"Ping Tiffany!" She yelled at the sky. "Ping Genevieve. Ping Sakura!"
"Hey!" came a chirpy voice so suddenly Kate literally bounced.
At the door was Sakura, Richard, Eric and behind was a man she'd never seen. No she was wrong, it was mister tall dark and handsome from the other night! The one who'd spotted her from an impossible distance, like she was the target of some extraction mission.
They came one. Kate smiled the weak but joyous smile of the miniscule.
"Hey Kate." Sakura said she took Elsie's seat right in next to Kate, Eric on the other side.
There was a huge supply of weird misery behind Sakura's smile. "We kinda… need to talk."
"We're talking now so let's talk. I think my implant is busted. I didn't know that could happen… Well, I dunno."
Tears immediately sprinted down Sakura's cheeks with an ease that should've been impossible.
"It's fine! It just means it'll have to be fixed. That's all it means." Kate said almost pleadingly. "You guys can just visit while I wait, if you're not busy."
Kate knew what was coming. It was written on their faces, even Mr. Tall, Dark and handsome.
Sakura took a breath, chest staying raised like she'd need a special pose for what she was about to say. Kate could physically feel the hammer rising, higher over her head.
"Ve cannot." Richard simply, saving Sakura from doing it.
"Why, because of school? Work schedules?"
"Because it vouldn't be fair." Richard continued.
"Because I got hurt? Or because I did badly?"
"Because you did badly." Said Tall, Dark and Handsome.
He had some French in him too.
"Who the hell are you?" Kate demanded.
To Kate's surprise her words hit him like a ton of bricks. He was genuinely crestfallen. Why? Who was he? Did she have a stroke?? Had she hit her head? No. So then, who was he?
"A friend." He said softly.
"A friend? Sure. Mr. Friend. Are you coming to tell me that you can't see me too?"
"I'm here to rep Tiff." He said.
"Exhibition." Kate sighed, "So she can't come herself?"
"You gotta understane." Eric said softly, his meaty hands scooping up one of hers and she shuddered. Five times crying was too many! They would not get another tear from her!
Anger and fury poured from her but was actively being cooled by Eric's hold. Kate pulled away.
"Tiffany was here on multiple days. But then you started getting abuse. There were threats made to the hospital, Kate. People hate you. I've never seen negative favorability like this."
"For playing the game?" Kate yelled, "What am I not missing!"
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✨ Stand with me — follow and share as Zenith dives into the machinery of power. ✨
Sakura's screen revealed the truth:
Kate's OZ was ruined, her ranking shattered, her name dragged through the system.
Money could buy her exit, but not belonging.
The factions demanded loyalty, demanded proof, demanded war.
And when Richard confirmed her failure, Kate's fury became fire.
She would not bow.
Next time on Zenith:
What happens when the outcast refuses to play by the rules?