And just like that, Cassandra and I begin training and studying together, day and night including in my dreams, for Arpie High’s entrance exams. However, this new faith that I had found in myself didn't stop the bullying that I receive in school.

After school, Cassandra catches my attention, “Hey, Belly!”

And I awkwardly wave and respond, “G-Good afternoon, Cassandra.”

And as we approach each other, Joshua and his friends step in between us. My heart sinks at the sight of him. Did he grow four inches since the last time I saw him? I wonder in fear of his monstrous height. He's big or maybe I’m just too short.

Joshua growls at me, “What the hell do you think you're doing talking to Cassandra, Belly?”

I forgot to mention this, but for as long as I can remember, the sort of, quote-on-quote, friends and girls that Cassandra hangs out with during school are Joshua and the ones his group. The ones who constantly make fun of me.

I squeal at Joshua, “I-I-I’m sorry. I-I didn't meant anything by it, I-I swear.” and all Cassandra can do is watch me like always with pitiful eyes. I hate the shit out of Joshua for always doing this.

And don't get the wrong idea. Joshua isn't the typical, cliche bully like those on television. He doesn't beat me up—he doesn't see me worthy of beating up. But, insyead, the sort of things he says to me—the sort of psychological harm he does to me. That's the method he uses to break me—to make me cry—and to have everyone else do the same to me, like sheep.

I think to myself, I'm sorry, Cassandra. I'm sorry that I'm still too weak and that I can't bring myself to say anything back. I look down at the floor, trying my best to avoid making eye contact and doing my best to hold back tears all the while Joshua and his friends continue making fun of me.

“I'm sorry Belly. I should've said something… but you shouldn't listen to them! Because I don't believe a single thing that they says about you!” Cassandra tells me this at the beach after a hard workout session, trying her best to cheer me up.

She's looking at me with those pitiful eyes again… “No, it's fine, Cassandra, I'm used to it! Don't worry about it! It doesn't bother me one, single bit.” I say to her, trying my best to look like it really doesn't.

But she stares at me and hums, “Hmmm…”

I ask, “Wha-What is it?”

She cleverly smile, and quickly answers, “Liar. You can't fool me, Belly.”

And with a disappointed expression on my face, I think, Dammit, she knows me too well.

But in reality, Cassandra remembers one of the nights her and I had together in my dreams.

Cassandra and I are watching The Seven Deadly Sins because it was her turn to pick a show to watch.

And then, Cassandra asks me, “Hey, Belly, do you live on your own or something? I don't think I've ever seen your parents before.”

I answer, “Well… sort of, yeah. When I was small, something happened and my Mom and Dad went on a second honeymoon. But I haven't seen them ever since…”

Then I turn to look at Cassandra and she's looking at me with tearful eyes while covering her mouth.

“Oh my God… you poor, little puppy!”

“Wha-H-Hey! I'm not a dog! And besides, knowing the two of them—or at least from what I can remember—I… yeah,” with a worried look on my face, I dramatically say, “I much prefer for them not being here.”

Cassandra asks, “Huh? Why, Belly?”

“Well, for one... Because of this, of course!”

I raise my hands in front of me, and I make a pile of porn magazines appear out of thin air right in front of us.

“My secret stash.” I say proudly.

Cassandra’s face immediately turns red and she freaks out for some unknown reason.

“Kyaaaa! You fucking pervert, what the hell is this?!” She says for another, unknown reason.

“Well, this is just a dream so I don't really mind if you know about my secret stash.”

Cassandra looks at me blankly for a moment, then she bursts out into laughter.

“Hahaha! Geez, Belly, I swear you're so weird!” Hahaha!”

I could feel my face and ears turn red, “S-Sorry. I didn't mean to weird you out. It's just, I've never had friends before so I'm always so cringy and awkward and stuff and I just end up embarrassing myself.”

Cassandra giggles, wipes away a tear from laughing too hard, and says, “No, no, Belly it's fine, don't worry about it. I know many people at school give you a hard time and you can never be yourself. But, remember, Belly, I will always be here for you, and I accept you for who you are.”

