Chapter XXVII: The Truth Behind Lies

Our class ended quickly today and it was time to go home, but I needed to talk to Olivia first.


“Just wait for me, Mathilda. I will just talk to Olivia,” I told her.


I want to talk to Olivia right away to finish this matter. I will never be at peace without talking to her.


“Take me with you because that woman might hurt you, Amaris!” She then glares at the creature behind me. “Let me face her.”


She gritted her teeth, but I immediately disagreed with her. I don’t want to include her in this problem anymore, because I knew it is not impossible that she wouldn’t hurt Olivia.


“It’s okay, Mathilda. I can manage. I will just listen to her explanation,” I said without sounding offending to her and smiled to assure her that I will be okay.


Earlier she was worried and because of the tension, she no longer controlled herself and she hurt Olivia. If ever, I want no one get hurting. We can always talk in peace.


“Let me know immediately if she hit you. I will wait you outside so I can hear if ever there’s a commotion. I will make her lips bleed if she ever hurt you again!” She even snapped her fingers and lifted the sleeve of the t-shirt she was wearing as if she was going to get into a fistfight, but I quickly took it off.


There’s no need to fight.


"Thank you, best friend." I kissed her before gently pushing her to get outside. She was still constraining but doesn’t have any choice but to oblige.


When she got outside, I faced Olivia who was patiently waiting for me. She seemed tensed when I approached her. We were the only one inside, while the others went home. The Elites were in the Headmaster's office. In fact, I should have been there too but I begged Sanya if I could deal with this first, and she agreed without having second thoughts.


I smiled at her before talking. “You can start now, Olivia. I'm all ears.”


I sat on the chair just in front of her.


She sighed and started to fidgets. Her paleness is enough to tell me that she is nervous.


“I want to say sorry for what I have done…” She started. “I know you can't forgive me right away but I still want to apologize.”


I am just listening intently, and I am sure to myself that I will understand whatever her reason is.


"I…I was just so envious of you." I could barely hear it. Her voice is getting weaker and weaker each time. She also can't look at me properly.


I moved a little and hold her hand. Her confused eyes met mine.


"What are you jealous of me so we can find a way, hmm?" I smiled at her, giving her a signal that she could go on.


I want her to know that I'm not mad, I am just hurt.


“You are gorgeous and I’m not. I am the ugly d-duckling of the university.” She looked at me shyly. “You are kind, and I am not. You have a lot of beautiful dresses, while I can't even afford a good one.”


I nodded understanding all of her reasons.


“You are friends with Sanya and Tanya. You could get anyone's attention, and I c-couldn't.” Her voice cracked and my heart hurts for her. “I know that’s petty but those are the things I am so envious of you. I know how much physical insecurity I have and I hope you will forgive me if I have heaped it all on you.”


Tears started to fall from her eyes.


“I didn’t mean what I did. I just fed my emotions too much,” she added as she continued to cry.


“You know, Olivia… you don't have to be jealous of me. I am not perfect. I have a lot of flaws.” I caressed her cold hand and helped her wipe her tears.


“Everyone is beautiful in their own way. You are not ugly, no one is." She stopped crying and looked at me. "Believe me, you are beautiful. Don't you ever look down at yourself. You are you and that's great.”


She is listening attentively so I continued again. I have no intentions here but to enlighten her that nothing is to be jealous of me. My life isn’t perfect.


“And this beautiful dress? This is only a material thing. This would disappear and be destroyed, but do you know what will last? Kindness of heart, Olivia. When you practice the goodness of your heart, you can no longer think of those things. You also don't need fancy clothes just to look good. Try to look through my eyes and you will see how beautiful you are.” I smiled and gave her a tight hug.


She was startled for a second but able to hug me back.


“And don't blame yourself if you feel that way. You have to love yourself first, Olivia. Gradually, you will also learn to let go of the feeling of envy when you learn to love yourself.”


It is true that we must first love ourselves in order to learn to be content with what we have. Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have, because we try to compare it with others.


"Never compare yourself with anyone in this world. Don't blame yourself for who and what you are. You are unique in your own way. You have different story and it's not worthy of comparison."


Her eyes were red, tears were still visible. “Thank you for the kind words, Amaris. You don't know how much you have made me feel better.” Her lips quiver as she smiled at me.


I gently shook my head as I smiled back at her.


“I just want you to know that I am never mad at you, so forgive yourself, Olivia. And I am sorry if Mathilda hurt you. I'll be the one to talk to her.” I hugged her once again and kissed her on the cheek before saying goodbye.


I left her inside and let her think first.


Mathilda's worried face immediately appeared on me when I came out of the door.


“Are you okay? What did that witch tell you? Do I have to hit and slap her again?” She greeted me with continuous questions. I can never par her high energy.


“Olivia and I are fine. Don't hurt her again, Mathilda. Promise me…” My eyes pleaded as I looked at her. I held her hand when I felt that she will just disagree.


“But what she did is below the belt. She doesn't have to do that to you for whatever reason!” She frowned, not happy with what I have said.


I understand where she is coming from and I know she’s just taking my side, but it won’t end when we will just repeat it all over again. Violence will never be resolved with another violence.


“Let's leave her alone. We already talked about it, and I forgave her already. I’m not angry with her either, even though I was hurt when she lied.” I sighed.


She looked at me with a confused reaction, as if I had been born with another head in the body.


“What do you mean, Amaris? She lied? H-how? I mean, I thought you two already talked about it?” She was about to go berserk but I preceded again.


"She confessed another story, not the real reason behind it." I sighed while thinking of Olivia.


I was deeply saddened.


"What? I don't get it!” She is frowning real hard. I stopped walking and faced her.


"Olivia put a bucket full of mud above the door, but she was not the one who planned it." I can’t count anymore on how many sighs I have made just this morning.


I admire Olivia for confessing her insecurities on me. It's true that I am not mad at her. I only want her to tell the truth, but she refused to give me that.