ã€ŠGift Zeroã€‹


 Chapter 1 - The beginning of everything

    [Astrid''s POV]

    I was still trying to understand what had gone through my head to accept that. Mira, as always, didn''t seem the least bit impressed, as if nothing could shake her calm. In fact, she never seemed impressed by anything, which, to be honest, was nothing new. Mira had always had this almost annoying ability to seem oblivious to the chaos around her.

    She was the kind of person who could be in the middle of a fire and still not change her expression. I could picture her perfectly, in the middle of the flames, with that carefree look that said something like: ¡°Oh, look, everything''s really on fire.¡± It was impossible not to wonder what was going on in her head - or if anything was.

    ¡°Mira, to be honest, I''m still trying to figure out what I came to the boardroom to do with you.¡±

    I muttered, while keeping my voice low, even though no one was listening.

    Mira arched an eyebrow, and a subtle, almost imperceptible smile appeared on her lips.

    ¡°It was a simple decision. Since I''m the class representative and I needed someone to support me, you, my best friend, were the first person I thought of.¡±

    Mira not only failed to answer my question as I''d hoped, she also made a point of winding up the conversation.

    ¡°Support you in what?¡±

    I retorted, casting her a look of incredulity.

    ¡°Don''t tell me you''re in trouble again?¡±

    ¡°Oh, come on, Astrid!¡±

    Mira rolled her eyes, as if it was all a big joke.

    ¡°I didn''t do anything wrong. The principal just called me into his office for some reason, but I''m sure it''s nothing serious. Trust me.¡±

    I frowned, still skeptical. Mira had this tendency to make everything seem simpler than it really was.

    ¡°I really hope you know what you''re doing.¡±

    I commented, trying to hide the concern in my voice.

    ¡°Of course I do. And when have I ever gotten us into any trouble?¡±

    Her confident tone only served to increase my apprehension. If there was one person who attracted trouble without realizing it, it was Mira.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Astrid, relax.¡±

    Mira added, flashing that smile that managed to be reassuring and, at the same time, irritating in an inexplicable way.

    We were walking through the corridors towards Principal Arden''s office. Despite his frail appearance, marked by age, he still managed to emanate an undeniable authority.

    He was known for being kind and fair, but also stern when necessary. His demeanor left no doubt that he did not tolerate disrespect or disorder, which made many fear him.

    However, for those lucky enough to know him more closely, Arden was a good soul. He knew how to listen and had surprising patience, even with the most problematic students. He was the kind of person who, with a look or a simple word, could convey both a firm rebuke and sincere encouragement.

    ¡°Do you think he''s angry?¡±

    I asked, trying to disguise my nervousness as my footsteps echoed down the corridor.

    ¡°Angry? At me? Of course not.¡±

    Mira replied, with her usual confidence that seemed unshakable.

    ¡°The principal likes me.¡±

    I watched her, trying to understand where all this certainty came from. How could she be so... calm? Beside me, my stomach churned at the thought of what might happen when we entered that room.

    On the way, several people greeted us, and Mira smiled openly at them, waving quickly. It was almost automatic, her gesture, as if she had rehearsed every social interaction over the years.

    Although Mira was ''polite'' to everyone who spoke to her, a doubt arose in my mind. Had they not yet realized that that smile was fake and forced? As always, she did the bare minimum to appear approachable, but I knew the truth.

    Having known each other since childhood, I already knew her true character.

    Mira had the ability to make everyone around her believe that she was the most sociable person in the world, but I knew her better. I knew that, behind that fake smile and friendly fa?ade, there was a girl who was much more reserved, even a little suspicious.

    Not that she was a bad person - far from it. Mira was just... different. She had an almost obsessive passion for fighting, something she viewed almost as a hobby. What''s more, her love of heavy rock was unmistakable - the kind of music that made the most sensitive cover their ears in despair.

    The truth is that, at our school, Mira was so famous and admired that everyone deified her, treating her like one of the Miss Beauties. And I, who was always by her side, ended up, almost without realizing it, gaining a piece of that fame.

    Just like me, who hated that title, Mira didn''t give a damn either, being as indifferent as I was. For her, the applause and attention were just part of the game, something she accepted out of sheer convenience, but without ever letting it get to her.

    We weren''t the popular girls, and we weren''t the girls who lived to be noticed or adored by anyone. But for the rest of the school, that''s exactly what we were, and no matter how hard we tried to ignore it, it ended up defining us in some way.

    The thoughts were fading from my mind when I realized that we had finally reached our destination.

    I stretched out my arm and was about to knock on the surface of the door, but stopped when I realized that it was already ajar, letting some voices escape from inside. They were almost certainly the principal''s.

    He was talking to someone, and something in the way he expressed himself made me hesitate. Whenever someone else arrived to meet with him, the conversation took a more serious, more... formal turn. I didn''t know whether to interrupt or wait. The last thing I wanted was to walk in on an important conversation.

    ¡°Are you going to tell us what really happened, or am I going to have to force an explanation out of you?¡±

    I heard Principal Arden''s voice, which didn''t sound friendly at all. I didn''t know who he was talking to, but I was pretty sure that this person was in trouble.

 Chapter 2 - The mysterious student

    ¡°I told you, nothing happened, I just fell.¡±

    It wasn''t the director''s voice, that much I knew for sure. It was a low, almost muffled tone, but it carried a strange weight, as if he was avoiding revealing more than he should. Despite this, there was something about the way those words were said - ¡°I just fell¡± - that seemed forced, disconnected from the truth. Whoever it was, they didn''t seem to be there of their own free will.

    Mira raised an eyebrow when she heard the phrase, visibly curious, but showed no hesitation.

    With the usual disdain of someone who doesn''t seem to care about anything, Mira pushed the door open just enough for us to peek inside.

    ¡°What do you mean, you just fell?¡±

    This time, the voice we heard seemed to be that of a girl, probably Mira''s sister Lysa, who was the school nurse''s aide.

    ¡°The answer is simple: I got off balance and fell, that''s all.¡±

    He answered again, without any emotion in his voice.

    Lysa, still incredulous at what the boy had said, decided to ask again, but this time with an air of doubt.

    ¡°Are you really serious?¡±

    This time, the boy didn''t say anything; he just nodded, confirming everything that both Mira''s sister and the principal had been asking.

    The director, already visibly impatient and anxious for an answer, let out a short sigh and repeated the question. This time, even I, who was standing outside the door, hiding with Mira, was curious to know what had really happened. After all, it seemed incredible that the boy had chosen to face a scolding rather than reveal the truth.

    The boy was still standing there, facing the principal, with a posture that made it clear he had no intention of speaking. His eyes were fixed on the floor, as if he didn''t want to face anyone - and suddenly the silence was broken by a deep breath from Principal Arden.

    ¡°Do you really think we''re going to fall for this?¡±

    Director Arden''s tone was calm, but charged with a controlled frustration. He didn''t seem like the kind of person who would let a matter like that pass without a clearer explanation, and clearly something was wrong.

    For a brief moment, through the gaps in the ajar door, I saw Lysa lean in slightly, as if she was about to say something important. Her expression seemed hesitant, almost anxious, but before any words could escape her lips, the boy''s response interrupted her, leaving everyone stunned.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°I''m not forcing you to believe anything, but I''m not here to prove anything to anyone either.¡±

    I thought to myself: if that slap already hurt me, who had nothing to do with the conversation, imagine the principal and Mira''s sister, who were the direct targets.

    However, something that really caught my attention was that, even with that incisive response, I couldn''t perceive any malice in it.

    On the contrary, the speech continued without any emotion, which made it difficult to understand whether the boy really wanted to provoke or whether he was just being realistic.

    After receiving that dry response, the director probably realized that, no matter how hard he pressed the boy, he wouldn''t get a word out of him. Already exhausted from the conversation, Arden let out a long sigh, showing his fatigue.

    Mira, standing a little ahead of me in front of the ajar door, let out a soft sigh - a rare indication that she too was intrigued.

    ¡°That''s an interesting one.¡±

    She whispered, with a half-smile that I couldn''t fully interpret. It was hard to tell whether she was impressed, amused by the situation or just curious.

    I didn''t reply. My eyes were still fixed on the crack in the door as I tried to decipher what was going on. Director Arden crossed his arms, his countenance firm, but without losing his cool.

    ¡°Sid, if you''re not willing to give us an explanation, it''s going to be difficult to help you.¡±

    His voice low, but carrying a weight that only someone with years of experience could convey, Arden commented.

    ¡°But let me be clear: my priority is the well-being of the students at this school. If something has happened - whatever it is - and you''re afraid to speak up, we can deal with it together. Do you understand?¡±

    When Principal Arden asked the question calmly, trying to win the boy''s trust, I realized that he was still on the defensive and only answered what he thought was necessary.

    ¡°I understand.¡±

    He finally replied, his voice lower than before, but not as distant as the first time.

    ¡°But there''s nothing to tell. I fell. That''s all.¡±

    Lysa, who didn''t believe a word the boy said, nevertheless showed growing patience. She leaned in again, and her voice, although controlled, carried a tone of frustration that was hard to disguise.

    ¡°Don''t you understand that we''re trying to help? There''s no point in hiding behind this headless story!¡±

    When Mira and I realized that the conversation had come to an end and that they were about to leave the room, we looked around quickly. It was then that Mira decided to knock on the door, as if we wanted them to think we had just arrived.

    As soon as we heard confirmation that we could enter from inside the principal''s office, we exchanged a quick glance to pull ourselves together and, without further ado, entered the room.

    Once inside the room, I saw the director sitting in his chair, behind a desk, in a rather funny scene. Only his head was visible. When I saw that image, I almost burst out laughing, but then I remembered what happened the last time I did that and decided to restrain myself.

    I looked at Mira, who was also trying to hold in her laughter, but her lips were curving upwards, clearly trying to hide her impulse.

    Principal Arden, unaware of our exchange of glances, remained completely focused on the boy in front of him, who at no time showed any sign of being intimidated by our presence.

    To Principal Arden''s right was Lysa, Mira''s younger sister, with a worried expression.

 Chapter 3 - The Gifts

    While the principal was doing everything, he could to get the boy to talk, I took a quick look at him. It was enough to realize that I didn''t know him and didn''t even know that he studied here at our school.

    And I know almost all the students here, thanks to Mira and her sister. For me not to recognize someone, he either had a very discreet presence, or he practically didn''t have one.

    However, it wasn''t his appearance that caught my attention - which, by the way, was quite ordinary: black hair, short and messy, with dark brown eyes that didn''t bring anything very special at first glance. But what really worried me, and probably caused Mira''s sister distress, was the state he was in.

    His clothes were almost all in rags, as if they had been torn in a fight or during a desperate escape. In addition, red stains - unmistakable and disturbing - covered several spots on the fabric, making it all too clear what they were.

    The worst thing, however, was not the clothes or the stains, but the marks on his body. There were burns scattered over almost the entire visible length of her skin, some still reddened, as if they were fresh, while others looked older, healing unevenly.

    Just looking at it, something inside me contracted, a shiver running up my spine. How can someone get into such a state? What could have happened to him to bring him to this?

    Before anyone had a chance to say anything, the same boy, who until that moment had cared little about our presence, answered the principal without a hint of emotion. His indifference, which in a way didn''t bother us, seemed to have touched Mira. After all, although she was bothered by the idolatry of the others, who treated her as if she were a goddess, something about the way he ignored her ended up arousing a certain interest.

    ¡°If that''s all, with your permission, I''ll leave.¡±

    Without saying another word, he turned and left the room without even looking at us. And we were practically next to the door. I''m not going to lie, that aroused a curiosity in me, a desire to know who that boy was.

    Before I could ask anything, Mira, as if reading my thoughts, asked exactly the same question I was about to ask.

    ¡°Who is he?¡±

    Mira asked, in a softer voice than usual, but still flashing that sweet smile that many didn''t realize was fake.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    As soon as Mira asked that question, Principal Arden let out a sigh, about to answer her. However, her sister interrupted him, answering instead. I could tell that the poor old man didn''t like the situation very much.

    Lysa, with her calm and controlled manner, stepped forward and gave Principal Arden a quick glance before speaking.

    ¡°Sid V¨¡mirion¡±

    Unable to contain herself any longer, Lysa replied and went straight to hug her sister.

    I, who was a little curious to know more about that boy, decided to make a comment in the hope that Mira''s sister, or perhaps even the director, would tell me more details.

    ¡°Is it just me, or is he not very... how can I put it without sounding mean? Sociable?¡±

    I asked sarcastically, as if it were just a joke, while trying, almost imperceptibly, to disguise the interest I felt.

    Lysa gave a brief smile, but her eyes remained serious, as if she was pondering how to answer my question. Mira, still in her arms, watched carefully, and the silence in the room seemed to stretch on, as if everyone knew that the answer that would come would not be simple.

    As I had imagined, the answer came, but not from Mira''s sister. It came from the principal, who, after letting out a deep sigh, looked at me.

    ¡°It''s not just you...¡±

    After the announcement, the director let out a low, tired sigh, then ran his hand through his beard in an almost reflexive way.

    ¡°He''s really not much of a mixer, but he''s a good kid. He''s going through a difficult time, though...¡±

    The director added, his soft voice laden with a sincerity that surprised me.

    And once again, as if reading my thoughts, Mira asked exactly the same question I was about to ask.

    ¡°A difficult time?¡±

    Mira asked in a calm tone, still trying to disguise her interest in the subject.

    I couldn''t help but find this very strange. After all, Mira had never shown any interest in anything, let alone anyone. Seeing that curiosity, however discreet, in relation to a boy was something totally out of the ordinary for her, something I hadn''t expected at all.

