Racheal walked briskly across the campus lawn, her books pressed tightly against her chest. The memory of Mr. Unknown's piercing gaze still lingered in her mind, making her heartbeat refuse to slow. She only wanted to disappear into the crowd and make it safely to her next class.
"Racheal!"
The sound of her name made her stop mid-step. Her chest tightened, but the voice wasn't the one she feared—it was Margaret's.
Racheal turned slightly, her expression unreadable. Margaret came running toward her, breathless, her face pale with something that looked far heavier than exhaustion.
"Please," Margaret said, her voice trembling as she finally reached her. "Can I… can I have a minute of your time?"
Racheal said nothing. She stood silently, waiting, her dark eyes fixed on Margaret, giving her no clue of what she was feeling.
Margaret swallowed hard, her fingers twisting nervously as if she was holding onto invisible strings. For a moment, the words refused to come out, but then, with a shaky breath, she began.
"Racheal… I need to tell you the truth. Everything. I've been carrying this for too long." Her voice cracked slightly. "Do you remember Benedicta? The one everyone calls the fine girl of the school? She… she threatened me."
Racheal's brows furrowed slightly, though she kept her silence.
Margaret's voice grew heavier, rushing out as if afraid she'd lose the courage if she stopped. "She told me that if I didn't do what she said, I should forget about my friends. Forget about belonging anywhere. I didn't have options, Racheal—I was weak, and I let myself be used. Every prank, every whisper, every cruel thing I did… it wasn't just me. It was her pulling the strings. But that doesn't excuse me."
Her hands shook as she pressed them together. "I regret everything. Hurting you, betraying you, letting you down when you didn't deserve it. I thought I was protecting myself, but all I did was destroy the one friendship that ever mattered. I'm sorry, Racheal. I truly am."
Racheal's lips parted slightly, but she still said nothing.
Margaret let out a shaky laugh, though it was laced with bitterness. "And do you know the worst part? Later, I realized why she wanted all this. Benedicta… she's in love with Mr. Collins. That's what it's been about all along. She used me to cover her insecurities, to play her little games while I took the blame."
Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back, forcing herself to meet Racheal's unreadable gaze. "I know you may never forgive me. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. But I couldn't keep this in anymore. You deserve the truth."
Silence hung between them, thick and unyielding. Racheal's expression was calm, but her heart pounded inside her chest. She had waited for this—for Margaret's words, her regret, her truth—but hearing it now felt heavier than she had ever imagined.
Margaret's voice dropped to a whisper. "Please… Racheal. Say something."