"Let me see if I remember your names. Hannah, Rebecca, Amelia, Rachel, Sophia, and Carol." Nareen paused thoughtfully.
"They were seven of you before, including Kara. Canila died years ago."
She smiled sadly. "I'm sure if Canila could look down on you now from heaven, she'd be happy. Oh, and you're Iris. Sorry, I forgot you were here." Iris smiled in response.
"Kara stepped out to buy some milk. She should be back soon. Please wait in her room," Nareen instructed.
Five minutes later, Kara arrived, calling out, "I'm home!"
Nareen eyed her and teased, "You seem happy. Is it rude to say I think you have split personalities?"
Kara smiled faintly and headed to the kitchen.
"You have visitors. Don't ask who. Just go see for yourself," Nareen said, taking the cans from Kara.
Kara took a deep breath.
Her ex-group members had come to visit—probably to demand answers about her behavior at the club.
She carefully opened the door and was surprised to see some familiar faces.
"Hannah, Becca, Amelia, Iris… What are you guys doing here?" she asked.
"We're here to talk," Hannah replied calmly.
Kara sat on her bed, staring at them one by one.
"I'm not supposed to be here," Becca said sharply, ignoring Hannah's warning glance.
"You indirectly killed Canila," Becca added.
"Becca, stop!" Hannah snapped.
"No, I deserve this," Kara said softly. "Let her say what she needs to."
Becca took a shaky breath. "Ha, acting all tough and innocent. Canila was the only one who tried to bring you back from your crazy group. But you pushed her away and made her life at school a nightmare. None of us said this before, but do you know why she ran away with her parents? Because she was exhausted—tired of all the pain you caused. You lost your father, yes, but Canila's entire family is gone now. I don't think you understand how cruel that is."
Kara nodded slowly, tears forming. "Fine. Yes, it was cruel. So cruel. I regret it. But when I spoke at the court, I didn't do it to win your favor, nor to make up for what happened—because I know nothing can fix that. But there's one thing I never said before, and I want to say it now: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. And if you want to know why I changed… I can't explain that. All I want now is to live right."
She broke down and wept.