    Anyone who saw that conversation would certainly find it very funny, because every time one started, the other would jump in, as if it were a rotation.

    And once again, on this occasion, it was no different. The director finished what he was saying, but without explaining exactly what difficult phase the boy was going through. It was then that Mira''s sister, Lysa, added to what he hadn''t said.

    ¡°As well as this difficult phase he''s going through, it''s becoming more and more obvious that he''s being bullied, which only makes things worse. As if that weren''t enough, he''s also a Gift Zero.¡±

    Okay, I definitely wasn''t expecting that... What was the chance of someone being born as a Gift Zero? One in a million. In the world we lived in, people who were born with special gifts were not only admired, but also revered. These people were called ''Gifts'', and this meant something far beyond simple ability. It was a status, almost like a mark of nobility, that put them on a pedestal, set apart from others.

    The Gifts were considered the elite of society, the holders of unique powers that made them special, almost immortal in the eyes of the majority.

    At our school, all the students had at least some kind of ability or power. It was the norm. Those without any gifts, the so-called Gift Zeroes, were treated very differently: often ignored and, in many cases, ridiculed.

 Chapter 4 - The First Impression

    [Mira''s POV]

    For some reason that I couldn''t explain, that boy had managed something that no one had managed in a long time: to get my attention. That in itself was strange enough. After all, it wasn''t in my nature to take an interest in someone I barely knew, let alone try to get close to.

    The simple fact that he wasn''t part of our group, in theory, should have caused me to ignore him. At least, that''s what I used to do with almost everyone who tried to approach me. My indifference was almost a rule; interacting with those outside my world was never a priority.

    But there was something about him. Something that made me want to look again.

    The sensation was irritating. It wasn''t attraction - I was sure of that. It was something else. Curiosity? Maybe. But why? There was nothing special about him. Still, something about him didn''t leave me alone.

    And, as it turned out, it wasn''t just me. Astrid seemed to feel the same way, although she tried to disguise it.

    I knew her well enough to notice. She was restless, as if she wanted to ask something. And, all said and done, before I could say anything, she stepped forward and spoke first.

    ¡°So... you''re telling me that he ''fell'' on the very first day of school?¡±

    Astrid asked in a slightly sarcastic tone, which, it seemed to me, went unnoticed by the principal.

    ¡°At least, that''s what he''s saying.¡±

    My sister replied, with a calmness that sounded almost innocent, without realizing Astrid''s sarcastic tone.

    After hearing that answer, Astrid let out a discreet sigh, cast a quick glance at the ceiling and commented with a slight irony.

    ¡°Wow, what an unlucky guy...¡±

    I almost smiled at her comment, but I was more worried about what was behind it. The boy... what had led him to fall in such a way?

    ¡°Headmaster... which class did he fall into?¡±

    I asked, trying to show as little interest as possible, although the feeling of curiosity was still nagging at me.

    The principal looked at me for a moment, as if evaluating my question. He seemed to strive to maintain a serious countenance, but the expression in his eyes revealed something else - concern, perhaps, or a slight hesitation.

    ¡°At the table you... Class 1, Room 5.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    His answer was direct, but the tone carried a weight I hadn''t expected. I was silent for a moment, trying to process the information.

    With that information in mind, a certain thought ended up popping into my head, and before I knew it, I had already said out loud what I was thinking.

    ¡°Perfect.¡±

    Without meaning to, I ended up letting those words come out louder than I wanted.

    Astrid looked at me with a curious expression, and the director seemed momentarily perplexed, as if the word didn''t fit with what he expected from an answer to something so serious.

    With so many eyes on me, I couldn''t help but feel a certain embarrassment. After all, it wasn''t like me to expose myself so much, especially to the point of revealing who I really was. However, something told me that this coincidence wasn''t just a coincidence, and I knew I couldn''t just ignore it.

    ¡°Why is that perfect?¡±

    Astrid asked with an arched eyebrow, clearly amused by my reaction.

    After hearing my ''friend''s'' question, the director turned and faced me with a serious look on his face.

    ¡°I''m also curious to know, why is this good news? Don''t tell me you''re planning something, Mira.¡±

    His question ended up sounding more serious than he intended, due to the expression he assumed.

    The seriousness in his voice made me realize that he was really worried, maybe even suspicious. It wasn''t often that I showed any interest in anything or anyone, but the fact that I was reacting in this way towards a boy, and without even knowing much about him, probably put him on alert.

    My eyes met Astrid''s, who was still smiling, as if to say to me: ''I didn''t do anything, now get on with it. I knew she wasn''t going to let that pass.

    ¡°I... I''m not planning anything. I just want to be friends, that''s all.¡±

    I tried to be confident in my words, but something in the way the director looked at me told me that he wasn''t completely convinced.

    Astrid, realizing that my plan wasn''t going very well, decided to give me a hand.

    ¡°Director...¡±

    As soon as Astrid managed to get Director Arden''s attention, I noticed that she let out a short sigh before continuing what she was about to say.

    ¡°What Mira said is true, we just want to get a little closer to him.¡±

    As soon as she said those words, Astrid quickly turned her eyes to me, as if to tell me that I now owed her a favor.

    As if that wasn''t enough, the principal decided to believe my friend rather than me, who was the class representative.

    I looked at Astrid, who seemed completely at ease with the situation, as if she already knew what she was going to do to get around it. Not only had she taken the lead in the conversation, but she also seemed to be amused by my discomfort. After all, my misfortune was her amusement. She knew exactly what to say to change the focus of the conversation, and now the director was completely distracted, his eyes fixed on her.

    ¡°That''s good, Sid really needs friends.¡±

    The director''s response turned out to be much less serious than when I had asked the question. How can this kind of treatment be possible? Shouldn''t I, the representative, be treated with more respect?

    Before I could express my displeasure at all this lack of trust, the school bell rang, as if it were a warning from beyond, interrupting any words I might say.

    After the bell rang, the principal looked at the watch on his wrist and, without giving any further explanation, threw us out of his classroom.

    ¡°Now that you know where your class is, you can go.¡±

    I sighed internally, annoyed at how quickly things had unfolded. The principal seemed to be satisfied with Astrid''s explanation, while I, as class representative, was left with the feeling that my word didn''t carry the weight it should. How come he believed her more than me? It was a simple question, but the way he behaved made me feel that he had somehow underestimated my intentions.

 Chapter 5 - The Other Face of Mira

    After saying goodbye to the principal, I hurried out of the room, trying to hide the blush on my face. All because I had managed the incredible feat of forgetting why he had called me.

    (How could I have forgotten that I was the representative and that he''d called me to let me know which room I''d fallen into?)

    I thought to myself as I reprimanded myself.

    And to make matters worse, Astrid was still here with me. If she remembered what I''d said before we arrived, she''d have no doubt that she''d start filling me in until we got to the room. And, as if by magic, that''s exactly what happened.

    [Astrid''s POV]

    As we walked towards the room the principal had told us about, I watched Mira out of the corner of my eye. She was strangely quiet, which was a clear sign that something was bothering her. I knew my friend well; her way of avoiding eye contact, her hurried steps... everything indicated that she was trying to hide something.

    I chose not to press her right away, but my curiosity wasn''t going to leave me alone for long. After a few seconds of silence, a memory of what she had said to me earlier popped into my head.

    ¡°Mira, wait a minute...¡±

    I began, my tone more casual than I had intended.

    ¡°Now that everything has been sorted out, I remembered something.¡±

    As soon as I said those words, she stopped for a second, but didn''t turn to face me. Then she continued walking, which only increased my suspicions even more.

    My suspicions became even clearer when Mira began to sound cold.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Mira turned to me with that sleepy smile I hated so much. The worst thing was that she knew it very well, so there was only one explanation: she was trying to calm me down with that smile and get me into the conversation.

    ¡°Don''t tell me you made all that drama just to tell me that the principal called you in just to tell you which room you''d fallen into?¡±

    I asked in a more serious tone, still trying not to believe that the answer to my question was really what I had feared. My friend, as well as being a dullard, seemed to be a bit slow too.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Surprise! Didn''t I tell you he liked me?¡±

    Mira answered my question with a light tone, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But I knew exactly what she was trying to do: divert my attention so that I would forget the mistake she had made.

    As soon as I heard what she said, my eyes instantly turned cold. I looked at her sideways and, for a split second, a violent thought of strangling her right there flashed through my mind.

    I stopped walking, slowly turning towards her. The look I threw at her was icy, and deep down I knew that she realized how much her antics were beginning to wear me down.

    ¡°If you weren''t my friend, I would have killed you a long time ago.¡±

    My voice came out low, with a hint of menace that wasn''t completely true, but enough for Mira to realize that I was testing the limits. Although most of the time I wanted to be angry with her for some reason, I couldn''t.

    In response to my comment, Mira didn''t even blink. Instead, she walked up to me and put her arm around my neck. As if that wasn''t enough, she still had that sleepy smile on her face, a unique way that only she could pull off. It was almost annoying how carefree she seemed, even in the face of the whole situation.

    ¡°But I know you love me.¡±

    Her answer came so naturally that I almost wanted to laugh, despite my irritation. Mira was exactly the kind of person you look at and think: If anything goes wrong, she''ll definitely be involved. And, as always, she had the gift of knowing exactly how to destabilize any argument I made, even when I was one step away from losing my temper.

    I sighed deeply, letting the irritation slide down my shoulders as I pushed Mira''s arm away from my neck. There was no point in prolonging the argument - I knew Mira loved to tease me, and I wasn''t going to give her that.

    ¡°Mira...¡±

    I began, trying to change the tone of the conversation as I shook my head, pretending to really give up. Before she had a chance to respond to my comment with another tease, I decided to change the subject. Apparently, it worked, since I managed to get her attention. She looked thoughtful, probably still reflecting on the new student.

    When I called her name, Mira turned to me, still with that sleepy smile on her face, which only made me certain that my patience had reached its limit. She looked at me with the same distracted expression as always.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Mira asked, still looking like she wasn''t paying attention to anything around her.

    I decided to ignore her detached attitude and change the subject before I really got stressed out and ended up saying something I didn''t want to.

    ¡°I''ve been curious about this since the principal''s office. But why do you want to become friends with that boy?¡±

    I asked, a little curious, as I watched Mira''s expression to see if she really meant it or just wanted a new toy.

    ¡°Friend... that''s too strong a word. It would be more like... having connections. Besides, don''t forget that he''s a lonely boy, which means he''s much easier to manipulate.¡±

    Mira''s response didn''t take me by surprise. After all, I had already imagined that she would say something like that, but hearing her say it with that smile of someone who thought everything was very normal almost made me laugh.

    ¡°Connections?¡±

    I repeated, trying to understand.

    ¡°Don''t tell me you''re going to put him in danger?¡±

    My voice came out slightly cynical, but I couldn''t help it. Mira always had a way of getting involved with people, but never for pure reasons.

 Chapter 6 - Confidential File

    Mira didn''t seem to be put off by the tone of suspicion in my voice. She just shrugged, as if she were explaining something totally trivial, as if what she was saying was the most normal thing in the world.

    ¡°Put him in danger? No, of course not.¡±

    Mira answered my question with a soft tone.

    ¡°I haven''t forgotten that the director likes him, so I''m not going to do anything bad to him. I''m just going to manipulate him into doing some jobs for me.¡±

    I watched her in silence for a moment, processing her words.

    ¡°Do you really think he''s going to fall for this?¡±

    I asked, trying to understand how far she was willing to go with that.

    She smiled with that usual confident look, as if nothing could ever shake her.

    ¡°Of course he''ll fall for it. No one can resist my friendly personality.¡±

    As soon as Mira answered my question, I opened my mouth, ready to respond. The words were already on the tip of my tongue. However, my sentence was interrupted when I felt a slight but uncomfortable burning in my nose. I frowned, confused, until I realized why: I had bumped into her.

    Mira had stopped suddenly, right in front of a door, without warning or giving any sign. I stood there for a moment, massaging my nose as I tried to decide whether the pain was worse than the irritation at her lack of warning.

    ¡°Next time, let me know when you''re going to stop out of the blue, Mira.¡±

    I complained, as I massaged my nose in an attempt to relieve the burning.

    Without caring about my complaint, she simply changed the subject, like the completely clueless person she always was.

    ¡°What do you think about us investigating that boy further?¡±

    Mira asked, not caring one bit about my irritation.

    I took a deep breath, trying to control my irritation while still rubbing my nose. Mira had this special talent for turning any situation into something absurdly irritating - and, worse, making it seem normal.

    ¡°Investigate?¡±

    I rebutted, arching an eyebrow as I stared at her.

    ¡°You mean pry into his life to find out things you can use to manipulate him faster, right?¡±

    As soon as I said that, Mira rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way, as if to say that my question had been absurd.

    ¡°Don''t exaggerate. It''s just curiosity. Aren''t you the least bit intrigued by him? The way the principal treated him, like he was special, and since when does someone fall on the first day of school? I bet there''s something there worth finding out.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    I frowned, trying to keep my patience. After all, Mira always had this detached way about her that made everything so simple, but I knew exactly what she was getting at.

    Realizing that she was no longer paying attention to anything I said, I decided to remain silent. Mira then took a bunch of keys out of her backpack and opened the door.

    I followed her in silence to an iron cabinet, where each compartment had a label. I continued to watch her movements, still without saying anything, until she stopped in front of one of them, which had the inscription ''1-C''.

    ¡°Are you sure this is a good idea?¡±

    I asked, finally breaking the silence and interrupting her in the middle of what she was doing.

    After my question, Mira just glanced at me over her shoulder, still flashing that smile I hated so much. A smile that seemed to say: ''Why wouldn''t it be?'' As if what she was doing was the most normal thing in the world.

