Rachell's POV
How could she face people now, after her episode? Sighing, Rachell went to put her photo away- only to realize that it was gone. Her eyes went wide with worry. With people to see it, who knows what could happen? She could be judged, exiled, bullied or even an outcast to her peers.
The very thought made her brain run wild. Maybe it was better if she avoids more people than she already is? Not talk at all? I've got to find it. She told herself, Maybe.. Just maybe no one saw it. A flicker of hope arose in her stomach, but her other side appeared. "I think I saw them pick it up," She said flatly, guessing Rachell's thoughts. She decided she was going to find out.
Gathering her sketchbook and other things again, Rachell walked hastily out of the bathrooms and went to the tree spot. She looked and looked, double checking her pockets, but found nothing. Someone's picked it up! She panicked inwardly.
Break soon ended and she could do nothing but walk to her next class, which was theater. This class was a mess- kids were milling around the room loudly when Rachell got there, and there seemed to be free seating. The teacher finally called attention to the students when Rachell sat down near the back. She looked around anxiously, wondering if maybe the kids who picked up the photo had shown other students.
"Some of them are looking at us," Her other side said distastefully.
She was right, Rachell caught a few glances and stares while the teacher called attendance.
"Rachell?" She got to her name.
"Here!" She called.
"Oh yeah- this is our new student, Michell," the teacher said.
"Its, uh.. It's Rachell," She corrected him.
The class turned to look at her, and she sank into her hoodie, not meeting their gazes. Luckily they weren't too interested, and class went on.
They were practicing scripts, and the teacher absent-mindedly told her that she wouldn't be in this short play. Free time, Rachell thought, pulling out her sketchbook. Flipping to an empty page, she began to doodle.
As she looked around the chaotic room she noticed that Bendy was in this class- trying to calm down Reese, who was spitting something angrily at a bulky, tall boy.
Looking down at her paper she realized she had started to draw wolf ears and a tail on her person base. Lilliac. The name ringed in her ears, and Rachell sighed, reminiscing in the time before she moved, when she could still hug Lilliac.
The drawing was soon finished, and class ended.
Reese's POV
"You idiot! Maybe we could make some progress if you didn't take time to 'use your character voices'!" Reese was hissing at Hydro, who just stared at her.
"Hey now, it's part of acting," Bendy pointed out, "It's not totally wasting time.."
Reese turned her furious gaze on him. "Well since you two can get along so well, i'll go practice on my own!" She spat, turning around and stomping off.
She went to the back of the room where she noticed the new girl, Rachell, doodling on paper. She snorted in disgust, trying to calm herself down. He's a mindless idiot, She thought, glaring at Hydro from across the room. But she knew that she was being unreasonable, and would have to apologize later. Quit losing your cool, she thought, He's only been nice to you.
Gazing away from her boring play lines, she noticed Rachell again, and decided to have a closer look at whatever she was drawing. Putting her hands in her pockets and silently walking towards her, Reese craned her neck and spotted the picture. It was a human wolf, with a happy expression. Reese recognized it as 'Lilac', and brushed her hand on the photo in her pocket. They've obviously had a break-up of some sort.. Reese figured, Whether it be a friendship or a relationship.. Playing detective was always fun to Reese, but she knew she should return the photo. It was obviously important to Rachell.
I'll take a picture of it first, Reese decided, pulling out her phone as well as the picture. After she had it saved she put it back in her pocket.
Reese sighed and walked silently over to Bendy and Hydro, who were still practicing. She sat down with them, still not speaking. I don't want to apologize. Not yet. She huffed to herself.
Theater went by and soon enough lunch started. Reese, by then, had set up a curiosity about her new classmate. Everyone at the school had the same lunch times, science they were in the same grade. She sat down outside at their friend-group's regular spot, which was a shaded table under a cherry blossom tree. The late spring sun provided a perfect temperature, and the beautiful flowers on the tree were fully blossomed.
Reese sat down. Luck wasn't on her side, because out of the people who sat there, Hydro and her came first, since they brought lunches from home. She sat down and Hydro did too, on the opposite side of the table, so as to not annoy knew she had haphephobia, and she was her least favorite person.
"Sorry," She muttered under her breath, pulling out a sandwich.
"Huh?" Hydro asked.
