Will you be my friend?

Lysana was sitting in the classroom, scribbling over a paper as she waited. She waited for the teacher to come, and of course, for Selene as she wasn't here yet.

Selene always came to class before her as she was a very punctual person. She was the kind of person who would freak out if she woke up one minute later than she had planned. That's a little exaggerated, but that's the best way to describe her.

The only time she would be late was when her father would come home.

Lysana didn't know why, though. Selene always refused to speak about it. That was the only secret between Selene and her although they shared everything.

Selene never told her about it and it made her all the more curious about what it's all about.

However, she didn't want to pressure Selene or force Selene to tell her anything if she didn't want to open up to her. After all, it's been going on ever since they have met.

Lysana could vaguely remember the first time they met each other. They were merely six or seven years old, after all.

It was when Selene's grandmother came to her house for the first time to start working.

Lysana's father was often busy with work, but it didn't mean he neglected his daughter. The opposite, in fact. He doted on her. He gave her everything she wanted but couldn't afford to give her the love a mother would have given.

Lysana never knew the reason why her mother wasn't with them. All she knew was ever since her mother gave birth to her, she disappeared.

Her father always dodged the topic whenever Lysana would ask about her mother. Gradually, she got used to being called "a child who has been abandoned by her own mother" by the children in her school.

Lysana took a deep breath, trying to stop thinking about her childhood. After all, it wasn't that pleasant to her.

She heard some footsteps getting closer. It was two people walking towards her classroom. It was odd because the bell for students to go to their classrooms had already rung. It could be the teacher, but his footsteps were too fast. The only conclusion would be that there was someone else with him.

Lysana turned around towards the door, waiting to see who came into the classroom.

Selene appeared in front of the door at the same time as the teacher.

The teacher looked at her and made way for her to enter first. Selene was a very good student. Every teacher doted on her. She was their favourite! He didn't want to punish her. As long as she comes before the teacher, she won't be counted on to be late.

From Lysana's examination, Selene's face was intact. However, it seemed she was having trouble walking.

Lysana stood up and rushed toward Selene and quickly held her arm so that Selene could lean on her and walk.

"I'm fine," Selene tried to push away Lysana's hand on her arm with a forced smile.

"I know you are. But lemme do what I gotta." Lysana sternly held Selene's arm and brought her to her desk.

They both took a seat.

Before Lysana could say anything, the teacher had already started the class.

In class, Selene was having trouble concentrating on whatever the teacher was saying. Her mind was blank. Only the injuries on her body filled her mind. The wounds were hurting her more than the previous ones.

"It seems He didn't hold back since granny wasn't home last night due to working overtime," Selene thought with a bitter smile.

Throughout the night, he tortured her. Even though she begged him for mercy, he didn't stop. His face filled with rage… she couldn't get it out of her mind.

Selene's clouded mind cleared up as she looked at Lysana. Her lips curved into a soft smile as she remembered the first time they met.

***

That day was like any other weekend for Selene. She was accompanying her grandmother at her new job.

Gianna was taking a lot of work back then. She had to move around quite a lot, resulting in Selene being left home alone after school.

However, on weekends, Selene got the chance to go with Gianna if she was being good.

Selene was playing in Lysana's gigantic garden that day. She was getting bored, waiting until Gianna finished work in the room where she left her to go work, so she decided to sneak around and have a look in the garden.

Selene was caressing the beautiful red roses in the corner of the garden.

"So pretty…" Selene muttered as she admired the beautiful flowers.

"How dare you touch my stuff?!" a young girl yelled.

Selene jolted and quickly turned around. Her eyes were filled with tears.

"I- I'm sorry…" Selene muttered as tears rolled down her light pink cheeks.

Lysana's face flushed. She was shocked to see her cry already. The adults or the other children were the ones who made her cry. She was perplexed. She didn't understand. How she could make someone cry. It was always others who made her cry. They kept telling her how she was a child abandoned by her own mother. Some even said she was the cause of why her mother wasn't with her dad.

Lysana took a few quick steps and lifted her hand.

Selene closed her eyes tightly, as she was trembling in fear. She feared that the little girl, yet taller than her, would hit her. It wasn't new to her after all. Maybe it was because he didn't listen to her grandma and came out without telling her. She was gonna be punished for not listening to her grandmother.

While all these thoughts ran inside Selene's mind, she shut her eyes tightly so that the beating she was about to receive would be quick and she could cry out of pain later when the girl would go away.

Selene opened her eyes when it had already been a minute or so, but she wasn't feeling any pain.

To her surprise, Lysana was patting her head, smiling brightly.

"Will you be my friend?" Lysana asked.

To Selene, Lysana looked like an angel compared to earlier, when she seemed extremely mad.

She never got to ask Lysana to date; why did she ask her to become her friend?

Although Selene was a child, she understood that Lysana also needed a friend. She could read Lysana's eyes and how lonely she actually was, although Selene witnessed times when Lysana would throw tantrums, putting the maids working for her father in difficult situations.

"Sure!"

"…ne…"

"…lene…"

"SELENE!"

Lysana's loud voice brought Selene back to reality.

"I've been calling you for a while now! Where were you lost in your thoughts?!"

"Calm down, calm down." Kayla patted Lysana's shoulder as she smiled forcefully.

"Lys," Selene stood up.

Selene has grown a little taller, around two inches taller than Lysana over the years. Now Selene had to look down on her whenever they stood up.

Lysana gulped as chills ran down her spine. Selene barely uses her nickname, so something bad was going on for sure. She rolled her eyes, trying to show that it didn't affect her at all.

"What is it?" Selene asked, after taking a deep breath.

"What happened to you?! You seemed to have trouble walking earlier. Did you hurt yourself?? Or… did your dad…?"

Selene's stern face soon turned pale.

She quickly shook her head and headed out of the class abruptly.

Lysana sighed and sat back on her desk.

"What's bothering her?" She thought. "Selene always acts weird whenever I bring her dad up. Maybe he hits her? I mean… it would make sense. But I can't accuse someone without any proof. I can't force myself into her personal matters either… what should I do?!" Lysana ruffled her hair, unable to find a solution to her own thoughts.

"Do you need some help?" Kayla asked with a bright smile.

Lysana's lips soon curved into an evil smile.

"Oh yes, I do!"