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21. It Still Hurts, You Know
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Mr Potter?" I ask, now standing up. We stare at each other for a while before breaking into small laughter.
"Oh my goodness, how long has it been?" Mr Potter asks, shaking my extended hand.
"Ten years, I guess." Says Kate, now standing up too.
"Katelyn Akirdnach?" He asks before Kate offers her hand.
"It's good to see you again sir." Mr Potter laughs in delight again before shaking her hand. After the hearty reunion, Mr Potter sighs, saying.
"Goodness! Look at you two! All grown up! I have been away from country for five years now on business. Just returned a week ago. The last time I saw you guys was during High school graduation. And now you are both what? Working?" Mr Potter beamed at both of us, waiting for answers.
"Yes, I'm a lawyer at Trust and co. Kate's an airhostess." Kate looked at her feet as I said the words, knowing all too well that she wasn't an airhostess anymore, but I wasn't planning on mentioning that right n
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Oak Tree 22. Ben
“Can I come in?” “Can I say no?” I laugh lightly, unsure of what to reply. Ben steps aside, making place for me to walk in. Ben is a really nice guy. Among the three friends, if I were to choose one as the best gentleman, it would be Ben. Like I said, Ben and I aren’t that close, never were. But Ben knows how to make you feel at home. I have never actually had much in common with Joseph, so I really can’t speak for him. As for Charlie, well…you already know. “I’m sorry I called in so late, I had planned this visit thirty minutes ago myself.” I say, leaving my over coat on a rack and following Ben to the massive kitchen. “Don’t be. I don’t mind if any of my friends from the circle shows up. I get really lonely here. Would you like something to drink? Beer?” Ben asked with a smile, walking forward to open the refrigerator. I shake my head as I sit down on one of the counter stools. “Thanks but no. I can’t drink now. Water will be good.”
Oak Tree 23. FLASHBACK [Enemies, Pranks And Love]
16thMarch 2016,“Hey! Look! It’s Lara.” Someone whispered behind me. I lifted my head up from the novel I was reading and found that the whole class had gone pin drop silent at the arrival of Lara, who had been missing school for the last four days. Laras eyes were fixed on the floor, as if taking one look at any of us would make her barf. Whispers escaped from every corners of the room. They were all talking. All except the three of us. we stared at Lara with a blank expression on our faces, before I finally decided I had enough and buried my nose back in the book. Kate and Jos followed suit.One might say it was rude of us to stare like that. But we couldn’t help it. before we knew it, the three of us were already staring. Not because we were shocked at her guts to show up in school after the earfu
Oak Tree 24. Charlie And I
“Stop it guys!” She said shyly, slapping my arm. I winced playfully, showing that I was hurt. Kate, on the other hand, couldn’t stop herself from smirking continuously.“What was that for? And stop what? We didn’t even do anything. Yet.”Jos eyes grew wide, as if what I just said was murder itself. I smirked along with Kate, folding our hands over our chests.“Oh you wouldn’t dare!” Jos hissed, glaring at us. But that didn’t help her cause at all.“Oh we do dare!” Kate hissed back playfully, and that’s all it took for the two of us to jump on Jos and tackle her to the ground, tickling.Jos shrieked and laughed, trying to steady her voice through all the laughter and command us to stop. But all that came out was muffled words, which Kate and I didn’t bother listening. Thank goodness the school was almost empty, leaving this corridor completely
Oak Tree 25. Pig's Blood
The next day, when we would arrive at school, a surprise will be waiting for us in our lockers. Buckets of pig blood for a blood bath. Jos and Kate have blood phobia, and every one in school knew about it after an incident in the biology lab. I had lied saying I had blood phobia as well, just to make it the three of us together. It angered me a lot, to think that someone could go to this extent to hurt someone. If a person who has blood phobia touched even a drop of blood feels nauseous. Bathing in a bucket of blood would just kill the person. Rihanna that bitch had no heart. If she loved Ben that she was supposed to do something to convince him to love her, not something that would make him hate her. So Ruby completed us on the last part of the plan. The buckets will be placed in our lockers after the end of school by some of Rihannas goons. Which means, she would have nothing to do with this incident, keeping her hands clean. Clever bitch.
