Chapter 35 Walk with Me
I SPEND MOST of my weekend getting ahead on my reading assignments for both of my classes, using them as a distraction to forget what transpired during the party, both the good and the bad.
I sit at my desk as I read for my Personal Health/Wellness class, taking notes by hand.
I know it’d be easier to use my laptop, but I prefer to stick to pen and paper.
For my American Literature class, I move to the comfort of my bed instead after having spent a few hours sitting.
I immerse myself in the words of Kate Chopin in The Awakening , realizing how ahead of its time it was.
Before I know it, it’s Monday, and fear courses through my body when I arrive on campus.
I’m scared to see Yana in class after what happened at the party, fearing not for myself as much as for Ellie, mainly, because I know Perla has grown a thick skin to keep things from affecting her.
By no means do I think that Ellie is weak, but, of the three of us, I sense that she’s the most vulnerable to whatever Yana may have in store.
Part of me hopes the fight with Perla may have been a wake-up call for Yana, but I have a feeling that she’s not the type to let things like that go. As I trudge toward class, I hear laughter and whispers, and, in the distance, I can see Ellie staring at her cell phone, tears in her eyes.
Oh, no . I grab my backpack straps and rush over to her. “Ellie!”
She shoots me a quick glance before picking up her backpack and brushing past me. I rush to catch up with her as she enters the bathroom and locks herself in one of the stalls.
“Ellie…”
“I’m fine, Klara.” Her voice sounds pained and I know she’s crying.
“What happened?”
“An anonymous account just posted a bunch of stuff about me online, making fun of me for being the same as I was in high school, but I’m fine. I should be used to it by now.”
“This is harassment. No one should have to get used to something like that. Come on, we’ll go to the dean to report that account, we know who it was.”
“It won’t make any difference. We have no proof.”
“Ellie,” I plead, “please open the door.”
She swings the stall door open and it breaks my heart to see how red her face is from crying. She’s sitting on top of the closed toilet lid, sniffling, her eyes full of tears.
“Hey, maybe you’re right,” I say, crouching down in front of her and conjuring up my best smile. “But this issue won’t just solve itself if we sit back and do nothing. Besides, you’re forgetting something very important.”
“What?”
“You’re not alone.” I clasp her hands in mine. “It’s one for all and all for one.”
Ellie smiles. “Thank you, Klara. But I still don’t want to go to the dean’s office. Besides, it’s not like we can just barge in through her door and demand to speak with her.”
She has a point, but I’m not one to give up so easily, at least I’m trying not to be anymore.
I march to Mrs. Barnes’s office, with Ellie trailing behind me.
Outside the dean’s office, I explain the situation to her secretary, who, after consulting with the dean, says she has twenty minutes to spare. But it’s just as Ellie feared.
“Do you have any proof that it was Yana?” the dean asks.
“No, but we know it was her.”
“I don’t doubt your words, girls, but in order to file a formal complaint, we’d need proof, especially with a matter as sensitive as online harassment.”
“Mrs. Barnes, this is clearly Yana taking revenge. She got into a fight with Ellie and Perla at a party on Friday, after the game, and we’re sure—”
“Klara,” the dean interrupts, “that happened off-site, not here at the college, so I can’t intervene. I can only focus on what happens here. I’ll talk to Yana.”
“She’ll deny it, obviously.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s all I can do.”
Ellie and I exchange disappointed glances.
So this is where the system fails us; this is why so many people who experience any form of harassment suffer in silence without saying a word—because nobody will do anything to help them.
They tell you to speak up, but, at least here, that’s just lip service.
When it comes down to things, nothing gets done.
We leave the dean’s office and I can see the dejectedness on Ellie’s face. I put an arm around her. “Everything is going to be okay,” I assure her.
“Ladies!” Perla looks gorgeous today with her hair in two braids on either side of her face. She’s wearing a long, flowy baby-blue skirt with a tight white top. Perla’s style is so cool and always gives a relaxed vibe. “Are you okay?” she asks Ellie.
She nods.
“I got your message. What did Mrs. Barnes say?”