Reese looked up at him and snorted. "I'm apologizing."
"No need to," He said simply, sipping his Pepsi, "I can tell."
I hate how you're not affected by me being rude, Reese thought, but then shrugged it off. After all, she had a mystery to solve.
Night and Bendy came over, followed by some other friends. Soon the table was full of horseplay and shouting as usual. Reese, keeping away from it as usual, spotted Rachel walking towards them. Then she paused and switched paths, heading to a different tree table nearby. Guess I'll go watch after I'm done eating, she decided, narrowing her eyes.
Putting her trash in the bin, Reese headed over near a group of people, within earshot of Rachel. She blended in well and caught Rachell's mouth moving. Who is she talking to..? It was the ultimate question when it came to this girl! She waited, to see if some sort of thing happened, but the girl just sat there, muttering things to herself as she drew. Reese would've passed her off as some weirdo if she didn't feel a strange- almost dangerous- aura around her.
Then an idea came to mind. I really should give her photo back.. But maybe I can find out what she thinks of it when I give it to her. She was an expert at reading people, after all. She approached Rachell and sat down in front of her. She looked up, recognition flashing in her eyes and said, "Hey. What do you want?" uncomfortably.
"Hey Hunter," Reese greeted, purposely saying her name wrong, "I think this is yours." She handed the photo to Rachell, and she quickly snatched it away.
"Yeah, it is," Rachell said, a mixture of relief and extreme distrust in her voice. "Where did you find it?"
"On the ground," Reese replied simply. There was a pause, until she decided to ask bluntly, "Who's Lilac?"
Rachell's expression fell, before reforming into it's guarded look. "None of your business."
But Reese had caught the flutter of love for the wolf girl in Rachell's eyes. Yup. Definitely gay, Reese thought. So that must mean that Rachell has moved away from her.. Ideas began clicking in her mind. Feeling satisfied, she said, "Fair enough," and turned away, back towards her friends. She stole a glance back at Rachell, but caught a glimpse of someone beside her. For a split second Reese thought she was seeing double, but the unmistakable look of hate was shooting from the double's eyes.
Glancing back at her friends, Reese shook her head. I'm going crazy.
Rachel's POV
That was really odd.. Rachell thought.
"Yeah, really! I mean she comes up to ya like it's nobody's business and asks about-.. grrr she just makes my blood boil!" Her other side said, gritting her teeth in the process. Rachell giggled, "I highly doubt you have blood.. You're not really a living thing."
Changing her gaze towards Rachell, her facial expression softened, giving in. "On the bright side, you don't have to have a panic attack about the photo no more!" her other side said with a chuckle. Rachell continued humming in reply, continuing her drawing. Before she knew it, lunch was over just like that and she had to walk to her next class, (which was art), so there was no need to put her sketchbook away. Rachell walked into the classroom. It looked like she came a bit earlier than the others so she had no choice but to wait.
"Can you do something other than draw? It's boring to just watch you all day." Her other side said, popping up next to her seat. Rachell just brushed her words off and continued in her sketchbook. I'm not a TV.
"Alright class, today I would like to introduce you to our new student, Rachell."
Rachell looked up and saw that the room was now full of students- and they were looking right at her.
"Please introduce yourself to the class." He said. Rachell nervously got up from her seat and said, "..Uh, hi. I'm Rachell and I come from another school. I'd rather be left alone alone…" she muttered the last part, luckily the teacher didn't hear it and signaled for Rachell to take her seat. She could spot a girl with black hair and Bendy looking at her, while sitting back down she sank into her hood and pulled it a bit tighter.
The lesson wasn't bad; it was one of her favourite subjects. The teacher got everybody to do a group project, something about planning out a picture and making it together if it's not done in time. (which they probably won't cuz it's a big piece of work), then it becomes homework for the group. This was horrible for Rachell- she doesn't know anyone!
"I will be assigning partners of three." After the teacher said that, groans were heard.
"Now, Harrison you will be with Lucas and Xavier, Cory you will-" the teacher kept calling group names until,"Rachell you will be with Night and Bendy. And that's it, start your projects."
Rachel's eyes went wide. Out of all the people it had to be one of her classmates that saw her photo. She could see two people coming over who she presumed as Bendy and Night.
