Her stare hurts more than she probably means it to. Her eyes are too expressive for their own good.
Cilan won't look at her. Chili is pretending not to notice her. So she came to me. I'll speak to her, it's only the proper thing to do. Still, no words are coming out.
I'm ashamed.
We have nothing against her, really we don't. It was just.. His orders,. He saved our lives and we're in his debt. We never expected this girl – this trainer – to get involved.
If I had known...
Hilda opens her mouth to speak but nothing comes out. Is she considering her words? I wonder, did she recognize me? Does she know our secret? This worries me but I keep my calm.
She tries again. Her voice comes out much too soft; it doesn't sound like the loud, bright girl I met those months ago.
"Cress.. Why weren't you guys there?"
She doesn't specify where "there" is but I know too well. If only she knew.
Her lips quiver slightly at the final word. For a second it seems as if she's going to speak again but no more words are said. I wonder what she's thinking about.
My brain urges me to act normal so I smile at her gently. It's a weak, sad smile but it's better than nothing.
"...We heard about the incident with N's Castle. If we had received the message in time, the three of us could have helped."
I mentality cringe at my words. I must seem suspicious, extremely suspicious.
Hilda stares at me. Her blue eyes stare into my own. For such a small girl she can be quite intimidating. There's an awkward tension between us.
"Is that so?" It barely sounds like a question but considering the context I'm assuming it is.
She nods, seemingly have confirmed something with herself. She laughs loudly and my chest loosens. That's the Hilda I met.
"I should have never listened to Cherry," she says and she turns to leave. I can just barely make out the next words as she races out the door.
"He thought you were a part of Plasma. What a moron."