    ¡°Whether it''s a good idea, I don''t know. But helping out on the board once in a while has its advantages.¡±

    At that point, I had given up trying to understand her.

    ¡°You know what? I give up. If you''re saying it, then go ahead.¡±

    I commented, almost encouraging Mira to do what she was about to do. After all, trying to talk sense into her and telling her that it was wrong was apparently not going to work.

    After my comment, I saw Mira leafing through the files carefully, analyzing each folder. When she found what she was looking for, I noticed her expression change dramatically from excitement to indecipherable, as if she couldn''t understand what her eyes were seeing.

    ¡°Hey, what''s wrong? Did something happen, Mira?¡±

    I asked, uncomfortable with the sudden silence.

    She didn''t answer immediately, still absorbing the contents of the folder with an expression of surprise.

    ¡°That... that doesn''t make sense.¡±

    Mira muttered, almost to herself.

    ¡°What doesn''t make sense?¡±

    I repeated the question, my voice a little louder, letting my curiosity begin to show.

    Mira looked up at me, her gaze now more focused, but still marked by a certain confusion.

    ¡°Astrid, doesn''t our school have one of the best information networks of any school in the country?¡±

    Mira asked, still with a certain doubt in her voice.

    I nodded slowly, still not understanding what this had to do with Mira''s confused expression.

    ¡°As far as I know, yes. Why?¡±

    I replied, barely able to contain my curiosity at the direction the conversation was taking.

    Mira was silent for a moment, and then, in a low voice, almost as if she was trying to understand herself, she said:

    ¡°So, why is there no information about this Sid guy?¡±

    I frowned.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    I asked, still not understanding the question.

    After I asked her that question, Mira didn''t say anything more. She just held out the folder towards me, so that I could read what was confusing her so much. As I picked up the document, I saw the name ¡°Sid¡± written at the top of the page in large letters. Below that were the following details, arranged in a strange and incomplete way:

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    SCHOOL FILE

    Name: SID V¨¡MIRION

    Father: Unknown

    Mother: Unknown

    Age: 16

    Gift: None

    Room: ????

    Additional Information: None

    Additional Notes (Confidential):

    Origin: Birth registration missing from files.

    Address: Declared address does not correspond to any known location.

    Academic record: Transferred without official documentation from previous schools.

    Behavior: Quiet and avoids social interaction.

    Strange Note: The name ¡°V¨¡mirion¡± appeared on a list of sensitive research records. Relevance unknown.

    Curiosity: Has a personal object - a white scarf - which he never takes off and which appears to be made of an unknown material.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

 A Difficult Time

    Today I am going through a very difficult time. Unfortunately, my aunt passed away, and the funeral took place today. So I''m not feeling well enough to write and I need a little more time. The chapter will be published a little later. I apologize for the delay and thank you for your understanding.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    a

    a

 Chapter 7 - A simple conversation

    I was speechless, looking at the paper Mira handed me. The register was empty. There was hardly any information about her origin, nor any data to explain her presence at the school. Just a series of blank fields.

    ¡°And... now I have to agree with you, this is all very strange.¡±

    I commented, surprised by everything I saw... or rather, what I didn''t see.

    Mira didn''t respond immediately to my comment, but nodded, agreeing with everything I had said.

    It took me a while to understand what had caught Mira''s attention so much about this boy we barely knew. The content of the paper was intriguing, to say the least. Interesting would be the right word, but even that seemed insufficient. And, in the end, we left there more confused than when we had entered to look for some information.

    ***

    [Mira''s POV]

    I arrived at school earlier than usual, something I often did to maintain my fa?ade as a dedicated student. However, anyone who really knew me knew that I was far from being the most punctual or responsible person in the world. But yesterday''s situation had affected me in a way that even I couldn''t explain.

    The only thing that went through my mind when I saw that scene right in front of my eyes was: ''What a mess. Somehow, that moment - new students wandering around, clearly lost - made me uncomfortable.

    It was no secret to anyone who knew me that I hated crowded places, especially in a situation like that, where anyone could bump into me at any moment.

    In the midst of all the disorder, I finally spotted my friend Astrid in one of the corridors. Without thinking twice, I started walking quickly towards her, who was staring at the crowd with a restless countenance.

    As soon as I got close, I asked my question, with a curious look on my face because of her expression.

    ¡°Did something happen, Astrid?¡±

    I asked, with curiosity evident in my tone, trying to understand the reason for her uneasy expression.

    She didn''t turn to look at me, she just sighed and replied with obvious discouragement:

    ¡°Nothing much. I was just thinking how right I was to leave the student council this year... Thanks to that, I won''t have to help anyone with anything.¡±

    I gave her a lopsided smile, crossing my arms as I leaned against the wall next to her.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°I understand. Leaving the student council was also the best thing I ever did. Just remembering that I won''t have to help almost a thousand people at the same time gives me a certain joy.¡±

    Astrid let out a low laugh, still keeping her eyes on the confusion in the corridor.

    ¡°True. You seemed to enjoy it at first, but it wasn''t until you saw what it was really like that you left.¡±

    ¡°Don''t blame me.¡±

    I replied, crossing my arms.

    ¡°We spent more time calming down people who didn''t even want to be there than doing anything useful.¡±

    Astrid finally looked away from the corridor and gave me a wry smile.

    ¡°That''s right. And to think that, even so, there are always people fighting for a place inside. As if it were the greatest privilege in the world.¡±

    I laughed briefly, shaking my head.

    ¡°Privilege? Little do they know that it''s more like a sentence. Seriously, I feel sorry for the new class.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don''t feel sorry for them.¡±

    Astrid retorted, as she slung her backpack over her shoulder.

    ¡°Let them learn the hard way, just like we did.¡±

    ¡°You''re right.¡±

    I agreed, shrugging.

    ¡°Now it''s no longer our problem. Let them manage.¡±

    Astrid let out another low laugh, only this time it was lighter, as if the conversation had relieved some of the discouragement she was carrying.

    ¡°Yeah, and you know what? I don''t miss you at all.¡±

    ¡°Neither do I.¡±

    I replied promptly.

    ¡°Our lives are complicated enough as it is with so many people getting on our nerves. And having to deal with the chaos of the council... that''s definitely not for everyone.¡±

    Astrid looked at the movement in the corridor again, but now with a calmer gaze.

    ¡°At least now we can just watch from afar.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    I added, still smiling.

    As Astrid continued to watch the crowd with that uncomfortable look on her face, I realized that, without even realizing it, I had begun to glance at her.

    Astrid had an unparalleled beauty, the kind that drew attention wherever she went without any effort. Her slender body was the stuff of envy, but it was her short hair that added the final touch to her charm. While one part of her hair fell loose, the other formed a side braid with a few blue strands. Our school''s red and gold uniform, with the classic blue skirt and the name ¡°Ashford¡± printed on the chest of the shirt, completed her look perfectly.

    Noticing that Astrid also wanted to get out of the crowd, an idea popped into my head.

    ¡°Astrid, what do you say we go to the classroom? If we''re lucky, there might not be anyone there yet.¡±

    I suggested, hoping to get a positive confirmation from Astrid. After all, she didn''t want to be in that place as much as I did.

    As soon as I asked that question, Astrid, who seemed a little off, blinked a few times before coming back to reality and turning to me with a slight smile on her face.

    ¡°Fine by me. I can''t take the noise anymore.¡±

    After Astrid''s confirmation, I nodded and started walking alongside her, dodging several students who seemed to be going nowhere. The school corridors were busier than usual, with new students mingling with the veterans.

    As we approached our room, both Astrid and I had a little surprise: that same boy, who had caught my eye in the principal''s office the day before, was there, sitting in a chair at the back. Curiously, Ashford used to adopt the student partnership program, so each table had room for two more people, one on each side.

    However, the place where he was sitting was terrible, but to get an escr... oops, I mean a friend, it would be worth the sacrifice.

    When I saw that boy alone in the room, I couldn''t contain the small smile that formed on my lips.

    ¡°What great luck.¡±

    I whispered to myself as I smiled innocently again, trying to hide my feelings, even if Astrid wasn''t paying attention.

 Chapter 8 - Fake smiles

    ¡°Did you say something?¡±

    Astrid asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at me sideways, noticing my distracted look.

    ¡°No, nothing.¡±

    I answered quickly, shaking my head and approaching the boy with that fake, innocent smile.

    It was clear from Astrid''s expression that she was wondering how I could change my facade so quickly. For me, it was already part of who I was.

    ¡°Hi, you''re Sid, aren''t you?¡±

    I asked, approaching him with that innocent smile that, apart from the fact that hardly anyone noticed it, few could really notice its true nature.

    When I realized that he wasn''t even aware of my presence, I decided to continue with what I was saying.

    ¡°Since I always see you here alone, I was curious... Could we be your friends?¡±

    I finished with a smile so radiant that I''m sure even the shiniest jewel in the world would be envious.

    [Sid''s POV]

    I was in my corner, quietly reading my book, when those two girls I had seen in the principal''s office yesterday approached me. At first, I decided to pretend I hadn''t heard, to avoid getting into any more trouble, especially with these two, who were extremely popular at school.

    But this Mira girl, realizing that I was trying to ignore her, didn''t give up. With an expression that was still ''innocent'', although I knew it wasn''t innocent at all, she continued to insist, trying to get my attention in any way she could, oblivious to the fact that I clearly didn''t want to get involved with them.

    When I realized that she wasn''t going to leave me alone if I didn''t answer her question, I let out a discreet sigh and closed my book for a moment. With a quick movement, I glanced at her, analyzing her at a glance, trying to pick up some detail that would help me understand her intentions.

    ¡°Please, next time you ask someone for something, try not to flash that fake smile.¡±

    I commented, not really caring about the shock she had received, as I went back to reading my book. I saw no need to soften my words, especially since she was clearly trying to manipulate me, and that annoyed me.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    I didn''t make that comment as a form of provocation, nor to try to look funny. Still, as surprised as I was, both by my words and by her friend''s reaction, the redhead ended up letting out a discreet giggle, which she quickly disguised with a cough.

    ¡°Mira, I don''t think he''d be comfortable with us being here.¡±

    Astrid commented as she approached Mira.

    Mira, completely ignoring my refusal to approach and her friend''s warning that I didn''t want to get involved with them, simply disregarded it and asked again.

    ¡°I see... Being a Gift Zero, you must be used to getting a lot of fake smiles, aren''t you?¡±

    After the statement from the white-haired girl, who still had that cynical smile on her face, I decided not to say anything and continued reading my book. However, it seemed that even that wouldn''t be enough to make her give up. After all, even with my clear, almost direct answer that I didn''t want to get involved with them, she insisted on continuing the conversation.

    ¡°I just want you to know one thing: that smile I''m showing you is the same one I give to everyone, every day.¡±

    Mira still insisted on that statement, as if she expected me to finally believe her lies.

    And once again, Mira kept the same innocent smile on her face, as if I didn''t know it was just another one of her fake smiles.

    And from the look on her friend''s face, I was right. Perhaps I wasn''t the first person to realize that that smile was just a fa?ade, something she was trying to hide behind her expression, but I wasn''t that far behind either.

    As it seemed pointless to try to make it clear that I didn''t want to get involved with either of them, I kept my eyes on my book. Without lifting my head, I imitated the same gesture she had made: a corner smile, identical to the one she had given me a few seconds earlier. I made it clear that I didn''t mind at all.

    ¡°At no point did I say it wasn''t the same...¡±

    I said, looking at Mira, keeping the same fake smile that she insisted on saying was real, even though I knew it wasn''t. After all, if I could give it, I could give it. After all, if I could give it, what was to stop someone else from getting it?

    It only took me saying those words for the smile on Mira''s face to change completely. If before I still had some hope that she would leave me alone, now it was completely gone.

    ¡°So that means you''ll want to be my friend...¡±

    Mira, for a moment, forgot to keep her mask on. Without realizing it, she ended up saying it to me with a smile that was even more fake than the previous one, accompanied by a victorious voice.

    She really seemed to think she had the upper hand there. But as soon as I realized where she was going with the conversation, I decided to interrupt her while I still had time.

    ¡°As I said before, I never claimed not to be the same. But what''s the point of being the same if it doesn''t change the fact that he''s a fake?¡±

    I asked in an almost obvious way, knowing that she wouldn''t be able to answer, so surprised was she.

    Mira was speechless. The mask she tried so hard to hide was unmasked so easily by me. As soon as I realized that she would try to retort, I decided to put an end to the conversation.

    ¡°I''ll give you a piece of advice: if you really want to have real friends, and not fake ones, I recommend that you be yourself. Show who you really are, show your true personality.¡±

    I knew that wouldn''t put her off. On the contrary, if she really is the kind of person I''m thinking of, it must have made her a little angry, but she wouldn''t admit it. And the fact that she was keeping her head down and taking the opportunity to hide her face only confirmed that I was right.

 Chapter 9 - The new students

    Her silence only reinforced my suspicions even more. Firstly, that she was probably trying to think of an excuse or argument to counter what I had said. But since she couldn''t find anything relevant to say to me, this leads to the second option: perhaps I was the first person to notice the fa?ade she was keeping up and, even worse, to confront her about it. Either way, she was either moping around in shame or just trying to find something plausible to answer me.

    Her silence only reinforced my suspicions even more, but this time I knew exactly what to expect. I started counting mentally.

    ¡°One... two...¡±

    Mira kept her head down, as if trying to control some reaction.

    ¡°Three.¡±

    And then it happened. Mira suddenly raised her head and let out a loud, forced laugh, as if trying to mask any discomfort or embarrassment she might be feeling.

    ¡°Well, it looks like Gift Zero is smarter than I expected.¡±

    Mira commented, while stretching, but still keeping that cynical, fake smile on her face.

