Seeing I was just standing there, Heather thought I was upset.
A couple of classmates couldn't hide their irritation, muttering under their breath.
"Come on, Olivia, it's just a dress. Why the long face?"
"Heather's just too nice, too soft-hearted..."
They all seemed to be on Heather's side.
The mix of their words and Heather's fake tears was suffocating.
With tears welling up, Heather asked, "What can I do to make it up to you? Want to slap me as payback?"
SMACK!
Out of anger, I slapped Heather hard across the face.
A bright red imprint instantly appeared on her pale cheek, swelling on one side.
She went from furious to pitiful in a flash.
The entire class was in shock.
They stared in silence, too taken aback to say anything.
It wasn't until the teacher walked in that they scattered.
In class, Heather sat in front of me, her shoulders heaving with silent sobs.
The students whispered not so secretly.
"Olivia really is a snake, always so toxic."
"No wonder she's a loner, who'd want to hang with her?"
"Only Heather could put up with someone like that."
...
I just rolled my eyes and paid attention to my lesson.
Acted like I was deaf to their gossip.
Soon, my phone vibrated with a text.