"So Rachell.. What do you wanna do?" She heard Bendy's voice and looks up. Rachell sank further into her hood and quietly asked, "Is it ok if I did my part on my own…?"
Rachell's other side was behind Bendy, and telepathically told Rachel, "Bet they're gonna say 'no'.. The teacher will want us together or something like that."
And just like her other side predicted, they said the exact same thing.
Rachell sighed in defeat, "Yeah she was right," She muttered to herself.
Both of her partners looked at her quizzically.
"W-what did you say?" Night asked.
Rachell was quick to reply, "O-Oh nothing.." her words were a bit shaky. Nevertheless Rachell had forced herself to do the project, catching Bendy or Night looking at her with what looked like sympathy. Why? They're judging me.. Soon the class finished and the work was set as homework, so she had to go to her partners house for this. This day could not get any worse.
"Hey Rachell, have you got a minute?" It was Bendy. He came up to her before she was fully packed up, so she nodded and listened as she gathered her things.
"I.. I saw that photo, and you looked really upset. I just wanted to know if you were okay?"
Rachell froze. She looked at Bendy and her mouth opened- but then her whole body felt as though she had lost control over it.
"Why do you wanna know? It ain't any of ya business!" Her voice had venom in it, but she didn't say that! She would never.. and her accent was a bit different, it was her. Bendy looked taken aback from the sudden outburst and replied.
"I just figured I should check on you. You are new and you don't have any friends here.." he murmured. Rachell could tell he met her eyes and not Rachell's. He must've caught a glimpse of her..
Rachell was then given back control of her body, shivering as it happened. She got her bag with haste and headed out the door.
WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?! Rachel scolded her other side mentally. There was no reply. Rachell knew that taking control of her body drained her other side's energy, and it was stupid- but she couldn't blame her.. After all, she has a very short fuse, she told herself.
Rachell soon arrived at her next class- Language. She was just in time to sit down as the bell rang and the teacher gave instructions. Then, after everyone got to work the teacher pulled Rachell aside.
"I know it's so so hard to be new," She said with pity, "So I'm going to let you pass this assignment, okay? You can read for now."
Rachell tried not to glare at her. She treats me like a baby! She hissed in her mind. But instead she just nodded, and went back to her seat after the teacher patted her back.
"Tch.. What a dumb teacher," Rachell's other side commented, "Everyone either treats us like a snowflake, or like we've grown an extra head!"
You pretty much are an extra head, she thought to herself.
Her other side went on, "We'd better fix this.. Maybe it will go away, but I hate watching us do this."
"I agree," Rachell muttered, "But I think we'd better wait first.. It's not like we can really do anything."
She noticed that Hydro and Bendy were in this class, too. Rachell sighed and pulled out a book, then after a few chapters decided to draw again. The class went by quickly and she didn't have to socialize with anyone.
Next up was science, the last class of her day. Before I can finally go home, Rachell thought. Nothing quite happened there- just an easy pre-test, which she had already learned, despite hating science.
Soon enough she was on the bus heading home. Rachell and her other side had a conversation while she doodled in her sketchbook once more.
"I think you should make a note to Reese that says to back off," Her other side said, "Maybe we have to literally send her a message for her to leave us alone."
Rachell sighed, "I don't know.."
Her other side got angry. "But she's being so annoying! Doesn't she know to just leave us alone? What's she want, anyways?"
Rachell privately shared her frustration. Reese didn't have a good reason for this, did she? "Speak of the devil," Her other side said venomously, and Rachell looked up to see Reese coming towards them as the bus's engine turned on.
Reese's POV
Reese got on her bus, and it turned out Rachell was at the back with a seat next to her. This could be my chance! Reese thought, coming towards the seat next to Rachell. As Reese reached the seat Rachell's face looked like someone told her about her deepest secret because her eyes went a little wide before she looked up. To her horror- she saw Reese sitting next to her. She quickly focused back on her sketchbook.
"Hey, Hunter how are you?" Reese tried to start a conversation.
"It's Rachell, NOT Hunter!" Rachel corrected angrily.
Reese could see she was annoyed, and she could see a glimpse of anxiety and discomfort too.
"Alright, no need to get snappy about it.." she muttered. Then Reese could see the double again- giving a hateful glare.
