Three claps came from that palm with its delicate fingers.
"Do not ask incriminating questions of the patient, my dear friends," Rheana forbade with her eyebrows drawn together.
Callista hurriedly changed her facial expression, she chuckled softly deliberately to ease her friends' worries.
"You have nothing to worry about. Pain is normal for humans."
After a moment, Callista straightened her gaze again. Not for a second did her friends take their eyes off her. That worried look looked so genuine that it made her unconsciously tug at both corners of her lips.
"Ah, I feel hungry. Isn't there anything I can eat here?"
Rheana et al sighed at the cheerfulness that returned to Callista's face. Even though the girl had just fainted and had a nosebleed, how could she put on that face at this time?
Rheana placed the tray containing a bowl of porridge on Callista's thigh. "This porridge was provided by the infirmary. You must eat it all, Illis."
Callista's shoulders slumped, and she leaned her back which felt heavy.
"What is this? Isn't there any other food? You guys know that I don't like porridge," Callista protested with puffy lips.
Aric pinched Callista's pouty lips. Callista moaned in pain and burst into tears. As the tiny palm gently smacked her hand, Aric could not hide his laughter.
"Only porridge is easily digested by your stomach right now," Aric explained as he retracted his hand. One of his eyebrows raised upwards. "Ah, or do you want me to feed you?" Aric teased, which made Rheana, Brian, and Chennie chuckle.
Callista hurriedly picked up her spoon, she shot Aric a fierce glare. "I'll eat it myself."
***
The clatter of steps rumbled along the hallway. The noisy voices of the chatting students enlivened the homecoming hour. After all, school hours are the happiest times for students, right?
Callista smiled slightly. The orange sky with pink gradations and white clouds looked very beautiful. Likewise, the many people around her also published smiles. It was a pleasant atmosphere.
Rheana gripped the gate they passed through and swung her arms in the air again.
"Today has been a tiring day because of that physics teacher."
Chennie turned her head, understanding the meaning of Rheana's gaze, and then Chennie hurriedly replied.
"Yeah, today was a very tiring day." She stopped her words for a moment to snap her fingers in the air. "I know the solution! How about a barbecue party? It's been a while since we've gotten together other than at school."
Brian nodded his head. "Especially since there's a famous chef here who still hides his talent in a high school uniform."
Callista looked at Brian with her eyebrows drawn together. She understood very well the sarcasm directed at her. Among the five of them, she was the only one who was good at cooking. And it was certain that Aric and the others would not eat just anyone else's cooking, so there was no way those words were directed at anyone else who was still in high school.
Aric gently nudged Callista's arm. "We can do it at your friend's mansion. Your friend won't mind, right? We won't be there often anyway. Only occasionally."
Callista swallowed her saliva with difficulty. How did this conversation end up on that topic? She had tried so hard to divert the topic yesterday. What else could she use as an excuse?
Callista cast her eyes around. Why wasn't the driver coming at this point either? What should she do?
"Ouch." Callista's brow furrowed, and she lowered her head. "I don't think I can do it today, I still feel dizzy."
"I'm sorry, guys," Callista thought to herself. She didn't want to lie either, but the situation forced her to do so.
Brian, who was closest to Callista, then grabbed Callista's shoulder for fear that the girl next to him would suddenly fall. "Are you okay? We don't have to do it today, we can do it another day."
Callista straightened up immediately. She looked at her friends with an annoyed look. They remained adamant. Did they suspect her lie about Kenward being her friend?
Cit...!
"Aaa!"
A loud cry distracted Callista. The car's headlights shone on a girl standing in the middle of the road. Both of the girl's hands covered her face spontaneously.
"Hah... Hah ...."
Callista felt a tremendous tightness in her chest. She immediately fell to the ground. She violently patted her sore chest. The broken radio that contained bad memories of her childhood was playing in her head.
Tin! Tin! Tin!
"Kid, move aside, you can't be carelessly crossing like this!"
A girl with glasses perched on her nose ran towards her friend who was frozen in the middle of the street. She bent down and apologized in his place.
"We're sorry, uncle."
Brian was about to help Callista to her feet, but she brushed him off roughly. Staggering, Callista tried to stand up with her strength.
"You insisted even though I refused that time. Didn't you realize that my reaction was rejection? I told you that my friend doesn't want to be visited by anyone but me!" Callista snapped while trying to calm her mixed emotions.
Right at that moment, Callista walked towards Kenward's messenger car which had arrived at the right time. The car, which was only a few steps away, made it easy for Callista to get out of the current awkward situation.
"Go, sir!"
The shiny black car that looked very luxurious drove away from the school area. Aric and the others were still silent, they just stared at Callista's car with regret welling up in their chests. Had they crossed the line?
Just like Aric and the others, Callista, who was leaning on her stiff back, now regretted her words. She didn't need to be angry like that. She only had her friends now.
Callista patted her head. "What an idiot!" she swore to herself.
The vibrations felt in her thighs completely distracted Callista's focus. Her hand moved to her skirt pocket. She looked at the screen of the vibrating flat object.
My coworker is having a masquerade ball. You will be my partner tonight. I've prepared a dress in my room, dress accordingly.
From: Crazy Psychopath
Callista immediately threw her cell phone next to her. Both hands rubbed her face roughly. What else was going to happen today? Was that man still not satisfied with torturing her to the point of inviting her to a masquerade party to show off?
Callista let out a long breath. "Whatever it is, I have to survive," she thought.