All it takes is a wish... (ON HOLD)

Chapter 8

 "Kaia! Are you okay?"

    "Kaia!" Kaia felt warmth all around her, as her best friend put her arm around her. "What happened to him wasn't your fault." Stella murmured, trying to sound as comforting as possible.

   Kaia snorted and shrugged away her best friend's arm. "It was," she muttered, turning away to look through the window of the car.

    Stella sighed, then turned back to the front. Their ride to school was full of silence, something Kaia was relieved to have.

    Everyone had heard of her father's passing. Of course, news at this school always spread like wildfire. Kaia heard whispers going back and forth. She saw people glancing piteously at her. She saw some people glancing enviously at the attention she was getting. But all she wanted was for it to stop.

     Of course, Stella noticed and was glaring at the people. "Idiots. Don't you see she's been through enough!" she muttered.

     "It's fine, Stella." Kaia murmured back, grateful. "I can deal with it."

      Kaia took her backpack out of the trunk and carefully made her way through the crowd that had gathered. Stella followed her in, taking the opportunity to glare at everyone. Kaia sighed. She had almost reached her locker when she bumped into something. 

     "Sorry," she mumbled, moving to the side to walk past the person. 

      The person reached out and grabbed her hand as she tried to walk past. 

      "Kaia! I was looking everywhere for you." a familiar voice said. 

       Kaia looked up. Rod???  Stella glared at Rod. 

       "Really!?! Now isn't the time to take revenge. Her dad just died, for goodness sake!" Stella snapped. 

        Rod had the guts to look guilty at that statement. Kaia just sighed. 

      "What is it, Rod?" Kaia said, checking her watch to make sure she wouldn't be late.

        He glanced around, seeing the people whispering and gossiping about their meeting. 

        "Can you and I talk somewhere more private?" he said, lowering his voice so only she could hear him. 

         "Sure?" she said, curious. 

          She turned to Stella and explained it as best as she could. Stella grumbled, but nodded and headed off to class. Rod and Kaia headed off to the side, pushing away the crowd that had gathered. 

           "Did your dad mention anything?" Rod mumbled, fidgeting.

            "Umm-," Kaia tried to remember her dream last night or any of the memories that had her father in them. "Well, I had some sort of dream, last night."

              To Kaia's surprise, Rod just nodded, as if it was normal to have that sort of dream. 

              "So, he did do it after all," Rod said softly, seeming to be talking to himself. 

              Kaia felt confused. What did her father do, other than dying? How did Rod even know? But this wasn't the time to be chitchatting. The whole school was watching her and some of the girls were even looking to cut her throat for talking to Rod. She sighed. 

             "Rod, I'll talk to you later, okay?" She said, faking a smile. Then, she walked away and to her class.

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         Rod watched her walked away, feeling the conflicting emotions rising in his chest. 

        How was he supposed to tell her? Her dad had never told him how he should do it, he had just put his faith in Rod, her old-time bully. It was true that he and Kaia had a scratchy history. Ever since that day of the incident a year ago, they had just stopped speaking to another. But that incident he knew was completely his fault. He could have stopped Kaia from going down this road. He could have guided her even through this journey. They needed the tree, there was no doubt. They needed it before it all went too far. Before...

     He shook his head as if clearing that thought away. He would guide her now since he couldn't before. And maybe, maybe that'll switch this around. All around him, the crowd had dissipated, everyone heading off to class. He got up, and slowly walked to class, pondering away.

N/A: Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update! I'm going to change this story into a private one. If you have any suggestions for the story, feel free to send me a message.

Have a great day, Wiseheart12