    As soon as Mira made that comment, leaving aside any effort to hide her true personality, Astrid''s reaction was almost spontaneous, as if she had been expecting it to happen. Probably, in her mind, her friend would have been able to sustain that theater for longer.

    ¡°That''s much better now...¡±

    I commented quietly, still concentrating on my book. However, before I could continue, Astrid, still shocked by it all, asked a question.

    ¡°How did you know?¡±

    Astrid asked, still looking at me with a shocked expression.

    I sighed and closed the book calmly, keeping my attention on Mira, who still had the same cynical smile on her face, now not bothering to hide who she really was.

    ¡°Simple. Just look at her face, she was practically screaming that she was suffocating from pretending so much.¡±

    I replied, still not really caring, as I put the book away in the pocket of my backpack. However, before I did, I turned to face the albino, who was still glaring at me with a smile on her face.

    ¡°If I were you, I''d put the mask back on...¡±

    After I said those words and turned around, they both looked at each other, not understanding anything.

    ¡°Why would I...?¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    Mira even tried to question my comment. However, before she could finish her question, she heard footsteps and noises coming from the corridor.

    Realizing what I meant, Mira closed her eyes and sighed deeply, clearly getting herself together to wear her ¡°mask¡± again. And I was right. After doing so, I saw her expression soften and, soon afterwards, that same fake smile return.

    When I witnessed that scene of Mira smiling warmly at everyone who entered the room and went to talk to her, I couldn''t help myself and let out a small cynical laugh, which only went unnoticed by Astrid, who had just sat down next to me.

    Astrid gave me a quizzical look, probably curious about something. If I had to guess, I''d say it was about how I managed to spot her friend''s ¡°mask¡± so easily.

    After greeting everyone who had come to talk to her, Mira started walking towards me. Still with that cynical smile, she sat down across from me, leaving me in the middle of the two.

    ¡°Can you wipe that smile off your face?¡±

    Mira asked sullenly, probably annoyed that I had discovered her secret so easily.

    I could have kept to myself and done nothing more, but I decided to play along. As soon as Mira asked me that question, I jumped out of my chair and, feigning surprise, put my hand to my mouth, as if I had just heard something shocking.

    ¡°So...¡±

    I began, letting my voice trail off with deliberate theatricality as I leaned back in my chair, looking alternately at Mira and Astrid.

    ¡°What do you two want from this simple Gift Zero?¡±

    My intonation was deliberately exaggerated, as if I were the protagonist of some fifth-rate tragic play. I made a point of using the words with enough disdain to underline the sarcasm.

    Mira frowned, clearly annoyed by the way I''d spoken, but it was Astrid who reacted first.

    ¡°I just want a friend.¡±

    Astrid said.

    I could feel the sincerity in Astrid''s words.

    Mira, on the other hand, didn''t seem interested in giving simple answers. She crossed her arms, and her still-sinister smile stretched, with a glint of superiority in her eyes. She didn''t feel any malice, however.

    ¡°I want... a slave.¡±

    Mira''s answer, as well as coming out with a tone of disdain, was accompanied by a sweet voice, which made me let out a short laugh.

    ¡°I''ll think about it. I''ll let you know.¡±

    I replied with a joking tone in my voice as I lowered my head. Then I raised it again to introduce myself properly.

    ¡°Nice to meet you, Sid V¨¡mirion.¡±

    I made the comment, without looking away from the two.

    The first to speak was Astrid, as I had expected. She gave a quick and brief introduction of herself, without beating around the bush, something simple and direct.

    ¡°Astrid Orlando.¡±

    Astrid said, her voice soft.

    As soon as Astrid had finished introducing herself, Mira barely let me say anything and introduced herself.

    ¡°Nice to meet you, all my friends call me Mira Air¨©n, but since you''re a special person, you can call me master.¡±

    Mira replied with a cynical smile on her face as she stared at me. Since I was used to this kind of situation, I just arched an eyebrow and, with a relaxed posture, decided to continue with the joke.

    ¡°Of course, Air¨©n-sama.¡±

    I spoke in a relaxed manner, letting out a light laugh, but without losing the sarcastic tone, while pretending to bow. The smile I offered wasn''t that of someone intimidated or surprised, but the kind of smile that said: ''I''ll play along.

    Astrid, seeing the expression Mira was making, couldn''t help herself and burst out laughing.

    Before we knew it, two girls entered the room. The first had golden eyes and light pink hair, with a few white strands at the ends. The second had long black hair, also with white highlights, but her eyes were emerald green.

    The two of them approached us and sat down on the empty chairs in front of us. Somewhat disconcerted, I lowered my head, not knowing exactly what to say, pretending to have gone back to sleep.

 &#x1F384;? Merry Christmas! ?&#x1F384;

    Dear readers,

    At this magical time of year, I want to express my deep gratitude to you, who make every story I create even more special. Your readings, comments and constant support are the greatest gift I could ever receive. You turn dreams into living pages and bring the adventures I create to life.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    May this Christmas be filled with joy, love and unforgettable moments with those you love. And may there never be a shortage of good stories to warm your hearts.

    Thank you so much for being part of this literary journey with me! I can''t wait to share more adventures with you next year.

    With affection,

    Walker.

 Chapter 10 - New members of the group

    [Mira¡¯s POV]

    My first impression of Sid was that he seemed like a really nice person. Even though he picked up on my true personality so easily - which annoyed me a little - he still gave off the vibe of a trustworthy person.

    He wasn''t like the others, who barely tried to realize that that smile was just a fa?ade. On the contrary, the very moment he saw me, he realized it. And unlike the others, who would have been uncomfortable discovering my true personality, he didn''t seem to mind. It was as if he wanted to say: be yourself.

    But I had to admit, what that boy had to say was annoying, he also had to say was clever. To see if what he was saying was really true, I decided to use my Gift on him.

    My Gift, although it seemed simple, was also incredibly complex. It followed the logic of theater, which justified its name: ¡°Theatrical¡±. In other words, no matter how hard you try to hide it or even if you''re the best actor in the world, my Gift is able to tell if your actions really correspond with your true feelings and desires.

    In other words, against my Gift, there was no hiding the truth. Or at least, that''s what I hoped. When I used my Gift on Sid, in an attempt to find out what he was hiding so much, I ended up being surprised - or rather, I wasn''t surprised by anything, because I couldn''t see anything at all.

    That had never happened to me before. It was the first time I''d met someone so... how can I put it, neutral. I couldn''t see anything - no desire, no lust, nothing. But in some way that I couldn''t explain, it just piqued my curiosity even more. He didn''t seem to want to do anything special, and that only made it more intriguing.

    That Sid was a very strange person. I had never met someone so neutral in my life. Even the least ambitious people have some desire, but he somehow seemed more like an empty shell.

    While I was wondering how someone like Sid could exist, I caught a glimpse of two girls coming in and sitting down at a free table right in front of us. I stood there, trying to remember who they were, but unfortunately no familiar faces came to mind.

    The girl in front turned around to introduce herself first. Her shoulder-length hair was tied up in a ponytail that extended down to her hips. The color of her hair, a light pink, enhanced her beauty even more, making her impossible to miss.

    (Too bad Sid has his head down...)

    I thought, as I analyzed the girl.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    What''s more, as if her striking beauty wasn''t enough, she still had those beautiful, unique gloves, which immediately caught my eye.

    The glove was red and curled around her arm like a spiral of uncontrolled flame. The most curious thing was that she was only wearing it on one hand, but instead of looking strange, it only added to her style, making the look even more stylish and unique.

    The girl opened a warm smile and introduced herself:

    ¡°Nice to meet you, my name is Carlotta Jeni, and this is my best friend, Camellya Korona. We''ve just transferred here today and we hope we can get along with all of you.¡±

    As Carlotta spoke, my attention was drawn to Camellya, who was standing next to her. She seemed the opposite in terms of presence. Her long black hair, with white strands that blended in subtly, created a contrast that discreetly drew attention.

    For me, there was nothing special about the girl''s presentation, but it seemed that Sid had noticed something. After all, his shoulders suddenly tensed. At a glance, I saw Sid raise his head so that only his eyes were visible.

    Politely, and still wearing my mask, I decided to introduce myself.

    ¡°Hello, my name is Mira Air¨©n, but most people just call me Air¨©n. These are my friends Sid and Astrid.¡±

    After my introduction, I noticed Astrid smiling sincerely, while Sid, for some reason, was holding back even more in his chair. It was strange, to say the least, but as I hardly knew him, I decided not to pry. Maybe something has happened to him that he doesn''t want to share.

    Astrid was the first to introduce herself - in her own way, but she did it.

    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±

    Sid, for his part, said nothing. He just nodded, then rested his head on his hands and probably went back to sleep.

    Camellya, with a sweet smile, said:

    ¡°Camellya says the same.¡±

    When I heard that cute little thing talking, I could hardly control myself. It was completely new to me; I''d never seen anyone speak in the third person, let alone in such an adorable way.

    I tried to disguise my surprise, but the involuntary smile that appeared on my face wasn''t enough to hide the impression Camellya had made. However, just as I was about to strike up a conversation, I was interrupted by the sudden entrance of Roccia, her sister Suzana and their childhood friend Brant.

    Realizing that Roccia hadn''t noticed us, I decided to draw her attention.

    I raised my hand slightly, trying not to be too obvious, but the sound of my voice, although soft, was enough to make Roccia turn in our direction.

    ¡°Hey, Roccia!¡±

    I called out, keeping the fake smile on my face as I watched her. She looked at me with a smile on her lips before quickly heading in our direction, followed by her sister and her childhood friend.

    ¡°Hi, guys.¡±

    Said Roccia in her soft voice, greeting everyone present.

    Taking the hook left by Roccia, I decided to introduce her properly.

    ¡°Everyone, this is my friend Roccia, her sister Suzana and their friend Brant.¡±

    I began the introductions, observing Roccia and her sister smiling at us, while the boy seemed distant, with a downcast look on his face. He had two chin piercings, three on each side of his nose and a red bandana with a white pattern.

    I didn''t know exactly why, but the impression he gave off didn''t match what I saw with my Gift. It was hard to explain, but it felt like he was pretending to be something he wasn''t, like he was hiding something for some reason. But it was probably just me.

 Chapter 11 - Something strange

    In response to Roccia''s greeting, everyone nodded. The only person who surprised me was Sid, who, instead of following the others'' example, decided to say something. Up until that moment, he had kept his head down and only raised it to greet them.

    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±

    Sid said, greeting the three new members who had joined the group. Then he put his head back down and went back to sleep.

    Carlotta, on the other hand, decided to strike up a conversation with Roccia, who was holding a book in her hands.

    ¡°Excuse me for asking, but... is this the special edition of ''The Adventure of Iris''?¡±

    Carlotta asked, her tone of voice brimming with enthusiasm.

    I couldn''t immediately understand the reason for her euphoria, but I soon realized that the cause was the book in Roccia''s hands.

    At first, I couldn''t immediately understand the reason for the euphoria, but I soon realized that the book in Roccia''s hands was the cause.

    ¡°There, that''s all I need: another book tracer.¡±

    I said sarcastically, a comment that made almost everyone around us laugh.

    Roccia, who was already used to my comments, didn''t even mind what I said and pretended she hadn''t heard.

    ¡°Leaving the funny girl''s comment aside, yes, that''s him. Do you like the franchise too?¡±

    Roccia asked, walking over to Carlotta and sitting down in the chair opposite her.

    In response to Roccia''s question, Carlotta replied with a certain enthusiasm.

    ¡°You have no idea; I have all the collections and it''s one of my favorite works.¡±

    Carlotta replied, with a sincere smile on her face.

    After Carlotta''s confirmation, Roccia, although already euphoric inside, made a point of hiding her excitement. With a discreet smile, she sat down next to her new friend, whom she had just met, and the two of them soon began to discuss the contents of the book animatedly, exchanging impressions and details about the plot that fascinated them so much.

    Suzana, with a discreet smile on her face, looked at all of us and spoke.

    ¡°Well, it was great to meet you all, but I''m going to sit up front.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Suzana said, her voice soft but clear, signaling her farewell. She looked kindly at each of us, nodding respectfully, before adding:

    ¡°Anything, just call me.¡±

    After saying those words, she left and sat down in the first chair facing the board. Then it was Brant''s turn to leave. Before leaving, he looked at all of us, looking for a vacant chair. When he realized that none was available, he let out a short sigh.

    ¡°And do what...¡±

    Brant commented, raising his shoulders, as if to say: ''Apparently, I''ll have to sit up front too.

    With a slight smile on his lips, Brant looked at us, nodded in a relaxed way, and said:

    ¡°See you later...¡±

    After making that comment, Brant followed the same path that Suzana had taken.

    After everyone had dispersed, Sid, who had kept his head down, looked up. After a few seconds of watching Roccia in silence, he finally called out to her.

    ¡°Roccia, I''m sorry to ask a rather intrusive question, but... do you have many flowers in your house? Or maybe a garden?¡±

    Sid asked, with a countenance that mixed curiosity and indifference, making it even more difficult to understand his true intentions.

    After Sid asked that question, I kept glancing at him, trying to understand the reason behind it. The only thing on my mind was: what was Sid trying to find out with that question?

    Roccia, not really understanding the reason for the question, decided to just answer it.

    ¡°Yes, you do... Why?¡±

    Roccia asked, still not understanding the reason for the question. However, before she could say anything else, her words were cut off by Sid, who simply continued what he was saying.

    ¡°Let me guess, lily-of-the-valley?¡±

    Sid asked, without waiting for Roccia''s answer, already lowering his head.

