Two Different Worlds

Chapter 30 - At The Brink Of Tears

Chapter 30

It's been a week after my discharge, nothing has changed in this school, except...

"Yo, Parker," I stop at my tracks and looked at the teacher.

"Yes sir?" I answered. He places the papers at his desk.

"This is your research paper, make sure to pass it by the end of the month, alright? " He said then proceeds to yawn.

"Y-yes, sir..." I politely answered.

"Hey, you can tell me anything if you encounter any problems alright?" He walks up to me then ruffles my hair before walking out of the classroom.

... I have given a lot of homework... All of the deadlines must be submitted by the end of the month...

'Looks like my plate is full...' I thought and sigh tiredly. If only I have extra arms, I can finish this in a jiffy...

"Mimi~!" A familiar voice slowly getting closer.

'Oh no...' I froze in fear and slowly look back.

There, I saw a green-haired girl dashing towards me with happiness.

'I need to move fast!' I thought but I was too late to move, she lunged at me and tackles me to ground.

"Mimi~ let's go home together!" She hugs me and starts rubbing her face against my chest.

"H-hey! W-w-w-watch where you rubbing y-your face!!!" Blushing furiously, I tried to push her away from me but it was unsuccessful.

"I'll stop if you say yes!" She whispers to me then pouts.

"Fine! Yes!" Admitting my defeat, she let go and she happily raises her arms before getting up.

She reaches out her hand and smiles at me, "C'mon, let go home!"

I grabbed her hand and stood up and exit the school afterward.

The loose green pigtailed, energetic girl beside me is Lila Vaugh. She transferred to our school two weeks ago because her father's job was moved here in this town. People describe her as a friendly, happy-go-lucky girl, she's very sociable, that's why she gained so many friends in just one week.

The "closeness" started a few days ago when I was appointed to be her partner in my TLE class since I always work alone. Lila strikes a conversation with me but I couldn't care less about what she said, unless if it's related to the class.

After so many failed attempts to try to get me to talk, she sighed in defeat. She just continues working, but that didn't end there. She tried to talk to me at recess but I ignored her. She tried to invite me to her table where her friends are, I just coldly rejected her offer.

I just think of her as someone who's faking their kindness just to make herself better. Her appearance annoys me a lot, to be honest. She asks permission to the teachers to exchange seats so she could be right next to me, she even placed her locker right next to me, and then, she even company me at recess, seating at my table.

But, somehow, I think... I feel wrong about her being annoying and being a faker. I don't know why I just feel so warm and welcome when I'm with her...

"Hello? Earth to Mia!" I snap out to reality when Lila snaps her fingers right in front of me, "Are you alright? You look like you went into daydreaming land," She said in a worried tone.

"I-I'm fine but can you please not get too close to me?" My cheeks turn red from the awkwardness and look away. I shouldn't let my guard down around her...

"Oh, I'm sorry! I was asking you if you want me to help you with your homework, but you didn't answer, sooo..." She laughs a bit and looks at me with a concerned smile, "if you don't feel well, you should take a day off from school tomorrow!" She suggests.

"N-no, thanks..." I said in a low voice.

"Hey, you look sad, is something wro-" I walk past her before she could finish.

"Mimi! Wait up!" She jogged right to my side, "Mimi-"

"My name is not Mimi, it's Mia... Get it right, will ya?" I said to her while I'm trying to control my anger.

"Remember I told you that your nickname Mi-" 

"Well, I hate it, so stop it, it's embarr– no, it's annoying," I left her speechless and stormed off. I didn't dare to stop nor look at her. Somehow, I feel guilty of saying those things...

Should... I apologize?

I look to my left side and didn't see any sign of her. She must've left...

'Maybe it's the best way to avoid her... I don't want to be her victim or worse, her becoming into one of Sophia's victim,' I thought, and walk back to my apartment.

In Mia's Apartment...

It's 9:00 pm, 5 hours after that heated talk with Lila. I'm currently burying myself in a pile of homework.

DING DONG!

I heard my doorbell rang, I chose to ignore it, since I'm pretty busy.

DING DONG!

The bell rang again, I ignored it again.

'Maybe it will stop at the last ring...' I thought and concentrate on my homework.

DING DONG!
DING DONG!

It rang again, and finally, it stops, that person must've left.

KNOCK!
KNOCK!
KNOCK!

"Mimi- I mean, Mia, I know you're there... Can we talk for a moment?" I heard Lila's voice from the outside.

No one knows where I live except Lila, we're neighbors. Her apartment is in front of mine. I knew this 2 days ago, I was shocked that my new neighbor is someone I knew from school.

KNOCK!
KNOCK!
KNOCK!

"Mia, I know you're still awake... Please... I'm sorry... Just open the door," Her voice suddenly went quiet. She sounds guilty until I hear something sliding on my door.

I walked to the door and I slowly put my shaking hands to the doorknob.

"I'm sorry if I annoyed you..." My eyes widen at her sudden apology, "After you stormed off, I realize that every time we're together, you don't look so happy. I force you to do the things I wanted... If you don't want to see me anymore, I can ask the teacher to exchange my seat... Move my locker far away from you... I won't seat next to you anymore... I'll find another place to stay..." It went silent for a moment.

"You might be still angry at me, I'll leave first," She said.

I... All this time, she wasn't faking... She really wants to be with me, as a friend...

I tried to convince myself that she is like the others but, deep inside, it's like it is telling me she's not.

I don't want her to leave, I'm the one at fault, she did nothing to deserve this!

Open the door... Mia, twist the doorknob and open the door.

I gripped the doorknob tighter and finally, open the door.

Lila, with tears in her eyes, looks back at me, the one who's almost at the brink of tears.

~~~~
(End of Chapter 30)

Edited: March 21, 2021