(Winter Ball's End)
*December 2nd, 1941*
*12:05 am*
*Miller Manor*
Anya and Judith walked back inside after chatting for a few minutes.
"I had a good time with you. You and Louise were nice to me. I finally understand that being a hateful person doesn't make things better, so I must be a better and more kind person," Judith said to Anya, smiling at her as Anya smiled back.
"I'm glad. I hope people like Megan, Neville, and Lisa would understand." Anya responded while Judith smiled back in a smug way.
"Oh, don't worry! I'm sure they'll understand. They're my closest friends, while Neville is my closest family member, so they should be understanding." Judith responded while patting her new friend on the shoulder, making Anya smile back.
"I hope so if I'm being honest; however, don't be afraid to cut them out or at least distance yourself from them if their behavior starts to affect you, okay? You deserve to be with people who are kind and uplifting." Anya advised Judith, patting her on the shoulder, and Judith nodded in agreement.
"I'll keep that in mind. We should also see what Calvin is doing. I bet he's worried sick about me, so let's head back to the ballroom." Judith responded, looking over in the direction of the ballroom as she and Anya began to walk toward their destination.
"Got it, and Calvin might be looking for us, so there's a chance we might bump into him." Anya responded to Judith again, walking across the hallway with her new friend.
The two girls continued to walk until they reached the ballroom, and there, they saw many guests departing for the night with the music slowly winding down.
Anya and Judith walked a little more until stopping to see Calvin and Louise.
"Anya, Judith! Where have you guys been?! We've been searching for you two?!" Calvin spoke to the two girls with concern and joy while Louise nodded.
"I heard about the fight. I hope everything is okay, Judith. I know Emily can get carried away at certain times." Louise also spoke to Judith with concern, waiting for an answer from Judith.
"Everything is okay. I talked with Anya and managed to vent to her, so everything should be good. Also, I'm friends with Anya now, so we've officially put our differences aside." Judith responded to Louise and Calvin.
The news surprised them as they had rather expressive looks on their faces.
"W-Wait?! You and Anya are friends now?! That's wonderful! I'm glad to hear that.." Calvin spoke to Judith again, smiling warmly at his former friend while Anya and Judith smiled back.
"Of course, I realized that being mean just wouldn't work. I've hurt so many people in the past to lift myself due to my insecurities; however, it's thanks to you, Anya, and Louise that you three made me realize the error of my ways; in short, I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart." Judith responded, smiling at the trio, which made them smile back as Calvin walked closer to his former friend.
"Of course, I didn't expect this to work; however, I'm glad it did. I've known you since we were kids. I know there's good in you, and I'm glad it managed to come out, but do you want to be friends again, just like the good old days?" Calvin spoke to Judith again, reaching out for a handshake, which pleased Judith with the development.
"Of course, and don't worry. I won't be jealous and may still have romantic feelings toward you. I don't want it to get in the way of you and your future lover.." Judith responded to Calvin joyfully, looking at Anya when referring to lover before looking back at Calvin. Calvin blushed at this as he began to react to Juditn's words.
"I-I guess we're friends again, but w-what do you mean by that, If I may ask?" Calvin asked his friend, blushing while Judith playfully smiled at him.
"Come on! I know you quite well. I don't want to get in the way of you, and whoever it is, you might want to date, so I'll push my feelings for you aside; however, you better treat her, right? Don't make her cry or anything." Judith advised Calvin, smiling at him while Louise picked up on who Judith referred to while Anya was clueless.
"A-Are you sure? I mean, I promised you I'll take you out on a date once this is over, but if it interferes with what you said, perhaps we could cancel.." Calvin responded once more while Judith laughed to herself before speaking yet again.
"Oh, don't cancel. I'm sure she'll understand. You promised me, so don't fall back on it, okay?" Judith spoke to Calvin again, chuckling while Louise nodded in agreement. Anya was confused, unaware that Judith was referring to her.
"W-Wait?! Calvin has a crush on someone?! I wonder who the lucky girl is? It can't be me since he already likes me in such a manner, but perhaps it could be Nancy, Claudia, or someone else.." Anya spoke out while placing her fingers on her chin to think about everything while Louise and Judith chuckled at this, staring at their friend.
"Oh, Anya, if only you knew who we are talking about, but perhaps you'll get it someday." Judith teasingly responded to her new friend, chuckling while Anya remained confused.
"Tell meee! I wanna know if only Calvin is okay with it." Anya responded playfully before laughing once more with her friends.
"A-Anya doesn't know Judith is referring to her? How strange, but I guess she doesn't want to acknowledge that Calvin still has feelings for her.." Louise thought to herself while continuing to laugh with her brother and friends.
The gang would eventually gather their thoughts and begin walking toward the ballroom, where they would eventually meet with Mrs Hamilton and Emily in hopes of conversing with them.
"Granddaughter, where have you been? I heard you attacked Emily and ran off like you were a baby. Explain, you disappointment!" Mrs. Hamilton scolded her granddaughter, glaring at her while Emily appeared to look rather "scared" of Judith, although it was clear she was faking it to gain sympathy.
