"You can like whatever you want, but do you really have to say it out loud and hurt people?" Claire honestly didn't think she'd hurt anyone.
"I didn't mean it like that." Cindy realized she almost always lost arguments with Claire.
"Then what do you mean? Because I don't get it." Claire kept her tone cold. "We were having a good time and, well, I just think people with manners wouldn't interrupt others."
Was this her way of asking them to leave? Cindy's face fell in an instant. She couldn't believe Claire could be this blunt.
"We just heard you talking and came over to say hi." Cindy tried her best to sound casual, hoping to smooth things over.
She took another step back. "Since you clearly don't want us here, we'll go." Deep down, she expected Claire to stop her, to force a smile and ask her to stay for the sake of appearances. Instead, Claire just said, "Go ahead."
Cindy felt her face burn with embarrassment, but there was nothing she could do. She left in a hurry, trying to hide just how upset she was.
Once they were outside, the air was so tense you could almost hear it crackle. Rose and the other girls kept quiet-they could sense Cindy's mood and didn't dare say much.
By now, Cindy had been back with the James family long enough to pick up a certain aura, one that made people around her more careful with their words.
Rose and a couple of the girls exchanged anxious glances before one of them finally apologized.
"Sorry, Cindy. If we'd known Claire would act like that, we never would have talked you into going over."
Cindy's eyes were red, but she forced a smile. "It's fine. Honestly, it's my fault. I get why Claire resents me for taking the life she was supposed to have."
"Don't say that! It isn't your fault at all! This is your life—she's the one who stole eighteen years from you!"
Now that they were talking about it, Rose felt a surge of loyalty. "People like her just bite the hand that feeds them."
Cindy felt a little better hearing that. "Don't blame Claire too much. Her life changed so drastically, it's no wonder she's not happy. I just feel bad fondragging you all into this
because of me." She sniffed and a single tear slipped down her cheek.
For a moment, Rose and the others actually felt guilty. They'd encouraged Cindy because they wanted to see some drama, not expecting Cindy to care how they felt.
Rose squeezed her friend's hand. "Cindy, this was our fault. If we hadn't made you go, you never would have had to deal with her being so rude."
Cindy's throat tightened. Oh, so they realized she'd been humiliated. Who did Claire think she was, embarrassing her like that? The more Cindy thought about it, the angrier she got.
"Don't feel bad, Cindy. Claire isn't going to be on her high horse forever. She seemed really grumpy today-maybe she messed up her college entrance exams. The
teachers were counting
on her to get
the top score. If she failed, it's going to be such a mess."
Cindy did hope Claire had bombed—but she'd never say that out loud.
"I doubt it. Claire always gets great grades, I'm sure she did fine."
"Yeah but she's way too full of herself. Who signs up for math competitions when it's their senior, year? Did she even have time to study? If you ask me, she's just pretending to be perfect."
Rose wasn't convinced Claire could get the highest scores. Cindy found herself agreeing.
"So if Claire doesn't become the top scorer or doesn't even get into Cabinda University, do you think she'll get that guaranteed admission spot back?"