The school bell howled twice. The students, who had been staring at the clock on their wrists, rushed out ahead of the teacher. It may seem rude, but since international schools have a diverse range of students, some of whom come from different countries, the teachers at Xavier High School tolerate it.
A girl with her hair in two braids from the top to the bottom rose to her feet. With one hand covering her yawning mouth, she walked towards where her friends were.
"You guys must have gone to the cafeteria right? I didn't have breakfast today, now I'm really hungry," Chennie said as she gently brushed away the tears at the end of her eyes. The third and fourth lessons were so boring that she was dozing off.
Rheana nodded her head. "Sure, as usual."
Callista looked at her two best friends who immediately surrounded her stool as soon as the break bell rang. Both of her hands reached out to grab the crutches, after which she tried to rise to her feet. Rheana and Chennie, who noticed this, helped Callista up.
"Sorry, Chen, Rhen, I have no appetite today. I'll just take a walk around the school," Callista politely declined.
Brian, who had just joined, immediately replied. "You don't know the structure of this school properly. What if you get lost? We'll be very worried about you," Brian coaxed seeing Callista's slightly pale face.
Not knowing what had made this girl look so tired, Callista was certainly not the type of person who was easily open about her life problems.
Callista shook her head. Even until the end, her friends were still worried about her. "It will never happen. Do you know how good my memory is? Besides, if I get lost I can call you guys."
Chennie's eyebrows drew together. "But you lost your cell phone that time," rebutted Chennie who remembered the night they were worried about Callista's disappearance.
Her hand moved to her skirt pocket. She showed her friends what she was currently holding.
"My phone has been found. It was left in the car," Callista explained with a stiff smile. It was true that her cell phone was found in the driver's car.
They had run out of excuses to take Callista until Rheana finally spoke up. "Fine if that's what you want, Illis. But don't hesitate to ask us for help. We will always try our best to help you."
Rheana's words were like a gentle breeze caressing Callista's heart.
"Well, then, have a good lunch!" After saying that, Callista hurried out of the classroom. She needed some fresh air to normalize her erratic heartbeat.
Rheana and the others just stared at Callista's distant back. Aric, who had just finished organizing his books, immediately got up and ran out of the classroom.
"I'm going to the toilet, you guys can go to the cafeteria first!" Aric said as he ran.
"Don't be long, Ric!" replied Brian who immediately got a thumbs up from Aric.
***
The light blue door opened slowly. A breeze hit her hair as soon as she stepped out of the doorway. The rooftop, which she had expected to be arid and hot, was surprisingly cool with lots of plants.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that there was no one there. There were countless breaths that she let out.
She stepped out slowly, now she didn't need to look strong. To hide the painful fact from her friend, she had to appear to be walking normally. And that was enough to make the wound that had not yet dried throb painfully.
She placed the crutch in her left hand on the floor, then switched to the crutch in her right hand. Her delicate fingers moved to adjust the slightly ruffled hem of her skirt. Her legs dangled freely down there.
A faint smile graced Callista's lips. She closed her eyes for a moment as she felt very calm. Coupled with the cool breeze that kept tickling her skin. Hopefully, there weren't many students who visited the rooftop even if it wasn't during break time, so she could make this place her favorite place. A little selfish indeed, but all humans have that side.
Callista straightened her legs to the side with the help of both hands. For a moment she looked around again.
When she felt it was safe, Callista took off the socks that were tormenting her wound. Since the wound was already sore, the socks did not play much of a role in the pain. But still, the socks put a little pressure. She wanted to free her legs from the pressure.
Grep!
Her body froze as suddenly someone hugged her tightly from the side.