THE TRUTH.

" Why?" I asked, heading towards her.

My palms were sweaty, my stomach twisting into knots as I did my best to keep myself from bursting into tears again.

I wanted to be strong for once, I wanted to prove I wasn't a weakling to them all but who was I kidding?

A shiver ran down my spine as Charlie narrowed her gaze to me, her mocking expression abruptly contorting into a threatening glare.

I reared back in shock, my eyes widening— Since the very first day we met, she had never shot me such a disdainful look.

I could recall her expressions of laughter, sadness, compassion, pity... but never a glare— and such a condescending one at that.

Atleast not towards me, so why now?

I was curious as to what her reason for flashing at me such a hateful look was,  and quite sad, knowing damn well it would invariably be hurtful and unfavourable towards me.

" Quit the act, you pathetic whore" Charlie growled, her tone laced with bale, vivid irritation in her demeanor.

I was left appalled by her harsh words and tone towards me. The Charlie I was familiar with had always spoken soothing words to me, in such a calm and gentle tone.

'What have I done wrong this time?' I wondered sadly, her words like a stake driven right into my heart.

"Remember she was faking them, Dawn" I suddenly heard Moon's whisper and to my surprise she didn't disappear immediately as usual. I knew this because I could feel her presence, still lingering within my mindscape.

" I know all this innocent, weak, gentle outlook of yours is all a pretentious act, a means of garnering pity and attention."  Charlie began. " It's clearly all a desperate ploy just to be noticed, you attention-hungry bitch."

As her words flowed into my ears, I found myself lost in thought, wondering what those words meant.

When on earth have I ever been pretentious?

" You pretend to despise the trio, you pretend to be terrified of them, yet you actually agreed to help us deliver a love letter to them?" Charlie questioned with a scoff. 

I stared at her, baffled.

'You actually expected me, a literal nonentity to defy your requests?' I wondered inwardly, puzzled beyond words, as I stared at her, absolutely awestruck. Her statement seemed like nothing but gibberish.

'Was this really Charlie, my friend?' I pondered, gazing at her in awe and pain, and at my inward statement, Moon let out a sigh.

"Nope. It's her evil twin." She mocked before disappearing this time, probably having expended all of the little strength she had left.

" I can't even imagine how thrilled you this pretentious wench must've been when we sent you on that errand" She continued, glaring at me with immense disdain and irritation.

Rendered incapable of speech, I simply stared at her silently, the gaping feeling of helplessness and emptiness engulfing my being.

" I always warned you to be wary of these peasants Charlie" Scarlett muttered, her disgust-filled eyes staring me down and up as though I was nothing more than a mere breathing, walking bag of trash.

My insides clenched at the condescending expressions and gestures of every single soul within the room.

I could feel overwhelming emotions brimming within me but I forced them down, summoned up courage to speak.

" But what did I do wrong?" I queried innocently and at my words they all abruptly burst into laughter, once again turning me into the jest of the room.

My lips began to quiver, my entire form  trembling from anxiousness and perhaps pain as well.

" Well, let's not keep this privileged fool in suspense any longer," Lisa suggested, the others seemingly agreeing to her words.

" Everything was all a plan and you stupidly fell for it like the idiot you are. Did you really think an individual high status such as myself, the daughter of the president of this country would actually stoop so low to be friends with a girl only befitting the status of a slave?" Charlie asked.

I stood there staring at her.

My brows raised in surprise, my entire body trembling in fear and pain and my stomach twisting agonizingly, tears abruptly began to pour out of my eyes, rolling down my cheeks.

I was unable to come to terms with the fact that it was actually Charlie speaking to me in this manner.

A slave— She had called me a slave.

I thought she was different, I thought she was truly a friend— my friend.

At this very moment, I wanted to do nothing other than to break down, crumble to the ground and curl up into a sobbing, slobbering mess, however I kept myself together, although I was already falling apart right where I stood.

" Did you really think we would allow a DUF like you into our clique?" Scarlett inquired, cackling like the witch she was.

" In case you are wondering what DUF means." Lisa began with a wicked grin and I just knew that whatever it was or meant, would be nothing good.

" Let's do this pitiful soul right in front of us a favor and tell her girls" Lisa added and they all giggled, including Charlie.

'Well, what else could I expect?' I wondered, unamused.

" Dumb, ugly, friend." They all chorused loudly, their earsplitting shrieks causing goosebumps to wash over every inch of my skin.

I burst into tears right there, unconcerned by their jesting and mockery.

All that had occurred today, from the set up, the revelation of their true intentions towards me, it redefined what I understood of the word 'agony'.

The emotional pain I felt at that moment— the pain of betrayal, the pain of utter dejection and abandonment— It was simply excruciating.

' For once, stop being a weakling and stand up for yourself!' The voice within suddenly yelled out to me.

Right there and then, I decided to do just that.

With the back of my palms, I smeared off the tears on my face away, summoning up all of the little courage I had within me to confront them.

" I am not weak," I abruptly blurted.

All eyes within the room fell upon me, momentarily, before tilting away disinterestedly, some rolling in exasperation.

" Do us a favor and repeat that once again. That's if you don't fall apart before you can squeak out the first word" Daisy mocked, the others snickering and chuckling at her remark.

" I a-a-am n-not weak" I stuttered, a sense of strength and confidence welling within me, however, I knew within that I had just proven Daisy right.

" Whoa! You are still standing, that's surprising" Lisa teased earning me another round of mocking laughter from them all.

Tears once again, began to gather within the rims of my eyelids.

"Aww. She wants to display her talents again" Charlie mocked, clearly referring to my frequent crying.

My heart began to pound, each throb sending an ache rippling through my chest.

" You all are nothing but pathetic bullies!" I abruptly yelled out, a sudden feeling of unquantifiable annoyance erupting within me.

At that moment, all my fear towards them completely vanished like wisps of vapor. I had endured enough of their shenanigans.

" Don't you all get tired?" I added, noticing their expressions contort at my words.

They all gazed at me, wide-eyed, murmuring, gritting and grinning, their hands curling into clenched fists.

Before I could blurt out another word out of anger, Scarlett stood up from her chair, and calmly walked up to me.

I reclined backwards, my heart throbbing in fear, as she came to a halt right before me.

The next thing I felt was the impact of her hand colliding against and sinking into my right cheek, a wave of stinging pain rippling through the entire right half of my face.