Jaumet had walked into the room like everybody else, like to an execution. And that’s what it was, in the general sense of the word. Being outcast and death were basically the same thing.
As he found a spot near the wall, he caught sight of a small, brown-haired girl glaring at everybody as they came in.
Her glare shifted to Jaumet. As he noticed, he glared back.
“Are you judging me?” he demanded. Her gaze did not shift.
“I’m judging everyone who comes in here.” Jaumet paused as he thought this over
“Why?”
“You all come into these sessions like you’re the victim’s friend, like you need to support them, but when the punishment ends, nobody stays.”
“They’ll stay,” Jaumet asserted. The girl shook her head.
“Look around, how many people here will risk staying. His girlfriend?” She motioned to Calista.
“She loves him.”
“Not enough. What about his teacher?
“She said he was promising.”
“Not promising enough. And you, will you really stay?”
“I’m not like that,” Jaumet demanded, “I’m his friend.”
“That’s what they all say.”
“This isn’t just talk, I’m going to stay. That’s what friends do.”
“Are you willing to give up everything else? What about your other friendships? What about your life?”
“It’ll be one sorry-ass excuse for a life if I let down my best friend.” The girl cocked her head.
“You really mean it, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Well, good luck Jaumet.”
“To you as well…”
“Elia, it’s Elia.”
Nihilistic Porcupine 