Isla exhaled a small breath. It was an exasperated sigh as if she had seen something extremely disappointing happen in front of her eyes. Something bad enough to make her exhale with a tired look on her face.
Danny was surprised to see that shift in her expression. From sheer anger to complete disappointment. He knew Isla for many years and yet he never expected to be the target of that look. In a moment, he felt his heart sink in.
“Since when did you start looking down on people, Danny?” She asked in a calm tone.
“…” Her question made Danny frown as he pursed his lips.
“Was that what you stood for this entire time? To consider yourself above other people?” She asked again. “Do you think they’re beneath you because you were born with a golden spoon in your mouth and they could never reach your level or exceed you?”
“…” Staring into Isla’s eyes, all he could see was deep empathy and no emotions at all. He felt his entire body shudder in terror. There was no anger in her voice and there was certainly no threat, yet purely from her presence, Danny felt like he was staring at a looming silhouette.
“I…”
“I assumed you were someone that stood for what is right. Even when we could easily make weaker people’s lives hell for our own merit, we never did that. When we were kids, didn’t we agree that no matter what happens, we will never follow the footsteps of those people above us?”
Then, Isla pointed at the blood on her face. “We bleed so that we can make a change. If that isn’t what you think… If that is the case, then… I don’t recognize you anymore.”
Emmy gasped in shock when she heard that last sentence. “Is-” As she was about to speak, Herculia grabbed her shoulder secretly, making her look back at him. Then, he shook his head with a serious expression.
“Isla, I…”
“Tell me, what makes you think he couldn’t learn how to be a part of the team? He had saved our lives several times and we benefitted a lot from his actions. We became way stronger when he joined us. We would’ve not been able to even reach this point if Arthur wasn’t there. On what basis do you think that his power wouldn’t be a huge addition to our collective?”
“I didn’t mean that. I…”
“Sigh, I do not know why you’re still stuck on what happened a few days ago. Don’t let hatred fill your mind. We have had enough of the consequences hatred brought upon us.” Isla closed her eyes and opened them again.
Danny could see deep within her eyes a faint pleading look. Her tone, while still the same, sounded like a pleading cry for Danny not to become like those people that they knew about. She didn’t want to see one of her friends whom she had known for a long time become something different.
Danny, while being rough around the edges, was still deep down a kind person who hated seeing people being oppressed by the stronger. He saw the harsh reality of that arrogance and how much pain it brought upon many people. He had stood for what was right his entire life. Yet, he was now following the wrong path.
Realizing that hit Danny really hard. His eyes flickered with a myriad of emotions. He couldn’t speak at all.
‘I’m… Looking down on him?’ He asked himself in disbelief. Then, his mind started recounting what happened the past few days. How he looked at Arthur, how he treated him, and how he was always opposed to anything related to him. The excuse that Arthur couldn’t have good chemistry with the team was just a facade he used to hide the reality that he was indeed looking down on Arthur.
Danny was feeling bitter that someone who had no background and no talent and who was a completely average human being exceeded him. It didn’t sit well with him that the others simply accepted him as a friend.
He even felt that he was being slowly replaced by Arthur. He was taking his position in the team as everyone walked around him while Danny stood at the back, unable to be there.
‘That never happened, did it? I have been hallucinating that I was being replaced yet there was no indication of that. Why was I thinking that way?’
Holding his face, Danny bit his lip aggressively. This was akin to a slap to the face. He was being foolish and childish the entire time. He had disappointed the person he looked up to the most. He had put an oath on himself that he would make sure to help Isla and be by her side for the rest of his life. Yet, unknowingly, he caused her more harm than good.
“I… I’m sorry… I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” He finally spoke in a soft tone, unable to handle the shame.
Seeing the guilty look on his face, Isla responded. “Think about your actions and make things right. I am not asking you to like him. But, at least respect that he is someone who isn’t inferior to us in any way.”
Then, Isla looked at Arthur who was silent the entire time. He seemed a little taken aback by the shower of compliments she had rained down on him.
‘Hey, hey, I never said I’m not inferior to all of you. That dipshit isn’t wrong.’ He thought to himself. However, the boy felt quite happy deep inside hearing those words. He didn’t think Isla thought that highly of him.
Nobody had ever complimented him that much, showing that he was worth something. It was a subtle detail but its effect on him was profound.
‘Wow, I have somehow made her think that way of me. It’s… Well, I’m not humble enough not to admit that it feels pretty nice.’ He shrugged it off casually.
As he was like that, he noticed someone approaching him. It was none other than Danny. With a guilty look on his face, he stopped in front of Arthur.
Arthur: “…”
Danny: “…”
‘Uh, is he ok?’ Arthur frowned.
“I… I want to apologize for what I said. I didn’t mean that.” He said with some difficulty.
“… Uh, it’s ok. I have nothing against you.” Arthur rubbed the back of his head gently. “I’m here for a fleeting period of time. I don’t want to ruin the bond this group has. You guys have inspired me a lot with how strong your friendship is.” He added with a smile.
“Arthur…” Herculia and Emmy were touched by his words.
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“I have lived most of my life with no real friends and I honestly was fine with it. I’m not cut out for friendships or long-term relationships. But, it is still very nice to see a group of people that will never break no matter what they face. I respect that.”
Saying that, Arthur stared back at Danny before he extended his hand. “So, let’s start a new clean slate? No grudges?”
“…” Danny looked at his hand then at Arthur. Pursing his lips, he said. “Your hand is dirty, I don’t want to touch it.”
“Wha-”
Before Arthur could even react, Danny grabbed his hand in a firm handshake as he looked up and extended his tongue out. “I’m joking.”
‘This bastard…’
A//N: Don’t forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3