"Grandmother, me and Emily were talking; however, she began talking badly about me, saying that I was better off dead and other hurtful things which led me to attack her. Please understand that I'm tired of Emily's behavior, and obviously, that's no excuse for my awful behavior towards others." Judith responded calmly despite feeling hurt by her grandmother's words.
"She's lying! I wanted to have a kind conversation, and all I can remember is my cousin attacking me like a wild animal! Don't believe her lies." Emily lied, pointing at Judith frantically.
"Stop lying, Emily. We all know the truth; even Alice vouched for Judith. We all know you provoked Judith, leading to her attacking you, so you've brought all of this upon yourself, okay? Be honest and admit your mistakes." Calvin advised his friend sternly as he glared at her while Judith and the others nodded in agreement.
Emily would look at them before looking at her grandmother, who glared at them before turning her direction back to Emily herself.
"Is this true? You know how I feel about liars in the family. You should know by now." Mrs Hamilton strictly asked Emily while she waited for an answer.
Emily hesitated to answer truthfully at first; however, she realized no point in lying further and began to speak.
"I-It's true. I was only speaking my mind; I-I'm sorry.." Emily apologized to her grandmother while looking down, which conflicted the woman.
"I see. E-Emily, you could have told me the truth. I shall be contacting your parents once the party's over. I'm disappointed in you." Mrs Hamilton scolded Emily as she saw her granddaughter nod in shame.
"S-Sorry for insulting you, Judith. I-I was only showing you tough love, but it seems that's too much." Emily apologized to her cousin, crossing her arms while Mrs Hamilton looked at Judith.
"And you! You should be ashamed of attacking your cousin in such a manner. It's an embarrassment to the family. Another year of you being a disappointment to the family. You should also apologize to Emily so we can finally move on from this madness." Mrs Hamilton scolded Judith, strictly glaring at her; however, Judith remained firm and calm.
"Look, I know I'm not successful like Emily; however, that still doesn't give you the right to call your granddaughter a disappointment. I'm trying my best, and that's what matters. Am I perfect? No. I'm an awful person; however, you know damn well that it's not me being what I used to be, It's more comparing my success to Emily, and It hurts, it honestly hurts; however, if you still want to call me a disappointment then go ahead, just remember that I know who and what I am, and you don't. I'm trying to do something at least." Judith vented to her grandmother while Anya, Louise, and Calvin nodded in agreement.
"Judith is right. Being judgmental and playing favorites within your family doesn't work out in your favor, so please try to understand her side of things." Calvin also advised Judith's grandmother, hoping to reach out to the woman.
Mrs Hamilton appeared conflicted after hearing those words, and after a few seconds, the old woman chuckled to herself before speaking again.
"Kids these days! Each young generation grows a backbone toward the older generations, but fine. I'll lower my tough love on Judith and treat her more kindly; however, this doesn't mean I will be all nice." Mrs Hamilton responded, looking away while doing so, which caused Judith and the others to let out a few cheers, much to the old woman's dismay.
"Thank you for at least trying to understand. I know things between Judith and you aren't good; however, please know that Judith wants to feel good about herself, and that starts with people closest to her, okay?" Anya also spoke to Mrs Hamilton, smiling at her and giving her a thumbs up.
During the ongoing events, Emily would make eye contact with Judith again, this time feeling guilty.
"J-Judith, I-I'm sorry once again. I should have been the bigger person and left you alone. You had every right to attack me. I was provoking you when I shouldn't have." Emily apologized once more but with more sympathy this time while Judith smiled, hugging her.
"You're forgiven. If I'm going to change, I can't hold any grudges, so I must forgive you, my cousin." Judith responded, hugging Emily tightly as both girls continued to share the same warm embrace.
The final hour of the Winter Ball would continue to go rather peacefully as Anya and the rest of her friends continued having fun amongst each other, drinking Apple Cider while watching fireworks together as one big friend group.
Louise was talking with Calvin, the twins, and Emily while Anya and Judith were chatting with each other.
"Maan, I'm tired! I did not expect the event to go on for this long, but I'm having a good time, and that's what counts, right?" Anya spoke to her friends while Judith, Calvin, and the others nodded in agreement.
"I could say the same, my good friend. If it weren't for you or Calvin, I would have been my old mean self, so thank you again." Judith thanked Anya, smiling at her before kissing her on the cheek as a token of friendship while Anya smiled back.
"Of course, helping those in need is what I do best." Anya responded as both girls shared a small smile. During this, Judith noticed Alice standing alone and motioned her hand so that Alice could join them.
"Alice, come sit with us. You are important to the friend group as well." Judith advised Alice, smiling warmly at her, which made the young girl smile brightly.
"R-Really!? Thanks! I'll sit with you guys.." Alice responded before running towards her friend and new friend, smiling warmly at them.
Alas, the shared memories of youth and joy will always be something to remember.
The Winter Ball was a night that changed Judith's life for the better. From a girl who hated Anya to a girl who gained love and respect for Anya.
*End of Winter Ball Arc*