Chapter 66: The Past 1/2
Kyle escorted Jane to a nearby restaurant, a cozy little spot he had stumbled upon some time ago. The warm ambiance and the gentle hum of quiet conversations made it the perfect place for her to relax. He encouraged her to order anything she desired, emphasizing that she shouldn’t worry about the cost. Despite his reassurances, Jane was still considerate, mindful not to pick anything extravagant. She didn’t want to feel like a financial burden to him, though Kyle didn’t see it that way.
Her modesty in such matters was endearing to him, and Kyle couldn’t help but find it cute. He noticed how much more at ease she seemed around him now. The stiffness and hesitation that once marked her demeanor had faded, replaced by a sense of quiet comfort that warmed him.
After glancing through the menu, Jane finally decided on hash browns—crispy, golden-brown potatoes that had been finely julienned and fried to perfection. She paired them with a glass of freshly squeezed juice. Kyle, intrigued by her choice, decided to step away from his usual preference for pancakes. Instead, he opted to have the same meal she ordered. Trying something new with her felt like a small adventure, and he was eager to share the experience.
As they waited for their food to arrive, Kyle turned to Jane, his expression softening as he began, "Jane, how are you really holding up?" His voice was low and kind, inviting her to open up without feeling pressured.
Jane hesitated, her fingers brushing over the edge of her glass. "If I’m being honest, I’m not sure," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "Ella has been struggling for so many years now, but I thought... I really thought the worst was behind us."
Kyle nodded, sensing that this was a rare opportunity to truly get to know Jane. He had always wanted to understand her better, to delve into the layers of her life and learn what made her the person she was today.
"I’m sorry," Jane suddenly apologized, her tone filled with guilt. "I didn’t mean to bother you with my mess."
Kyle frowned slightly, wondering why people so often apologized when they began to open up. It seemed like a reflex—an attempt to avoid burdening others, even when the listener was willing to lend their full attention.
He decided to lighten the mood with a gentle tease. "If you can’t talk to me, then you might as well stay mute," he joked, his lips curling into a soft laugh at the end to ensure his words weren’t taken the wrong way.
Jane smiled at his humor, her shoulders relaxing a bit. She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself, before finally saying, "This is how it goes..."
Her story began with a memory.
---
A teenage girl, awkward and self-conscious, sat on the cold tiles of a school bathroom. Her shoulders shook as sobs wracked her body. Her school uniform was soaked, clinging uncomfortably to her small frame, and the shattered pieces of her glasses lay scattered on the floor in front of her.
This girl was a younger Jane, a victim of relentless bullying at the all-girls school she attended. Her plain appearance had made her an easy target, and her braces only added fuel to the cruelty of her tormentors.
"You know, you have to fight back, or they’ll just keep coming for you," a voice echoed from one of the bathroom stalls. Jane’s head snapped up, startled, but her blurred vision made it impossible to see the speaker.
"W-Who’s there?" she stammered, her voice trembling as she backed away from the direction of the voice.
The stall door creaked open, revealing a girl with fiery red hair and a rebellious air. It was Ella, a delinquent known throughout the school for her fearsome reputation.
"Grow up, or I’ll join in," Ella barked, her voice carrying an edge of irritation. The sudden command jolted Jane to her feet, though her legs wobbled beneath her.
Ella walked closer and gave Jane a light smack on the head. "Wrong answer," she said bluntly. "You don’t do everything you’re told. You do what you want. You’ll get your ass beaten either way, so isn’t it better to go down fighting?"
Her logic was rough but sound, even though bullying wasn’t as simple as black and white. Ella, despite her aggressive demeanor, had no patience for cruelty—especially from those who preyed on the weak.
Ella’s presence in the school was tolerated only because of her family’s influence, and even then, she was on thin ice after her last probation. But she didn’t care. Rules meant little to her, and she lived life on her terms.
"Wait, you can’t see me?" Ella asked, noticing Jane’s squinting eyes and the absence of her glasses. Jane nodded, her nose running from her earlier tears.
"Is it those mean girls again?" Ella continued, her voice softer now. Jane nodded once more.
With an exasperated sigh, Ella awkwardly patted Jane’s head. "There, there," she muttered, clearly inexperienced at offering comfort.
But Ella had made up her mind. The group of girls tormenting Jane was becoming too much of a nuisance, and she knew she had to clip their wings before things got worse.
Grabbing Jane’s hand, Ella marched her out of the bathroom without a second thought. Jane’s wet uniform left a trail, and whispers followed them down the hallway. But no one dared laugh—not when Ella was by her side.
When distant laughter reached Jane’s ears, she froze, digging her heels into the floor. Fear surged through her, and she thought Ella might be setting her up for another round of humiliation.
"What are you doing?" Ella asked, irritation flickering across her face.
Jane didn’t respond, her silence betraying her distrust. Frustrated but determined, Ella began dragging her forward.
They soon arrived at the source of the laughter—the very girls who had tormented Jane. Seeing Ella approach, their smug expressions faltered.
"Hey!" Ella shouted, her voice cutting through the hallway. The three girls turned to face her, their confidence waning as they recognized her.
Ella was infamous for a reason. Her nickname, "The Blood-Sucking Witch," was a testament to the rumors surrounding her—whispers that her hair was red because she absorbed the blood of those she fought.
"What do you want, bitch?" one of the girls sneered, trying to maintain her composure. "You found a stray puppy to protect?"
Ella ignored the insult, her sharp eyes locking onto the girl’s uniform. "Yours will do," she muttered before taking a step forward.
The leader of the clique moved to block her path, her voice rising in anger. "Are you stupid or som—"
A roundhouse kick silenced her mid-sentence, sending her sprawling to the floor.
"I wasn’t talking to you," Ella said calmly, her voice dripping with menace.
The other two girls immediately backed down, fear etched into their faces. They knew better than to test Ella after seeing their leader taken down with a single blow.
Ella proceeded to strip the girl of her uniform, measuring it up against Jane’s frame to ensure it would fit.
Though Jane’s blurry vision prevented her from seeing what had happened, she had a sinking suspicion.
"Remember," Ella said, her voice loud enough for everyone in the hallway to hear, "if anyone asks, she fell. T for thanks."
Despite the crowd of witnesses, no one dared challenge Ella’s version of events. The mean girls had been a problem for too long, and many saw this as justice served.
---
Jane paused, her eyes glistening with emotion as she recounted the memory. Kyle listened intently, his admiration for her growing. She had endured so much yet emerged stronger, and now he understood the deep bond she shared with Ella.
"Ella saved me," Jane said softly. "She wasn’t perfect, but she was always there when I needed her."
Kyle reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over hers. "And now it’s your turn to be there for her," he said, his voice filled with quiet conviction.
Jane nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. For the first time in days, she felt a sense of hope.
