XII. Diana's Side

After her talk with Wangari, the next day, Amanda set out to try and arrange a meeting with Diana, which proved to be a difficult task. There were several times where Amanda would catch glimpses of Diana in the hallways only to find that she had somehow disappeared when she got closer. After checking every classroom she could for signs of Diana, Amanda decided to think more strategically. Dragging herself down the hallway, Amanda sat down outside of the blue team's dorm room to wait.

Amanda figured that they had to head back to the room sometime and she was prepared to wait. Sure enough, 10 minutes later, she saw Diana walking quickly toward her dorm room with a stack of books clutched to her chest. Amanda scrabbled up from the floor and smoothed out her uniform.

"Hey, Diana. Ya got a minute?" Amanda asked, unsure of Diana's current mood. Diana's eyes suddenly jumped up to Amanda's face, as if she had been lost in thought a moment before.

"Huh. Yes, Amanda, do you need something?" Diana said in a distracted tone. Amanda was puzzled, sure Diana was pretty busy most of the time but today she seemed like she was distracted and avoiding everyone. Like if she stayed too long in one place someone might catch up to her.

"Yeah, look I know you don't like me but I was wondering if you wanted to meet up sometime soon. It's about my punishment project. I really need your help." Amanda said. Diana eyed her skeptically.

"I thought the point of the assignment was for you to reflect on your past actions, on your own. Why do you need my help?" Diana asked, pushing past her into her room, walking to her desk. Amanda followed. Damn this wasn't working out the way she had hoped, Amanda thought. Screw it.

"Fine. You have time to talk now?" Amanda asked, bluntly. Diana looked at her, raising an eyebrow, then her expression softened. She started organizing the books on her desk.

"Very well, you've caught me at a good time. Yes, I do have a moment to converse." Diana replied.

Amanda gulped. Alright, how the hell was she supposed to explain everything that was going on and in a way that wouldn't piss off Diana. Maybe if she got Diana to talk about it first herself.

"I wanted to talk about you. I noticed that you seem pretty closed off and stressed lately. Is it because of some of the rumors going around?" Amanda asked, trying to approach the subject gently. Diana stiffened up and looked away, not meeting Amanda's eyes.

"It's nothing, rumors have no effect on me. People just have too much time on their hands is all. Why do you ask?" Diana replied, pausing to look directly at Amanda.

"W-well. Some of the rumors seem pretty vicious. Stuff about you and other girls, ya know." Amanda hinted. Diana narrowed her eyes and turned to fully face Amanda. The red-haired witch stiffened up. Shit she was catching on.

"You said you needed help with your project. So why would you be asking about rumors, unless you have something to do with them?" Diana concluded, sending Amanda a menacing glare. Amanda stood, sweating bullets. How was she supposed to cover this one up? Amanda took a deep breath and tried to keep calm.

"Look, I heard from Wangari about some of the drama that you dealt with back in the day. I mean your love life was put on blast. It's pretty harsh stuff, so I guess I can kinda understand why you're so mean to people about the recent rumors." Amanda finished, she surprised herself. She hadn't planned to say so much but it just felt natural. She felt a weight being lifted off her chest after having to sneak around Diana for so long.

Diana looked genuinely taken aback. She sighed and still looked at Amanda with conflict in her eyes. Like she was wrestling with trusting Amanda. Then Diana's eyes took on a glassy, wet appearance and tears welled up.

"Well, I suppose it's all out there anyway. Everyone knows everything. At least for a while I was able to enjoy some respite." Diana said, turning away from Amanda. Amanda felt a huge pang of guilt. There were no excuses, this really was all her fault. If only she hadn't been so vindictive in the first place. There had to be a way to fix this. But how?

"I think you're wrong. Nobody knows your side of the story. Maybe if you came clean and told people your truth then maybe -"

Diana looked back at her indignity as tears fell from her eyes.

"You say it like I did something wrong. Like I brought all of this on myself. Is that what you think?" Diana aimed. Amanda was silent, in her mind's eye she still blamed Diana for the misfortune she experienced. Diana swallowed painfully and continued.

"I assume you found out about the lavish story they fabricated about me. Front page of the tabloids, all those juicy, money-making details about me running around with any girl that would look my way, is that right?" Diana accused, tears running down her face. It clearly caused her pain to remember all of it. Amanda bowed her head and looked down at the floor. Diana hugged her own arms and kept going.

"Everyone knows that sensational story, but nobody knows the epilogue. How everyone in higher society shamed and shunned me. Childhood friends turned their backs on me. How my family gave me an ultimatum, I either shape up and deny those rumors or they would pull me out of Luna Nova or worse disown me. Hmph, of course they don't, because THAT story doesn't sell."

Amanda still couldn't find any words. She knew it was bad but, shit. Diana really wasn't the villain; she was closer to a victim than an evil, freedom-hating antagonist. Amanda gulped and knew it was time to come clean herself.

"Diana I was really fucking mad you before. I said a lotta shity things about you behind your back and I even wanted to write an article for the school newspaper exposing you, but Wangari stopped me." Amanda said somewhat awkwardly, she wasn't used to apologizing so sincerely.

Amanda always aimed to live without regrets, whether it was taking a chance on a new broom trick or skipping class in favor of some fun. She never wanted to live wishing she had done differently or that she had missed out, but this time she had messed up. It was tough to admit but her actions against Diana were mean-spirited, unnecessary and she aimed to make it right.

"She told me from the beginning that real journalism is searching for the truth, even if it disagrees with your opinion. That I should try to find out even your side of things. I didn't listen to her, I was super sure that you were some stuck up jerk who just wanted to ruin everyone's fun on Free Dress friday." Amanda admitted. Diana wiped most of her tears away and pushed a strain of hair behind her ear and spoke.

"I was being harsh when it came to that. After all of the previous harassment, people started making accusations at Luna Nova, saying that since I was it's star student that the school must be promoting that kind of deviant behavior. That is the reason behind some of my reactions recently. " From the way that Diana spoke, it was clear that she cared deeply about Luna Nova's reputation. However, something still bothered Amanda.

"So what's the truth? You never really confirmed or denied whether you're actually gay or the rumors -"

Amanda cut herself short as she noticed Diana's hurt expression and clenched jaw.

"You're missing the point. I am gay but I should have been able to come out on my OWN terms. I planned to come out after I gained complete financial independence from my family, but that choice was ripped away from me. Suddenly, I was thrust into the spotlight and forced to deal with other people's bigoted expectations of me." Diana finished trying to contain the hurt and rage in her voice.

Amanda was stunned, it made sense due to Diana's situation, but Amanda had never considered waiting an option. She always had the luxury of not having to worry about people not accepting her. It never occurred to her what the alternative was like. Damn, this was such a mess and she hadn't even told Diana about her diary. There had to be a way to fix this.

"Hey, tell you what. What if I think of a way to get some money for you to stay in Luna Nova? That's like your biggest concern right? Finishing school and all? If we do that your family can't threaten to yank you out of classes!" Amanda suggested all fired up about the possibility. Diana looked to the side in thought.

"Well, yes, my education is important to me, but that won't solve everything." Diana's comment refused to darken Amanda's growing grin.

"But it's a start isn't it?" Amanda said itching to get out the door and back to her room to brainstorm. She eventually gave in and started inching her way to the door. Diana noticed this and sighed.

"Let me guess, you're going to concoct a plan, aren't you?" Amanda's face broke into a toothy grin.

"Yeah, I'll keep you posted. SEEYABYE!" Amanda finished as she raced out of the room driven by her mind racing with ideas.