    ¡°...How did you know?¡±

    Roccia replied, a little surprised. After all, even I, who was her friend and often went to her house, didn''t know the name of that flower. And then Sid, who barely knew her and was seeing her for the first time, guessed the name just from the smell. I thought that maybe I wasn''t feeling the same way.

    Sid, instead of answering Roccia''s question, did the opposite. He let out a short laugh, as if he was laughing at himself for saying something silly, while still glaring at her. Then he began to blurt it out.

    ¡°Not at all, I just thought I smelled that flower. It''s my own business, never mind.¡±

    After Sid''s comment, I noticed a slight discomfort on Roccia''s face, something like: ¡°what a strange boy¡±. Because of this, the following silence remained awkward.

    (I have to say something, otherwise this atmosphere will continue).

    I thought to myself as I tried to find what to say.

    ¡°So...¡±

    Before I could finish saying anything, Astrid interrupted me and continued what I was about to say.

    ¡°Roccia... why don''t you go and sit up front too?¡±

    Astrid asked, while trying to dispel the mood and, at the same time, play a little with Roccia.

    Roccia, as if distracted, didn''t notice the mischievous way in which Astrid had asked. With all the innocence in the world, she replied:

    ¡°Why would I sit up front? There''s not even room anymore.¡±

    Roccia replied, still not understanding the tone of malice.

    ¡°Really?¡±

    Astrid asked herself, somewhat indignantly, unable to believe that Roccia was so absent-minded.

    I couldn''t stand the sight of Astrid teasing my girl, so I decided to intervene. But anyone watching from the outside would probably think they were mistreating a helpless little animal.

    ¡°Astrid, leave the girl alone. Roccia, she''s teasing you.¡±

    I said with a sigh, receiving a curious look from Roccia.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Roccia asked, still not understanding Astrid''s snide remark.

    I approached her, letting out a sigh, not knowing whether to be annoyed or surprised at how slow she could be, even though she was my friend.

 Chapter 12 - A little love story

    ¡°Come here, slowpoke... she meant it...¡±

    I commented in her ear what Astrid was saying between the lines.

    Roccia''s expression followed by her action was one of the cutest things I''ve ever seen in my life.

    As soon as she understood what Astrid was saying, the first thing she did was blush violently. Then, unable to bear the embarrassment, she hid her face in the book she was holding. That scene was the cutest thing I''ve ever seen, and I''ve seen a lot.

    But if that action had already been cute, what she said turned out to be even more so, as it was the first time she had opened up like that around a stranger.

    ¡°It wouldn''t work...¡±

    Roccia commented, holding the book up to her face, showing just a little of her eyes.

    As soon as Roccia had made that comment, Carlotta, who had heard everything in silence until then, decided to speak up for the first time.

    ¡°Why wouldn''t it work?¡±

    Carlotta asked, with a curious look on her face.

    ¡°The problem wouldn''t be him; it would be me... I wouldn''t be able to concentrate in class.¡±

    Roccia replied, hiding her face in her book again in shame.

    ¡°Roccia, I''ll give you a piece of advice: if I were you, I''d be smart and take some initiative. Otherwise, your sister might end up stealing him away from you.¡±

    I commented, playing a little with Roccia''s face, I really liked the expressions she made.

    In response to my comment, she gave me a confident look, as if to say: ¡°She wouldn''t do something like that.¡±

    ¡°It''s impossible for her to do something like that. After all, she''s already had a boyfriend for four months.¡±

    Roccia''s response surprised me a little, both because of the revelation about her sister and because of her absurd trust in her sister.

    ¡°She''s just playing with you, silly...¡±

    Astrid commented, trying to calm Roccia down a little, who, even if she didn''t want to admit it, had been a little apprehensive about my comment.

    Before I could say anything, Camellya, who had been quiet since the beginning of the conversation, touched my shoulder and, whispering, asked:Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°Does Roccia-san like Brant?¡±

    Camellya''s voice came out so low that I almost didn''t hear what she was asking. But I had to admit, she was very cute in that quiet way of hers. And the way she spoke in third person completed the cuteness combo.

    ¡°Yes, but I think ''like'' is a bit of a weak word to describe how she feels about him. The right thing to say would be that she loves him very much. And everyone knows that, just those two morons who haven''t realized it yet.¡±

    I replied, letting out a short sigh and then pointing my finger at Brant and Suzana, who were sitting in the front row of the room.

    While we were talking, the only person who was still quiet and keeping his head down, but certainly paying attention to everything, was Sid. Even with his head down, he listened to everything we said, but didn''t interfere.

    (What is he thinking?)

    I thought to myself, glancing at Sid. But, as always, he didn''t seem to care at all. His posture, with his head down and his eyes half-closed, was that of someone who was simply... observing, without wanting to be part of it.

    He was someone who, for some reason, I couldn''t ¡°read¡± with my ability. And this frustration only increased my desire to understand what was going on inside his head.

    Because he was someone so... how can I put it, neutral, I couldn''t use my Gift on him to find out what he was really thinking. Do you want to know? I''ll ask.

    ¡°Si...¡±

    Before I could finish saying those words, I was interrupted by Astrid''s comment.

    ¡°Looks like the professor has arrived...¡±

    When Astrid said those words, a certain desperation washed over me.

    ¡°Wait, what''s the first class again?¡±

    With a touch of desperation in my voice, I asked, hoping it wasn''t the subject I''d always struggled with. But, as expected, bad luck accompanied me, and it was precisely the subject I had been dreading.

    ¡°Mathematics.¡±

    Astrid replied, looking at me with a small smile on her face. After all, she knew how much I hated that subject. And even though she was my best friend and knew that I had forgotten, she didn''t do anything. She just waited peacefully until that moment to see my expression of despair.

    ¡°With a friend like that, who needs enemies, right, Astrid?¡±

    I commented with a slight tone of sarcasm in my voice, as I stared at her. She looked back at me with the same sleepy smile on her face.  And, not to brag, but I was the master of this technique... but, unfortunately, the spell turned against the sorcerer.

    Astrid looked at me, still with that same smile on her face. She was having fun, of course. She wouldn''t do anything to help me, would she? That''s what I thought as I watched her with a mixed expression of frustration and resignation. After all, a good friend doesn''t let the other go through this kind of suffering alone, right?

    It was a habit I knew all too well: she loved to see the look of despair on my face. And it wasn''t just out of spite. Astrid liked to tease, and when she knew she was touching on one of my weaknesses, she never missed a chance to make fun. I couldn''t complain too much. After all, I did it with her all the time.

    With a slight sigh, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling as if it was going to give me some kind of answer.

    ¡°How could I have forgotten that? How could I have been such an idiot?¡±

    I whispered to myself, still frustrated at my lack of responsibility.

    After the teacher entered the room and began his lesson, the rest of the day passed without anything very relevant happening.

    ***

    [Astrid''s POV]

    In the two months since we started talking to Sid, many things have happened. Firstly, Sid, who most of the time preferred to stay in his quiet corner and not talk to anyone, would start making fun of Mira whenever he got the chance. And, incredible as it may seem, Mira began to open up to Sid more and more. And that in itself was a big step forward, not least because it was the first time I''d seen Mira open up to a boy since we were 8 years old.

 A special thank you!

    Dear readers,

    We''ve come to the end of another year, and I can''t thank you enough for all the support and affection I''ve received. Every message, comment and read meant a lot to me and motivated me to keep writing.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    You are the reason this is all worthwhile. I hope my stories have brought you a little emotion and companionship throughout the year.

    I wish you all an incredible end to the year and may 2025 be full of good things for all of us. Thank you for being with me on this journey!

    With love,

    Walker.

 Chapter 13 - A special day

    Roccia and Carlotta, for some reason that I couldn''t quite understand, ended up getting on very well, which consequently led to them becoming closer and becoming great friends. This probably all happened because of that book.

    But if their relationship was going very well, the same couldn''t be said for Sid and Carlotta''s relationship. For some reason, in Carlotta''s view, Sid was ¡°very arrogant and very rude¡±. But he did the same thing he did with everyone else in the room: he simply ignored them.

    On the one hand, I felt a bit bad for them, but the person I was most worried about was Camellya. After all, I could see the effort she put into trying to get close to Sid. She always looked at him strangely and I thought that was because he always ignored her while she tried to get close to him.

    I was at home, lying on the sofa like I wanted nothing, watching television, until the sound of my cell phone caught my attention.

    You know those moments when you don''t want to do anything, just rest, and the last thing you want is to be interrupted? That was exactly my state. But even so, I got up from the sofa and dragged myself over to the desk where my cell phone was. Looking at the screen, I saw Roccia''s number.

    When I saw Roccia''s number on the screen, a feeling of curiosity came over me. It wasn''t often that she called me, especially at that time of night. I took a deep breath and, with a slight sigh, answered.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

    I said, trying to hide the laziness in my voice.

    ¡°Are you all right, Astrid? I can feel your voice getting a bit low, as if you were tired. Have you caught a cold?¡±

    Roccia asked, in the softest voice in the world, as if she hadn''t literally just pulled me out of my rest.

    ¡°Everything''s fine, you little thing, I''m just a bit curious as to what you want with me so late at night... and on a Sunday?¡±

    I asked, settling down more comfortably on the sofa.

    ¡°Do you know what day it is tomorrow?¡±

    Roccia asked, her voice a little distressed.

    I was silent for a moment, trying to remember any important events, but nothing came to mind. I was really tired and confused, which only added to the feeling of frustration. Roccia, on the other end of the line, seemed to be waiting for a clearer answer, but I was completely clueless.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Any birthdays of friends of ours that I''m not aware of?¡±

    I asked, with a sincere tone. If it was something like that, I''m sure she would have mentioned it beforehand, but the silence on the line made me uneasy.

    ¡°No, it''s not that.¡±

    Roccia replied with an audible sigh.

    ¡°Well... I was wondering if you could teach me how to make homemade chocolate.¡±

    Roccia asked embarrassedly on the other end of the line, and I could tell she was really embarrassed, because I could see the cracks in her voice.

    I was surprised for a moment. That was definitely not what I had expected to hear. At the same time as being surprised, I was also curious, trying to guess why. After all, Roccia wasn''t very good when it came to cooking. Actually, ¡°not very good¡± is a weak word... the right one would be terrible.

    While I was trying to figure out why Roccia wanted to make a chocolate out of nothing, it was then that it hit me... tomorrow was Valentine''s Day. So, this chocolate could be for Brant.

    ¡°Don''t tell me you finally decided to do that?¡±

    I asked, already slightly excited, not even remembering that a few minutes ago I had almost complained to her about how tired I was.

    As soon as Roccia heard what I said, the other end of the line was silent for a few seconds, probably because she was embarrassed.

    ¡°Yes... I''ve decided to propose to Brant.¡±

    Roccia whispered embarrassedly into the phone.

    When Roccia said those words, a strong wave of joy washed over me, to the point that I got up from the sofa.

    ¡°But of course I can help you, can I? No, I will! Tell you what: leave your house now and come here, and I''ll be tidying up until you get there.¡±

    On the other end of the line, the silence lasted another second, and then Roccia''s voice sounded timider, but also relieved.

    ¡°Are you really going to help me? I... I don''t know what to do properly, I''m so nervous! And the chocolate... I''m terrible in the kitchen...¡±

    ¡°Stop worrying!¡±

    I practically jumped for joy, barely able to contain my excitement.

    ¡°Don''t worry, I''ll teach you everything. And don''t worry about the chocolate. We''re going to do something very simple and, in any case, you''ll delight Brant with just the gesture. Now hurry up and get over here before I get too excited!¡±

    I could hear Roccia''s laugh, low and embarrassed, but relieved at the same time. As if she was beginning to believe that maybe it really was possible.

    ¡°All right, I''ll get my things and come over.¡±

    Roccia replied, still a little uncertain, but I could see the shy enthusiasm in her words.

    ¡°But I''m very clumsy, so if it goes wrong, you can''t laugh at me, huh?¡±

    ¡°Of course not! It''ll be an experiment, maybe we''ll become experts in homemade chocolate after that?¡±

    I joked, but deep down I knew that the most important thing was for her to feel supported.

    ¡°Now go, and don''t keep me waiting!¡±

    I heard the sound of Roccia laughing again, but this time it was a looser laugh. It made me smile too, knowing that my friend was feeling more at ease.

    ¡°Okay, okay. I''ll be right there! You won''t be waiting long, I promise.¡±

    Roccia replied, before hanging up the phone.

    As I tidied up, waiting for Roccia to arrive, I found myself wondering what had happened to make her so brave. But unfortunately, nothing came to mind. After a few minutes, Roccia finally arrived at my house.

 Chapter 14 - Valentines Day

    As she prepared the chocolate, I could see how hard she was working to make everything work. She was really putting her heart into it. While she was making the test chocolate, I decided to ask her something.

    ¡°Roccia, can you tell me what sparked this courage in you all of a sudden?¡±

    I asked, slightly curious, while she was still stirring the chocolate. But as soon as she heard what I said, she stopped what she was doing and lowered her head, probably remembering why.

    ***

    [Roccia''s POV]

    Even though I found it all very strange and meaningless, I wanted to understand how Suzana, who used to have no responsibility and didn''t care about anything, ended up changing so much after she got a boyfriend.

    Suzana''s sudden change made me wonder if I shouldn''t also be a little braver and finally tell Brant how I felt about him. However, every time this idea crossed my mind, a bolt of insecurity shot through me, pulling me back to reality and reminding me how useless and unattractive I considered myself to be.

    While everyone else was in the cafeteria enjoying break time, I found myself in the one place where hardly anyone went: the library. There, amidst the silence and the shelves full of books, my tears flowed discreetly.

    (How can I declare myself, being so bizarre and fearful like that?)

