The more Brianna spoke, the angrier she became, her face scrunching up.
It was because of Lauren.
Now, she didn't even want to go to school anymore.
Just the thought of seeing that little witch was infuriating!
The girl was so upset her eyes were red. She was pinching her own arm, leaving red marks on the back of her pale hand.
Serena's brow furrowed slightly. She placed her hand over the girl's, her gaze calm and lazy. "If you know they're both trash, then stay away from them."
The soft touch made Brianna's eyelashes flutter.
She looked up with her red-rimmed eyes, her face falling as she asked in a small voice, "Serena... do you think I'm... an idiot?"
Serena asked, "Why would you say that?"
"I didn't see that Lauren was a two-faced manipulator from the start. I let her use me to get out of her hometown, and then I let her steal all my friends," Brianna said, biting her lower lip.
Serena smiled faintly and patted her on the head. "On the contrary, I think it shows you're kind enough to want to help someone in need. She took advantage of you and hurt you, which just shows her true colors. There's no reason to let an insignificant person like that make you tear yourself apart."
Brianna's eyes brightened a little. "And... what about Brandon? We've known each other for ten years, but every time Lauren and I argue, he only ever takes her side. He always forces me to apologize to her!"
"A ten-year friendship that can be destroyed by a few manipulative words just means your childhood friend and that woman are two of a kind," Serena said with a smile. "You cherish a decade of history and see him as a dear friend, while he sees himself as some kind of savior."
"All Lauren managed to take from you was trash you could easily throw away..."
"As for her."
Serena paused, a smile touching the corners of her eyes. "Do you really think she can maintain her position by playing the victim, pandering his hero complex to get ahead?"
"Besides, that 'high branch' she climbed was only there because you allowed it.
When you decide to take it back, what will be left for her?"
Brianna's pupils dilated slightly as she stared at Serena. "So... you don't think it's my fault that things between us ended up like this?"
It seemed to be the first time she had ever heard someone say that her relationship with Brandon wasn't her fault.
All this time, just because she was a Blackwood heiress,
er
whenever she had a conflict with Brandon or Lauren, their mutual friends would jump in to criticize her. They'd say she was too high and mighty that she was always throwing tantrums like a spored princess, that she always used her power to bully others.
Over time, she had really started to doubt herself.
Was she really... too arrogant? Was that why Lauren was so much more likable?
But now, Serena was telling her it wasn't her fault, even praising her for being kind. Brianna's eyes grew red again.
"Of course it's not your fault." Serena leaned in and gently tapped
Brianna's nose. "You have to
remember, if a relationship makes
you feel bad about yourself, you
need to cut it off it's
to cut it off it's not benefiting
you, it's draining you."
"Don't get hung up on 'ten years of history.' He had no problem throwing you away
for another woman."
"You were never without options; you just forgot you had them."