“I will make sure that Kristen won’t be able to attack you. In fact, she won’t be able to see you anymore after this.”

“So give me the phone.”

​​

…

“Come to school early. I will give the phone to you,” Cerise said. 

She hung up after that, leaving me questioning everything that had been spilled just now. I put down my phone, looking up at the ceiling.

My heart was hurt by Cerise’s lies. I felt betrayed because I genuinely trusted her in my previous life. I knew I’ve returned back in time for revenge, but I thought I could at least keep one person close to me as a friend.

I thought Cerise was the friend I was looking for, the one that would stay with me as long as I treated her well. But looking at this, it was ridiculous to even call her a friend.

Cerise was twisted. She was just as malicious as Kristen, even though she didn’t realize it. She sacrificed the justice of an innocent girl for her twisted friendship with that she-devil. 

I suspected that she must’ve spilled few things in the previous life as well.

I put my hand on my heart. I could feel the tremendous pain of betrayal even after I’ve been given a chance to avenge all my bullies. 

Maybe I still had that trace of naivety in me. I should’ve killed that feeling from long ago, especially to people like Cerise or Chrissy. 

“What is the point of trusting anyone if you’ll get betrayed in the end? Everyone wants to be friends because they see a benefit, or they want to use you to do their bidding.”

“I can stand alone. I can defeat them all with my own power. I don’t need a leech friend that will only ruin me in the future….”

“I can stand alone….”

I wiped a tear that accidentally dropped from the edge of my eyes. I wasn’t so weak and powerless. I’ve experienced being abused and bullied horribly until I couldn’t even feel pain. 

And I’ve shed enough tears in the previous life, I wouldn’t shed anymore in this life. 

A small betrayal like Cerise wouldn’t falter my willpower. 

I might not be the strongest, not the richest, or one with an amazing reputation. But I have a chance, and I have my brain. 

….

I laughed mirthlessly, laughing at my own stupidity, “And you still think that you will find true love and shit? Oh, Emmelyn Jones, you should realize how stupid you sound. You can’t even find a friend!”

“There is no man who will accept you, and I don’t need any useless man either. Kill that useless feeling.”

I closed my eyes. All this stuff was just too emotionally taxing for me. 

Anyway, all I needed was that phone, and I will execute everything according to my plan. 

“Remember, trust no one…”

**

I left with my bike as early as it could be, around five-thirty in the morning. And when I arrived, I saw Cerise was already standing near the gate. She looked a lot calmer, which was quite unnerving for me. 

I parked my bike and walked to her. 

The moment Cerise saw me, she had a shy smile on her face. I steeled my heart. After knowing that hideous secret between Cerise and Kristen, there was no way, I could trust this girl anymore. 

But I still maintained my fake face, and I drew near her, “Have you been waiting for long?” 

“N—Not really,” Cerise replied. She lowered her head but glanced at me a few times before taking out a smartphone from her pocket. 

“Y—You said that you need this….” Cerise handed the phone to me, but I didn’t accept it immediately.

I stared at the smartphone, whose owner was already six feet under. It was an old model, but Cerise must’ve taken care of it since it still looks nice enough. 

“Cerise, do you actually trust me to do this?” I asked. 

“Yes…” Cerise sighed, full of woe. “I know I’m guilty, Em… but I was stupid back then. And I was fooled by Kristen as my best friend. But now, you’re my best friend, so I trust you instead….”

Oh no, don’t think of me as your best friend anymore. I will also push you away from me after I dealt with Kristen. 

I pitied you, but your malicious naivety scared me the most. I didn’t know what will happen in the future if I continued trusting you.

I don’t know if I should put you on the same pedestal as Kristen. But I would keep my promise. I will at least free you from Kristen.

I snatched the phone from Cerise’s hand and then opened the phone screen.

The wallpaper was still the picture of the girl, Helena, and Kristen’s selfie. 

…

I swiped the phone, and it was locked with a passcode, “What’s the password?”

“081314.”

“Huh… what’s the meaning of that password?” I asked curiously. 

“It’s August thirteenth, 2014, the date when Helena and I went out with Kristen for the first time. We went as three to a local cafe. Helena said that it was the first time she felt truly happy….”

…

How heartless can you be?