There she is again! Why does it look like her so much? Is she a ghost?
Rachell got up and grabbed her stuff when her stop came, and as she got off, Reese watched her. As she looked outside the window she saw that figure still giving a hard glare. Man, if looks could kill.. Reese thought.
Soon she was home, thinking about the strange ghost. It's definitely real, and maybe that's who Rachell is talking to.. I just wonder why she's there?
Reese soon decided that she would confront Rachell tomorrow, and went into her room to start her homework.
Rachell's POV
Rachell walked home, glad to be off the bus and away from Reese's pressing stare. Beside her, her other side was going off.
"We need to do something about her!"
"I know.. I figured she'd back off, but.. I suppose I was wrong," Rachell agreed.
"A note ain't good enough. We should give her a good punch or two!"
"No way!" Rachell said, "We mustn't start any fights on our second day!"
"Tch.. Fine," Said her acquaintance, calming down a bit, "But I still hate her. And don't be surprised if I take control of us when she comes walkin our way!"
Rachell bit back a sigh as she stepped into her house.
...
Tuesday had begun. Rachell woke up and got ready for school, going onto the bus and managing to avoid Reese. At least, that's what she thought. When she was stepping off the bus to school Rachell noticed Reese had sat behind her. What a stalker!
"She's so creepy!" Her other side said, voicing Rachell's thoughts as she glared at the girl. "Yeah," Rachell muttered, stepping into the school. Luckily Reese didn't follow, as she probably had better to do- (Like exploding at Hydro). Soon enough Rachell was in Math. Bendy had already arrived, and was sitting in his assigned seat. Rachell joined him, anxious about him asking any questions.
Her fears became reality when he turned to her.
"Hey," he greeted. Rachell nodded in response. She didn't want to talk. Bendy, however, didn't get the message.
"I know you were upset yesterday, but.. Are you doing OK now? I know that being new is-"
Rachell cut him off. "I'm fine, and you can stop asking."
Bendy tried not to sigh. Disbelief shown clearly in his eyes, she turned to the front of the room where the teacher had just started talking.
"Today you will keep working on your usual assignments.. As for you, Reese, i'll fill you in with what we're doing."
The teacher pulled her aside and started to explain, but Rachell couldn't help cutting her off.
"I, uh.. I think my class was ahead before I moved. I already know all this," She said. The teacher nodded, "Alright, just do your own thing then. You can listen to music on your phone, but that's all."
Happy, Rachell went back to her seat and listened to music for the rest of the class period, and Bendy didn't talk to her.
As the bell rang and Rachell headed to Social Studies, she felt apprehension about Reese being in the next class. Then a bit of anger sparked inside of her. If she keeps talking to me then i'll just confront her about it! She decided fiercely.
Reese was already there when Rachell walked in, and she sat across from the girl in her usual seat. Reese didn't say anything, for she was fixed on her bellwork. Rachell did her own as well, and soon the lesson started. Today they were learning some new stuff, and Rachell, luckily, knew most of it. I'll have to struggle again when we're past all this, she thought. But then she remembered her old tactic. My other side can help me! If the teacher leaves out the answer sheet then she can go take a look at it and give me the answers, Rachell thought with satisfaction. But for now she was grateful for her prior knowledge.
As the teacher passed out a worksheet Reese looked at Rachell, as if she wanted to say something, but then thought the better of it. She looked to see her other side on the side of their table shooting an icy look at Reese.
"I think she sees you.." Rachell whispered.
"Oh, I know she can," her other side said, "I'm letting her catch glimpses of me. It works if I use a bit of my power.. She just can't hear me."
Rachell nodded, then said, "Could you get me the answer to 12? I don't remember it." Her other side nodded and floated to the teacher's desk, where she found the answer sheet. Rachell hoped Reese couldn't hear her, but the look in Reese's eyes told her otherwise.
…
It was break now, and Rachell sat under her usual tree, watching the students horseplaying around her. She longed to have friends of her own, but so far she had only made enemies. Rachell sighed. She spotted Bendy, Hydro, Reese, Night, and a few other people talking by the school doors. For a moment Reese caught her gaze, then turned back to listening to her friends. A spark of rage lit inside Rachell. I wish we never moved! She thought angrily, Everything would be normal if my stupid parents weren't so.. Stupid!
