From Ruin She Rose novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

“Emily, we went out of our way to invite you to catch up. What’s with the attitude?” one of the group snapped.

Another chimed in, “Don’t think sucking up to Prof. Perez scares us. We’re all graduated now. She can’t do squat to us.”

“Lydia’s been cutting you so much slack, and yet you go and pick on her right in front of everyone. Who knows what you’re like when no one’s watching?” a third sneered.

At Yvonne’s signal, the group closed in on Emily again. They hurled insults with pure disgust while shoving her around.

Emily stumbled backward, nearly tripping several times. Their voices and faces blurred into those of her classmates from St. Gabriel Reform Academy-twisted, ferocious, like ravenous wolves ready to tear her apart.

A cold shiver ran down her spine, that familiar nightmare crawling back, threatening to consume her.

“Stop it, guys.” Lydia walked over with red-rimmed eyes, stepping between Emily and the group like some kind of heroine.

“I think Emily just hasn’t come around yet. Once she does, she’ll accept me,” Lydia said, looking at Emily with that hopeful gaze. “Right, Emily?”

She reached for Emily’s hand, but halfway there, her face soured as she recoiled dramatically. “Ew, what is that nasty smell? It reeks!” she said, pinching her nose and waving her other hand wildly in front of her face.

Only then did the others notice the thick, rotten stench in the air. They looked toward Emily and stepped back with clear disgust, hands over their noses.

“Oh my god, how could she smell that bad? Did she fall into a dumpster?”

“Look at those rags she’s wearing. Probably she fished them out of a trash can. No wonder she stinks.”

“I don’t think it’s the clothes. That stench smells like it’s coming straight from her bones. Disgusting!”

Those over-the-top jeers and shoves were clearly meant to crush Emily’s pride. But she stayed calm, like none of their garbage talk was about her.

She knew they lured her out just to make fun of her. But this kind of dignity-bashing didn’t even register with her.

Working in that restaurant kitchen left her reeking of cooking oil. These spoiled brats had no idea-there were smells way worse than fryer grease.

When their laughter finally died down, Emily spoke up, calm as ever. “Had your fun? Let me go.” She’d rather spend the time painting.

Her chill response caught the group off guard, making their taunts look stupid. The whole pool area went quiet for a second.

Suddenly, Lydia stepped up and took Emily’s hand. “Don’t be mad. We’re all classmates. They might say what’s on their minds, but they had no hard feelings.”

“Though you do kind of smell funky…” Lydia said, making a face like she was about to gag, but trying to hold back for Emily’s sake.

“It’s fine. A good wash will fix it, right, guys?” She turned to the others, her face softening into a plea, like she was saying, “Come on, cut her some slack.”

“Lydia’s right. You just need a good shower,” Yvonne chimed in, her smile dripping with pure malice as she suddenly lunged

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at Emily. “Let me help you out!”

The hard push sent Emily staggering backward.

Lydia had been holding Emily’s hand, not letting go even when Yvonne shoved, like she was trying to pull Emily to safety. But only Emily felt Lydia pushing her from behind.

After two steps back, Emily lost her balance and crashed into the pool. Everything blurred, but she saw it clear as day: a tiny, hidden smile flicker across Lydia’s “worried” face as she let go.

In that moment, it clicked for Emily. ‘Lydia meant to do this. With her around, I’ll always be the one getting thrown under the bus, always getting crushed.’

Lydia’s triumphant grin hadn’t even faded when her wrist was suddenly grabbed. And the same smile slowly spread across Emily’s face.

‘Call me dirty? Lydia’s no cleaner! If we’re both so filthy, let’s wash together,’ Emily thought.

Everything happened in a flash, and no one caught the split-second look that passed between Emily and Lydia.

Splash! The two hit the water, sending up huge waves.

“Help me!” Lydia thrashed wildly in the water, screaming in panic, all dignity gone.

“Hurry, save Lydia!”

“Don’t panic, Lydia. We’re getting you out right now.”

“Look out, Lydia!”

The crowd by the pool freaked out, all eyes locked on Lydia. Two of them, who knew how to swim, dove in at the same time, both racing straight toward her.

Emily knew no one gave a damn about her. Once she hit the water, she flipped around and grabbed the pool ladder, hauling herself up. Her soaked hoodie sagged off her shoulders.

The incident happened so fast that she’d swallowed half the pool. She collapsed onto her hands and knees, coughing like crazy, her chest burning with a sharp, brutal pain.

After what felt like forever, she finally caught her breath. Just as she was about to get up, she heard a familiar voice. “Lydia, are you okay?”

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