A week passes, and Viviana still won't give up.
Every time I turn my head, she's there — lingering in the corner of my vision like a stubborn shadow. I'm slowly realizing she won't stop trying until I give in.
But... why me?
Out of everyone she could befriend, why the girl she used to torment?
She bullied me. That's not something you can just erase.
Like that time in fifth grade when she dumped all my things into a mop bucket full of water.
Or when she stole my lunch so I'd sit there hungry and embarrassed.
Sure, it was years ago — but it changed me. It's the reason I get sharp when I'm anxious. The reason I freeze up instead of speaking.
Always watching my back, always worried she'd do something again...
That fear stayed.
And now she wants to pretend none of it ever happened?
I buried that era so deep — and now she's out here digging it up.
"Anok!" Leon snaps his fingers in front of my face.
"What?" I swat his hand away.
"Bro, I've been talking for a whole minute. Did you hear anything?"
"No."
He sighs, crossing his arms. "What are you thinking about now?"
Leon's been my best friend since second grade — he knows exactly how lost in my head I get.
"You know... the usual."
"And the 'usual' would be...?" he raises a brow.
"Well... how Viviana's been—"
"Bullying you for years, yeah. I know," he finishes for me.
"How'd you—"
"You talk about her constantly. It's kinda suspicious." He smirks.
"Are you sure you don't like her?"
Instant heat floods my cheeks.
"No... no way..." I cover my face with my hands.
"Yes way!" Leon laughs.
"No! Shut up!"
"Hey, Anok!" A familiar voice calls from behind.
Viviana.
She breaks away from the crowd that always seems to follow her — running straight toward me like I'm the only person she sees.
She's wearing a soft brown cardigan-styled top, paired with a black tank underneath. A ruffled mini skirt trimmed with pastel colors, patterned tights, chunky brown boots, and a hint of gold jewelry. Every detail matches effortlessly — because of course it does.
"Hiii!" She beams, grabbing my hand — her fingers cold but gentle.
A surge of heat rushes into my face.
I yank my hand away, and she pulls back a little, hurt flickering in her eyes.
but she doesn't comment.
"What are you two doing?" she asks, smiling like usual, hands tucked behind her back.
"Oh, just talking, Viv," Leon answers, grinning.
"Leo..." I whisper sharply.
"What? Can't we tell our friend what's going on?"
"Friend?" Viviana perks up immediately — hope glimmering in her eyes.
That annoyingly adorable smile of hers...
"No." I turn away so she can't see my blush.
"Aww, why not?" Her voice dips playfully — but there's genuine confusion hidden in it.
"Because. We're enemies."
"No, we're not."
"Yes, we are."
"No, we're not."
"Yes, we—"
"Oh my god, STOP!" Leon groans dramatically.
"I'm going to my girlfriend's. You two figure out whatever this is."
He grabs his sunglasses and storm-walks off.
"Um... okay?" I mumble.
Viviana steps closer. "So? We're not enemies." She grabs my hand.
I slightly blush, and I feel utterly stupid for it.
"Yes, we are! Not unless you apologize!" My voice cracks.
"You can't pretend everything's fine, Viviana! It's like you forgot everything you put me through!"
Her smile vanishes.
Tears gather in my eyes before I can stop them. I rip my hand out of her grasp and turn away.
"Anok—" she tries.
But I'm already running — straight to the bathroom — locking myself inside before I break completely.