20 Why Continue On

Before she could even process the situation, the letter in her hand was snatched away. She raised her head, and her eyes fell on Ashley. Once Ashley went through that letter, she raised her head to look at Evelyn in disgust.

After that, she took the present from Evelyn's hand and opened the box. There was muffins inside, and she threw the entire box on the ground in anger.

"Those were the muffins I baked," Ashley said, pointing towards the muffins. "You stole them and wanted to give them to Landon? How could you? Even after how I told you that I had feelings for him? How could you do this when I considered you my friend? It seems like you didn't feel the same way about me."

The hateful and mocking stares from everyone around her made her tremble involuntarily. It made her feel suffocated and wish to run away from there.

Her eyes fell on May, and they were filled with desperation. She hoped May would clarify the matters. Of course, she wasn't that foolish. At this point, she understood that May was the one who set her up.

However, all of those hopes crashed down violently when May stepped forward and said, "I thought it was weird when I saw Landon's number in your phone. After all, when Ashley asked you for it, you said you didn't have it. But because it was your privacy, I didn't question it. But it seems this was the case. I am disappointed in you, Evelyn."

Ashley sneered.

"A dirty dog like you really doesn't deserve any sympathy. It's my fault to have taken pity. Who would have thought you were the type to bite the hand that feeds?"

Evelyn was unresponsive. What could she say at this point? Who knew how many of them were involved in this? It was a game organized by them to have fun. How deep in the ocean did she have to drown for them to feel satisfied?

Her heart was really in shambles. She thought she had friends for the first time. Someone actually liked her and wanted to be with her. But it was all a joke. A drama to keep them entertained.

"What a bitch," commented one of the students.

"Why don't you fucking talk?"

Ashley raised her hand to slap Evelyn but before that could fall, her hand was grabbed. Ashley's expression contorted to show shock.

"That's enough."

When Landon's voice fell, Evelyn was caught off guard. Nonetheless, she was too nervous to raise her head and look in his eyes, afraid of facing the disgust he would show.

It's not that she lost her voice. But what good would it do in clarifying matters when everyone was on the opposite side? This wasn't the first time after all.

Following that, Landon grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from the scene.

She raised her head to stare at his back in disbelief. He didn't abandon her amongst those other students who looked resembled fierce beasts.

He saved her.

However, once again, she failed to notice the red flags.

Once they were far away from the scene, Landon let go of her hand and asked, "Are you alright?"

She finally had the courage to look at his face. He seemed as nonchalant as always as though the situation had nothing to do with him. This made relief spread through her because she would totally break down if he hated her.

Or maybe he does. He isn't simply that expressive about it.

"Thank you," she voiced out, "and I am sorry."

Evelyn had nothing to apologize for. But still, would he listen to her if she explained? That's why, not caring whether this made her appear guilty or not, she left those words.

Following that, she rushed out from there unable to handle looking at him.

From the next days onwards, Evelyn really couldn't be bothered to find interest in anything. Her heart was just in so much pain that she found it hard to care. The school only made it worse. The tortures she usually went through previously became tenfold. It tore up her spirits entirely, making her feel like an empty shell.

But still, in order to not make Grandpa Parker worry, she had enough strength to force out that smile and act as though she was all peachy. Of course, with the way she locked herself in the room all day long, it would be hard for him to not notice.

He tried to approach to talk about the matter a couple of times, but because the topic was repeatedly changed by Evelyn, he decided to leave it alone after assuring Evelyn that he would be by her side.

But this only made Evelyn feel like more of a trouble. She couldn't even let the old man remain at peace.

Maybe the fault was hers.

Evelyn wasn't suicidal, but sitting at the edge of school rooftop, she didn't think it would be bad to end it all.

What more did she have to continue onwards for?

Before she did hold hope that soon it would be over. High school will finish soon before she knew it. But the days were only getting longer and longer. And what if she only ended up being worse after leaving high school?

Would anyone cry if she leaped from there?

Grandpa Parker would probably be a little sad although she would be relieved in his place to get rid of trouble. Everyone should be happy and laughing.

What about Landon?

How would he feel?

He probably would have no feelings towards it.

"Are you planning to jump?"

Hearing that voice caught Evelyn off guard. She turned her head, and her eyes fell on Landon. He stood there, looking as calm as always.

She shook her head.

She didn't have the courage to.

"Grandpa would prefer it if you opened up instead of finding your cold corpse. He isn't prepared to face another dead body."

That got her eyes to widen, and her lips parted. Before she could ask Landon about more, he strode away from there, but somehow that gave her strength she needed.

Right.

It was the ones who are alive that live on with the pain.