The next morning, she walked to the bulletin board again. The sheet was still there. She picked up the pen and signed her name. Her hand was shaking a little, but she did it.
A smile crept up her lips as she looked at her name written on that sheet.
'Yeah, it doesn't matter if I fail. At the very least, I had the chance to do it when I was chosen. If I succeed, then that would be even greater.'
She took a deep breath and turned to leave. Upon reaching the main gate of the campus, she stopped in her tracks.
Her lips parted a little when she saw the two people standing there, looking at her.
"Wh- Why—"
She could not finish her sentence when one rushed to her and hugged her tightly.
"Stupid Kath."
"Bea?"
Kathrine was still bewildered by the fact that Beatrice was actually there. She also looked at the person accompanying Beatrice.
She had straight black hair reaching her elbows, with see-through bangs, light, wispy strands that softly covered the forehead without fully concealing it. They created a delicate, airy look that added a youthful and effortless charm to her face.
People would glance at her from time to time, but no one would try to approach because of the indifferent look in her eyes.
"You're…"
Kathrine trailed off while looking at her.
"Harmony," she replied.
"Oh…"
Kathrine seemed to have seen in the group chat that Wynter would be Harmony Thomas for the time being. However, she had forgotten, causing her to be bewildered while looking at Harmony's current look.
Then she glanced at Beatrice, who was still hugging her.
"Bea, I can't breathe," she patted her back.
Beatrice pulled away and glared at her.
"You don't have to tell me anything. But never use those words!"
Kathrine blinked in confusion.
"We grew up together. You would not fall sick just like that. You wouldn't collapse like that because you know when you need to rest. Falling sick means you are not okay, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. It means you have pushed your own body to the limit. Do you think I wouldn't know that? And you are saying you are fine?!"
Some students glanced their way when Beatrice's voice became louder.
"Shall we visit your apartment instead?" Harmony spoke up, causing Beatrice to realize that she had drawn attention to them.
She cleared her throat, "Yes, we should. Let's also buy a few things to cook and drink."
Without being able to say anything more, Kathrine was pulled to the grocery and was made to lead them to her apartment.
Lydia wasn't there again as she had more projects coming her way.
"I'll cook. You talk," Harmony said after they got in.
Beatrice had no qualms and simply walked to the sofa and patted the space beside her. Kathrine blankly sat on that spot.
Beatrice cupped her cheeks and made Kathrine face her. She moved Kathrine's face, inspecting every part of it.
"You still look gaunt, but I suppose it is no longer the same as before. Though I did not get to see that, Justin said that you looked frighteningly pale."
"Ah… yes, I am better now," she replied as Beatrice continued moving her head from one side to another.
Beatrice made Kathrine face her directly without letting go of her face.
"You don't have to tell me anything, Kath, but never ever say that you are fine when you are not. If you can't tell me anything, that is fine. I can wait. I am your childhood friend and I know how much it was engraved in you that you are the strong one."
Kathrine blinked.
"I know, and that is your negative trait!"
Kathrine opened her mouth to argue.
"But that is also your strength. Just that sometimes, you forget that it is more painful for people to watch the strong ones crumble than to know that their mere presence is enough to let those strong people feel it is fine to feel weak. It is fine not to speak. That my mere presence was enough for you to feel that I can also be your support."
"I'm sorry," was all Kathrine could come up with after hearing Beatrice's words.
"I am not blaming you for acting that way. But I only wish that you wouldn't say you are fine when you are not. If I ask, are you okay? I hope you'd tell me no. I won't ask you unless you speak up first."
Kathrine nodded her head, feeling warmth filling up her heart.
Beatrice smiled and hugged her again. Kathrine returned the hug while sniffing.
After a bit, Harmony called them, telling them to eat. They did not even realize that she was already done cooking.
"It smells good," Kathrine said.
It was way back in high school when they last tasted Harmony's cooking.
As they started eating, Kathrine felt her body being energized.
"Did you perhaps…" she looked at Harmony.
Beatrice also looked up after noticing something in the dishes.
"I added some herbs to help with your body's recovery. I also placed some pre-cooked dishes in the fridge with herbs on them. You can cook them later on. I placed the time when it should be consumed. It will last you about two weeks-"
Harmony was speaking while eating nonchalantly but was interrupted when she was suddenly hugged by Kathrine.
"Thank you… Thank you guys for coming here and spending time with me…"
Harmony patted her arm, "Keep eating now then."
She is Harmony right now, someone who is mostly indifferent. It was a character she chose to play, and this is the response she could give to Kathrine.
Kathrine smiled, knowing that this is the best concern she could receive from Harmony Thomas.