As if reading her thoughts, her other side hissed, "I know! We've lost so much that we have to get back. I hate having to watch us start over again! Not to mention Reese."
"Yeah, I can't stand her.. Every time I see her I just get so angry!"
"You should get to writing that note," Her other side suggested.
In her anger Rachell did so, writing on the note: Hey, Reese. This is from Rachell, and I'm warning you to back off! Stop following me, I know you aren't trying to befriend me.
Before she could finish, she heard footsteps approaching her on the concrete. Rachell turned and looked into the gaze of none other than Reese. Rachell's eyes widened and she covered up the writing with her sleeve, her anger being replaced by annoyance and a bit of fear. Meanwhile her other side groaned.
"Rachell," Reese said assertively, "I want to know who you're talking to."
She shot her an icy stare. "None of your business! I could ask you some questions, too!" Rachell's other side observed the confrontation from her side.
"Why have you been following me?" Rachell demanded, "And why did you steal my photo?"
"I'm not following you," Reese said, "And I didn't steal that! In fact, I gave it back to you," -Her eyes narrowed- "Now answer my question. Who are you talking to, and why can I see another you?"
I either lie and say she's seeing things, or admit it.. Rachell thought. But then her other side took control of her body, and she jerked upwards from her seat to stand face-to-face with Reese.
"Ya need to leave me alone," Her other side growled from Rachell's mouth.
Reese looked taken aback. My eyes go blue and purple when she's here.
But then she straightened. "Maybe I will if you tell me," she challenged.
Suddenly Rachell lunged at her, tackling her to the ground. Reese was shocked, and struggled out of her grip, clearly hating the sensation of being touched. "Fine," she hissed, "If you want to fight, I'll fight!"
Reese ran at her with a punch, which landed on Rachell's arm since she didn't move in time. She doubled back and pushed Reese to the ground once more, her head hitting the concrete. Reese looked dazed for a moment, then groaned in pain. Before Rachell could move someone bear-hugged her and dragged her away. As her other side left her body Rachell realized that Hydro had come to hold her back. She didn't struggle in his grip, and soon he let go, rushing to Reese as Night and Bendy reached her, too.
By now a small crowd had gathered around them, and Rachell managed to slip away to her table, where she gathered her things and hurried into the school.
When she had reached a quiet part of the inside cafeteria, Rachel turned to her worn-out looking other side. "What was that!?" She practically yelled.
"That was me defend'n us!" Her other side protested.
"Defending? You threw the punch first!"
"Yeah, well she had her warnings!"
"We're going to be in so much trouble!"
Her other side looked away, "I guess I was a bit too harsh."
"Yeah," Rachell scolded, "Don't do that again!"
"Fine, I won't," She promised, then looked past her. Her other side's eyes widened with fear. Rachell followed her gaze to see Hydro looming over her, a look of hate and confusion in his eyes.
"I-I'm sorry," Rachel started.
"Shut up," Hydro glared, "You've hurt my friend. Why did you attack her?"
Rachell couldn't tell him about her other side, so she explained, "I-I.. She's been watching me and asking me a lot of personal questions!"
Night appeared behind Hydro, a look of worry in her eyes. "H-Hydro.. It's alright, she'll be in trouble with the teachers.."
He looked at Night, then at Rachell, then back. "Fine," He said, fury still in his gaze, "But don't you dare do that again."
He didn't wait for an answer, but spun around and stalked back outside. Night followed him after mouthing 'sorry' to Rachell. Her breath got quicker, and anxiety pressed in. What do I do..? Rachell's thoughts flew back to her young days in the orphanage- getting in a fight worse than this one with a group of short-tempered boys. Anxiety pounded at her heart harder as she replayed vivid memories in her mind.
Being hurt as the boys snickered at me.
Taking kick after kick on the ground.
The boys blamed it on me- I got in trouble.
She shuddered, remembering Hydro looming over her. Rachell's breaths came faster and her vision blurred as tears filled her eyes. It was all the same. She didn't have a chance here. Stuck in her own head, she pulled her hoodie on and kept her head lowered, stumbling to her Theater class when she heard the bell ring. Almost as soon as she stepped into the classroom the teacher went up to her.