    I thought, as I hastily wiped away the tears that insisted on falling. The question echoed in my mind like a cruel truth that I couldn''t ignore.

    Remembering the way she talked about her boyfriend, with a sparkle in her eyes and confidence, made something in me want to try, to take a chance.

    That''s when I decided I needed to change. If Suzana could, why couldn''t I? Maybe Brant didn''t like me, but I had to try at least once.

    When I heard the sound of approaching footsteps, my heart leapt, and I quickly tried to pull myself together. I took a deep breath, hastily wiping my face with the sleeve of my jacket.

    When I finally raised my head to see who it was, I saw Sid standing in front of me, watching me. I tried to open my mouth to say something, but before I could form a word, he interrupted me with a sudden movement: he pulled out a chair and sat down facing me, who was still on the floor, not knowing how to react.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°I''m not going to interfere in whatever is going on with you.¡±

    Sid continued.

    ¡°But if it''s any consolation, why not talk to Mira or Astrid?¡±

    I was silent for a moment, processing his words. It wasn''t a bad idea, in fact, maybe it was exactly what I needed. However, just as that brief glimmer of confidence had appeared, it also quickly disappeared, taking with it any hope of change.

    I sighed, shifting my gaze to the dusty books on the nearby shelves.

    ¡°I... I don''t know if I can...¡±

    I muttered almost to myself, not having the courage to face him directly.

    ¡°...They wouldn''t understand me.¡±

    I whispered, almost as if I were trying to convince myself.

    ¡°They''re all so perfect and strong... Weak people like me shouldn''t bother them with such small problems.¡±

    I felt the knot in my throat tighten even more as the words escaped. It was as if saying them out loud made the feeling of inadequacy all the more real.

    Sid remained silent for a moment, and I almost regretted saying it. Perhaps he was going to laugh at me or just get up and walk away, tired of my self-pity.

    But to my surprise, he tilted his head slightly, letting out a short laugh before resting his face in his hand, which was resting casually on the table. His eyes watched me with a mixture of curiosity and something I couldn''t decipher.

    ¡°Do you really think so?¡±

    Sid asked, his tone light, as if he found my distorted self-image amusing.

    ¡°That''s not exactly my impression of them. But if you want to tell me what happened, maybe I can help you?¡±

    I stared at him for a moment, trying to understand whether he was really being sincere or just playing with me.

    ¡°Why would I do that? I hardly know you.¡±

    I replied, crossing my arms and giving him a suspicious look.

    ¡°You have a point.¡±

    Sid admitted, raising his hands slightly in a gesture of surrender.

    ¡°But... aren''t you afraid they''ll end up judging you?¡±

    Sid asked, still looking at me with that same neutral countenance, like he wanted nothing.

    Instead of answering Sid''s question, I just nodded my head, confirming what he had told me, without wanting to go into detail about it.

    ¡°Well, that''s the thing, I''m not a stranger to you, so you can tell me...¡±

    When Sid finished saying those words, I was about to say something, because that logic wasn''t making any sense to me. However, he interrupted me before I could do so.

    ¡°...But I''m not your best friend either, so you don''t have to worry.¡±

    What Sid had told me earlier wasn''t making any sense to me, but when he finished speaking those words, that''s when I finally understood his line of reasoning. However, there was one thing that still bothered me: why he wanted to know so much about what had happened to me.

    I was a little reluctant and answered Sid''s comment, still with that insecurity in my voice:

    ¡°I don''t know...¡±

    Before I could finish saying my words, I noticed Sid letting out a short sigh, but still with that same neutral expression on his face. He didn''t seem to be showing much, but something in his posture told me that he was trying to understand what was happening to me.

    ¡°Tell you what: I''m pretty sure the problem you''re having is a love problem. But you''re probably too embarrassed to talk about it. So how about I tell you something that happened to me too? What do you think?¡±

    Sid spoke with a calmness that almost made me relax, but at the same time, his words left me curious and with a little thought that I couldn''t shake.

    (Now things were getting interesting. I would have the chance to vent to someone and, at the same time, learn more about them, without judgment).

 Chapter 15 - Finding strength in weakness

    I let out a short sigh and decided to open my heart to Sid, telling him everything that was happening to me and about my lack of trust in Brent. However, at no point did I notice his expression change. He was really listening carefully, without interrupting, as if he really wanted to understand everything I was feeling.

    ¡°So, what you''re saying is that you''re afraid of coming out and being rejected because you feel weak?¡±

    Sid asked, keeping that neutral expression that left me not knowing what he was really thinking.

    ¡°That''s it...¡±

    I mumbled, looking down at my intertwined hands as I slowly got up from the floor and pulled out a chair to sit on.

    ¡°I just wanted to be as strong as Astrid and Mira...¡±

    I whispered, my voice laden with insecurity.

    ¡°That way, I could do anything I wanted, without fear...¡±

    Before I could finish saying those words, Sid interrupted me, almost as if he already knew what I was trying to say.

    ¡°I''m not the best person to tell you this, but I think you''re just looking in the wrong place.¡±

    For some reason, every word that came out of Sid''s mouth really seemed to help me gain a little more confidence. However, sometimes he would say things that didn''t make much sense, as if he was saying something important, but in a cryptic way, leaving me with the feeling that I had to figure out the real meaning on my own.

    Still not fully understanding what he had said, I decided to ask:

    ¡°I didn''t quite understand what you meant.¡±

    I said, a little embarrassed, because even in things like this I could be slow to understand.

    Sid let out a slight sigh, as if he had expected me to ask that question, and then replied in a calm tone, still keeping his expression neutral.

    ¡°I''m just saying that, instead of focusing on your fears and insecurities, you need to understand one thing first: being strong isn''t always a good thing. Besides...¡±

    I was so absorbed in what Sid was saying that I accidentally interrupted him, without realizing how anxious I was to understand what he wanted to explain.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°I''m sorry... go on.¡±

    I apologized, feeling a slight flush of embarrassment appear on my face as I tried to regain my composure.

    ¡°As I was saying... there''s a big difference between their strength and the strength you''re looking for. After all, there''s a stark difference between being strong because you want to be and being forced to be strong.¡±

    As soon as Sid had finished his explanation, I had finally understood what he meant. However, something caught my attention in that conversation. His answer, for some reason, was accompanied by a slight sadness, as if he was sure of what he was saying, as if he had lived what he said.

    ¡°Even with all that you''ve told me... I still can''t see weakness or fear as a good thing.¡±

    I confessed, my voice still wavering.

    Sid paused, as if pondering his words before continuing.

    ¡°I understand. But fear also has its good side. Without it, you wouldn''t know your limits and you wouldn''t try to overcome them. And besides... if a person is forced to have courage and strength, weakness becomes a distant world, something they never want to explore. But the point is... you can find strength in weakness if you learn to accept it, not ignore it.¡±

    And again, Sid had said something that I didn''t fully understand.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    I asked, trying to understand Sid''s line of reasoning.

    ¡°Think about it: if you get hurt and want to cry, what do you do?¡±

    Sid asked, looking at me as if he expected an answer.

    ¡°Cry?¡±

    I replied, still trying to understand what Sid was getting at.

    ¡°Exactly. So, if you feel like running away or crying, just go and do it. That''s the only way you''ll be able to calm down and then start again. Trust me, there''s nothing more invigorating. After all, if you''re weak and you know it, just use it to make yourself stronger. Because not everyone has the luxury of doing that, even if they want to.¡±

    I knew I was a bit slow for some things, especially when it came to romance, but the way Sid had said it, even I could understand.

    I thought about everything Sid had told me, trying to come up with an answer... and I finally came to a conclusion: standing still wasn''t going to help me at all. I needed to accept the worst that could happen and move on.

    Sid''s words began to make sense in a deeper way now. He was right: if I really wanted to move on, I needed to be honest with myself, with my weaknesses and my fears. But I also needed to learn how to use them, how to turn those feelings into something that would drive me forward.

    When I thought, Sid had finished talking, he continued with what he was saying, as if he had something more important to add.

    ¡°Now that you''ve understood what I was getting at, never forget to be yourself. Be weak when you can''t take it anymore, run away when you need to and cry if you have to. Trust me, I speak from experience - it works.¡±

    Sid replied, still looking at me with his usual neutral face. He then calmly got up from his chair, as if he had already concluded what he had come there to do.

    From the little I had talked to Sid, it was clear how attentive and polite he was, completely different from what Carlotta kept telling me about him.

    For some reason, they hadn''t got on very well since the day they met. For Carlotta, Sid was someone who was extremely rude and difficult to deal with. Today, however, I was discovering a side of him that completely contradicted that impression.

    As soon as Sid had finished saying those words, I noticed him getting up from the chair facing me and about to leave the library. It was at that moment that I remembered the promise he had made to me before that whole conversation.

 Chapter 16 - A deeper conversation

    ¡°Don''t go thinking I''ve forgotten.¡±

    I muttered, catching Sid''s eye, who stopped walking and turned to me. He looked at me with a curious expression, while I kept a smile on my face.

    ¡°Now it''s your turn.¡±

    I continued, still with the same smile, while making a simple gesture with my hand towards the chair where he had been sitting a few minutes earlier, as if to say: ¡°I''ve done my bit, now it''s up to you.¡± My smile widened a little, trying to lighten the situation.

    Sid, having understood what I meant, let out a short sigh, shrugged and walked back towards the chair. As soon as he sat down, he leaned back in a relaxed manner. His eyes, now tired, were fixed on the ceiling of the library, lost in thought.

    ¡°If I had something very important to say to you today, it would be this: you will regret it very much in the future if you don''t go to confession...¡±

    Sid said those words with a neutral tone, but he managed to capture my full attention. However, without warning, he paused what he was saying. I was a little confused by the sudden silence, but decided not to press him. I just sat still, waiting patiently to see where the conversation would lead.

    Sid finally broke the silence, but his words carried an unexpected weight.

    ¡°I''ll only tell you one thing: don''t make the same mistake I did. I grew up with two girls, my best friends... and I ended up making one of my worst mistakes...¡±

    Sid paused, taking a deep breath before adding.

    ¡°...I ended up falling in love with both of them.¡±

    I was so shocked by what Sid had told me that I couldn''t say anything. If it hadn''t been for him noticing my countenance and making a comment to break the silence, I would probably have remained paralyzed, still trying to process the impact of his words.

    ¡°You''re probably wondering if I fell in love with both of them at the same time, aren''t you? The answer to that question is kind of obvious: yes, I made that mistake.¡±

    Before I could nod to confirm Sid''s question, he was quicker to answer his own.

    ¡°It happened four years ago, when I was only 13. At the time, my feelings for them were already complicated, but it got even worse when they both fell in love with other people. As if that wasn''t enough, a series of events ended up pushing us apart, and I gradually disappeared from their lives.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    I noticed Sid pause again, but this time it was followed by a long sigh. It felt like it was bringing back painful memories, as if every word was making him relive something he''d rather forget.

    ¡°That''s why I''m telling you to go to confession now.¡±

    Sid continued, his voice laden with something between frustration and melancholy.

    ¡°Look at my example. There''s no point in me confessing to them now. To them, it would be as if we had never met.¡±

    I felt really bad about what Sid had just told me.

    (How can someone suffer so much and still be able to stand up?)

    I found myself reflecting, lost in thought. Compared to what Sid had been through, my problem seemed much smaller than I had imagined.

    I tried to call Sid''s name, but before I could do so, he let out another sigh and continued.

    ¡°If I hadn''t been weak and told them how I felt about them back then...¡±

    I noticed Sid let out another sigh. That was really hard for him. If I''d known it would be like this, I wouldn''t have forced him to tell me. And once again, he continued.

    ¡°There isn''t a day that goes by that I don''t regret being weak.¡±

    After Sid said those words, I noticed him let out another sigh and get up from his chair. By reflex, I ended up imitating his gesture.

    ¡°I''m sorry for making you remember something so painful... but, to apologize again, did you do something to make them hate you? After all, you told me that when they saw you, they would pretend they didn''t know you. Why?¡±

    I asked curiously, but hiding the fact a little.

    ¡°It''s not that they''d pretend not to know me, it''s that they simply wouldn''t remember me... But I''m sorry, I really can''t talk about this subject that easily.¡±

    I understood that Sid''s answer was as if he wanted to tell me: ¡°I can only tell you so far¡±, but it didn''t really work, it just made me even more curious about what had actually happened in his past. However, I decided to let it go. Meddling in someone''s personal life without them wanting to wasn''t really in my nature.

    After the silence that hung between Sid and me, I decided I needed to say something, anything to break the tense atmosphere. However, he was quicker than me and spoke first.

    ¡°I hope you got my message.¡±

    Sid commented, still looking at me with that neutral countenance, which made it difficult to identify any emotion. I hardly knew if he was serious or calm, but I politely just smiled at him and softly replied:

    ¡°Yes, I did. Thank you very much for taking the time to listen to my silly problems.¡±

    ¡°Not at all.¡±

    Sid commented, with a slight smile on his face, before continuing.

    ¡°If you ever need a friend for advice, you know where to find me. And don''t cry anymore, I don''t like to see girls crying, especially when they''re so pretty.¡±

    After this comment, which left me feeling a little awkward, Sid turned to me and, without saying another word, started walking out of the room. However, before he passed through the door, he turned again, staring at me for a moment, as if he had something else to say.

    ¡°I''d appreciate it if you didn''t tell anyone about this conversation.¡±

    Sid''s comment seemed somewhat indifferent, as if whether I told anyone or not wouldn''t change anything. So, I decided to play along and go with the flow.

 Chapter 17 - Feelings

    ¡°I can''t guarantee anything.¡±

    I commented, still with the same sincere smile on my face.

    ¡°But thanks for your help anyway.¡±

    Sid nodded briefly, turned and walked out the door without saying another word.

