Saving the Villain

Many things happened in the past school year which no one fathomed to happen. Many friendships were built or strengthened, and others ended or took a pause. However, with or without their knowledge, their learning from the last school year didn't stop within the textbooks because everyone learned greatly from this roller coaster experience.

Cosette, Sarah, Fay, and Amie looked at each other. Their eyes were already swollen from all the crying they did, yet their lips were curled up in relief. A giggle slipped past Cosette's lips, and their silly chuckles followed.

"We're silly." Cosette wiped the lingering tears from her eyes. "Why are you crying?"

"Because you are." Sarah blamed her, but unlike Cosette, tears wouldn't stop forming in her eyes.

"I'm sorry." Fay pressed her lips into a thin line, gazing at Amie sincerely. She then faced Cosette and Sarah. "I'm also sorry for putting you two in a tight situation where you felt helpless. That's not what I intend to do."

Amie shook her head. "No. I should be the one saying sorry." She drew a deep breath, mustering her courage to speak without her voice breaking.

"You've always been there for me. Since middle school, you always protected me and stopped others from exploiting me. It's not that I don't know I was being taken advantage of, but knowing you would be there to help me. I've grown complacent. I didn't know I was depending on you so much that I didn't realize the weight I'm putting on you." Amie lowered her eyes, smiling bitterly. "Even when you told me that I should learn how to speak for myself and be my own person, at the back of my head, I couldn't understand the reason."

"She's here, anyway. Fay will know if I'm uncomfortable. She will help me and speak for me. Those were one of the things that instinctively go in my head every time I'm in an uncomfortable situation," she continued, admitting how she relied on Fay too much just because at subconsciously know Fay would always be there for her. "When she suddenly wants to end our relationship, even when she told me the reason, more than hurt, I was confused."

"Why would she leave me? Why would she want me to suddenly become independent when she made me dependent on her? Didn't she say she would always have my back? She promised, but now she's breaking it. Those were among the myriads of questions I have in the back of my head. And unconsciously, I blamed her for why I was the way I was without ever acknowledging her feelings." Amie clasped her hands on her lap, watching droplets of tears land on the back of her fist. "All I did was blame her, and drag you two in it because I was so weak to admit I was in the wrong. That's why I grew rebellious to find real people who care for me. It was stupid, but in my head at that time, I wanted to show you guys that I could replace you as well."

She slowly raised her head, scanning the girls' faces. "If not for Cosette, I wouldn't have made this realization. I wouldn't even know how my life would be right now if not for her. It was eye-opening and painful. Admitting I'm wrong and I hurt those who truly care for me just because I couldn't admit my shortcoming is much more painful than a slap in the face."

"I haven't thanked you properly back then, but thank you, Cozie. Also, to Luke and Maxen and Remo." Amie locked eyed with Cosette, offering her a subtle but sincere smile. "I'm really grateful."

Cosette's face softened, nodding in return. She couldn't say anything in return, afraid she would just initiate another session of crying.

"I don't know what Cosette did, but whatever it is, I'm glad she did what she did," Sarah spoke, getting Amie's attention. The latter's brows rose in confusion, seeing the cluelessness in Sarah and Fay's eyes. "I'm just glad you're doing better now, Amie."

'She didn't tell them?' wondered Amie, casting Cosette a look, only to see the latter's reassuring smile.

A layer of tears coated Amie's eyes, seeing Cosette's expression. Amie's learning experience was embarrassing and stupid. She expected that Cosette would've told the girls about it, but she kept it a secret to protect her.

Amie swallowed the tension that was building up in her throat. However, she couldn't keep the brave front as she hung her head low.

How could she not see it so soon? Her friends she pushed away out of anger were still protecting her in the ways they could. Cosette didn't even mention it and it didn't seem she had the plan to gloat about how she saved a friend from becoming a prostitute because of a terrible decision.

"I'm…" Amie trailed off as her voice broke. She tried her best to keep her composure together as she wanted to apologize again. However, instead of an apology, something else came out of her mouth. "... thank you for being my friends."

Her back trembled and her sniffles laced her voice. "I'm… really, really grateful. Thank you for coming today. I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't come."

There were many things Amie wanted to tell the three of them. All the list of things she had to apologize for and the things she was grateful for. An hour or two wasn't enough because the three of them had an equal influence on her life. But all she could do was bawl her eyes, making the three of them move to where she was sitting to hug her all at once.

Not just Amie, but Sarah, Cosette, and Fay had many things to say. However, they simply chose to express it by hugging each other. No more words were needed as the words, "I'm sorry," had been flying here and there since the beginning.

This journey was full of ups and downs; there were many silly and dumb mistakes and methods they all did. However, that was what youth was. Creating mistakes, learning from them, and moving on to become better versions of themselves were all a part of life.

Most importantly, they knew that the roller coaster ride was that this friendship had become stronger than ever. And also the four of them. They could say… they were all better individuals than they were a year ago. Thus, they were grateful for this friendship.