"I... want... to die," I gasped, feeling like my lungs were about to spontaneously combust.
We'd been running laps around this godforsaken stadium for what felt like hours, and every part of my body was staging a revolt. My legs felt like jelly, my lungs burned like I'd been breathing fire, and I was pretty sure I could taste blood in the back of my throat.
I collapsed onto the track, not caring how undignified it looked. Beside me, equally winded but annoyingly less destroyed, was Ariana.
"Serves you right," she panted between breaths. "If you'd just... accepted my challenge... it wouldn't have... come to this."
I wanted to strangle her. The smug satisfaction in her voice, even while gasping for air, made me want to commit violence. This psychotic GIRL had followed me around the entire partner-selection period, scaring off anyone who tried to pair with me, until the instructor gave up and sentenced us both to this torture.
"You act like... you didn't suffer... the same punishment," I managed between ragged breaths.
She smirked triumphantly, and I seriously considered whether murder was worth the consequences.
"You keep forgetting," she said, recovering faster than should be humanly possible, "I'm level 7. You're level 1. Guess who had it harder?"
I clenched my fist. If using Nelia wouldn't potentially kill me through mana exhaustion, I would have gladly accepted that duel and shown this bitch exactly what I thought of her attitude. But mana pool combustion seemed like a poor way to go out, especially when I'd still end up beaten senseless afterward.
"Keep smiling," I said, closing my eyes. "This satisfaction won't last forever."
"She's not really your girlfriend, is she?"
The question came quietly, but I could hear the smirk behind it. While technically true, I'd rather die than give her that satisfaction.
"I told you already," I said without opening my eyes. "I don't entertain side pieces. Stop trying—I'm not breaking up with her."
Silence stretched between us for a moment. Then, softer:
"El..."
I ignored her.
"El..."
"Don't call me that." The nickname brought back memories I'd rather keep buried.
"Why did you change?" Her voice carried a vulnerability that almost made me look at her. Almost.
The obsession that had consumed me after mistaking Eloisa for Renay had faded the moment I realized my error. It was like someone had been pulling strings in my head, and suddenly the puppet show was over. Everyone who'd seemed important before became... less so.
"We used to be good friends," she continued, nostalgia creeping into her tone. "Playing together, getting into trouble... But one day, you just became such a... well, you became awful."
Her voice softened, though the insult was unnecessary.
"Just stop," I said. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Please." The vulnerability in her voice was almost enough to break my resolve. "I feel so guilty about that day. Maybe if I hadn't left... So please, I need to know why you changed. Who were you and Eloisa talking about? Was it that person? Is that why everything fell apart?"
The mention of Eloisa's name sent anger coursing through me like poison.
"Just let it go," I said firmly, trying to keep my voice steady.
"El..."
"JUST LET IT GO!" I exploded, my voice cracking with emotion I'd tried to bury. "It's in the past! Nothing you say or do now can change what happened. You all abandoned me when I needed you most."
"You pushed everyone away with that attitude!" she shot back.
"Excuses," I spat, forcing myself to stand on trembling legs. "Just stay away from me. You're no different from that bitch Eloisa."
I walked away, leaving her sitting there with tears in her eyes.
'You made her cry and just walked off?' Nelia's voice was disapproving.
'Mind your own business, or I'll start your punishment right here.'
She fell silent, though I caught her glaring at me from the corner of my vision.
I knew Ariana wasn't entirely at fault. I had pushed them all away—every friend, every connection, every person who might have cared. But I couldn't afford attachments now. Four months until the semester ended, and then I'd be gone. Selena was already more of a complication than I'd planned; I didn't need more reasons to hesitate when the time came to leave.
Speaking of Selena, I needed to figure out how to fix whatever mess that earring had created.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. How did I always end up feeling guilty about things that weren't entirely my fault?
Whatever. I had points to spare—losing a few to smooth things over wouldn't kill me.
I hoped.