Apology

"So you and your boy toy aren't taking, I see?" Caila inquired, tilting her head to show that their situation piqued her interests. "I don't have boy toys." Azeria simply answered, focusing her eyes on the paper they were supposed to write. The two were excused from their classes the rest of the day to participate in an essay contest. It was only the qualifiers, making Azeria careless of what topic she'd write and how'd she'd write the piece, solely focusing on how to deal with hers and Leroy's petty argument. She had trust in herself when it came to these kinds of things, letting her mind drift even when her attention should only be dedicated to the paper and pencil on her desk. "Not in the stories I've heard." She heard her cousin scoff, making her massage her forehead in annoyance of her presence and words. "No one cares what came in your ears and what your simple mind came to understand, Caila." She said calmly, trying not to snap at the lecture hall that would surely echo her words, that would lead to other people hearing whatever she had to say. "See? That's your problem! That's why even your 17-year long friend left you! Your sharp tongue makes you easy to hate! You think of yourself like you're above everyone." She meant to shout, but she only whispered for others not to hear, not wanting a rumor to spread about her.

Azeria's mind suddenly came to stop at some point in Caila's sentence. It wasn't because she was sad or guilty of how she acted towards others, she just suddenly new what to say to Leroy. "Thanks!" She said with a sweet smile to the raven beside her, giving her a pat on the back. Surprised wasn't just enough to describe Caila's expression. She looked terrified. When did she last see Azeria's smile? A smile that the cameras never captured after the age 9. It was so unfamiliar to her that it scared her. "Have this!" Azeria grabbed a chocolate cupcake from the plastic of treats beside her chair, placing it on Caila's desk. The girl beside her couldn't mutter anything, too horrified to even form a word. She was even more astonished when Azeria slung the strap of her bag on her shoulder as she waved goodbye to her, her mouth was agape as she mustered to wave back hesitantly at her cousin.

As soon as she saw Azeria's figure leave the room, she took a deep breath. Her thoughts slightly cleared as she exhaled. "Is she giving up on the contest?" She asked herself, thinking back to Azeria waving at her with a smile that gave her goosebumps. She shivered mid-thought. She looked at her cousin's desk, expecting to find a blank paper or even just a paper with a few scribbles. She felt her throat dry when she saw her cousin's paper, or rather, papers. She looked back to the moment when they grabbed their papers and pencils. She remembered seeing Azeria so dazed and how the contest was so out of her mind, she didn't even see Azeria look at the paper. she shook her head whilst looking at the five pieces of paper with well wrote and a fine choice of words, not believing what her eyes saw. She, yet again, shivered as a picture of Azeria's unfocused face passed by her thought. She realized, she still fears the capabilities her cousin holds.

Azeria on the other hand was skipping her way back to her class. She would've skipped it since she wasn't required to anyway, but decent education doesn't present itself everyday. She knocked on the door before proceeding to open it, greeting her teacher and explaining as to why she just came. "Oh, you're done already?" He asked, looking at her with a whiteboard marking between his fingers. "Yes, sir." She nodded. He slightly laughed at this, finding it unnecessary for him to even ask. He ushered her to her seat as he said his congratulations, knowing whatever length of time his student took, she'd succeed in it anyways. Azeria thanked him, also not doubting herself.

Hours passed and it was finally their dismissal. She didn't wait for Leroy to even stand up, as soon as the word 'dismissed' was heard she stood up and made her way to Leroy. This surprised the boy, but he quickly recovered and scoffed, attempting to ignore her and leave her at her spot. "Stay there and shut up. I'm just waiting for them to leave" Azeria ordered, her eyes focusing on the door as the other students were departing. Leroy, again, made an pursued to leave. Azeria's glare stopped him, even when they weren't in good terms, Azeria's authority over others still prevailed.

The last student stepped out, making Azeria sigh out of relief. "Can you make this quick?" Leroy hissed, making the girl before him roll her eyes. "Don't give me an attitude, Fuertez." He gave her a stoic face, showing her that he was unfazed of whatever she had to say. "Okay, I'm sorry. And this is not me giving an apology just because I want us to be okay again, I really am sorry. I'm always right and maybe you think that I view myself higher than everyone, and I don't! I'm better at this and at that than other people, but I know some factors of myself would still be lower than theirs, and maybe I'm a shitty person to grade others and myself, but that's actually how I try to improve. And of course you are one of the people that I grade rather carefully, so I know that you're shitty when it comes to how you live your life." She said with a matter-of-fact tone that made Leroy roll his eyes again. "I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I'm not sorry for saying it! I don't want you coming to me in 10 years complaining how you don't love your perfect job and your perfect family! I know I should be there when you do, but I also should be here trying to help you realize that it'll surely happen! Because I think, that you think, that it'll be better because you'll get used to it and shit. But honestly, you would never get used to it! You're as petty as me! That's why we lasted this long as friends! So I am sorry that I hurt you, honest to God! But I am not, and never will be sorry that I care for you enough to care for you and your future!" Azeria was panting at the end, out of breath from the words that spew out of her mouth all too sudden. Leroy kept an apathetic face whilst looking at his friend catch her breath. "So that's all and if you still feel uncomfortable with my presence, I can call a cab or my driver." She said, still trying to equal her breathing. She grabbed her bag and didn't even attempt to sling its strap on her shoulder, just proceeding to drag it with her out of the room. She didn't even dare to take a glimpse at Leroy's face before leaving, afraid she would see hate or another emotion that didn't involve forgiving her. She sighed, accepting her fate as a bad friend.

She suddenly gasped as she felt someone tug her collar at her back. She looked back to curse and yell to whoever it was who ruined her already crummy mood. Her mouth was hanged open, seeing as it was a boy with dark chocolate curled hair with a very fine face was the one that pulled her back. "How can I resist when a queen offers a speech as an apology?" He sighed, putting her down. "Y'know, I love you right?" She asked, looking up to the taller boy with both her eyebrows raised. "Yeah, but you're a loser at showing it." He said, ruffling her hair in the process.