"Melissa?"
A voice called her name suddenly, making her turn around.
Julie was standing there, worry etched into her face. "Are you alright? You've been so anxious these past few days."
Melissa gave her a small, hesitant smile. I never knew the girl I once considered my rival could be this kind, she thought silently.
"I just can't help it. Every time I run into my sister in the canteen, there's always this tension between us," she admitted with a sigh.
Julie sat down beside her. "I've been friends with your sister for a long time. I never even realized she was a victim of bullying… or that she was being controlled." Her voice carried quiet regret.
Melissa looked at her. "Don't talk like that, Julie. Ever since I wasn't at her school yet, she always told me stories about finally having a friend. I was really happy about that." She offered a soft smile.
Julie's expression remained tinged with sadness. "If only there was more I could do for you both," she whispered.
Melissa chuckled lightly. "It's enough that you're here—helping us, Julie."
"Meli, you still need to be careful," Nicole reminded her. "We don't know when you'll get dragged into all of this."
Melissa sighed. "Nicky, don't be too harsh on my sister either."
Nicole didn't answer. Melissa's thoughts drifted as she tried to focus on her studies. The worry in her heart wouldn't go away. And besides, her older brother Kenjie didn't know anything about what was going to happen.
When recess came, her anxiety returned. Just thinking about going to the canteen made her uneasy.
"Meli, we'll go ahead. Follow later," Nicole said.
Melissa nodded, finishing her activity before heading out. I'm starving; I should go now. She packed her things and hurried out of the classroom.
As she rushed toward the canteen, searching for her friends, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Gosh!" the girl's irritated voice snapped sharply.
"Goddamn it!" she cursed, glaring at Melissa from head to toe.
Melissa froze. Anxiety clawed at her chest. Her sister's warnings were coming true.
"S—Sorry, I—I didn't mean to; I was just in a hurry. Please forgive me," Melissa stammered immediately.
"Melissa!" Julie called out from behind her.
"Sorry? Sorry?" the girl repeated, her voice dripping with mockery. "You ruined my uniform!" Her piercing glare made Melissa shrink back.
"I—I really didn't mean to. I'm so sorry," Melissa said again, voice shaking.
"You!" The girl yanked Melissa's hair. Another girl joined in, ganging up on her.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Julie cried, rushing forward. "She already said sorry!"
"And what? You expect me to be fine with that? Don't meddle, Julie," one of them snapped.
Melissa's scalp stung as her hair was pulled. She wanted to cry, but bit it back.
"'Sorry' should be enough. What else do you want for forgiveness? You're blowing this out of proportion!" Julie pressed.
"She has to kneel. That's the only way," one of them demanded.
"What are you, gods? Why would she kneel to you?" Nicole's angry voice cut in.
"Your friend made the mistake, and yet you defend her? Hypocrites," the girl sneered.
"Hypocrites? That's you, not us," Julie shot back.
"Nicky… Julie… I'm really sorry." Melissa dropped to her knees.
Suddenly, something cold spilled over her head. She gasped as liquid trickled down her face.
"Melissa!" Nicole pulled her up quickly.
"Perfect," one of the bullies smirked at their handiwork.
"Are you insane?" Julie snapped.
"Remember the warning we gave you?" the girl sneered. "This is what happens when you don't watch yourselves."
"Julie! Nicole!"
Melissa's heart skipped at the sound of a familiar voice. Her sister—Kelly.
*****
From the corner of her eye, Kelly saw Claire glaring at her, a silent threat in her eyes.
"What's going on here?" Kelly demanded. Her gaze fell on Melissa, soaked and trembling.
"Melissa… what did you do?" Kelly asked coldly.
"I—I accidentally bumped into them and dirtied their uniform. I didn't mean it," Melissa stammered.
I know that, Meli, Kelly thought painfully, clutching her own uniform. She exhaled deeply.
"I told you before, didn't I? To always be careful. You never know who you might run into. You're reckless and clumsy!" Her voice was sharp, intentionally loud.
"So she's your sister?" one of the bullies asked.
"Yeah. I'm sorry for what my sister did," Kelly said stiffly.
"Teach her some manners. No wonder she's your sister," they sneered.
Kelly only nodded, though it burned her to say it. She knew she had humiliated her own sister.
"Kelly, whose side are you on? Your sister was just bullied!" Julie snapped.
"It was her fault. I'm the one cleaning up after her messes," Kelly replied flatly.
"She was hurt—Melissa was ganged up on!" Nicole argued.
I know that! Kelly's thoughts screamed, but she forced herself not to show it.
"It's none of my business, Nick. And if this is how she's going to act, maybe I should've told Dad how much of a liability her clumsiness is," Kelly said coldly.
Tears welled in Melissa's eyes. Kelly's heart ached, but she forced herself not to falter.
"I don't need your tears, Melissa," she said sharply. Please, just let me go. I can't take this anymore, Kelly prayed inwardly.
"Go back already," she ordered.
"I'm sorry," Melissa whispered.
"Just go!" Kelly snapped, shoving her lightly. Melissa stumbled back, losing balance, and fell to the floor.
"You've lost it, Kelly," Nicole hissed.
Kelly's chest tightened, but before she could react, Claire stepped closer.
"You don't know how to discipline her, Kelly. Let me do it," Claire whispered chillingly.
Kelly froze.
Claire suddenly grabbed Melissa by the hair.
"What are you doing?!" Nicole shouted, rushing to pull her away.
Kelly lunged forward, horrified.
"One step, Kelly," Vanissa whispered threateningly. "This isn't even the worst of it yet."
A cold shiver ran through Kelly.
Then, in one brutal motion, Claire shoved Melissa hard. Her head struck a metal chair with a sickening thud.
Kelly's blood ran cold.
"Melissa! Melissa!" Julie cried, rushing to her side.
Kelly knelt beside her trembling sister, panic rising as she saw blood.
"Meli, Meli!" Kelly's voice broke.
Chaos erupted around them. Melissa's body went limp, losing consciousness.
Vanissa's mocking voice cut through the noise. "Oh no… it's your fault. You didn't stop Claire."
"Meli! Meli!" Kelly screamed again, sweat dripping from her face.
Her hands shook violently. She wanted to cry, but fear strangled her first. Her body went weak as people rushed Melissa to the infirmary.
Now they were all gathered in the office, waiting for judgment.
It's my fault. It's all my fault, Kelly's thoughts echoed like poison in her mind.