Chapter 133 

Chapter 133 

Clara didn’t attend any of the remaining classes after the lunch break. 

As the hours dragged on without her return, a knot of guilt began to twist inside me. I couldn’t help but blame Kaiden. Even though I understood where his reaction had come from–his protectiveness, his instinct to shield me–it must have still hurt Clara. 

And so, I sat there, caught in an impossible tug–of–war between guilt and reason. My heart was the rope, stretched thin by the effects of Kaiden’s misguided fury and the reasons behind it. 

The Next Day… 

For a moment, I thought–what if she was just binge–watching another amazing series while I sat here drowning in a pool of guilt? Or worse, what if this time, she really was a hundred percent absent because of me? 

But those thoughts crashed the moment I saw a girl walk through the door–eyes green like mine, but eyeliner skills five hundred times better than mine. 

Thank God. 

Clara showed up. 

She showed up to class. 

I felt the breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding release in a slow exhale. The knot in my chest loosened just a bit. 

She was here. She didn’t choose to miss class because of me. Yay! 

I know the Earth doesn’t revolve around me. I know that. Maybe I was being self–centered, imagining my impact to be so far–reaching. But guilt doesn’t care about logic. It doesn’t ask for permission before taking up space. It just moves in–uninvited–and builds a permanent nest in your ribs. 

We didn’t exchange a single word during the first period. She sat in her usual seat, back perfectly straight, head bent slightly as she jotted down notes. From the outside, she looked unbothered. But I couldn’t tell what lay behind that stillness. 

Then, the bell rang. The teacher stepped out. 

And Clara turned. 

Not just turned–spun, beaming at me with a smile so bright it could’ve lit up a charcoal–dark tunnel. 

Her eyes glittered with something genuine. Excitement. 

“So,” she said, her eyes showing no grudge about yesterday, “are you excited about the trip?” Her voice was alive with thrill, words tumbling out like they couldn’t wait to exist. “I’m so excited for it! The legendary Museum of West Sterlingo! Wow. I’ve always heard about it but never visited. But now–finally 

-I will.” 

I blinked, thrown off by the ease in her tone. She didn’t sound bitter. She didn’t sound offended. She sounded… completely fine. 

“So…” I leaned in, hesitant. “You… ah… um… you’re not angry with me?” 

“Angry with you? For what?” She tilted her head brows scrunching like she was genuinely confused. 

I faltered. “Ah, um… I don’t know. I mean, it’s you who left after Kaiden apologized to you. And then never came back. You missed all the classes after 

lunch break.” 

Her smile softened but didn’t dim. “Oh, that.” 

Chapter 133 

I nodded, waiting. 

She waved a hand like she was brushing away dust. “No, I wasn’t upset. Not at all. Especially not at you.” 

I blinked. “Then… why’d you do that?” I asked gently. 

“Do what?” she asked, her expression blank with confusion. 

“Disappear after a tension–filled misunderstanding caused by me and then come back acting like it had nothing to do with me,” I said, my voice flat. “You know how hard these twenty–one hours were for me? It felt like I was drowning in an ocean of guilt.” 

Her eyes widened. “I made you feel that way? Oh my God. I–I didn’t see it like that. I’m so sorry.” She placed a hand over her chest. “I should’ve said goodbye properly. But… I…” She let out a bittersweet smile and looked down at her lap, twisting the edge of her notebook. “I was… missing my brother so much I forgot about everything else.” 

“Oh,” I breathed, struck by the invisible pain tucked behind her smile. 

Grief always seemed to wear the same mask–quiet, polite, undemanding. But it lingered in the air like a perfume you couldn’t wash off. And right now, could smell her grief. 

“You know… you and Kaiden,” she began softly, “the bond between you guys reminded me of me and my brother.” 

My heart stilled. 

“My brother would have reacted the same way if he was alive. If he saw me in your situation…” she trailed off, her voice losing some of its spark and dipping into something wistful–something weighty. 

I didn’t know what to say to that. My throat tightened, but no words came. 

How could they? I was sad for her loss, for the ache she still carried in her voice… but also? 

Also, I felt uncomfortable. 

Because Kaiden and I weren’t real siblings. 

Not really. 

To the world, sure. On paper, yes. But in truth, he was my boyfriend! My secret. My lover in hiding. And hearing someone compare us–us–to real siblings felt like being wrapped in the wrong skin. 

I hated that it made me uncomfortable. 

I hated that I couldn’t just focus on Clara’s pain without getting tangled in my own awkward feelings. 

But the discomfort was there, no matter how much I tried to blink it away. 

Clara’s bittersweet smile lingered a moment longer, her eyes distant. 

“I’m sorry,” she said softly, looking up at me. “I shouldn’t have brought that up.” 

“It’s fine,” I said. 

“And I promise,” she added quickly, “I’ll explain everything in detail next time–before I disappear.” 

I raised a brow. “So… you’re planning to disappear again?” 

“No–l… I didn’t…” Her eyes narrowed in realization. “Wait a second. You’re teasing me, aren’t you?” 

“Oops. Busted.” I bit my tongue, and we both smiled warmly. 

2/4 

09:16 Wed, 18 Jun 

Chapter 133 

The tension cracked and melted away, replaced with something warmer. Something easier. 

“So, tell me,” she said, “are you coming on the trip?” 

I nodded. “It’s the Museum of West Sterlingo. Of course I’m coming. It only opens once a year for five days. There’s no way I’m missing that legendary 

chance.” 

“I’m a little scared, though,” Clara admitted. 

“Why?” I asked. 

“Well, like you said–it only opens for five days, so it’s going to be packed. I’m not really a fan of big crowds.” 

“Don’t worry,” I reassured her. “I overheard my step–dad talking to the principal. He said he managed to get a special reservation. The area will be cleared for students only during certain hours.” 

“Wow. Dan Sterwalt really is the king of West Sterlingo,” she said, almost in awe. 

Then her eyes landed on me with a light smile. “You must feel so lucky, right? Being his daughter? No wonder everyone calls you The Lucky Introvert. 

The moment I heard those three words–The Lucky Introvert–something in me tightened. 

Flashbacks swarmed like angry bees. 

That nickname. That label. 

www 

It wasn’t just a harmless title. It was a spotlight cast by none other than Queen Bee–Barbara herself. It was a crown, yes, but one made of thorns. it reminded me of every struggle I faced as she leaked my privacy–and more than that, it reminded me of her betrayal. Of how she taught me not to trust anyone. Of how she proved that sometimes, friends can be your worst enemy. 

“Lucy?” Clara’s voice cut through the storm. “What happened? Are you okay?” 

That was it. 

Enough. 

I am not going to let my past keep caging me again and again. 

I am not going to let every word, every label, every rumor be a trigger. 

It’s now or never. 

And I chose NEVER. 

“Yeah,” I said, taking a long breath. “I’m cool.” 

I smiled, blinking the tormenting memories away, locking them back in the cage they once used to trap me. 

Bye–bye, tormenting past. See you never. 

To be continued…