“That she’ll talk to Yana. But I’m sure she’ll deny everything.”
“Oh, she definitely will, that rat bastard…”
I raise an eyebrow. “Wow. Your insults are evolving.”
Ellie smiles, and I’m so happy to see it. “We’re going to need to work on our insults,” she says as we move down the hall.
“Okay,” Perla says enthusiastically, “enlighten us.”
“Well, we want to keep it classy, not crude. The person won’t even understand what we’re calling them because they’re so wholly uncultured.”
“I’m not sure I’m all that cultured,” I admit.
“Ditto,” says Perla.
“Don’t worry, I’ll explain every insult to you.”
“Perfect.”
Ellie sighs and takes our hands. Her serene expression is enough to shift the mood. The simple fact of having someone, of not being alone in hard times, changes everything.
We walk into class together and, luckily, Yana isn’t there. Diego has his head down on his desk, and he’s wearing sunglasses. I’m sure he’s asleep. I sit behind him and begin poking him in the back with a pencil until he wakes up.
“I wasn’t asleep,” he says, adjusting his glasses.
“You’ve got a little drool here,” Perla teases, pointing to her mouth.
He wipes his face, even though there’s nothing there.
“Did you stay up late playing video games again?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“What video games? Maybe I’ve been partying and drinking at Congress Social with a bunch of hot girls.” He smiles.
I give him an incredulous look.
He sighs. “Yeah, I was at home gaming. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re playing online. Oh, I played Kang yesterday and I kicked his ass.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Diego gasps exaggeratedly and takes off his sunglasses. “You insult me.”
“What games are you into?” Ellie asks, so softly that it’s hard for us to hear. She clears her throat. “Maybe you and I can play online sometime.”
“No offense, Ellie, but I don’t want to have to kick your ass.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You assume you’ll beat me because I’m a girl?”
Diego scratches the back of his neck. “No, no; I didn’t mean that.”
“Then, challenge accepted? Or are you too scared?”
Diego smiles slyly. “Challenge accepted.”
They stare at each other for a second and Perla and I exchange a mischievous glance. There is a palpable chemistry between them. I can sense it even if Diego hasn’t noticed it.
Wow, Klara, you’ve barely had your first kiss and now you think you’re some kind of matchmaker .
My cheeks burn as I remember Kang’s face so close, the gleam in his eyes, the feel of his lips on mine…
A part of me still can’t believe it happened.
All weekend I was barely able to sleep or pay attention to the things Kamila and Andy talked about.
I hope I don’t get too nervous if I see Kang today.
We’ve been texting, but we haven’t seen each other since the party on Friday.
Since we kissed, my first kiss. A huge grin spreads across my face every time I think about that moment.
I shake my head and try to pay attention to the lecture, which has just begun.
We walk to the cafeteria together after class, rolling our eyes at Diego, who’s narrating another one of his crazy stories.
Ellie watches him and lets out a sigh. Perla, for her part, shakes her head.
This has now become a part of my routine before going home, the cafeteria no longer an unfamiliar setting and the company of my friends making me feel comfortable and safe.
“Have you seen that new action movie that just came out?” Diego asks. “We should all go together. Going to the movies is more fun as a group.”
“I like horror movies,” says Perla. “Blood and gore.”
“Me too,” Ellie agrees. I’m glad she’s feeling comfortable enough to open up more, and she seems to have put Yana’s revenge behind her. “Not blood and gore, but more suspenseful, psychological horror,” she clarifies.
Diego shakes his head. “And here I thought you were such sweet young ladies,” he teases them. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter what the movie is, we should go, right?”
That reminds me of my date with Kang on Wednesday.
Only two days away! I still have to tell Kamila.
I remember Kang’s strange reaction when he saw my sister.
I’m dying to ask him about it, but I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.
I thought about asking Kamila, but I didn’t dare. For some reason, that’s way worse.
“That’s a great idea. Wanna go this weekend?” Perla says.
I nod; I have no plans. In fact, I think it’s the first time in ages that I’ve had plans twice in one week: with my friends and with… Kang.