"Did you figure out what Elizabeth is planning against you?" Josh asked.
Nathalia paused for a minute, and her hands trembled. She trembled not because she's scared of Elizabeth's plan, she trembled because she's angry. "Elizabeth is trying to recreate that incident again."
Not explaining things any further, Josh immediately understood what Nathalia just said. "What? For what purpose would she want that incident to happen again?"
Josh is confused. He knows that Elizabeth is trying to harm Nathalia, however, he didn't expect Elizabeth to repeat that same incident again. A lot of question is running through his mind. He wants to understand why Elizabeth is trying too hard to make it happen.
"I don't know," Nathalia replied. When Nathalia found out about it, she was too shocked and she felt that the trauma she has overcome is trying to hunt her again. She spent the whole entire night trying to rearrange her feelings and thoughts.
After a whole night of thinking things through, Nathalia convinced herself that everything is all in the past. She had already moved on, and the only person who has not yet is Elizabeth. She has no idea why Elizabeth is doing it again, however, she is not let herself be afraid of someone who cannot move on from the past.
"Nathalia, if you want, you can go home and let me and Josh handle this. We know the whole plan, and either Josh or I can fill into your position." Zen suggested. He is not exactly sure what Nathalia is feeling right now, but he thinks that whatever she might be feeling right now it would be better for her not to engage to be part of their goal today.
"I'm not that weak, Zen. I can handle it. Besides, I'm already over it, but I really need her out of my life so that I don't have to look over my shoulders worrying about her every move." Every time she steps into the school ground, she is always putting her guards up from every possible attack that Elizabeth might pull on her.
"I, I didn't say that you're weak. It's just that, you know, Elizabeth, you never know what is exactly going on her mind." Feeling a bit too overprotective of Nathalia, Zen is truly against the idea of her going to face that incident again.
He can't afford to see her trying to overcome her trauma again. She is like a sister to him and if something were to happen to her, he felt like might kill the culprit without a word. Last time, he wasn't able to do anything, but now, it's different. He's capable of doing that.
"You're practically saying it that way, Zen," Josh said nonchalantly.
Zen wanted to say something to defend himself, however, wasn't able to do it because there is a bunch of crowds bumping into them. Even after the main event, a lot of visitors who came by to watch the show is still sticking around.
Mostly it's because there is a bunch of influential people around, and they want to use this chance to get connections.
Originally, the student council president was against the idea of extending the event after the main show, but since the principal has an opposite opinion about that, the student council wasn't able to end the event after the main show.
Truthfully said, with all these people around, it turns out to be a great situation for Nathalia. Since she wanted to expose Elizabeth in front of a large crowd, she would not wish for more. Once she exposed all of Elizabeth's crimes in front of these influential people, there would no one who will want to associate with her anymore.
Once Nathalia and the others reached their destination, she immediately told them what they should do. "Everything should go according to what we planned, okay? And if it doesn't go as we wanted, then we go to plan B." Josh and Zen didn't say a word, and they just nodded.
After going over the plan, Nathalia left and went on to the place where Elizabeth is waiting for her. While she is on her way, she briefly looks at the paper and the picture in her hands. Seein the picture, Nathalia couldn't help but smirk.
"You thought that you can threaten me with this?" Nathalia mumbled to herself. She wants to laugh out loud, but she held it back. She'll save her laugh for later because she knows that she will be the one receiving the last laugh, not Elizabeth.
It was only two days ago when Elizabeth put a letter in her locker with a picture attached. She was shocked to see the picture because she never knew she's ever gonna see it again. She knew exactly why Elizabeth put that picture in her locker, Elizabeth thought that she will be trembling in horror.
If she was the same Nathalia in the past, she will most likely be trembling and crying by now. But unfortunately for Elizabeth, that is not the case anymore. She is not that traumatic kid anymore. She's stronger than she was in the past.
As what was written in the letter, Elizabeth is basically telling Nathalia to meet in a certain place. If Nathalia decided not to go, Elizabeth will spread that same picture.
Knowing that it's a trap for her, Nathalia decided to go since Elizabeth has the impression of her being the same old Nathalia. She will gladly play the role that, and once Elizabeth is off guard, she will make her move.
~~~~
"Do you remember the last time we were all alone in a classroom, Nathalia?" Elizabeth is very pleased that Nathalia actually came to the meeting place she sets for her. Honestly, she was a bit afraid that Nathalia will leave her hanging, and she has to print a lot of copies of that photo to spread it to a lot of people.
That would a lot of work for her, and doesn't like that much of work. Though she wouldn't mind spreading it to everyone in the school. Just seeing Nathalia's horrified face is going to satisfy her fill.
"Of course. That last time really did a number on me." Even if she has overcome her trauma, Nathalia wasn't able to erase that scarring memory out of her brain. Whenever she is in a tough situation, she always reminds herself that she has already experienced the worst situation in her entire life.
"It feels exactly like this, but the only difference is that this is a high school classroom. It's a pity that we couldn't go back to that same place." For the past days of trying to provoke Nathalia, Elizabeth noticed that Nathalia has changed, and she couldn't accept that.
However, she convinced herself that Nathalia is only acting. Josh and Zen must have told Nathalia to ignore her provocations. She also convinced herself that the Nathalia she once knew is still the same person in front of her.
"I'm wondering," Nathalia started. "What do you gain from this, Elizabeth?" Nathalia wants to know exactly why Elizabeth came back. Is it to interrupt her life? Is it because of jealousy? There is a ton of possibility, but Nathalia couldn't pick one.
"What will I gain from this? Let me see," Elizabeth paused and posed a position as if she is thinking a reason of why she is doing this to Nathalia. "It's just that I missed you so much."
Hearing that Nathalia gave Elizabeth a look, "Do you seriously think that I believe that?"
A small part of her believes that Elizabeth did miss her, missed interrupting her life. But a big part of her believes that it's not the main reason.
It has already been engraved in her mind that Elizabeth is a big liar, and there is no point in believing in her.
"In all seriousness, I really do miss you. After that tiny incident, I saw the horror and the fear in your face, and I realized that those expressions are making me feel satisfied. After I was driven away by your dad, I felt empty on the inside, then I remembered you. I tried to do the same thing I did to you to other girls, but they were not able to satisfy me. So I convinced my parents to go back here."
As Nathalia were listening to Elizabeth, she was shaking. Shaking in anger. She can't bear the fact the Elizabeth has been hurting a lot of people in the same way she did to her. Those people must have been terrified and in pain just like the old her.
"You sick monster." Nathalia in a low voice and Elizabeth wasn't able to hear it.
"Aren't you glad that I came back just to see you, my dear Nathalia?" Elizabeth looks at Nathalia, and she looks like a person who has become insane. That look in Elizabeth's face is making Nathalia feel disgusted.
"No. I'm not. You're the last person I want to be part of my life."