Chapter 18
Maybe the world isn't always so mean
Quinley started hyperventilating, speaking to herself
Okay. Calm down. Look
She looks up at the angry mod before quickly tucking her head back down
calm down. Shit, why did I even do this? I should have just shut up and given a speech.
None of these people know or care about Zelina. Go fucking figure.
Where is the staff? is the principal is letting me suffer because of the way I talked to him in the office.
Why are they all yelling at me? I'm already down on my knees, crying. Just why are they so loud?
I can't think.
I can't breathe.
I can't do shit right.
Why can't I do anything without you... Zelina?
Oh Lord, please tell me what to do. I can't handle this. I don't have any more strength to give neither in my voice, nor in my rage, nor in my soul. I'm tired, Lord. I am so, so tired.
Please, Holy God, give me rest, for I cannot fight this battle alone anymore. Please give me a sign that You two haven't left me.
Xavian
REAL LOVE DOESN'T LAST!!!!
For a split moment, Quinley head raised.
Her eyes following others as a tsunami of perception all lead back to one point all lead back to one voice
voice coming from someone she never could have imagined to speak louder than a whisper
Tears run down her face like the Hannoki falls seeing the one who called to her prayers
"Xavian...."
Xavian screamed even louder
*"Love doesn't last" right? Those were your words. I know you're going through a lot right now, But you hear the one who pushed everyone away when you needed comfort the most.
She was my friend, too. It was the three of us against the world, remember?
I know I was weak. I know I could have done more I always could have. And I know that I failed to be there for you when you were hurting. And I screwed up.
But one thing I know, above everything else, is that I will never let you feel like you're alone ever again.
You hear me?
I'm just as worried, and I'm just as scared, but I'm not going to let myself look down until I'm looking into her eyes or I'm looking down upon her grave.
She's still out there somewhere, and I'm not giving up so don't you dare either.*
Student 5
I'm cringing just listening to this dude can we just get this over with I still got to pack things in my dorm.
Student 7
Yo, It's got to be some kind of play or some shit.
Hazel walks up to both students, wrapping her arm around each of their shoulders with twenty bucks in both hands.
Hazel
Hey, dear.
I swear, I feel you on this whole "dead best friend" BS.
It's such a waste of time but considering your pockets are empty and mines are not it could be worth it in the end if you do me a favor and repeat the first words that crying, loud, chubby dude just said earlier.
You know, that "love doesn't last" crap.
Scream it at the top of your lungs. That would be very much appreciated.
Student 5
BITCH, first of all, I got paper ain't nobody's pockets empty here. Second, I'll say that love doesn't last shit for 25. Take it or leave it.
She playfully slap Twenty ones in the student's face before disappearing in the crowd
The student yelled Hey asshole I said 25 What is this!!!
Hazel voice what's faint from the crowd but he can still make make out a few words
Oh shut up Don't be greedy now chant before I take my money back
You know whatever dude
He cuffs his hands against his mouth
Students 5 and 7 (chanting)
REAL LOVE DOESN'T LAST!!!!
REAL LOVE DOESN'T LAST!!!!
REAL LOVE DOESN'T LAST!!!!
Hazel
Very much appreciated.
Hazel swiftly moves through the crowd, giving multiple students the same offer.
Gradually, more and more students start chanting "Love doesn't last," and the noise spreads around.
And like another domino effect, the more students who chanted, the more students followed suit even without being offered money.
Quinley looked up to see that once-rowdy, aggressive crowd all cheering and chanting that oh-so-beautiful song.
Tears started running down her face not from pain or stress, but from the overwhelming joy of realizing Xavian's words were true.
People were there for her.
Their arms were always open.
She just had to escape the fog that had cluttered her mind, that had deluded her into thinking she was truly alone.
Soon, in the battle she was fighting, she would have shoulders to lay on.
Wait no... she already does.
Quinley
"Damn it, Xavian. Why couldn't you have this much backbone in the principal's office..."
Thank you. I can hold on just a little longer because of you... all of you
The crowd screamed and yelled in joy.
REAL LOVE DOESN'T LAST!!!!
REAL LOVE DOESN'T LAST!!!!
REAL LOVE DOESN'T LAST!!!!
Principal Boneyard
Principal Boneyard stepped onto the stage, hands raised to calm the crowd.
Okay, okay everyone settle down now.
Now that was an exquisite song, I could have never expect anyone in your state to find a strength to do anything like this
Quinley's head snapped up
There's no mistake you and only you It's the stark definition of what it means to be valedictorian material I know your friend would have been proud
Quinley
Right… She takes a deep breath inhaling in and outt as she raised her gaze at her authority figure
Her hands were still trembling. Her voice cracked on the first word. But she spoke anyway
The hell would you know about what it means to be a valedictorian, huh? Because you know that girl you're shit officers refuse to find.
That girl, who I sang the so-called exquisite song for.
That girl, who pushed me to get where I am right now. The girl who never had any of the advantages I had only hard work and sleepless nights and still never fell far behind me, not even once.
Zelina.
She's the one who truly deserves to be a "valedictorian" more than anyone in this God-forsaken school. So don't insult me, because in reality, I'm just lucky I was born rich and she wasn't.
"Now go make your fucking speech. I'm tired, and the friends I have left are worried Peace."
Quinley quietly exited the stage, never giving a glance to an institution that she now knows will abandon her and probably many others when they'll need its help the most.
Principal Boneyard
Well then… this year, a valedictorian might make me hold off my retirement. I'll be damned if I don't see how she develops over the next four years.
Well... I should start doing my job, starting by calling down this… this crowd. That song and that little act sure got everyone ready. The chaos this school brings let me properly welcome them to Eleanor Academy.