Chapter 33

To Ariel's surprise, no one bothered them at school the next day. Even during lunch, they were left alone, aside from admiring gazes directed at Jade.

Is Janice even around today? Ariel looked around during lunch, expecting to spot her leering at them.

"Why are you looking around so much when I'm right beside you?" Jade whispered into her ear, and she jumped from his warm breath.

"Um..."

"Does your lunch not taste good today?"

"It's delicious, as always." She took a big bite of pasta.

"At least try to relax when I'm beside you; they can't hurt you now, and their stares should mean nothing at this point."

She nodded and kept eating. He asked, but he knew what was going on... "I can feel the stares, but I'm sure they're staring at you in admiration more than anything."

"Is that so?" It was true that he couldn't feel much malice from the crowd around them, but someone did unsettle him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Janice hide behind the nearby corner. "I guess she's still lingering, but I notice a lack of friends around her this time."

"What do you think that means? Are they lingering elsewhere, waiting to strike?"

"I've heard them bickering before, so it's possible they've finally abandoned her. Please, just eat." He stroked her head. "I'll be back in a moment."

"You're leaving?" She tugged on his sleeve.

"Only for a moment. Don't worry; I won't go far."

"Okay..." Her hand slipped off, and she watched him walk away. I wonder what he's up to. He disappeared around the corner.

"What do you want?" Jade crossed his arms as he glared down at Janice. "I thought I made myself clear the other day."

"But..." Janice huffed and looked around. "Why her? Like, seriously? You seem to dote on her more than I see other couples do, and you don't even want to give me a chance to win you over. People like me, you know?"

"People tolerate you because they don't want to be subject to your bullying. And why wouldn't I dote on her? She's an amazing woman, and despite all you've done, she's not out for petty revenge." Only to stop Janice's tyranny.

"Amazing? Ha! You must be blind to think a pathetic worm like her in need of saving is amazing."

Jade sighed and shook his head. "Pathetic? For struggling against bullies that gang up on her? You know nothing about Ariel, and yet you despise her so much. Is it because you see something in her you lack?"

"I don't lack anything."

Jade stepped closer. "Based on what little I know about you, you seem to lack quite a long list of things. One of them being a sense of basic decency. Why do you think you're above others? What have you done to earn that sort of pride in your accomplishments?"

"I... I'm rich."

"Are you saying you made money on your own, or are you rich because of family?"

She frowned and looked away, pouting as she crossed her arms.

"I've heard about you mentioning her grades, as if she didn't earn them, and I can only suspect you're jealous of her. You're not in a competition with her, and if you wanted attention from a teacher, you should've put more effort in. Heck, Ariel would've helped you with your schoolwork if you asked, instead of bullying her."

"Tch... Did she tell you all of that?"

"I've heard various things from her and seen the bruises and cuts you've caused."

"She's a liar; you can't listen to what she tells you."

"And I've heard from both you and those around you since I arrived, so I know quite a bit. I know this isn't the first time you've bullied someone. Seems you've had a habit of it your entire life. Is something wrong at home, or are you just a horrible person dead set on ruining other people's lives for your own twisted pleasure?"

"I..." Her face warped. "My home life is fine. I'm rich, and my family gives me whatever I want, unlike the little orphan."

"So you admit you're just a horrible person, then? I'd advise you to seek counselling—"

"I'm not a bad person, and I don't need another therapist telling me how to live my life!" she snapped at him.

"Another?"

"I..." Her frown deepened. "Everything in my life is perfect. I'm perfect. She's only getting what she deserves; ask anyone."

"Anyone? Don't I count as someone?"

"You're her... boyfriend or whatever; you don't count."

"Are you so egotistical that you think everyone will stand by you with how you treat people? Do we need to put that to a test? Even a short survey of the people outside during lunch would suffice."

Her lip quivered. "Fine!" She shoved him, but like a boulder, he didn't budge. "You think I don't know that people hate me?!"

"If you know how people see you, and you know you're behaving badly, why do you continue it?"

"I... I don't know any other way!"

Jade sighed, relaxing his posture. "Then it's time you learn."

"It's too late for that. In case you haven't noticed, I've been alone since you ripped me to shreds the other day. Even Cherry and Pat turned on me. Some best friends they are."

"Have you thought about why they turned on you?"

"Some nonsense about my obsession or something... I don't know. You'd have to ask them. They're just traitors who turn as soon as things don't look good. They bullied her too, you know? It's not like it was only me."

"You were the main one, and you led them. Take responsibility for your actions, and if you need help, reach out. I'm sure those girls who have been at your side through all your atrocities would be willing to stand by you if you changed your tune."

"Stop making it sound so easy to change!" she snapped at him.

"It may not be easy, but it's necessary. Don't belittle them. Don't belittle anyone. Don't go around making up things about people because you're jealous. Work on improving yourself."

"Will you change your mind about me if I do?"

"I appreciate effort and a willingness to right the wrongs they've committed, so yes." That didn't mean he would forgive what she'd done, even if somehow Ariel did.

"So if I put on the goody-goody act you like, would you date me?"

"Act? Ariel isn't acting; she's a good, genuine person, who has been hurt by you several times."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Your flippant attitude doesn't help the situation."

"I have no chance with you, do I?"

His voice softened. "No, I'm sorry."

"But if you won't date me, do I have a reason to change and go around like a grovelling, snivelling little—"

"So you can get your friends back, unless you like being all alone."

Janice sighed, shaking her head. "Is there anyone who likes being alone all the time?"

"Possibly, but they're the minority. Most people like to have time to themselves sometimes, though." As far as he could tell, what he said went the same for humans, too.

Janice covered her eyes with her hand and took a deep breath. "You know, when you came over here, I thought you were going to out me to the whole crowd outside."

"That wouldn't do any good. It would make you harbour stronger hate, likely towards the wrong person."

"If that's what you believe, why'd you make such a spectacle last time?"

"Because at that point in time, it was needed."

"What are you, some mastermind genius who's an expert on people?"

"Not exactly. I am quite the tactician, which requires you to read situations."

"A tactician?" Her hand slipped away, and he could see the tears in her eyes. "What teenager is a tactician? Or do you mean in video games or something?"

"Or something."

Jade nudged his head to tell her to turn around. "Looks like some people came looking for you." When his eyes met Andy's, Andy bowed.

"I'm sorry," Andy said. "Please don't take it out on the girls."

"I'm not sure what you think I'd do." Jade sighed. "I will not lay my hands on them for the attack, if that's what you're thinking. I wouldn't do something so despicable. At most, I would disarm and immobilize if she attacked."

Andy peeked up at him, still bowing. "Any chance you'd forgive me enough to teach me some moves? You took me down in seconds, ruining any confidence I had in my own fighting prowess."

"Ha... Well, I'm not into teaching bullies—"

"I promise to use it for good and sports." Andy stood upright and saluted, smacking himself in the head because of how fast he moved.

Jade thought for a moment, debating on what to reveal. "Well, I don't know that I'll stick much longer."

Their eyes went wide, and Janice tackled him with a hug. "No! You can't leave now. You're the best one to look at in this school."

"You're going to have to learn to appreciate more than beauty."

"Why would you leave? What about Ariel? I thought you were together?"

He thought about Ariel and Orsted. "We are... but it's necessary. You better not try to bully Ariel again, or her military brother will pounce on you." He extracted himself from Janice's arms. "Now, if you'll excuse me."