    ***

    ¡°And that''s exactly what happened.¡±

    I commented, almost laughing at Astrid''s expression of total disbelief. It was a rare phenomenon to see, almost like an eclipse, and I only regretted not having my cell phone at hand to record the moment.

    [Astrid''s POV]

    It was really hard to believe what Roccia had said. How could Sid, who barely exchanged half a dozen words with anyone, not only decide to talk to her, but also, of his own free will, want to help her? That somehow didn''t seem to make any sense.

    ¡°Let me get this straight.¡±

    I began, frowning.

    ¡°Are you trying to tell me that Sid himself, who barely talks to anyone, said those words to you? Word for word?¡±

    I asked, still suspicious, trying to confirm if what Roccia had just said was really true or if perhaps I was just hearing things.

    ¡°Stop beating around the bush, Astrid! I told you he said those words.¡±

    Roccia replied, crossing her arms with an expression of slight impatience.

    ¡°Now, let''s get down to business! I''ve even brought my sleeping things here, so I can practice all night without any interruptions.¡±

    Roccia commented, without paying much attention to my surprise, as if it was all the most natural thing in the world.

    I sighed, a little annoyed by Roccia''s lack of politeness, but decided to let it go. She was so excited, and I didn''t want to spoil the moment. So, I went into the kitchen to help her make the chocolate, trying to focus on what really mattered at the moment.

    ¡°Come on, you little bookworm.¡±

    I commented, receiving a disapproving look from Roccia, who, being one of the lowest in the school, didn''t like this kind of nickname very much.

    ¡°You know I don''t like that nickname, right?¡±

    Roccia asked in a slightly irritated tone, but without losing her temper. After all, she knew I wasn''t doing it out of spite.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    I laughed quietly, but I knew that no matter how much she complained, I would never stop calling her that.

    ¡°I know, but it''s very amusing to see your cute expression of irritation.¡±

    I commented, noticing Roccia''s expression change. It was as if the look in her eyes clearly said: You''re no good anymore.

    Just as Roccia was about to respond to my comment, a notification sound interrupted the moment. Our gaze automatically went to her cell phone, which was next to mine. She picked it up quickly, looking at the screen with an expression that mixed curiosity and surprise.

    Curious about the girl''s reaction, I decided to ask.

    ¡°What''s wrong? Did something happen?¡±

    Still with an expression of surprise on her face, Roccia looked away from the cell phone screen and towards me.

    ¡°It''s a message from my mother.¡±

    Roccia replied, as she turned the phone towards me, allowing me to read the message on the screen.

    Message on the screen:

    ¡°Daughter, you won''t believe it! Your sister Suzana is bringing her boyfriend so we can meet him. Too bad you had to go to your friend''s house today. Maybe next time!¡±

    After reading the message on Roccia''s cell phone screen, I decided to make a playful comment to take the look of confusion off her face.

    ¡°What a shame, looks like you missed the chance to meet your sister''s boyfriend.¡±

    I ended up letting out that comment with a slight laugh, watching Roccia''s reaction. She had a confused look on her face, which drew my attention even more.

    ¡°What''s wrong? Is something bothering you?¡±

    I asked softly, noticing that Roccia''s expression was still a little distant.

    ¡°There''s something very strange about all this.¡±

    Roccia commented, in a low, thoughtful tone.

    ¡°When I came here, I told Suzana I was going to sleep here... so why didn''t she tell me beforehand that she was taking her boyfriend so our family could meet him?¡±

    I realized that this question was really making Roccia a little uneasy. Trying to calm her down, I decided to say something to ease the situation.

    ¡°Hey, maybe she just forgot to tell you, or maybe she thought you''d be busy with something more important... You don''t have to worry so much, okay?¡±

    I smiled slightly, trying to take the weight off the situation and give Roccia a simpler reason for what seemed to be just a small forgetfulness.

    As soon as she heard what I said, Roccia just let out a sigh, but didn''t say anything back.

    ¡°Hey, cheer up! You''ll get to meet Suzana''s boyfriend another day. The most important thing now is for you to learn how to make chocolate to give to Brent tomorrow.¡±

    I smiled, trying to lift her spirits. I knew Roccia was a bit shy when it came to this sort of thing, but getting her to focus on something more practical might help distract her.

    ¡°It''ll be a great opportunity for you to show that you have talent, and maybe even impress him with what you''ve done.¡±

    I added, jokingly, hoping to get at least a smile out of her.

    Roccia still looked thoughtful, her distant expression not completely gone, but when she heard my suggestion, she finally gave a slight smile, albeit a shy one. Her attitude was beginning to change, and I could see the distraction starting to work.

    ¡°You''re right, you''re right...¡±

    Roccia murmured, still trying to convince herself.

    ¡°I just need to focus on what matters now.¡±

    I smiled, pleased to see a little animation returning to her face.

    ¡°That''s right! Let''s put Suzana and her boyfriend aside for a moment. Now it''s your turn to shine, Roccia. The chocolate will be incredible, and Brent will be impressed by your talent, I''m sure.¡±

    Roccia gave a low laugh, her countenance now lighter and more relaxed.

    ¡°I''ll try not to disappoint.¡±

    Roccia replied, more confidently, as she concentrated on the ingredients.

    I watched her with a smile. I was happy to see her a little calmer. Roccia always had this reserved way about her, but when she was doing what she loved, she completely transformed.

 Chapter 18 - Gestures of Gratitude

    The evening passed slowly, with light conversations and occasional laughter, while Roccia seemed more and more immersed in what she was doing. I knew that this moment meant a lot to her and, as the hours passed, I felt happy to have helped her find her confidence again.

    When I finally said goodbye, I wished her luck and saw Roccia with a satisfied smile on her face. It was good to see that she seemed calmer and more confident. I was sure that the next day she would be ready to face whatever came her way.

    ***

    [Sid''s POV]

    As usual, I arrived at school before everyone else. I sat down and rested my head on my crossed arms on the desk, waiting silently for the lesson to start.

    After a few minutes, the room gradually filled up. The murmur of conversation grew louder as the students arrived and settled into their seats. The day took its course, with some actually paying attention in class, while others eagerly awaited the long-awaited moment of Valentine''s Day chocolate.

    ***

    When the lesson ended, I remained where I was, my head still resting on my arms. It was then that I felt someone approaching. I looked up slowly, curious to see who it was, and saw Roccia standing right in front of me.

    She was holding a bag full of cookies and chocolates. Her face was slightly flushed, but her eyes remained fixed on mine. Before I could say anything, Roccia held out her hand, handing me the package.

    ¡°This is to thank you for the help you gave me on Friday.¡±

    I was surprised for a moment, but then thanked her with a brief smile.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    As soon as I took the package, under the gazes of everyone in the room, I noticed at a glance that Roccia''s fingers were covered in bandages.

    ¡°I see you''ve decided to take my advice.¡±

    I commented, keeping my face neutral as I looked at Roccia.

    Upon hearing my words, Roccia stared at me uncomprehendingly, but when she looked down at her hands, she soon understood what I meant.

    Embarrassed, I noticed Roccia trying to hide her hands. However, before she could say anything, Mira, who had witnessed the scene, interrupted her.

    With the little I already knew of Mira; I already had an idea of what she was going to say.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    ¡°What about that chocolate, Roccia? Is it really just friendship, or...?¡±

    Mira teased; her voice full of irony.

    Just as Mira was about to finish her teasing, Roccia interrupted her, just as she herself had done a few seconds earlier.

    Roccia seemed completely out of it, and immediately tried to defend herself, but her voice was wavering. She looked at Mira with slightly wide eyes, as if trying to think of something that would make her look more convincing.

    ¡°Yes, do you have a problem with wanting to thank someone for their help?¡±

    Roccia asked, slightly embarrassed, unable to hide the blush forming on her face.

    Even with her explanation, Mira didn''t seem to believe her. She tilted her head slightly, flashing that sarcastic smile that only those closest to her recognized. However, before she could say or comment on anything, she was interrupted by Carlotta.

    ¡°Do you have anyone special you''re giving chocolate to today?¡±

    Carlotta asked, letting out a brief smile as she tried to hide her curiosity. Her effort not to seem intrusive was evident, but her gaze denounced her desire to know.

    Carlotta''s question seemed to have disconcerted Roccia, and the proof of this was the blush on her face, which intensified even more.

    ¡°I... I have.¡±

    Roccia replied, with a forced, nervous smile on her face.

    ¡°It''s in my bag. I''ll give it to the person after class.¡±

    As soon as she heard what Roccia said, Carlotta almost exploded with curiosity, but managed to contain herself.

    ¡°Who is it? Someone from school? Someone we know?¡±

    Carlotta fired off one question after another, unable to hide her curiosity in wanting to find out who Roccia was going to deliver the chocolate to.

    I noticed Roccia cringe with embarrassment at every question Carlotta asked. She opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, as if trying to find the right answer to escape the barrage of questions. However, before she could say anything, the classroom door opened with a bang and the PE teacher walked in. It was impossible not to notice the relief on Roccia''s face at the sight of her teacher.

    The teacher, a sturdy woman with short hair and an attentive gaze, looked seriously at the class. With a posture full of authority, she said:

    ¡°Well, it looks like recess is over. Everyone on the court, let''s start the warm-up. Now!¡±

    With a firm tone, Regina gave the order.

    Roccia took advantage of the distraction to get up quickly and walk towards the door, trying to avoid any more glances from Carlotta and Mira. She seemed grateful for the interruption.

    Carlotta, with the expression of someone who still had more questions, turned to Mira, without taking her eyes off Roccia.

    ¡°Let''s find out who it is, shall we?¡±

    With a whisper, Carlotta looked at Mira.

    Mira, noticing Carlotta''s curious gaze, gave her an enigmatic smile and, before heading for the court, whispered:

    ¡°Calm down, Carlotta. You''ll soon find out who it is. I already know, but I''ll let Roccia sort it out in her own time.¡±

    Carlotta frowned, curious, but didn''t have time to ask any more questions, as Regina, with her implacable gaze, ordered everyone to hurry.

    ¡°Come on, everyone! I haven''t got all day!¡±

    Regina said, making everyone hurry towards the court.

    As everyone hurried towards the court, I caught a glimpse of Roccia putting the chocolate under her desk, probably afraid that she might break it during the lesson.

    ***

    The first few minutes of the warm-up passed slowly, with Regina setting the pace.

    ¡°Run around the court, no rolling! Come on, show some energy!¡±

    Regina said, without looking away from the students.

    After almost an hour of everyone playing volleyball, without being able to use a shred of magic, the torture was finally over. At least for them, since I was just watching from the stands. From what little I could see, Roccia might have been one of the shortest in the school, but she made up for it with her competitive spirit.

 Chapter 19 - Moment of Fragility

    Finally, after almost an hour of training, the torture was over. With a satisfied sigh, Regina ordered everyone to stretch and get ready to call it a night.

    ¡°Okay, everyone, time for a break! You did well, but no one is leaving here without stretching!¡±

    declared the teacher, with a brief smile that still carried the weight of her authority.

    While the other students began to disperse to rest, I remained in the stands, in no hurry to get down.

    [Astrid''s POV]

    I was getting ready to go back to the classroom when, to my surprise, the cutest thing in the world, also known as Carlotta, approached me.

    ¡°Astrid, Carlotta isn''t seeing Brent and Carlotta. Do you know where they are?¡±

    Camellya asked with that innocent look on her face, but the slightly worried tone in her voice left me a little confused for a few seconds.

    It took me a moment to realize their absence. Brent and Carlotta weren''t on the court, which was strange in a way. But then I remembered something.

    ¡°I saw them heading for the restroom about three minutes ago.¡±

    I gave a short, direct answer to Camellya''s question and then headed back to the living room.

    When I arrived in the living room, with Camellya by my side, I caught a glimpse of Brent with his back to the door, talking about something with Carlotta. I found their closeness a little strange, but decided not to pry. After all, it was none of my business.

    When he noticed us, Brent turned around with a surprised expression, as if trying to disguise something. His usually carefree smile now looked a little forced, and he quickly put his backpack on his back, as if he was getting ready to leave.

    ¡°See you guys, I''ve got something to do at home. See you tomorrow.¡±

    Brent, with the same carefree tone as always, tried his best to get out of the situation. However, before he could make a move, Roccia, determined to make a statement, stopped him from leaving the room.

    ¡°Brent, wait!¡±

    Roccia, on impulse, ended up shouting when she realized that Brent was leaving.

    Because of that shout, all attention turned to Roccia. Embarrassed, she cringed slightly, but didn''t let it shake her. With a heavy sigh, she ran over to her desk and picked up the bag underneath it.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°I...¡±

    Roccia''s voice began to falter, but I saw her take a deep breath and continue.

    ¡°I just wanted...¡±

    As the minutes passed, I noticed that Roccia became more and more apprehensive. She rummaged through her bag desperately, as if looking for something, but the words seemed to be stuck in her mouth. It was as if she wanted to say something, but simply couldn''t express herself.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Roccia asked, almost shouting, as she threw her materials from her backpack onto the floor.

    It took me by surprise and left me confused for a few seconds, but a few seconds later, it finally hit me.

    ¡°The cuttlefish...¡±

    I began, trying to say something. But before I had a chance, Carlotta jumped in and interrupted me.

    ¡°Roccia, is everything all, right? Did something happen?¡±

    Carlotta asked, approaching with a look that was clearly confused and slightly worried.

    Roccia paused for a moment, her eyes meeting Carlotta''s, as if she was about to collapse. The room was completely silent, except for the sound of papers and objects from Roccia''s backpack scattered across the floor.

    ¡°The chocolate I prepared yesterday... is gone.¡±

    Roccia replied, her eyes already brimming with tears.