Oak Tree 26. When Relations Break
10th September 2027,"Kate! Breakfast is ready!” I call out, flipping the pan cake over in the pan one last time before placing it in a plate with two other pan cakes, pouring maple syrup over them. A few minutes later, Kate walks in, still in her sleeping shorts and smiley emoji t-shirt. Rubbing her eyes, she sits down on one of the stools in the kitchen counter, sleep still lingering in her eyes.“Did you wash your face?” I ask, pouring some of the pan cake mixture on the pan, not turning around to see if she has or hasn’t because I already knew she didn’t, because this happened every morning. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I hear the stool creak with movement, Kates footsteps echoing as she walks to the washroom to wash her face.ate! Breakfast is ready!” I call out, flipping the pan cake over in the pan one last time before placing it in a plate with two other pan cakes, po
Oak Tree 27. One Little Drink
I’m having a splitting head ache. Like a really bad head ache. Crying your heart out first thing in the morning can be really unhealthy, I’ll give you that. And right now, all I can do is sulk over it. Work has been boring. No other case seems interesting to me until I figure out Joslyn’s case. Wow! So much for Kate’s pep talk!I have been waiting for information from Grayson, but still nothing has come. And that’s adding more fuel to my terrible temper right now. Working hours aren’t over yet, but I still leave early, something I do quite frequently these days I have come to realize.Walking out of the building, my phone vibrates so I take it out of my coat pocket. It’s a call from Charlie.I grit my teeth before pocketing the phone back, not bothering to even disconnect the call. He has been calling me ever since the day I went to visit Ben. And something is telling me that the sudden calls surely have something to do
Oak Tree 28. Some People Never Change
“Very much well Mrs Connor.” I say after forcefully breaking the not very pleasant hug. But Mrs. Connor doesn’t let go off my arm. She holds on to me as if I’m the only person she can see. As if Kate is completely invisible.Come to think of it, she didn’t even greet Kate, nor did she look at her once. Kate has been her least favourite student, but I had no idea she would dislike her even when Kate is an adult now. And me? Why is she being so nice to me? Is it because I was the only one among the many people she tortured who did not fire back? Does she think I did that because I had learnt my lesson and understood how very correct she was on torturing us? That we were her students and she was our teacher so she could do just anything she wanted with us?Hell no!But there is nothing I can do about it. A lot has happened since then, which also resulted in Joslins death. There is already so much in my head to be concern
Oak Tree 29. Evidence
12th September 2027,Two days have passed since Kate had moved out. Kate had finally decided to accept Joseph’s proposal for staying at his place. I never understood why she didn’t just stay with him from the very beginning itself, but I guess it had something to do with me.The fact that I’m the only one who’s staying all alone, like a spinster, not that I’m an oldie or something, just maybe, seeing me living alone with no partner to look after me just made Kate want to be like that as well. Or maybe it was just her company since they were the ones providing her an apartment.It kind of makes me lonely at times as well, thinking that even after ten years have passed, I’m still the same single Roselyn Arahoz I was all my life. Unlike my two best friends, Joslyn and Katelyn, who are already engaged and are to be wedded soon, at least Joslyn was going to be as well, none of that is yet p
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Oak Tree 55. Epilogue
5th January 2028,Dust kicks out underneath us, the dried dead leaves crunching as the car comes to a halt, and I step out immediately.The warmth of the car disappears the moment I step down on the dirt path covered in dried leaves, my breath coming out in wisps of fog every time I exhale.From the other side steps down Kate, coming to join me as we watch the view together. None of us say a word for a long time, before I finally turn around, pull out the bouquet from the car seat and shut the door behind me. Immediately, the car speeds off, living the two of us on our own.Together we start moving forward, listening to the leaves crunching under our feet while the birds chirp rhythmically, more like arguing with each other for the freezing weather.At least it has stopped snowing.At long last, we finally reach our destination, stopping a few feet away while I move forward and place the bouquet of prim roses on t
Oak Tree 54. Together, Forever. That's A Promise
03rd October 2017, Dave was finally in jail. Finally. How you ask? Hmm, let's just say, Mrs. Airam had had enough of that bastard. The reason he was let off the first time was because the elders wanted to save their reputation as well, thinking that making him fend for himself for the rest of his life would be the best punishment. Sure it was, but not enough for what he had actually done. His crimes did not end with attempted murder and abuse, it was way past that. Dave had sexually abused Kate, and had photographed it all. That was the reason why Kate hadn’t asked us for help earlier, because she feared what he would do with them if she did. Of course he threatened her as well, and Kate thought the only escape was to let him have his fun for a while until he got bored and left. Little did she know that he would get bored, but he wouldn't let her go when the time came. He would end her to get rid of evidence of his
Oak Tree 53. FLASHBACK 8 [Broken Us]
