As much as Emma wanted to be glued to her bed and not get up, it will only worry her father if she chooses to skip another day of class.
Therefore, with much reluctance, she pulled herself out of the bed. She didn't bother to dress up, wearing a pair of loose fitting jeans and a graphic t-shirt to go with it.
She raised her head to look in the mirror. Her eyes looked dead, totally unsettling, and the puffiness and dark circles did not help with it. But Emma didn't bother about her appearance as she tied her hair into a ponytail.
A yawn left her mouth when she grabbed her bag and head downstairs.
"What's the matter, dear? Why do you look like that today!?" A woman's loud voice came.
Emma took a step back, avoiding the hand that was about to touch her. She looked up to find her mother standing in front of her. Her face bore concern.
Emma lowered her line of sight following that, afraid of alerting the woman due to disgust. Her nails dug into her palm as Emma attempted to manage her composure.
Emma turned her head to look at her dad, who sat at the dining table, and informed, "Dad, I will eat something on the way or else I will be late for classes."
"It's good to go to classes on time after you have missed so many. Make sure to eat. You wouldn't be able to concentrate in classes," her father responded.
Emma nodded and was about to leave when her mother opened her mouth. "Emma, dear, are you upset at me? Did I-"
"I am getting late for classes. Let's talk later."
Having said that, Emma ran out of the door, fearing that she wouldn't be able to avoid bursting her emotions out in front of the woman.
Her mother's face clouded with grievances as she looked over to her father.
The man laughed and said, "Don't worry about her. You know how she is. Who knows what she is upset over? It will be fine by time she returns."
The woman pursed her lips into a thin line and nodded.
°°°
The moment Emma stepped in through the University's gate, a body ran towards her and tackled her. The hands wrapped around her neck, almost causing her to topple over if it were not for her instinctive balance.
Then a loud voice complained, "Emma, how dare you ignore my messages and calls for so long!? You have gotten really brave, haven't you!? I want to bite you to death!"
Knowing her friend's weird and concerning tendency of biting people like a rabid dog when she was mad, Emma's body acted instinctively, and she struggled, pushing her friend away from her body.
Her friend clung on to her strongly, unwilling to let her go. Emma's cheeks flushed, feeling the piercing gazes of the people around her.
Although at the age of twenty she dared to act arrogantly and loudly— at times enjoying the attention she received from others— her older self wanted to disappear due to embarrassment.
"Ellie, stop it. We are still in public. Have some manners," Emma sternly stated, unable to get her friend off of her.
Her words worked, and Ellie took a step back. But her eyes full of grievances stared at Emma, clearly calling her a traitor.
"You have changed, Emma. Could it be that you have found someone else that you wish to abandon me now?" Ellie touched her chest, hurt, and her lips pouted.
Emma felt a headache forming. Since she was used to dealing with the older, the more matured version of Ellie, she had forgotten how dramatic she used to be in her younger days.
"Let's talk later. I will be late for classes," Emma said, not in the mentality to deal with her friend.
Ellie's emotions came and went fast. There was hardly anything she took to heart, and she knew that Ellie would be fine.
Ellie scoffed. "Right. Why will I matter anymore? Now that you have successfully trapped your love, Dear Danny, you must be desperate to attend the classes together with him."
That instantly erased Emma's eagerness to attend the class.
Although Emma had the schedule, she had forgotten the people she shared courses with. Even though Daniel and Emma had different majors, Emma managed to enrolled in few courses with him.
Of course, she did not do that ethically.
"Ellie, are you hungry? I do not think it would be an issue with me skipping one more class," Emma suggested.
Her grades were already hopeless, and she wasn't academically gifted as well. Although maybe after a rebirth, one would have high ambitions, but Emma didn't care.
She just wanted her to life to pass somehow.
Confusion clouded Ellie's eyes. She tilted her head slightly. "Don't you want to see your love?"
Emma's brows furrowed.
"Don't call him that. What I did to him was wrong. I shouldn't have blackmailed him. I wish to apologize to him and separate peacefully," Emma vocalized.
It has only been little more than a week since she had gotten together with Daniel. The unwilling man was forced to get into the relationship due to her successful threats.
However, the information got out soon after, and her father learned of it. He was mad and scolded her. Despite his angry words, she was determined to stay with Daniel.
Emma ran her hand through her hair and sighed, recalling her memories.
What a disappoinment she was!
She couldn't say she didn't deserve that ending.
All she did was hurt everyone around her.
Maybe before her rebirth, as much as she loved Daniel, she held resentment towards him for not returning her feelings and being cold to her.
But now that she had a clearer outlook, she knew the man was nothing short of a victim.
No wonder he wanted to break up with her.
Ellie blinked her eyes.
"Emma," she softly enunciated.
Emma thought her friend had gotten her point, and maybe, although she wasn't the best teacher, she would be able to set her friend right as well, so that Ellie's future would be brighter as well.
Then, Ellie loudly exclaimed, "Since when have you become so lame and weak!? Come on, we are both rich and powerful. You can easily play with Daniel until you are bored and toss him away. Stop being so sentimental!"
Her friend's loud and proud voice once again attracted attention towards them.
Emma felt guilt arise within her.
And then she noticed him, staring at her, with that familiar coldness in his eyes.