Under the Big Tree
Noel looked at Elda's face.
She immediately understood.
Elda was hurt.
Without saying anything, Noel gently held her hand.
Noel: "Let's go, sis." 😊
Elda: "Yeah..." 😞
Her voice sounded broken.
Erin noticed it.
Erin (thinking): Who is she...? 🔥🔥
---
Aaron sat alone near a rock.
Aaron (thinking): 🔥🔥🔥
Yeah, Aaron...
Why are you showing your anger to everyone?
Calm down first.
And what is this strange feeling?!
"Ahhh..." 😤
He rubbed his head and sat quietly.
---
Everyone gathered under a huge tree.
Aaron sat separately.
Elda sat with Erin beside her, while Erin stayed slightly behind them.
Elda looked toward Aaron.
Elda: "What happened to him...?" 😖
Noel shrugged.
Noel: "I don't know."
"Since morning, he has been acting like that."
"Don't take it seriously, sis."
"If someone gets angry and says things..."
"It doesn't always mean those words are from their heart."
"Sometimes they are just confused because of their current feelings."
"They don't even understand what they are saying or doing." 😤
Elda stared at Noel.
Then she chuckled.
Elda: "Who said you're uneducated?"
"You're probably the most mature person here." 😊
Noel: "Really?" 😁
"Hehe... thanks!" 😁
Noel then handed a bottle of water to Erin.
Noel: "Here, sis Erin." 😊
Erin immediately frowned.
Erin: "Don't call me sis." 🔥🔥
Her voice was cold.
Noel froze.
🙂
She felt a little hurt.
It was a simple word, but Erin's tone was very harsh.
Noel: "Okay..." ☺️
She looked down.
Elda wanted to say something, but she couldn't.
She knew Erin was already suffering.
---
Aaron was sitting far away.
He couldn't hear their conversation.
Noel stood up.
Noel (thinking): I'll go sit with Mr. King.
She's so rude... I'll tell him about it. 😤
She started walking away.
---
Elda looked at Erin.
Elda: "Why are you taking your anger out on her?"
"She didn't do anything."
"Then why are you—" 😔
Erin: "Shut up." 🔥🔥🔥
Elda looked at her sadly.
Elda: "Erin..."
"I know you're hurt."
"But please..."
"Don't hurt her." 🥺
Erin's anger burst out.
Erin: "Why?"
"Don't tell me you—"
Before she could finish...
Slap.
Elda's hand hit Erin's cheek.
Silence.
Elda's eyes filled with tears.
🥺
Erin froze.
Erin (thinking): What did I just say...?
She immediately regretted her words.
She knew she had gone too far.
She stayed silent.
---
Noel suddenly looked back.
Noel: "Huh?"
"I heard a slap sound..." 😶
She looked toward them.
Then shook her head.
Noel (thinking): It's okay.
I think Erin is just angry right now. 😊
Thinking Erin had slapped Elda, Noel walked toward Aaron.
She sat beside him comfortably.
😍
Aaron looked at her.
Aaron: "Huh?" 😶