Tuli Lu. The bane of my existence. The thorn in my side. The stain that refuses to disappear from the counter that was my life.

Since we were kids, this pink haired menace had injected herself into my life in some way or another. We went to the same elementary school, primary school and high school for the last fifteen years and I never understood why I couldn't get away from her.

One might ask why I hated her so much but I would simply tell that person to f*ck off and mind their own business. This is because the reason I hated her was so petty that I would rather throw myself into the frozen lakes of Orient than tell a single soul. It embarrassed me just to think about it but I refuse to let it go, nonetheless.

Even as I got dressed for the graduation, my mind ran back to our confrontation this morning. I doubt the bitch knew it but when we taunted her earlier, she had this hint of defiance that peaked through her fear. It wasn't the first time I had seen it either. The way she would look us in the eye as if she was actually going to do something...only to back down at the last second.

Like a coward...

"You want help with your hair Wendy?"

My train of thought was stopped by Kendall placing a hand on my shoulder. I nodded, keeping my gaze on the large mirror in front of me. A pout graced my lips, however, when I noticed she had to squat a bit to reach my head properly.

She must have seen it because a small laugh fell from her lips as she combed my hair.

"You're like a loli, Wendy!" she commented.

I look up at her through the mirror. "A what?" I asked.

"Don't ask." Rue suddenly spoke up with a sour tone.

We look over at her and were surprised to see her appearance.

"Rue your hair..." I gawked.

For the first time in three years, her hair was out of its usual low pigtails and instead hanging freely over her shoulder.

She blushed a bit. "D-Don't just stare at me! I-I decided to try something new since today was special!" she said.

We snickered at her embarrassment making her blush intensify.

"W-what?"

I shook my head, smile still in place. "Nothing. You look nice." I compliment, wanting to spare her.

Kendall, on the other hand, didn't have the same mercy.

"You planning to impress someone sis?" she asked with a sly smile.

Rue narrowed her eyes at her. "N-no!"

"Whatever you say."

"You're so annoying!"

I sigh at their bickering. "Relax you guys. We only have a a little while to get ready." I say.

With a huff, Rue folded her arms while Kendall went back to combing my hair.

The air was silent for a moment, excluding the chatter from others in the room. I took the chance to take up my phone and look at my messages. There were some texts from my cousins saying they were coming and others from my distant relatives wishing me luck. I smile a bit at that.

However, my mood soured when I entered another chat.

Sun 25

9:45

Me: You guys are still coming right?

Dad: If all goes well.

Me: See you tomorrow then

Mon 26

9:00

Dad: We may not make it in time. There's an early meeting at the firm.

I bit my lip harshly as I stared at the message, feeling tears come to my eyes. Quickly, I blink them away and close the chat. However, I couldn't help the sniffle that came.

"Wendy? What's wrong?" I heard Rue ask.

"Nothing."

I should have known.

...

30 minutes later

Currently I was as pissed as I could possibly be.

Why?

Well, Tulips is sitting behind me, my parents aren't coming and Lord Solaris is taking too long to call up names! It was like the world had something against me!

However, I smiled when he eventually called Kendall's name. She practically ran up there with an excited grin, her teal colored hair bouncing on her shoulders. I could already figure out her assignment before Lord Solaris announced it.

"Miss, you are assigned to the position of dietitian in the Orient district!" he said.

I was happy for her but not surprised. Despite her childish nature, Kendall was really diligent when it came to nutrition studies and was always enticed by the subject. Since we entered Kentro Tech, she had declared that she wanted to become a dietitian just like her late father. I supported her all the way but couldn't help the pang of pain in my chest at the reality that she'd have to leave to achieve that dream. So I simply clapped before glancing at Rue, who was looking down at her lap with a deep frown and narrowed eyes.

"Rue?" I asked, leaning over the empty seat between us.

Immediately, she snapped her head to me in a startled manner, eyes wide with panic. I went to speak again but was interrupted by Tulip's annoying voice.

"Excuse me, did you hear him say Tuli Lu?" she asked in a panicked manner.

I rolled my eyes when the guy next to her gave a snarky reply but still felt a little giddy at the fact that she wasn't called yet.

Serves her right.

However, I decided to be nice and answer her question. "They haven't called you yet, Tulips. Cool your tits." I said, folding my arms.

She tried to thank me but I was quick to deflect it. "Don't thank me. I'm just hoping that they haven't called you because you weren't assigned anywhere. Just left to take whatever shitty job you get offered." I snarled, allowing bitterness to seep into my voice.

The bitch went quiet after that, making me smirk a bit. I couldn't blame her for being scared of the possibility, though, because it had happened so many times before. In fact, there was a particular year when fifty students hadn't been assigned and were forced to look for jobs on their own. What was interesting about it, though, was that most of them were academically prestigious.

Really makes you wonder about the assignment system they've set up.

I put those thoughts to rest, however, when Kendall sat back down. I gave her a small smile.

"Congratulations." I said.

She gave me a cheeky grin. "Well I don't wanna toot my own horn but I saw this coming from a mile away." she boasted.

However, her boasting was stopped by Rue punching her in the shoulder, making her wince.

"Ow! Why did you do that?"

Rue rolled her eyes. "Don't get a big head just because you got in, stupid." she said.

"What is your problem today? Ever since you came back from dressing you've been on my ass about everything!" Kendall growled. "Don't you give a shit that I got my dream job?!"

Immediately, Rue's eyes filled with guilt and she raised a shaky hand towards her sister. "N-no...I'm just-"

"Rue Valli," Lord Solaris suddenly announced, cutting off her statement.

Kendall folded her arms and looked ahead with narrowed eyes.

"Go," was all she said.

I tried to speak up in Rue's defense. "Kendall, I'm sure she didn't mean t-"

"Stay out of this Wendy." she said coldly, making me flinch a bit.

Rue gave me a small smile. "It's okay Wendy." she simply said.

I nodded and could only watch helplessly as Rue stood up and walked towards the stage with pained emerald eyes. Her posture was slouched and her strut was slow, something that I wasn't used to. It made me think about Kendall's previous words and the fact that Rue had been behaving fine before she went to receive her gown.

What happened during that time?

My thoughts were cut off, however, by Lord Solaris announcing her assignment.

"Miss Valli, you have been assigned as a receptionist at Milly's Music Mansion!"

It was in that moment that I saw Rue's face morph into pure agony.

To be continued.