Chapter 58 A Woman in Love is a Fool
It was close to evening dismissal when it started raining.
The sky was dark, rain pattered on the balcony, and water had pooled in the hallways too.
After the bell rang, Juniper glanced back.
She noticed Isabella wasn't leaving with Violet, but was walking out of the classroom alone.
Juniper immediately followed her.
Isabella casually made her way to the first-floor exit and stood there blankly, staring at the curtain of rain outside.
Quite a few people were crowded around, whispering complaints about how to get back to the dorms without umbrellas.
Isabella was also empty-handed, clearly without an umbrella either.
Seeing this, Juniper gently tapped her shoulder from behind and said with a smile, "Isabella, I can walk you back since we're going the same way."
Isabella looked up at her briefly and declined flatly, "No need."
Before Juniper could say anything, she added, "I'm waiting for Violet. She needs to stop by the English teacher's office first."
Juniper paused, "Oh... okay..."
Violet was quick. She'd already arrived, opening her umbrella and naturally pulling Isabella under it. "Sorry for making you wait. I'll treat you to something good today to make up for it."
Isabella perked up at the mention of food, her eyes brightening. "What kind of food?"
"Mexican food on the cafeteria's second floor," Violet said with a grin.
Violet then noticed Juniper was there too. "Juniper, want to join us?"
Juniper smiled faintly, "No need, you two go ahead."
"Alright, we'll head out then."
Watching their backs as they left, Juniper clenched her fists, her expression darkening.
Why?
Why did Violet always have such good luck?
She had such great parents, such a handsome boyfriend, and even the rich girl who transferred to their class ended up being her deskmate...
——
Cafeteria, second floor.
Isabella and Violet sat shoulder to shoulder, steam rising from the Mexican food in front of them.
The spicy tingle on her tongue lifted Isabella's mood a bit.
Just then, Violet suddenly spoke up, "Isabella, I'm planning to start singing at a bar near school tomorrow."
Isabella froze, her heart jumping.
"What?"
Violet hadn't noticed Isabella's expression turn serious in an instant. She just smiled and said, "I said I'm planning to sing at a bar near school."
Isabella's eyes darkened, her tone turning stern immediately, "No, I don't agree!"
Violet was stunned.
She didn't understand why Isabella's first reaction to hearing about her bar gig was so serious.
She'd thought Isabella would find it interesting, since Isabella didn't seem to know she could sing.
"What's wrong?" Violet looked at her, confused. "Why are you suddenly..."
Isabella looked at her seriously, "The reason you want to sing at the bar—is it to buy Charles a guitar?"
In her past life, Violet had done the same thing, suddenly telling her she was going to sing at a bar.
But back then, she didn't know the reason. She just thought Violet enjoyed singing and wanted to make some pocket money, so she didn't think much of it and even said she'd come support her.
It wasn't until later, when Violet got AIDS, that the truth came out—she'd worked at the bar during senior year to save money to buy Charles a guitar.
All those things she did for Charles seemed wonderful to Violet at the time, things she enjoyed doing.
But when the truth was revealed, it all became knives stabbing into Violet's heart, because Violet finally realized she'd been a fool all along!
When Violet tearfully recounted these things, as her good friend, Isabella couldn't help but feel heartbroken for her.
Since she already knew that Charles, that scumbag, wasn't worth Violet's devotion, she had to stop her.
Violet was surprised, "How did you know I'm doing it to buy Charles a guitar?"
"Never mind how I know." Isabella looked at her earnestly. "Violet, I just don't want you to do this."
"Why not?"
"Places like bars are dangerous," Isabella said.
"It's fine." Violet tried to reassure her. "I go there often, the security is good."
"So you're determined to go?"
Isabella wanted to ask if she'd really do anything for Charles.
But she didn't need to ask—she knew the answer. She would do anything!
Women in love are fools!
Sure enough, Violet smiled and said, "I can't stand watching Charles work late-night shifts. I want to help share the burden."
Isabella actually laughed out of frustration.
"Isabella, don't make it sound so serious. As long as the school doesn't find out I'm singing at a bar, it'll be fine." Violet hugged her arm, playfully coaxing, "Come on, eat up. If you don't eat, the food will get cold."
"Then let it get cold."
Isabella got up and left with a stern face.
Violet: "..."
Why did Isabella suddenly have such a bad temper?
——
The rain had lightened outside, but hadn't stopped.
Fine threads of rain fell from the sky, and the already dark sky seemed covered with a layer of fog.
Isabella pulled up her hoodie to shield herself from the rain.
She was so frustrated with Violet, feeling that helpless sensation of watching a daughter you'd raised with such care being tricked away by a bad man.
Walking outside campus, Isabella wandered aimlessly along the street.
Sometimes she thought if only she could run into Charles here and beat him up to let off some steam, maybe she'd feel better.
Too bad Charles wasn't here. Besides, given that she and Violet had only known each other for a few days, if she rashly beat up Charles, who knows how much Violet would hate her.
As Isabella walked, she suddenly looked up.
Without realizing it, she'd already reached the alley in the old residential area behind the school.
Because it was about to be demolished, hardly anyone lived here anymore.
By now it was completely dark, and a few flickering lights ahead cast a dim yellow glow.
Under the lights stood several men and women, dressed like thugs, looking at her with casual interest.
"You're Isabella, right? Know who you've crossed?"
Isabella took a step back, watching them warily.
The tattooed guy suddenly spat viciously at the ground near her feet.
"Heard you're pretty tough at school. First day of the semester, you beat up Elizabeth from Class 10, didn't you?"
Isabella frowned. "What do you want?"
Another buzz-cut guy sneered, "We're here to teach you a lesson, of course. We're Wren's crew—we deal with bitches."
Isabella understood.
They were here to fight her.
Isabella looked at them coldly. "I'm warning you, today's not a good day to pick a fight with me."