bare fingernails through glossy hair that was shimmering in the illumination that was the lights on this usual cloudy day.
"You're embarrased to be seen around with me, aren't you?"
"What? Psh, no!" she laughed uncertainly.
"You're afraid that I'm going to damage your reputation, so you won't be an outcast in this school like me." I said, and by the look on her face, I could tell that I just read her mind.
"I'm sorry Christina, I really am." she replied, with an apologetic look on her face.
"I'm not strong like you." she continued, "If I was unliked in this school, I would just fall apart, I can't handle all that pressure like that."
"So what are you saying, we still can't be friends because popularity matters so much to you?" I murmured, as I could feel the boiling tension in my veins.
"We can, but just not at school or in public." she said, shrugging.
I can't believe this; she regained her memory of having me as a best friend again, but she still doesn't want to be seen with me?
She didn't care about these things before; she was practically unfearful when it came to society's problems and all that junk that we deal with in school.
"Tiffany really brainwashed you, didn't she?" I joked, trying to cut off the awkwardness.
As much as I wanted to tell her off, it's a miracle that she remembered me and actually wants to be my friend, and that's all I've wanted since the accident.
"So is it a deal? Can we still be friends secretly?" she asked, with a hint of hope in her eyes.
I bit my lower lip, as I leaned against the wall, staring off into the sky.
"Yeah, I guess so."

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