My heart begins to race, and I start to feel warm all of a sudden,

I look away, blushing, and say, “Th-Thank you very much, Cassandra.”

She smiles and says, “No problem, Belly!”

I could hear my own heart beat louder and louder. My mind is spiralling out of control. I grab my chest, and think to myself, I can't look at her. I feel like my heart is about to explode!

While I'm literally falling in love with her during this moment, Cassandra is curiously looking through my magazines.

“Jesus, those are huge!” She says aloud with a shocked expression, holding a magazine.

I sneak a peek at Cassandra, and I can't help but look at her with loving eyes. I continue thinking to myself, Cassandra… I promise, Cassandra, I'll get stronger and stronger for you. I'll keep working hard and make you proud someday. I swear… I swear that I’ll prove everyone who thinks I'm a failure wrong, starting with Joshua!

While I'm looking down at the sand, Cassandra snaps me out of my funk.

She says, “Hey, Belly, aren't you going to prove Joshua wrong?” My eyes widen. I can't believe I forgot about the promise I made to myself in that dream.

She repeats herself, “Aren't you going to prove them all wrong, Belly?”

My lip twitches, I try my best to hold back tears but I just cannot in the state I'm in.

“Don't cry, Belly.” She demands. “Do something about it instead.”

I breathe in deeply and then slowly breathe out.

I whisper to myself, “Right,” and I stand up.

“Belly?” She asks, “What are you doing?”

I wipe away the tears with my arm. I turn back towards her and say proudly, “I'm going to run, what else? I'm gonna keep running and running, and run until I can’t feel my entire body anymore!”

Cassandra looks at me, then she bursts out into laughter and asks, “You're weird, you know that?”

I answer, “Yeah, but that's not going to stop me from being myself.”

“Good,” she says. “Now let's run!”

Shocked, I ask, “S-Seriously? B-But I was only kidding! We just finished running ten miles like five minutes ago!”

She says, “And we're gonna run another ten miles, maggot! And then twenty, and then maybe even thirty!”

I think to myself, This-This girl’s gonna kill me!

Cassandra grabs my hand, smiles, and says, “So c’mon, Belly, let's go! Arpie High’s entrance exams are only seven months away!”

Again, I can't help but notice how warm her hand is.

I smile and exclaim, “Okay, then! Let's go!”

And as we run, the same two people from a while ago just happen to notice us again. Cely and Kyle.

Cely alerts Kyle, “Hey, Kyle, look! It's that same couple running together again! I wonder. Have they been training here everyday?”

However, Kyle isn't listening to Cely and he thinks to himself, Did that girl say something… about Arpie High?

Cely asks, “Hey, Kyle, are you even listening to me? I swear, you never pay attention to me anymore. Hm.”

But then, Kyle gets frustrated and yells at Cely, “Tsk. Shut up already. I don't care about whatever dumb crap you have to say.”

Cely gets scared and says, “I-I’m sorry, Kyle, y-you're right. I'll... I'll shut up now.”

“I swear. Not only are you a disappointment in school, but… just please don't talk to me.”

The reason as to why he's saying all this, it’s because not that long ago, Cely’s official status in their middle school revealed her to be at the bottom of her class in training to be a knight. Basically saying that she's hopeless and should give up on her dreams of attending Arpie High and becoming a full fledged knight.

Cely thinks to herself, I’ve really let Kyle down, and I don't know what to do, I don't know what to say… what should I do? What should I say? Somebody please… anybody, please help me. I don't want to be a disappointment anymore! And she begins to silently tear up behind Kyle while they're walking home. I want Kyle to believe in me again, and to talk to me like before… but how can he when I'm such a good-for-nothing failure.

As Kyle and Cely leave, Cassandra and I are still running across the beach. And while I'm unaware of Cely in need of a knight in shining armor, I think to myself how much I can't wait to go to sleep.