"You've been called to the Principal's office" she said, guiding her back out the door. Soon she was there, looking up through swollen eyes at the Counselor beckoning her into his room. Pull yourself together, Rachell told herself, sniffing and wiping her tears away. Her legs were shaking when she followed the teacher into his room, and Rachell was grateful to sit down.
The counselor looked at her. "You know why you're here?"
Rachell nodded, and they talked things out.
"I won't give you punishment, because i'm sure you were lashing out due to you being new," he said, "But you must thoroughly apologize to Reese. She's hurt the back of her head."
Rachell nodded solemnly, and got up. The teacher led her to the Nurse's office, and closed the door behind her so she could have a moment with Reese. Reese was sitting on a cot, a bandage around her head. It's not bleeding too bad, Rachell realized, relieved.
Reese looked up at her silently with the same guarded eyes she always wore.
Rachell broke the awkward silence. "I'm sorry.." She muttered, "It wasn't right to attack you like that, and I feel really bad.." She trailed off, wondering if she should also explain her other side, (who was watching silently). It's the reason the fight started in the first place..
"Yeah, I forgive you," Reese muttered, surprising Rachell, "I should've taken your warnings."
"Eheh.. At least we made the school news!" Rachell joked awkwardly, trying to brighten the mood. Reese's mouth cracked up into a small smile, "Yeah, that's true."
Then she looked at Rachell, serious. "So you aren't going to tell me what's up..?"
Rachell paused. I don't share this secret with just anyone.. But maybe she'll like me a bit more if I finally tell her what she wants to know.. I owe it to her. Beside her, her other side was shaking her head slightly. Rachell ignored her and turned to Reese.
"Alright.." Rachell said, "But you've got to hear me out."
…
It was lunch by the time the pair finished talking, and they both headed out to the schoolyard, where the first few students began to eat lunch. Rachell felt as though she and Reese were almost friends, or at least on good terms. Reese had believed Rachell's story when her other side appeared, (and also apologized). She promised to keep the secret, to Rachell's relief.
"Do you want to sit with me and my friends?" Reese offered. Rachell looked at the table they were heading towards, spotted Hydro, and stopped.
"I'm good.." She said.
Reese stopped too and turned, "Did he get angry at you?"
She nodded. "I-its alright though.. I'm sure he's overprotective."
Reese snorted, "That's putting it lightly. I'm surprised you're even here right now!"
Rachell laughed, but her voice was hollow. Hydro terrified her.
"Well I guess I'll cya later," Reese waved.
"Bye!" Rachell called after her, heading to her usual tree and settling down. She ate happily, glad to have cleared things up with Reese. She isn't so bad, Rachell thought, I think she's prickly and defensive.. But Reese still cares about people a lot. Her friend group, however, didn't seem fitting. Rachell's gaze drifted to the table of loud students. Reese was eating silently, watching them with an amused look in her eyes. She sure keeps her distance, Rachell observed.
Suddenly her other side appeared beside Rachell.
"Y'know I still don't like her guts, right?" she huffed, while Rachell rolled her eyes.
"Loner! Freak! Weak," Rachell then started to hear hey bully's voices out of nowhere. Eyes wide, her breathing got faster and she started sweating.
"No… No, no no no no no! This isn't happening," Rachell muttered she saw darkened figures looming over her. One was her former bully, who had left her traumatized. The other, tall, menacing one she knew as Hydro.
"You're just a weak freak." One voice said, "You snitch! Short-fuse!" Another said. Rachell curled into a ball now- her heart pounding out of her chest.
"Y-Your not real, go away!" Rachel almost shouted.
"Rachel...Rachell?...Rachell!" A Voice yelled. It was her other side, shaking her.
"H-Huh..?" Rachell blinked up, confused. She was at school.. but did not miss the expression of her companion next to her, breathing still fast shaky as sweat drops rolled down her head.
"I-I'm fine.. I just feel a bit dizzy-" She started to assure her.
But suddenly her eyes fluttered, and she wobbled and then hit the ground, passing out. The last thing she saw was her other side looking down and shouting something.
Reese's POV
Reese was just sitting at her table eating peacefully and watching her friends chat amongst themselves when she saw Rachel's doppelgänger trying to get her attention, waving her arms and shouting. "Got to go," Reese muttered, turning away from her friends. They didn't usually notice she was gone, since she was decently quiet. Reese jogged over, concerned by the urgency in.. 'Rachell 2's" movements. What happened? As she looked down, she saw Rachell passed out on the ground.
