Chapter 56: Don’t Push Me
The campfire started, and we all ate near the fire. It was fun since we also cooked our food and the boys did the fishing. "After this will be the test of courage. How cliché." Maris said while shaking her head. I’m glad we’re finally done talking about whose fault it was and why Francesca pushed me off the platform before.
"It’s for high school memories. Cliché is also good, you know." Carla said as she sat beside me. "It’s not like we did this during the first and second year." That’s right. The school trip that happened during our first and second years were simple. We went to a well-known place to have a great time, and that was it. Going on a recreational trip is memorable, befitting our last year at this school.
"Don’t you think this is great, Noelle?" Carla asked me while I was just busy eating. "After eating, we’ll be doing campfire songs, then the test of courage. And after the test of courage will be a dance where you can ask anyone to be your partner. Of course, Noelle will be partnered with Night."
I just nodded since I didn’t want to make them doubt or ask any more questions. "I-I guess. If Night accepts me, that is." I said while eating. "What about Carla and Maris? Who’ll be your partners?" The two of them shrugged.
"I’m anti-romantic, so I’ll pass," Maris said.
"Then what about Carla?"
Carla looked at me with her face flushed. "I-I want to ask Ryzen, but I don’t think I have a chance." She said. Oh, so Carla likes Ryzen. I didn’t know that. "Do you think Ryzen already has someone he likes? He’s cool and talented. Also, he’s friendly with everyone."
"I actually don’t know. But I think he doesn’t have a girlfriend at this moment."
Maris nudged Carla. "You should go for it."
Carla blushed. "I-I’ll try if Noelle also goes for Night." She said as she looked at me with twinkling eyes. ’Oh god. I don’t want to.’ Even though I really didn’t want to, I couldn’t get past Carla’s twinkling eyes.
"Y-Yeah. I’ll do it, so I think you should go for it." How I wanted to admit that I don’t really want to be involved with Night romantically ever again. "Let’s eat first."
And so we ate and talked about random things. Maris also made me talk about why I didn’t want to be in the same group as them. "H-Huh? I-I didn’t say anything like that." It caught me off guard, and I didn’t want them to think I hated them.
"Actually, we heard you talking to Candace last time in the classroom," Maris said. "It’s fine. I just want to know why. Do you hate other people except for Andrei and Candace?"
I took a deep breath. Carla’s also waiting for my answer. How should I explain it? "I-It’s not because I don’t like you guys, but because I think you don’t like me," I said while averting my gaze. "I-I’m an attention seeker, after all." Other students call me that, and I don’t think I hated being the center of attention before.
"Huh? Who said Noelle’s an attention seeker? That’s so mean!" Carla said. "We don’t think of you like that. Instead, I think of you as someone hard to approach because you’re like royalty. The princess of this school!"
True, I used to have a princess complex. Maybe still have a little? But unlike before, I’m not that extravagant anymore.
"It’s not about the princess complex," Maris said as if she heard what was in my head. That’s how the three of us talked about each other, and I learned more about them while they also learned more about me. "I used to think that Noelle is too generous and naïve. I saw you lending some stranger money before." Maris said, causing me to blush due to embarrassment.
"I thought you didn’t know the value of money. That’s why you do that." Maris chuckled. "But I soon realized that you’re just kind. Too kind to the point that people take you for granted."
They continued complimenting me, but I felt shy with all that, and when we finished, everyone was forced to sit near the fire, and the teachers made us write letters to each other. Being with the other students here made me feel nervous, but Maris and Carla stood by my sides, making me feel more comfortable.
"Isn’t this fun? It’s my first time being out at night, and the stars are beautiful." Carla whispered to my ear. I couldn’t help but agree.
After singing some songs, the teachers made us play games, and they kept the letter we wrote for the person we liked. Not romantically, okay. "As we’re done with some activities, we’ll be doing the test of courage." We’re doing these activities with the advanced class. I don’t know why but that’s what Miss Valencia said. "Pick your partner here on this ballot." I picked up a number and waited for someone to search for this number.
"Have you guys found your partner yet?"
While roaming my vision, I heard Francesca and her friends talking about their numbers. What tough luck! I’m partnered with Francesca! ’I would rather play as a ghost then!’ Why do I know about the ghost play? It’s because Andy’s one of those people who’ll play as a ghost. "What are you waiting for?" Francesca called me, but Carla grabbed my arm, stopping me from moving away from them.
"Are you sure you’re coming with that person? She almost killed you."
Francesca scoffed. "Excuse me? I know that she won’t die from that." She rolled her eyes.
"But you still pushed her off. The intent was there." Maris said. "Son of a bitch." She cursed softly, enough for the teachers to not hear. ’I feel scared when she curses like that.’
I took a deep breath. "It won’t happen again," I reassure them. I’m not that weak to be unable to defend myself, I think? ’To be honest, I think I might be stronger than Francesca, but she just caught me off guard. Who would have thought she could push someone off like that? And from a high place too.’
Francesca and I walked the path towards the forest. All we need to do is get an object waiting at the end of the forest and bring it back. That’s all there is to this. Ah, also, we must explain why we chose that object. I think there are many objects there since many students are here.
’Now what?’
The awkward silence made me want to walk faster, but Francesca pulled me towards another path, causing me to feel confused.
"The teachers said not to stray from the path," I told her.
"Who cares."
We reached a really secluded place, and only the moon’s light helped me see Francesca. I’ll just turn the flashlight on. "You think I’ll apologize to you when it’s your fault why I pushed you off before?"
My forehead creased. "How is it my fault? I didn’t do anything to you. I didn’t even know who you were until the special examination." I admitted. It’s the truth. I didn’t know her, so I couldn’t understand her hatred toward me.
Francesca laughed as if she couldn’t believe what I said. It’s the truth, though. I didn’t know her name until I heard it from other people. I also just learned that she’s the school principal’s granddaughter. "You really think the world revolves around you, huh?" I didn’t think of that at all. "Just because you came from a rich family, you think you’ll get everything you want? Do you think Night will like you? Now you’re using the innocent and pitiful act to get Night’s attention."
I gaped as I couldn’t believe her. How did she come to that conclusion? I’m forcing myself to act that I am still interested in Night, but I don’t want his interest anymore. I would be more thankful if he just ignored me all his life. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let’s just go back." I said as I turned my back on her, but she grabbed my arm and was about to pull me back towards her, but I slapped her hand away.
"Stop pushing me. I don’t want to fight you."
She scoffed. "You don’t want to? Or is it because you’re too weak? Stop with your despicable act, you hypocrite."
I let out a deep sigh. "I just. I don’t understand why you hate me so much." I really can’t believe it. "Was it because I like Night? Everyone likes him, so why are you only pouring your anger at me? Are you jealous of me?" Words started flowing out of my mouth, and I wasn’t even thinking when I asked her that.
"Why would I be jealous of an orphan girl like you." She laughed. "Did you know? Most of the students were laughing at you about what happened to your parents. They said that it’ll finally put you in your place."
"Stop talking about my parents."
Francesca raised an eyebrow. "Or else what?" She kept on pushing my shoulder, and it was getting annoying. "What? Are you going to push me like I did before?" As I took a deep breath, her laugh caused me to ball my fists. ’I need to calm down. I’m not like her.’ That’s what I keep telling myself.
"Don’t push me."
Francesca laughed. "Do it!"
I was blinded by my anger and lost myself for a moment. I only realized what I did after seeing Francesca falling on her back. ’Shoot.’
