Chapter 184: This girl is scaring me now

Minutes ago...

"I hate that girl. Even though I pity her in a way, she put it upon herself."

"It’s a good thing she was transferred to the bottom section. It’s much more peaceful in our class without her and Patricia in it."

Nina stopped in her tracks when she heard these remarks come from Ginnie and Lily. She held her breath and lowered her head, turning her back.

’Forget it,’she told herself, pressing her lips into a thin line. ’It doesn’t matter, I guess?’

Nina dragged her feet to leave, as she didn’t want to hear more of this. She didn’t want to listen more, especially hear whatever Penny had got to say. She already told herself not to wallow in hatred, but if she heard Penny say anything, Nina knew she might slide back to the miserable and dreadful darkness in her heart.

However, her steps stopped when Penny spoke.

"I don’t hate Nina."

Nina held her breath, but this time, out of surprise.

"What I hate is what she had done... If you put yourself in her shoes, you’d understand her fears," were Penny’s remarks so sincerely without any tinge of arrogance or any other intention just to make herself feel better.

Slowly, Nina turned around and peeked at Penny. Her heart clenched when Penny smiled genuinely and humbly.

"We’re only human, after all. We might not forget, but at the same time, who are we to not forgive?"

Nina’s heart was filled with remorse upon hearing that.

A thin layer of tears coated her eyes, shameful at her initial thoughts just now. Although she was trying, she simply couldn’t erase all the bad habits and destructive assumptions was used to.

She felt so shameful, at the same time, determined. Hence, before she knew it, she showed herself to Penny’s small group of friends.

Nina stood several feet from the three, eyes on them.

"Huh?" Lily furrowed her brows and glanced up at Penny. Seeing that Penny was staring in a direction, she shifted her gaze. Her lips instantly curved down at the sight of Nina, releasing Penny as she straightened her back.

Ginnie also noticed this and snapped her eyes in Nina’s direction. The moment her gaze fell on Nina, Ginnie felt alert.

"What are you doing here, Nina?" Lily stood from her seat and stood protectively in front of her friends. "If you’re here to cause trouble, please forget about it. Not today."

Ginnie also found the courage to stand beside Lily. "Nina, please, don’t make more trouble for all of us."

Nina pursed her lips and darted at her former classmates. "I didn’t come here to stir trouble." Like usual, her voice was meek, but it didn’t carry the usual distress tone in it.

"Oh?" Lily arched a brow and nodded. "Then why are you here?"

"I..." Nina cleared her throat and glanced at the small figure behind them. "Penny, can we talk?"

"You can’t!" Lily shook her head. "Nina, I’m sorry, but I don’t think Penny should talk to you."

Ginnie nodded. "Sorry, Nina. But after what you’ve done, we might’ve moved on from it, but we’ll never forget."

Penny sighed as she darted her eyes between Lily and Ginnie’s back. Surely, her friends weren’t just reliable. They were a little overprotective too. Not that she didn’t understand where they were coming from.

"I know that and I understand," Nina sighed. "I just... I just want to talk to Penny."

"And I said no. I’m sorry." Lily’s answer was quick while shaking her head. "Maybe after a few years, but not right now."

Penny let out a soundless chuckle. "Lily, it’s okay."

When Penny spoke, Ginnie and Lily quickly faced Penny.

"But Penny, it’s still not safe," Ginnie whispered. "It’s the most important time of the year."

Lily also whispered. "What if she causes trouble again and frames you? We can’t take any chances."

"It’s okay," Penny nodded reassuringly. "Even if she plans something, I’m prepared."

She nodded until she saw her friend’s firm opposition break. "I got this."

"Fine, but we’ll stay close," Lily squinted and cast Ginnie a meaningful look. Ginnie’s eyes behind her glasses fired up, nodding.

"Well, fine!" Lily, like Penny’s handler, faced Nina. "But we’re warning you, Nina. If you got any funny plans, I will not hesitate to report you."

Nina studied the fire and doubt swirling in Lily’s and Ginnie’s eyes. If this was before, it would irritate her. However, Yugi was always like this at home — doubtful and honest. So, in a way, Nina got a bit used to it.

"Don’t worry. You can stay nearby," she offered, only to hear Lily say, "Of course we will!"

After saying that, Lily and Ginnie gave Penny another determined look before they left. The two of them just sat at the nearest table separately. They did this so they could see every angle, in case Nina would pull any of her tricks.

Ignoring this, Nina approached Penny and stopped three steps away from her.

"Penny," she called, staring into Penny’s eyes.

"What?"

Penny’s round eyes blinked, not giving the same skeptical look her friends carried, nor the disdain and ridicule others would give Nina. Back then, all Nina was used to being looked at was adoration and understanding — nothing else. So, whenever Penny was looking at her with this same look, all sorts of ideas would cross her mind and she would assume it was out of negativity.

But after her horrible and humbling experience, Penny’s gaze was now clearer to her. It wasn’t as Nina assumed it was before. She couldn’t discern what kind of look it was, but Nina was certain it was a look that didn’t contain judgment.

It was refreshing in a way.

"Just now... I still kind of hate or resent you," Nina confessed, smiling bitterly. "I will not deny that I was expecting you to say something kind and use my horrible actions just to make yourself look better."

Penny furrowed her brows. "You heard that? You’re stalking me now?" she pouted and crossed her healthy pair of arms under her chest. "Are you obsessed with me?"

"I’m not..." Nina let out a defeated sigh, still observing the look in Penny’s eyes. Yet, even though Penny was frowning and narrowing her eyes, it didn’t feel as humiliating as the usual look from others. "I’m just saying that because that’s... something I’d do."

This time, Penny’s brows rose. "What did you say?"

"I said it’s something I’d do," Nina repeated in difficulty, but she still did. "It’s embarrassing, isn’t it?"

Penny’s squinting eyes slowly returned to normal. ’I heard her the first time,’ she thought and only asked that because she thought she was hearing things.

But alas... she didn’t.

Nina did admit saying something good to someone in front of others to make herself look good was something she would do!

’This girl is scaring me now!’