    ¡°What do you mean... it''s gone? The chocolate you made was huge, that''s why you needed such a big bag to store it.¡±

    I said, slightly indignant, not wanting to accept that something so big could just disappear, just like that.

    Sensing the angry tone in my voice, Suzana, Roccia''s sister, tried to calm both my and Roccia''s nerves.

    ¡°Relax, people, it''s not that big a deal, it was just a chocolate...¡±

    However, Roccia, realizing what her sister was about to say, interrupted her with a cry full of frustration and sadness.

    ¡°IT''S NOT JUST A CHOCOLATE, SUZANA!¡±

    Roccia''s response was a high-pitched scream, which startled everyone in the room. It was the first time they had seen her nervous side.

    With tears still streaming down her face, I noticed Roccia walking towards Sid.

    Sid, who until then had been sitting at the back of the room, looked up when he saw Roccia approaching.

    ¡°Sid, help me... what do I do?¡±

    Roccia begged, desperation clearly evident on her face.

    ¡°I''ll do anything you say, just tell me what I need to do to find my chocolate and I''ll do it.¡±

    As soon as Roccia said those words, I saw Sid let out a soft sigh and close his eyes, as if pondering the situation.

    ¡°Roccia, do you remember our conversation we had that day?¡±

    Sid asked, slowly opening his eyes and looking at her with a serious look.

    After Sid''s question, I noticed Roccia looking at him with tears still streaming down her face, but with a visibly confused look on her face. However, a few moments later, I realized that she seemed to have remembered something. Confirmation came with a slight nod.

    ¡°As I told you, it''s okay to be the weak person you are. When you can''t stand it any longer, go home and cry it all out.¡±

    Sid continued, but this time looking at Roccia with a slightly empathetic gaze.

    If Roccia hadn''t explained everything Sid had told her yesterday, I would certainly have found her words extremely cold and lacking in empathy. However, after that explanation, I began to understand her intentions. Still, to anyone looking in from the outside, it could have seemed extremely insensitive.

    Roccia''s reaction was almost spontaneous. As soon as Sid said those words, she picked up her bag from the floor and ran out of the room, still crying. While I was still confused, trying to understand how such a large chocolate could disappear so easily, I ended up not noticing what Carlotta had done to Sid''s face.

    At a dry sound, everyone in the room turned to see what had happened and found Carlotta with her hand still outstretched, while Sid''s face was completely red and marked by her fingers.

 Open letter

    Dear Members,

    I hope you''re all well! I have something important to share with you, and I wanted to make sure you were informed in advance.

    Over the next few months, I will be making a small adjustment to the subscription fees on Patreon. This adjustment is necessary to ensure that I can make the content more accessible to everyone, without compromising the quality of the stories I share with you.

    <u>Why the readjustment?</u>

    The decision to make this readjustment comes from my desire to maintain a fair and affordable price, especially for those who want to support me, but didn''t think it was fair for the amount I was offering. I want to ensure that everyone who supports me, regardless of their budget, can feel comfortable and support the work on an ongoing basis.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    <u>What changes?</u>

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    The support methods will be adjusted to better reflect the amount of content I''m offering, with the new prices coming into effect over the next few months.

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    My commitment to you will remain the same: to ensure that advance chapters are delivered consistently and with the same quality.

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    I understand that any change can cause questions, and I''m here to listen to any doubts or suggestions you may have. I am deeply grateful for your continued support, and I know that with this adjustment, we will be able to grow even more together.

    Stay tuned for more updates, and once again, thank you so much for being part of this journey with me!

    With love,

    Walker.

 Chapter 20 - The Bitter Taste of Truth

    ¡°How can you be so cruel?¡±

    Carlotta exclaimed, her voice full of indignation and her eyes red with anger.

    ¡°She was desperate, asking for your help, and all you did was... call her weak! I already didn''t like you very much, but after that, I''ve only confirmed that I can''t stand you.¡±

    As soon as Carlotta said those words, I caught a glimpse of her leaving the room, practically foaming with rage, probably going after Roccia.

    The truth is that I knew what Sid had said to Roccia. After all, she herself had told me everything yesterday. I understood the weight of his words and, to a certain extent, I understood his stance, even if I didn''t agree with it. But that... that wasn''t what I expected from Sid.

    The most surprising thing of all was seeing Sid. Instead of remaining in his usual indifferent posture, he looked... sad? It was something I''d never seen in him before. His expression, normally closed and neutral, now showed a fissure. He didn''t seem angry or disdainful of what Carlotta had said, but rather... shaken, as if he had somehow cared about what she had said.

    Brent, who until then had been quiet, watching the situation from the doorway with an indifferent expression, suddenly became furious. Unable to control himself, he advanced towards Sid, letting his anger show without trying to hide it.

    ¡°Hey, you asshole!¡±

    Brent shouted, pointing at Sid with his finger, as if he was about to explode.

    ¡°You don''t have to be so...¡±

    Before Brent could continue what, he was saying, Sid suddenly lunged forward with one swift movement. With no time to react, Brent barely had a chance to defend himself before he received the second blow: a direct punch to the face, which sent him staggering backwards and then falling heavily to the ground.

    ¡°Guys, let''s calm down so that everything goes...¡±

    Mira, realizing where the argument was going, decided to intervene. However, before she could finish what she was about to say, I noticed an expression of astonishment forming on her face. It was only after looking at Brent, lying on the floor, that I finally realized what was going on.

    ¡°Don''t tell me you-¡±

    I asked, looking at Suzana kneeling next to Brent, with worry on her face. However, before I could finish my sentence, Sid interrupted me.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Asshole, me? Maybe. But at least I don''t betray other people''s trust.¡±

    Sid replied, keeping his countenance neutral, but with a subtle trace of anger hidden deep inside.

    Sid''s gaze was still fixed on Brent, with a mixture of disdain and disappointment.

    ¡°Did you at least consider how she''d feel before destroying the chocolate she''d worked so hard for?¡±

    I stared at Sid in shock, then turned my gaze to Brent, who looked bewildered, unable to answer right away. My attention turned to Brent''s backpack, where Sid was already approaching. With a quick movement, he pulled out a small package and placed it on the table.

    The package was carefully tied with a bow, but its contents left no doubt: it was the chocolate Roccia had made.

    When I realized that all the effort Roccia had put into that chocolate had been in vain, I was paralyzed for a moment. However, in a matter of seconds, I was back to normal when I heard Brent''s comment.

    ¡°C-like you...¡±

    Brent began his speech in a soft, almost guilt-ridden tone. However, before he could finish what he wanted to say, Sid cut him off, maintaining a neutral expression as he continued.

    ¡°Your pointless argument ended up giving you away... First of all, only the people in our group knew that the chocolate was in that bag.¡±

    Sid began, with an indifferent expression on his face, staring at Brent, who was still on the floor. After a brief pause, he let out a sigh before continuing what he was saying.

    ¡°Secondly, before the lesson started, Roccia told me that she had learned how to make chocolate with Astrid''s help. But what really caught my attention was the fact that she wanted to stay at home to meet her sister''s boyfriend.¡±

    As soon as Sid had finished speaking, it was Suzana''s turn, with a confused look on her face, to speak up.

    ¡°But what does that have to do with what we''re talking about?¡±

    Sid was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on Suzana before he finally answered.

    ¡°When Roccia mentioned that her chocolate was gone, I started watching everyone in the room. And it was at that moment, noticing you, that I...¡±

    Sid explained with a serious countenance, pausing briefly - something I had never seen before. Something about the situation seemed to be really irritating him for some reason.

    Brent and Suzana, still not understanding what Sid was getting at, decided to ask. However, before they could do so, Sid interrupted them, continuing his speech.

    ¡°I noticed that both of your shoes were stained with lily-of-the-valley dust, the same flowers that, coincidentally, Roccia told me she had in the garden at her house.¡±

    As I watched everyone''s faces, I ended up focusing on Camellya, who was listening in silence to everything Sid had said. She had probably come to the same conclusion as me: Sid had done all that to Roccia so that she wouldn''t hear the words he was about to say to Suzana and Brent.

    Mira, having come to the same conclusion as me, was visibly disgusted by what had been done to Roccia''s chocolate. I, however, was even more frustrated; after all, I had spent the whole evening helping Roccia prepare that sweet.

    Seeing the result of so much effort destroyed there, spread out on the table, gave me a feeling of discomfort that was hard to ignore. However, before I could say anything, Mira was quicker and made a comment that was almost exactly what I was about to say.

    ¡°Let me get this straight... You already knew that the chocolate Roccia made was for Brent. But since you two were already together, you decided to destroy it to avoid hurting Roccia by revealing this truth?¡±

    Mira asked, hiding behind her good girl mask.

 Chapter 21 - A Difficult Path

    After Mira''s question, I saw Brent nod slightly, confirming all the suspicions we already had.

    With his countenance still neutral, Sid let out a short sigh and looked back at Brent and Suzana, who was helping him up from the floor.

    ¡°I''m going to propose an alternative for you two: we''ll pretend that nothing happened. However, you''ll have to tell Roccia about your case.¡±

    When Sid made that comment, Brent and Suzana looked at each other, visibly confused, as if they hadn''t understood. However, before Brent had a chance to speak, Suzana interrupted him, speaking first.

    ¡°Why does it have to be us? It could be anyone else, even her friends.¡±

    Suzana asked, confused, not understanding what Sid was getting at with that comment. After all, it would be less painful to hear the truth from her sister than from someone else. And I honestly wasn''t going to say anything. I was already holding myself back from going after them. Seeing all the work and effort we''d put in until late at night being destroyed out of sheer selfishness was making me extremely angry.

    That question had made me so angry that I was about to answer it myself, but before I could, I heard Sid let out another sigh and then give his answer.

    ¡°We didn''t even need to answer that question, but think about it: hearing that truth from you will hurt a lot less than hearing it from a stranger.¡±

    After answering Suzana''s question dryly and directly, without even changing his neutral countenance, Sid picked up his backpack and prepared to leave the room. However, I interrupted his action with a comment.

    ¡°To complement what Sid said and to answer your question...¡±

    I started to say, pointing my finger at Suzana, trying to disguise the anger that was building up inside me.

    ¡°We could even tell Roccia about this, but although it''s not our duty, I''m sure she''d be disappointed in us. After all, as well as being your best friend, Brent, she''s also your little sister, Suzana. So, fulfill your roles as friend and sister, and don''t deceive her... she doesn''t deserve this.¡±

    Brent, who until that moment had remained silent, finally spoke up as soon as he heard my words.

    ¡°You''re right... this is all our fault. We should have told her from the start, but since she''s always been so secretive, we thought she''d never have the courage to declare herself. So, we decided to leave it alone.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    Brent commented, letting out a long sigh. I didn''t know if it was me or if it was just in my head, but I sensed a slight hint of regret in his words.

    As everyone had made their points and said what they wanted, we were about to leave when, for the first time, Camellya, who hadn''t said a word since the beginning of the conversation, decided to speak up.

    ¡°Camellya thinks Brent and Suzana should tell Roccia the whole truth together...¡±

    Camellya commented in third person, still with that cute tone that, just hearing it, made my anger and revolt disappear completely.

    After letting out a sigh, as if to say ''I''ve done all I can do here'', Sid turned his back on everyone and walked through the door, out of the room and leaving us behind.

    ¡°As he himself has already mentioned, I believe we''ve done all we can do here.¡±

    Mira commented, taking the same route that Sid had taken. However, before she walked through the door, she turned around again, with a serious look on her face that even frightened Brent and Suzana a little. Then she spoke again.

    ¡°If you have a shred of decency left in you, you''ll do the right thing.¡±

    After such an impactful, albeit brief, comment, Mira turned and walked out the door.

    The impact of Mira''s words sent Brent and Suzana into a deep silence. For a few seconds, they stared at each other, not knowing what to say.

    As soon as Brent realized that Suzana was consumed by guilt, he decided to take her hand and intertwine his fingers in hers, as if to say: ''We did this together, and together we''ll get through it.

    I, still seething with anger over what they had done to the chocolate, ended up following Mira and Sid without saying a word. After all, of everyone there, I was the one who was most annoyed with those two, because I was the only one who had seen all the effort Roccia had put into that sweet.

    ***

    [Sid¡¯s POV]

    After I left the room and lost Mira and Astrid with the excuse that I was leaving, I headed for the only place I thought Roccia would hide: the library.

    As I walked, a thought came to me: what had happened to me to make me so angry? This was definitely not my style; I didn''t get angry easily.

    It was then that I realized that, in this situation, what really bothered me was discovering that Roccia had worked so hard to do something that neither her sister nor her friend cared about. But even so, I knew that it wasn''t in my nature to meddle so much in other people''s lives.

    When I got to the library, I realized that it was empty. I walked to the back and sat down at the same table where, a few days earlier, I had had that conversation with Roccia.

    Without saying a word, I pulled up a chair and rested my face on the surface of the table, and waited patiently for Roccia. But as I waited, that same question came back to haunt my mind.

    ¡°What''s happening to me?¡±

    I kept my head down, asking myself, still with that neutral countenance I used to hide the real me.

    ¡°Why did I end up telling Roccia about my past? It was such a risky decision... I need to control myself more. What if she tells someone and ends up digging deeper, discovering things I''d rather keep secret?¡±

    After letting out a short sigh, I raised my head and once again lost myself in my thoughts as I stared at nothing.

    (Maybe I got carried away by the resentment of her pain and, deep down, wanted to show that all of us, even the coldest, have our fears. Or maybe that was just an excuse I made up for myself, and what I really wanted was simply to get it off my chest).

    I thought to myself as I tried to find an excuse to justify what I had done.