The bus ride back to school was a very quiet one as everyone had the look of sadness written on their faces. Even when the coach tried to reassure them that they had done a great job making it to the finals, it didn't remove the sour feeling they all felt when they saw the Seiryuu Academy hold the trophy that should've been theirs. 

Sora in particular felt like it was the word punishing her for a reason she didn't yet know as seeing them get that trophy reminded of the reason she had decided to stop relying on people in the first place. 

Sora: (to herself) It's over now... This was my last chance to gain their attention but I can't get it anymore... Not next year... We'll be too busy getting ready college by then and I won't be picked to compete coz of my final exams. This would've been the opportunity to gain that scholarship... But... Now that opportunity is gone... All because of...

Her eye immediately darted forward and seated a few seats ahead of her was Chloe who had been crying ever since they got on the bus as she had begun to blame herself for their loss in the finals, while the coach and Ava were consoling her and assuring her that it wasn't her fault and Sora watched thing while hissing under her breath and holding herself back from saying anything, because from her perspective, there was only one thing reoccurring in her mind: 

Sora: (to herself) How come she gets special treatment when she's the reason we lost? I don't get it...

By the time the bus arrived at the school, there was no one there as the students had already gone home an hour and a half ago. So as soon as they girls and their coach got down from the bus, the girls immediately went back to locker rooms to get their uniforms they had left behind when they came to school earlier that morning. 

Inside, the sound of zippers and rustling uniforms filled the void.

Chloe sniffled quietly as she stuffed her swimsuit into her bag, her shoulders still trembling. Ava, ever the calm one, sat beside her and rested a hand gently on her back.

Ava: Hey, it’s not your fault, Chloe. You did your best out there. We all did.

Chloe wiped her face, shaking her head.

Chloe: No… No, if I’d been faster, if I hadn’t fallen behind, we would’ve won. It’s because of me we lost… because of me...

Ava squeezed her shoulder, her voice firm but kind.

Ava: Stop it. Don’t do this to yourself. Dwelling on it won’t change anything. We fought hard and we should be proud of how far we made it. We did out best...

That was the breaking point.

A sharp clap echoed as Sora slammed her locker shut, her voice cutting through the air like glass and both Chloe and Ava flinched and turned their eyes towards her.

Sora: Best? Don’t make me laugh. You call that our best? We had the win right in our hands, and she... (points sharply at Chloe) ... threw it all away! So don't give me that crap because we lost because she was a liability! 

Sora’s eyes were blazing, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles went white and the sudden occurrence forced Ava to shot to her feet, her voice rising for the first time.

Ava: Sora! That’s enough! What's your problem?! You think screaming at her is going to change the results?! You think blaming Chloe makes you any less responsible?! We’re all hurting, but blaming Chloe isn’t fair!

Sora: Responsible?! Not fair?! Don’t you dare compare me to her. I carried this team! What’s not fair is that I gave everything, every damn thing for this contest, and it still wasn’t enough because someone else couldn’t keep up! Don’t you get it? That was my last chance!!

Her voice cracked, anger spilling into something rawer, but she pushed it down and kept going.

Sora: I’ll never get another shot, never! And it’s all because she...

Chloe’s head snapped up. Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, now burned with anger.

Chloe: Shut up. 

The room went still but Chloe was just getting started. 

Chloe: You don’t get to stand there and act like you’re the only one who lost something today. You think you’re the only one who cares? Newsflash Sora, you’re not.

Chloe turned around and walked fast towards her; so fast that Ava thought Chloe was about to fight her so she held her back but that didn't stop Chloe from talking. 

Chloe: You think you’re the only one who cares about winning? That you’re the only one who’s been fighting for something? God, Sora, do you even hear yourself?!

Sora blinked, startled by the sudden sharpness in Chloe’s voice, while Chloe stood as tears were still streaking her face, but her voice kept rising with each word.

Chloe: You walk around acting like you don’t need anyone, like you’re above everyone else, but you’re not. I’ve seen you how much you can care, even when you try so hard to bury it. You can be a good person, but you’d rather shove everyone away and pretend you don’t give a damn and hide behind this cold, selfish act and say just about anything to everyone like it makes you better than everyone else... It just makes you a coward!!! 

The words landed like a blow shocking both Sora and Ava. 

Sora’s lips parted, but nothing came out. The fire in her chest sputtered against the weight of Chloe’s outburst. For the first time, she had no retort only that hollow, burning ache in her throat because no matter how hard she tried to talk back, no words came to her lips.

Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes and then continued speaking.

Chloe: I don't know what happened to you for you to end up like this but this wall you put around yourself will not take you to places you think they will... So go ahead, keep blaming me if it makes you feel better, but don’t you dare pretend you’re the only one hurting.

As with that, she stormed out, leaving Sora standing frozen, her chest heaving. Ava lingered for a moment and then she followed after Chloe, leaving Sora alone in the locker room.

Sora leaned against the locker behind her, her hands trembled and her eyes flickered with something unfamiliar; guilt, confusion, maybe even shame, but she buried it quickly, her jaw tightening as she whispered to herself:

Sora: She doesn’t know anything about me…

But deep down, Chloe’s words had struck a chord she couldn’t ignore.