Chapter 8
Rosalina POV:
I was laying down scrolling through my phone when my phone dinged indicating I have received a text. I went to my message box and opened the unknown identity I received the message from. The message said
'Hey, Rosalina. We need to talk.'
I was very confused. I quickly replied asking.
'Umm who are you?'
I patiently waited for the reply. After waiting for almost 10 minutes, I received the reply.
'I am your classmate. My name is Ivy. I have some proof against the fact that you did not cheat on Jaxon.'
I was thrilled. Not only to know that there is proof that I did not cheat on Jaxon but also that there was someone 'FROM SCHOOL' that supported me and believed in me. But I was still not confirmed if she was speaking the truth. So, I asked.
'Why should I believe you? I mean you don't have any proof.'
'Watch this you will understand everything. After your done call me'
She replied
One question kept playing in my mind. How does she know about all this? Oh, wait Jaxon told everyone and thus they hate me. Nevermind.
She then sent me a video. I opened the video and started watching it.
I was shocked after watching the video. The video showed a confession by Jamez while talking to someone that he had photoshopped the picture of me and him getting intimate. And the someone who helped him was the one and only Lina. He also admitted that he did that because of an unknown reason. Lina wanted to get on with Jaxon. Thus, they made a plan to break us which was undoubtedly successful.
'But this does not calm my anger over Jaxon. Even if there was a picture but he could have at least tried to find out if it was true or not'
Without warning, tears started to flow down my cheeks. I did not realize until I felt chills in my cheeks. I decided to call her and thank her.
I called her and in one call she picked up.
Ivy: Hello
Rosalina: Hello and thank you very for much helping me. You are the only one who bothered to help me out. Thank you so much. It means a lot.
Ivy: Oh no no it's absolutely fine. I was just trying to clear out an unnecessary mess. I was bored so I was going through the school CCTV footages from the years earlier then I found this.
Rosalina: But how are you allowed to go through school CCTV footage?
Ivy: Oh my mom is the principal and I was playing on her laptop so yeah.....
Rosalina: Oh okay. Anyway, how can I repay you?
Ivy: By being friends with me. And also my friend. We can be a squad.
Rosalina: I would love to.
Ivy: Really??!! Okay, we will come to visit you in the hospital in the evening. Okay?
Rosalina: Sure. See you then!
Ivy: Okay Bye!!
I smiled at how cute she was. I was excited that after 3 whole years I will have a friend. My expression changed when I remembered the video. Soon my tears started to flow again. I was silently crying while looking out of the window when I felt the people around me. I hurriedly wiped my tears.
I look just to see Jaxon's friends...
THIRD PERSON POV:
"Oh, really and why should we believe you?" Simon asked
"I don't ask you to believe me. But the photos are photoshopped. I have collected some information" Rosalina said and took a pause
"I have proof of my innocence," She said again.
"Alright. What is the 'proof to your innocence'?" Henry said emphasizing the sentence 'proof to your innocence'
Rosalina took out her phone and gave it to Henry. Everyone gathered around him to see the video. From the time the video started till the end each of them had tremendously shocked expressions. Even after the video ended they kept staring at the screen with a blank expression.
Rosalina sat there silently crying while staring at the ceiling. She looked at them and said
"Now you believe me? Done? Now if you may please leave I need to rest." She said coldly
"We're sorry Rosalina. W-We truly are. P-Please, forgive us." Nick said feeling guilty.
Rosalina sighed. She thought that even though they insulted her, they did not know and they were only doing this because they treated Jaxon like their brother. But whatever it is, it does not justify the behavior as they did crush her confidence. She might forgive them in words but the grudge will internally stay.
"I will forgive you in one condition." She said squinting her eyes
"We are ready to follow that," Tristan said without hesitation and others nodded in agreement.
"Well! Well!" She said as she looked at them with a mocking smile, as the best way of revenge lingered in her mind. She needed to release all her frustration, that accumulated from the years of pain, insult, and abuse.
"Fine then. My condition is Jaxon should not know about this." She stated
"But why?!?!" They screamed in unison. Rosalina knew this was the biggest punishment for them. Seeing Jaxon’s suffering was the very reason they bullied her and now that will be the very reason they shall repent. Not telling him despite knowing the truth will only kill them inside, that to an extent will give peace to her dignity which they voluntarily crushed.
"Because I want him to find out by himself and not by others. Even if I have to be tortured mentally, I am fine with that but I will not let Jaxon know about this from you guys. You can't always spoonfeed him, he needs to use his brain sometimes" She said sternly.
