บท 24: Two faced

I walked to the source of today's entertainment, the cafeteria. I knew Cerise and Kristen would be the main attraction there. Because the moment I entered the cafeteria, everyone's attention was still at a table with two girls sitting there.

I sat at an empty spot quite far from them but still had enough visibility to watch.

Cerise and Kristen were eating together, and Cerise became a lot chattier than usual. As if she has returned to her old self. She offered many things for Kristen.

"Ah, Kristen, do you want my milkshake? I made it myself," Cerise offered.

"Is it all-natural?" Kristen asked still with a smile on her face, but I saw that she was extremely uncomfortable around Cerise. Probably because she didn't want to be grouped with someone like Cerise.

"All-natural?" Cerise frowned. "Uhm… it's Nesquik strawberry milkshake flavor. It's really good!"

Kristen's lips twitched, "I'm sorry, Cerise. But I've been used to drink all-natural food and beverage. I can't drink something unhealthy like an instant milkshake or whatsoever."

"Ah… really?" Cerise sighed. "But you love Nesquik in back then. Didn't you remember that you often ask me to make you a Nesquik drink?"

"I never—"

"Is it because you hang out with Ashley?" Cerise asked. She seemed to be oblivious to how loud she was right now. Because everyone, including me, who was quite far from them, could hear her voice.

"Um… I don't have enough money to buy real strawberries. Maybe we should work part-time together with her—"

Kristen glared at Cerise, and Cerise zipped her mouth instantly, "Excuse me, what did you say?"

"N—Nothing…" Cerise shook her head. I squinted, trying to observe Cerise's expression, and found that she was writhing in pain. I couldn't look under the table, but I bet Kristen must've either stomped Cerise's shoes or pinched her thigh since I saw Kristen's hand was under the table.

"Part-time? Do we ever have a part-time together?"

"N—Never…" Cerise shook her head again. She bit her lip, enduring excruciating pain, and Kristen smiled sweetly before she stood and say;

"Cerise, you're my good and sweet girl. I know that you don't have many friends, that's why I become your friend instead. But that doesn't mean you can make up stories on your own. We're not that close, remember?"

…

Cerise was dazed for a moment, then she blurted, "But we're a best friend—"

"You make things up, remember? You are making things up right now," Kristen pressured Cerise to agree to her narrative. Cerise looked confused, but in the end, she nodded defeatedly.

"You know what, I've been trying to be a good person for you. But you don't seem to understand. Please don't spread lies. We're not that close," Kristen turned her body and walked away, leaving Cerise alone, confused and defeated.

Poor Cerise, I wanted to console her a bit, but this wasn't the best time for that. Because I had to follow Kristen as soon as possible.

Thus, I waited until Kristen left the cafeteria and then followed her from behind. I put some distance between us, so she wouldn't notice me.

Kristen went to the restroom. I waited for about five minutes before I entered the restroom.

"That bitch!" The moment I entered the restroom, Kristen already kicked the trash can. All the facade of a beautiful angel disappeared instantly, showing a fierce gaze, full of contempt and disgust.

"K—Kristen?" I acted surprised, "Are you okay?'

Kristen darted her eyes at me, then she resumed her gentle angel facade. But it was an imperfect one because it looked like she was holding her fury inside.

"A—Ah, Em, I'm sorry that you have to see me like this. I was just annoyed at someone who slanders me…." Kristen said.

I almost laughed at her pitiful attempt to show a gentle face. It was so obvious that she exploded just now.

I showed a concerned face and asked, "Is that so? I've just returned from the club building. Did something happen? Where's Cerise?"

"She… she is in the cafeteria," Kristen replied.

"Then, let's go and sit with her. I haven't had any lunch."

"No, you can go by yourself," Kristen refused. "She keeps making stuff out."

"Making stuff out? Ah—maybe what she said about you yesterday are all lies."

Kristen's facade cracked again, but this time, she didn't spare any effort to smile. Probably because she had been pissed out with Cerise before.

"What did she say about me?"

"Hmm… a lot of stuff, honestly," I shrugged. "She said that you often had an outburst. Sometimes you would hit her, sometimes you would bully her until she cries."

"She also said that you have a lot of secrets," I kept adding fuel to the fire. I saw that Kristen's expression changed from slightly worse to downright terrible.

"What kind of secrets?"

"She never mentions it, but it seems that Cerise knows a lot about your habit and such. Honestly, I don't want to believe it. Since you're such a sweetheart for me…."

"Don't believe in her. She's a liar!" Kristen yelled. She was about to rush out, but I held her arm, forcing her to stay.

"D—Don't confront her like this. It'd only make you look bad," I held her. "I think it's better if you confront her on the phone or outside of the school. Maybe it's her plan to ruin your reputation in the school?"

Kristen was contemplating her action, and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You're right, Em. Cerise is such a two-faced girl. She keeps slandering me and lead me into her trap," Kristen said. "She acts innocent and oblivious, even though it's obvious that she's a snake!"

Oh, wrong, dear Kristen.

I am the snake here, the two-faced friend who made you my puppet. I will do anything as long as I could obtain that secret.

"I suggest you confront her online. But don't tell her that I'm the one who tells you," I said. "I'm on your side, you know. Don't you think it's good if I can help you by showing evidences of her slandering you?"

"Don't worry, Kristen. You've helped me, so I will also help you. Whenever Cerise tries to say shit about you, then I will report it to you."

"Thanks, Em. As long as you trust me. Cerise is such a bitch, I've helped her once, and this is what she did to me. She probably eats shit like her mother."

Good, good, let the hate flowed through you. It would become an excellent weapon to break Cerise.