Saving the Villain

Months had gone by in a blink of an eye for Cosette. Her daily life revolved around school, bickering with Luke, hanging out with Sarah and Fay, and then Maxen. On the days they didn't have classes, she would spend them with Conrad or her grandparents, as they were in the city constantly to visit her.

Marcel and Gretchen were extra lenient to Cosette, and because of her, they gave Maxen a chance to prove to them why they should like him. With Maxen's personality, he quickly captured the elder's hearts. They treated him as their own, and Maxen started loosening up around them.

Cosette could say it was one of the best years of her life. It might look normal just like others, but it was peaceful and meaningful for her.

The only concern she had after months was Amie.

"It's already the start of the last semester, but Amie just kept skipping school," Cosette expressed while walking in the hallway with Sarah. "Should we try to visit her home again?"

Sarah let out a deep exhale while sipping from a carton of strawberry milk. "Cosette, we already tried. Multiple times, but she doesn't come out."

"I think we should've just consoled her."

"Then that lost the point of Fay's reasoning." Sarah cast Cosette a look, only to see the latter look back and sigh.

It was true that it was Cosette's idea that they didn't console Amie back when Fay and Amie called their friendship over. Cosette back then supported Fay, because she too thought that Amie needed to have a backbone or simply have the courage to say no.

They stayed on the sideline, hoping for the best for Amie and Fay. They didn't have much concern about Fay. Since Amie and Fay broke up, Fay's grades skyrocketing, cinching the 5th spot in their class and 15th overall for all sections.

Meanwhile, Amie, because of her excessive absence, was one among those at the bottom. Hence Cosette's growing concern about Amie. The latter had also distanced herself from everyone; even when they tried to talk to her, Amie would simply look at them or pretend she didn't hear a thing.

It was totally the complete opposite of what they expected from Amie.

"I don't know anymore." Cosette shook her head, slowly down her pace as they took the stairs. "I feel like if this continued, Amie might fail the class and have to repeat a year."

She looked back, stopping at the fifth step. "What do you think?"

"I… don't know as well." Sarah shrugged and sighed, standing two steps from Cosette. "We already tried, even when she ignores us. So, I'm a little puzzled about what to do. We've tried many times."

Cosette sighed for the nth time as she studied the exhaustion in Sarah's eyes. Sarah had been working part time and her home wasn't particularly peaceful; her parents were in the process of divorce. Therefore, Sarah had a lot on her plate already, but still did her best as Amie's friend. Cosette couldn't just keep pushing Sarah beyond her limits.

"I guess you're right." Cosette nodded, forcing a short smile. "Let's go back. Lunchtime is almost over."

"Mhm."

Just as Cosette was about to resume her steps, she paused once again. Deep lines appeared in between Sarah's brows, staring at Cosette, who was looking past her.

Out of curiosity, Sarah looked back to see what caught Cosette's eyes. Much to Sarah's surprise, there, going up the stairs, was Amie. However, unlike Amie's usual meek get up where her clothes were properly tucked with huge glasses and neat bob hair, Amie's uniform was worn differently.

Her buttons were opened. The huge spectacles no were in sight, and Amie had this apparent makeup with red lipstick, dark eyeliner, and huge loop earrings.

Amie looked up at the two while chewing a piece of gum, but said nothing at the obvious shock on Cosette's and Sarah's faces. Acting like she didn't see them, Amie took the stairs languidly, walking past them as if she didn't know them.

"Amie," Sarah called before Amie could turn to take the higher steps. "Amie."

Amie rolled her eyes and cocked her head back. "What?"

"Amie, what are you —" Sarah looked at her up and down before settling her eyes on Amie's face. Instead of speaking, Sarah jogged her way up until she stood two steps from Amie.

"Amie, what is going on?" she asked in disbelief. "You have been skipping classes and after two weeks of absence, you will appear like this?"

"Like what exactly, Sarah?" Amie arched a brow and tilted her head to the side.

"Like —" Sarah's breath hitched as she bit her tongue, stopping herself from spewing unnecessary criticism about Amie's new look.

The corner of Amie's lips curled up into a smirk. "Stop acting like my mother, Sarah. You are not, and you will never be. Don't act as if you're concerned about me. It's disgusting, really."

"Amie!" Cosette called, stomping her feet until she was standing beside Sarah.

"Oh, it's you, the princess." Amie chuckled with ridicule. "What, now? Are you going to preach to me as well?"

Cosette took a step forward and raised her chin. "I don't know whatever happened to you or why you are acting like a young little brat who is experiencing adolescence. But you're the last person to talk to Sarah that way."

"Why?" Amie tilted her head to the side. "I don't see anything wrong with what I said. I'm just speaking the truth. Sarah isn't my mom, and she shouldn't act like one. I'm simply expressing my honest thoughts. Is that wrong?"

Cosette clenched her teeth but held back as Sarah held her arm.

"Hah… if that's all, then don't bother me, will you?" Amie looked away, resuming her steps with a satisfied smile.

Meanwhile, Cosette and Sarah could only stare at Amie's figure in disbelief. This was what Cosette meant about her concern. The Amie they once knew changed into a completely different person and they could barely recognize her now.