[Music Recommendation: "In Silence" by Janet Suhh (It's Okay Not To Be Okay OST)-available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

Trying to hold my tears from falling anymore than they should, I lifted my head up. Hora kept on patting my back but I stopped her and just smiled. Whoever was targeting me, they would most likely be still in there somewhere, wanting to see me hurt or cry.

'But I won't let them. I won't let them see me cry because that will just satisfy them. And I will NEVER do anything to satisfy them. Instead, I will smile and raise my head. Then they can all gnash their teeth thinking their ridiculous plan failed. Yes. I will irritate them more. F*ck them!'

I never understood why some people liked hurting others. Delighting in other people's misery, what would they gain from it? Satisfaction? And why? What wrong did I do to them? Was it because of envy? Because I became close with Kaiden and Crystal, Callan and Verrill? Did it feel like I took something away from them? Was it a sin to be their friend? Was it my fault if they couldn't befriend them? Was it my fault that they didn't want to talk to them or be close with them? No!

Or was it just pure vile evilness? Were they hurting too, that's why they wanted others to be hurt the same? Or they just really enjoyed seeing others suffer? Whatever it was… I would never understand.

Whoever they were, how I wished I could speak with them. I wanted to know why. And maybe… just maybe… I could speak some sense to their brains that didn't seem to be working right.

Aside from speaking with them… deep inside me, my raging heart wanted revenge. Somehow, I really, really wanted them to be hurt as much as they hurt me!

…

…

Ooh, I see. Was this the reason? They got hurt when I became close to them so they wanted to hurt me? Ha-ha-ha! How funny… and stupid!

As my mind wondered about various thoughts, my tears faded. It was replaced with anger instead and hatred in my heart. I hurriedly changed my clothes with a spare dress that Hora lent me. Good thing she always had an extra on her locker. I wanted to get out of that place asap.

Once done changing, I hurriedly walked outside. Hora followed me from behind, not saying anything. She knew I needed time to clear my thoughts. As I walked, I kept breathing deeply. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. I repeated it over and over, wanting my heart to calm down. When we finally reached outside, we stumbled on another case of bullying. How ironic.

'Hah. What's with today that's making this Friday one hell of a mess?'

The girl getting bullied was a tall and pretty woman with platinum blonde hair. She had the most innocent and kind look that I had ever seen in my entire life—the perfect look for someone to be the target of bullying. She looked so weak and meek that she couldn't even hurt a fly.

While the girls bullying her looked fierce and strong. There were three of them, surrounding her. They stood at the side of the building, hidden between it's shades. Even from a distance of a few meters away, we could hear them loud and clear. They were extorting money from her!

'How ridiculous! Seriously, what is wrong with these people? And to think they're teenagers! How could they all be this evil while they're still so young?'

Wanting to help the girl, I walked towards them but Hora stopped me.

"You know," the pretty girl spoke up, with a voice so sweet and kind, "you don't have to do this."

"HUH? What do you mean?" one of the bullies with dark red hair raised her eyebrows and glared menacingly at her.

"Don't mind her. Ha-ha-ha!" the other said, as she counted the money in her hands.

"I mean, if you need money, you just need to ask. You don't need to resort to this. My family is blessed with money and I don't mind sharing. But if you continue to do this, you might get caught and expelled. That will be a waste since you all managed to get into RDIU. It's a very respectable school and once you graduate, you can get good jobs and pursue whatever profession you like."

'What the heck is wrong with this girl? Why is she…'

Hearing the words she was telling them, I just couldn't help but think how stupid she was. Those girls were bullying her! She knew and she was saying that as if she was concerned for them? She should just shut up or run away or tell them to the Dean since she knew who they were. If I ever knew who were those people who did that to my clothes, I swear I would—

"So you're worrying about us?" the other bully scoffed. "How stupid can you be? If I were you, I would worry about myself first."

"Yes. I am worrying about all three of you. What you're doing is dangerous."

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha-ha!" the bullies chorused in laughter. Even I couldn't comprehend what she was thinking.

'Is she for real? What is she, a saint? Or does she know them personally?'

But then… even if they laughed at her and scorned her… the girl's eyes clearly stated her sentiment. Whatever ridiculousness she was saying… she was serious.

Yes. I wasn't sure if it was just me but that pretty girl, for some reason, she exuded this—I wasn't so sure how to describe it but—there was this unique aura that I was getting from her. She was just standing there, looking at them straight in the eyes, with no fear against her persecutors, but simply kindness and… compassion?

'I don't understand. Why would you be kind to someone who hurt you? And extort you? Isn't that just plain idiocy? Weakness?'

Hora and I were surprised with how she handled the situation. And then, as I continued to look at her, there was something in my heart that seemed to swell up, calming the raging fire of anger inside me.

Yes. Looking at her felt like… looking at a benevolent and compassionate queen.

My shoulders dropped low and my eyes gazed at her with nothing but admiration. Indeed, the things she said were stupid for me but… just the fact that she was able to give kindness in return for evil, that was just so awesome.

Then I began questioning myself. Should I really repay evil with evil? Would that resolve my situation? Should I hurt them back because they hurt me? Wouldn't that just be an endless cycle of hate?

___________________________

Hi Pumpkins!

Congratulations to us! We reached the weekly milestone of 1000 Power Stones! YAAAY!!!

"1000 Power Stones 5 chapters Mass Release"

As I promised, I will mass release 5 chapters in return for your votes. Since I just finished mass releasing 15 chapters for the 515 event, kindly give me some time to write the chapters. XD But don't worry, I will definitely give them to you this June.

I thank you all so much for all the love and support. Keep on voting and reach the next milestone!

2000 Power Stones 10 chapters Mass Release

3000 Power Stones 15 chapters Mass Release

Lots of love,

Macy_Bae