Chapter XXIV: Best Friends

The days passed quickly and I didn’t notice the new week coming in again. I stayed at home for the past few days that were off from school.


I also really wanted to go to Mathilda's house to take her for a walk in Laurent, but I still didn't have the courage to ask permission to Mamita for that matter. I might just get disappointed if she will not allow me.


"Good morning to my very beautiful friend!" Mathilda greeted me warmly.


She was standing at the entrance of the university and patiently waiting for my arrival. I immediately approached and kissed her on the cheek.


“Good morning to you too, Mathilda. I missed you.” It’s been a week.


She squeezed both my cheeks that made me giggle. “Congratulations. You are so good! I have no idea that you’ll going to be the Best Hunter! You even made my head hurt thinking about who won!”


She folded her arms on her chest, jokingly frowning at me.


“I’m sorry. I also didn't expect that I will win.” I pouted but she just pinched my cheek.


"Good morning, Miss Amaris…" A student greeted me when we passed in the hallway.


I immediately greeted him back before continuing our way in our classroom.


“This friend of mine is really famous, hmm...” She is murmuring while hugging my arm.


We still met some students who warmly greet me as we passed by them. I kept wondering how they knew my name. I’m just smiling at them shyly, while Mathilda kept on waving at them. I can't help but laugh at what she's doing.


"Before I forget, I heard some gossip around the corner of Laurent.” She clings onto me as her voice lowered as if she doesn’t want someone to hear what we are talking about.


"Hmm, gossip?"


“Yes!” She got excited all of a sudden. “A week ago, a witch scholar came here and he saw that—”



"Wait up!" I interrupted her because I can't catch up. “Is it okay to talk about someone who isn’t here?”


She looked at me with confusion in her eyes, but pinched my arm afterward. Laughing at my remark.


“Of course it’s okay! Don’t worry!” She scratched her head still giggling.



“So where am I? Oh yeah, a witch scholar came here last week. Then he saw the Elites with a beautiful woman, but he didn’t say who is it. Out of curiosity, he peeked at the arena and guess what he found out?! He saw how that beautiful woman effortlessly dumped Amalia!”



Mathilda punched the air out of excitement. She seems so happy while talking about it and I am just listening to her.



“You know I can't believe it either! I always admire Amalia's fighting skills. I used to wish I could be as good at fighting as her. I can't quite imagine that anyone can beat her!” she said while shaking her head.


“She’s one of the creatures that I always look up to, until she became a b*tch towards you! Hmp!” She rolled her eyes in dismay.


I am too busy listening to her so we didn’t notice that we are already in front of our classroom. She grabbed the doorknob and opened it when I sensed something odd, and my instinct didn’t fail me.


So even before Mathilda went in, I pushed her away and just right in time we heard a loud splash... right directly on me.


"Ouch, Amaris!" Mathilda groaned while getting back in her stance but eventually gasps in horror when she saw my current situation.


I was too stunned to move as well. My whole body was covered with a sticky liquid. It looks like a mud and doesn’t really smell good. My white dress suddenly became a rug.


"Oh my gosh!" Mathilda immediately took a handkerchief in her pocket, and with a trembling hands she wipes my face.


She didn’t utter any words afterward but instead she pull me to get inside and then slammed the door. I almost jumped from my feet.



The Elites weren’t here yet.


“Damn it! Who did this?!"


I was startled when Mathilda shouted that make everyone startled including me. I can't even utter words, because up until now, I was shocked by what happened.


“Is this some kind of a prank, huh? Because it is not f*cking funny! And you didn't even tell us there was a bucket of mud there? What kind of classmates and friends are you? You didn't even do anything!” She started venting out her anger, while the others were just looking at us.


They are more like they are surprised by Mathilda’s sudden explosion of emotion, not because I was a complete mess.


“No one even planned to remove that bucket, it's impossible y’all didn’t see it! You are blessed with two eyes, two hands and a brain, use it correctly! Damn it!” Her veins are about to pop out from her neck, while glaring with too much fury.


Everyone remained silent, some bent over and couldn’t barely look at us. I even saw Olivia sitting quietly along with them.


“Fake b*tches! You all act like a saint when you are facing Amaris! Being goody f*cking friendly thick-face b*tches, and once she’s away y’all are stabbing her from behind!” Mathilda didn’t even flinch while giving her speech with everyone inside.


She almost catches her breath after that but we didn’t even hear any response from Olivia and the others. I looked at them with too much sadness in my heart. What have we done to deserve this. I am sure that stunt was surely for us… or just for me.


Mathilda grab my hand and we made our way out of the classroom. We are both silent until we reached the women’s restroom. I could still hear her whisper words that even though I couldn’t understand I knew meant something bad.


"Do you have any extra clothes?" she asked me.


I just nodded. I always bring spare clothes.


She was the one who rummaged in the bag I was holding. Good thing, when I pushed Mathilda away she grabbed the strap of my bag.


“F*ck! Who in the world will do this to you? They are so heartless! Just wait and when I found out who planned this, I will slap her hard, until her face will get erased!” Her eyes started to water as she wiped my arms.


I can't speak, my heart hurts right now. No one deserves this.


“It's a good thing you're still beautiful even you are full of d-dirt,” she added and at the same time her tears started to fall. "Ugh, I hate it! Why am I crying?! Sh*t! You don't deserve it, you're the most caring and kindhearted creature and this all you can get in return?”


I caressed her cheek and smiled. “Shush, it’s okay, Mathilda. Stop crying.”


I don’t want to see her crying because of me.


“I am alright, Mathilda. It's just a mud… it can be removed.” I showed her my sweetest smile to make her feel that I'm alright, even though I'm not.


I'm really not okay. I was really hurt by whoever did that. Anyone does not deserve to experience this. I am just praying for the conscience of that creature who did this. I hope she or he sleeps soundly at night. I hope she is happy because she succeeded.


"I wish the one who did that would have a tail on his forehead," she said gritting her teeth.


I shook my head. “Hush, that’s not nice, Mathilda. Let's just let them. Sooner or later, she will realize what she did is wrong.”


I sighed before letting her know that I was going to change my clothes first because I was feeling really sticky. Fortunately, since I went here in Laurent I always carry a spare clothes in my bag.


It took me almost half an hour to remove all the dirt in my hair, and I am thankful Mathilda waited for me patiently. I stared at the mirror and straightened my hair, there’s no more trace of mud there.


“Oh, god! You are so sexy and such a hottie!” She greeted me as soon as I came out while looking at what I was wearing.


She walks near me and I was shocked when she slaps my butt and jump like a toddler. Gone the annoyed Mathilda just minutes ago.


“Mathilda…” I grinningly shook my head. At least, she’s back in her hyper side.


A black casual button-down belted dress is what I am wearing right now. I just pinched her cheek, getting used to the words she’s using.


"Thank you for helping me out, Mathilda." I hugged her tightly. I want her to know how grateful I am that I have found a friend like her.


“That’s nothing. I told you, I will always help you," she said smiling while pressing both my cheeks like I am some kind of a duck.


"From now on, you are my best friend and I will fight all those who comes in your way!”


I teared up from what I heard from her. I couldn't help but hug her once again.


“Thank you, Mathilda. You don’t know how happy I am right now. I am your family and your best friend.”


All my life, I thought I will just have my Mamita and Mr. Bear. I am so happy that I have Mathilda now. I promise that I will protect her.