19th September 2017, It was a fit. Kate had a fit. That is what the doc told us when Kate and had been examined in the hospital. When I woke up, my parents were present in my chamber, making a fuss to call the doc or the nurse to see what my condition was now. They had been so busy calling the doc that none of them heard my plea for water, until they were both already out of the room, and it was Charlie who had given me the water. "Thank you." I said with a hoarse voice, feeling the rawness itch my throat and making me want the glass of water even more. Charlie stared at me the whole time I drank, making me nervous to the core that I almost choked. But when I was finally done drinking and took a good look at his face, I notice the actual way he was staring at me. There was no hint of worry, or pain at seeing me in the state I was. If anything, he looked bored, like I was some kind of...burden, that he didn't want to be
Oak Tree 52. It's All For The Best
29th September 2027,The first rays of winter are finally beginning to show their colors, with the breeze being slightly colder than the usual warm ones and a familiar fog settling down every morning.It isn't winter yet, but I can already feel the chill in my bones, or is it because today is the day?The doorbell rings, indicating that I have a visitor. Without checking who it is, I swiftly move to open the door and let the guest in, for I have already been expecting them."Are you ready?" Ben asks first and foremost, letting himself in while I dump the dishes in the sink that I had ruined during breakfast. "Y-yeah, just give me a minute."Then I went on to make my bed, stuff my used clothes in the laundry basket, clear the garbage in the kitchen and-"You are stalling, you know that right?" Ben's voice pulls me out of my trance, stopping me midway with the broom and dustpan in my hands.I stare at him wit
Oak Tree 51. Once And For All
I lean back in the chair while assessing Lara's reaction, who, as a matter of fact, begins trembling in her seat, hands into tight fists and eyes bulging."So...you are telling me, that you did all this, with a child's code language?" Lara all but whispers, to which I shake my head in an unsure manner. "You can say it like that as well."I would have flinched if I didn't expect it, but I saw it coming sooner than it happened. Lara slamming her hands against the hard wooden table and rattling everything on it, which are her handcuffs.She glares at me with all the venom, while I stare back at her, an amused expression on my face. "You are lying. You are a liar. You-""It's unbelievable isn't it? Even I didn't know I could be this dumb and not think about something as easy as writing notes. But of course, my case was different. I needed someone to come see me to write a note, but you Lara, you were a real damn fool." I laugh at the last part, shaking my hea
Oak Tree 50. To Each A Secret
12th September 2027, Three days ago:I stayed rooted to my spot, unable to bring myself to move a muscle as the whole news sunk in. Lara had murdered Joslyn, and not just that, but she had also been to my house, left this creepy note and the clothes here, in the room Kate stayed in.Slowly but surely, I sunk to the bed behind me, dropping the clothes and staring at my hands while the silence around me thickened, and yet everything around me felt too loud. The distant honking of cars, the sound of leaking water from a tap, and my own breathing. Everything sounded just…too much.The words from the note circled in my head, giving me a nauseous feeling and the urge to throw up.Miss me? What kind of note is that? And why to me? The silence grew thicker, and so did my breathing, which was turning haggard. I didn’t know why, but I felt the hairs behind my neck stand on edge, goos
Oak Tree 49. It's Over Now
"Are you sure she's okay to move doctor? Isn't there still something else?" "No Katelyn, Rose is perfectly okay to walk now. We have managed to stop the bleeding and save it from getting infected, and the blood clotting has already begun. She will feel slight itching while moving, but other than that, she is fine." This is the nth time the doctor has to explain this to a stubborn Kate, who isn't letting me out of the hospital emergency. She questions the doc about each and every single thing that every time a doctor turns to answer her, I internally wince at the look of impatience behind their fake tight lipped smile. And I can't blame them. Kate is getting quite annoying now. "Kate," I call out, my voice stern as she finally looks down at me on the bed. "I'm fine, okay? Now let's leave." "But-" "Kate." "Fine, let’s go." Kate finally admits defeat, walking over to me with a sigh while the doctor she had been literally murdering
Oak Tree 48. FLASBACK 8 [Doom's Day]
It seemed like time itself had no idea what on earth was going on, or why it didn't know whether to speed up or slow down. Everything seemed to be in a standstill, and yet in a roller coaster at the same time. I wanted to find her, but every single thought or idea seemed to freeze in my head at the same time I knew I was getting late. My whole nervous system was going into a panic mode. The only calm thing was the beating of my heart. How are you so calm at a moment like this? Our friend is kidnapped and missing and we don't have a clue as to where she could be. What's there to be calm now? And as if my heart already knew the answer, my eyes scanned the hallway once again, my sight turning blurry as another wave of tears flowed out. I was dead tired. My muscles hurt, and my bones felt weary. Exhaustion was getting the best of me and the health issue part of my brain was forcing me to retreat, to go back home and call the cops. But the
Oak Tree 47. Obsession, Or Love?
"Hello Rose.It'sme Lara.Let'scatch up on our good ole times hmm?" Lara. Lara has called. Finally. I glanced at Kate, whose face read confusion. Without replying, I begin to pull the phone from my ear in an attempt to place the call on loud speaker, but just then, Lara's voice rings out. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Of course you wouldn't. I scoff, putting the phone back in my ears. "That is true. Because you are not me and I'm not you, Lara Ahdieur." The mention of Lara's name had Kate widening her eyes. Then she looks away, having that look in her face when she is trying to put two and two together. Soon she looks up at me again, this time alarm written all over her face. Lara laughs on the other end, while I keep a straight face although my teeth are hurting from how hard I'm gritting them. "Same old Rose, with her sassy yet cool atti