"What happened?! She was fine a moment earlier!" Reese exclaimed.
The doppelgänger shook her head. "I think she had a flashback or something.." she trailed off, eyeing Reese suspiciously. Fine, Reese thought, Keep your secrets. I've got a friend to help.
Reese bolted back to the table. Hydro was looking at her curiously. "Cmon," She said, and he got up to follow her.
"What is it?"
"Rachell has passed out. I'll go find a teacher and you'll watch her to see if she wakes up." Reese explained, running off again.
After a minute or two Reese headed inside and found her Math teacher on lunch duty. "Hey!" She waved him down, and he walked up. "That new student- Rachell? She's passed out by one of the cherry trees!"
Rachell's POV
Rachell groaned, her eyes fluttering open. The blossoms of the cherry tree drifted above her, and she sat up, remembering what had happened. With a jolt she realized someone was with her.
"There you are," A familiar voice said beside her. She turned her head in terror to see Hydro, crouched down with a distrustful but slightly worried look in his eyes. Rachell's memories came back all over again. All she could see was his now scowling face, ready to throw a punch. She jumped backwards, realizing that she had imagined it, but fled anyway. She hadn't taken two steps when her legs gave out from trembling and she stumbled to the ground again. Glancing behind her she saw Hydro had followed her. His tall figure was amplified by Rachell's point of view, and she froze.
"Snitch! You'll regret ever messing with me and my buddies!"
-Push-
"Hah, yeah!"
-Kick-
"Weakling- look at her, she can't even get up!"
-Kick-
"Go on, why don'tcha fight back, huh?"
-Kick-
Rachell's mind was in a flurry of memories, and Hydro's face replaced theirs. This is NOT real! He's just standing there! But he reminded her too much of her former tormentors, and a yell escaped her mouth. Hydro took a step back, looking confused and frustrated.
"Dude! Are you okay?" He asked. Rachell didn't reply, and it felt like her heart was running a marathon out of her chest. Her head throbbed with painful memories, and it felt like days that she was locked gazes with Hydro, before her math teacher came between them with Reese looking worriedly from his side.
…
Rachell wasn't physically hurt, but she lay in the nurse's office, trying to calm down. Her other side stood in front of her, arms folded.
"If only Reese hadn't got Hydro, of all people for help!" She said.
Rachell looked up at her angrily. "Why do you still hate her? She's the one who helped me in the first place."
Her other side nodded reluctantly. "I guess that's true. But hey, what exactly happened back there..?"
Rachell shook her head. "I just was.. Attacked, almost, by my thoughts.." She murmured, "I started hearing their voices and the next thing I knew Hydro was there, and he looks exactly like their leader!" She shuddered.
Her other side nodded understandingly, her own look of remembrance sparked her gaze. "He is still mad at us, I think.."
Rachell was about to let out a small sob, but she stopped herself when the door clicked open. Reese poked her head through. "Rachell?"
"O-oh, uh.. Hey," she greeted, nodding for her to come in.
Reese closed the door behind her and stared at Rachell, her brow furrowed. "You don't look so good." She stated.
Rachell figured her terror must be showing in her eyes as she replied, "Yeah.. Don't worry, I just- um.. Had a flashback. It was pretty bad.."
Reese sighed, "Hydro didn't threaten you, did he?"
"Well.. No, he just.. Reminds me of someone horrible.." She explained awkwardly, not wanting to offend Reese. Reese seemed to get that and said, "He's scary on his bad side.. But maybe if you get to know him you'll see that he's not so bad."
Rachell was surprised to hear that from Reese, since she was constantly yelling at him. The prospect of making friends with Hydro made Rachell shudder. A part of her felt bad for being scared of Hydro, since he didn't do anything, but the images of her past still lingered in her mind.
"Maybe," Rachell said, snapping into reality, "When is lunch gonna end..?"
Reese glanced at the clock. "In about two minutes- we had best get going. If you feel like going to class, that is," She added. Rachell nodded and got up from her seat in response, leaving the dim room and joining Reese as she headed into the halls.