They were all silent. Each of their faces had a sense of hesitation and pain as they contemplated mentally. They looked at each other as they did. The pain that flashed on their faces, gave Rosalina sadistic satisfaction. People will judge her to be evil from the outside but only if they knew what she went through. But then they sighed and said
"Alright. We agree with your condition. I hope you forgive us now." Simon said in defeat
"Wow. Desperate to get rid of the guilt that you are abandoning your friend? This isn't what happened when tarnishing someone innocent came into question. Strange. Looks like we just choose what makes us feel better. You are all as selfish as it is huh." Rosalina mocked the group as they could not even fight back what she said. They just stood there looking down at the concrete.
"That's not it Rosalina. We want Jaxon to learn by himself too" Nick said looking everywhere but at her
Rosalina smirked at them as she saw them all looking down. She internally sighed. There is nobody who is selfless. Everyone puts the pain and burden on others to reduce their own and so are they. Knowingly, unknowingly she was doing the same.
"Bullshit," She said as she poked her tongue on her inner cheek yet again showing the power she held at the moment to them. She wanted them to feel small as they made her feel.
Just for this once at least cause she was aware that her weak conscience would eventually take over. She sometimes wished she were a bit stronger and bitter but her timidness is what allows everyone to step over her. She was surprised that this was going on for so long but she was afraid too when that fragile and forgiving her will make a comeback. She hated it.
"So do you forgive us?" Simon said diverting the topic
"Since you agreed so yes," Rosalina said making their faces light up.
"So? Friends?" Jeremy said reaching out his hand for a handshake
"That's not something I would say you deserve," Rosalina said in a rude tone.
"Friends! Do you even know what that means?" She scoffed at them
They looked down in shame but eventually sat there to discuss with Rosalina about whatever happened for the past 2 years. Within their discussions, they decided to act the same way they do in front of Jaxon so he does not doubt. Rosalina also informed them about her moving after they graduate to continue her further studies. They were all happy for her but also sad as they don't have much time to spend with her. After spending time with her for few hours, it was their time to leave.
"I think we should go. Jaxon must be waiting for us. We will come and visit you whenever we have time but for now, we should leave" Josh said
"Don't bother doing that," Rosalia said making them feel embarrassed.
After that, they all bid goodbye and left.
Rosalina POV:
After the boys left, I sighed.
I was quite happy that even if things were still messed up between me and Jaxon but at least the guys know the truth and are fine with me now thanks to Ivy. I felt at ease after getting out frustration on them. Just cannot wait till the day it's Jaxon. I want to, just for once, to make him feel the way he made me feel. Talking about Ivy, where is she? She said she will be coming to visit me in the evening.
While I was lost in my thoughts, I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," I said
The door opened revealing a very young pretty girl. She looked older than me though.
"Hi!!" She said almost squealing
"Umm.. hello," I said awkwardly
"How are you doing? Feeling better? Did you take your medicines yet? Does it hurt anywhere?" She asked
She bombarded me with so many questions that I got confused about which one to answer first. I took a deep breath and said
"I am fine. I did take my medicines and yeah it hurts a bit in my legs but that's fine. Anyway, if you don't mind me asking but who are you again?" I said
"Who? Me?...oh right me, I am the only one here. I am Ivy the one who texted you." She said
"Oh, you’re Ivy...Hi, it's so nice to meet you.." I said excitedly
I got excited that she is my new friend and the fact that she is so sweet made it better.
"Me too!!" She said in a pitched voice
"So let's introduce ourselves. Our preferences, hobbies, dreams, etc" I offered a way to start a conversation
"Of course!!! But before that. Remember I told you about being my friend and at the same time my other friend's friend" She said
"Yes, I do?" I said confusingly
"So he is here and I want to introduce you guys to each other…so can I call him in?!" She said getting over-excited
"Wait wait it's a boy?" I asked
"Yeah. Why any problem?" She asked worriedly
"Oh no no nothing…just curious," I said
I was a little taken aback when she said it's a guy. I never had a proper male friend I only spoke to Jaxon's friend sometimes rather. But oh well let's see how it goes.
"So can I call him in?" She asked
"Yeah sure," I said smiling
She went to call him and I was waiting. After waiting for like half a minute she came and was asking the guy to come in as well.
As soon as he came in, he looked at me and both of our eyes widened. And we both said in unison.
"YOU?!?!"
