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@e-n-leonard

I’m not certain if that’s how Ophelia would react, so just let me know how I did. Change whatever you like 🙂

You did great! That’s really close for her! She’s definitely the ‘forgive and forget’ type person. Rather a bit too much… XD

I love how you portrayed her! It made me happy to read that she’s coming across as I want her to! 😀

Ophelia

So the new girl was Abirami’s sister? Alright, she seemed nice enough! The bugs were unfortunate but it was over now, and I was sure it wasn’t her fault. It hurt if people were mad at you for things you couldn’t control.

I made a point of giving her an extra smile.

“Um, excuse me, Ophelia?”

Jade popped up next to me, seemingly out of nowhere. It was a little harder to smile at her. She hadn’t seemed to like me over much. I gripped the strap of my purse, my thumb rubbing over a seam anxiously.

“Yes?” I said, expecting anything. I hoped she didn’t see me as a rival. I hated rivalries, they usually ended up destructive.

“Well, I was rather too harsh back when those bugs came out. I’m — sorry,” she said, clearly struggling with the apology.

I took half a step back and laughed, the nerves shooting through it. Why was she apologizing to me? What was the point of that? I wasn’t mad at her. Yes, the words had rather stung, but that was just how it was. I had gotten in her way, so I deserved any sharp words that came my way.

“Oh, don’t apologize, those bugs made me nervous too,” I said, almost apologetically. Why was I apologizing? How many times could I use that word?

Rosemary shot me a smile and left.

“You’re a dancer, too, right?” Jade asked, awkwardly.

I nodded so enthusiastically that my curls bounced around and into my face.

“You’re one too! I couldn’t help but notice,” I said, with a laugh, gesturing to how she was standing.

“Uh, yes. I suppose I’ve practiced so much it’s stuck,” Jade said and laughed. I instantly joined in, the suddenness of it surprised me. Just a minute ago, she’d seemed to despise me, now she was trying to make friends. I’d make sure she wouldn’t start disliking me again.

“I go to a ballet academy. Do you?” I asked, eager to find some common ground or anything to make the conversation go well.

“No, but I’m in the Haven’s dance program, and I practiced all summer to keep my spot… well, I did when I wasn’t helping out at the fish farm.”

I clasped my hands, almost bouncing on the balls of my feet from excitement.

“That must be lovely! I don’t know how I got into the class, I don’t know how I stayed,” I said, with a self-deprecating laugh.

I practiced endlessly, I showed up to every class, even if it was a little late, I tried every day, I tried as hard as I could, but every day it felt like it wasn’t enough like I’d never be able to live up to the others, to what I should or could be like I didn’t deserve to get this far.

_______

The longer I write Ophelia the more of her messed-up worldview is on full display. I don’t know if I should be proud or ashamed XD