Copycat Chapter 4: Shadows and reflection

Aftermath of the Confrontation

The week following the confrontation felt strange to Ardania. She could feel eyes on her wherever she went—some sympathetic, others curious, and a few judgmental. Her classmates whispered as she passed by, their murmurs filling the hallways with a low hum that only she seemed to hear. Although her friends assured her that she’d done the right thing, a part of her wondered if there had been another way, a way that wouldn’t have made her feel so exposed.

“Ardania, you were brave,” Krishina said one morning as they walked to class. “You stood up for yourself, and that takes courage.”

“Maybe,” Ardania replied softly, casting her gaze down. “But I didn’t want it to be this way. I didn’t want to create all this…drama.”

Luna gave her a reassuring smile. “Sometimes, drama is unavoidable. You set boundaries, and that’s important. You deserve to be yourself without feeling like someone else is always following your every step.”

As they entered their classroom, Ardania caught a glimpse of Saevana sitting in the back. Unlike her usual confident posture, Saevana looked subdued, her gaze fixed on her desk. It was unusual to see her without her usual entourage. Aurora, Ishaira, and Patricia had taken to sitting a few rows away, exchanging glances but saying little.

For a moment, Ardania felt a pang of sympathy. She knew what it felt like to feel isolated, to feel as though everyone was watching her every move. But she quickly reminded herself that Saevana had chosen this path. She had crossed the line, and Ardania had been forced to stand up for herself.

Saevana’s Response and Isolation

After the confrontation, Saevana felt as if the world had closed in around her. Her friends seemed to keep their distance, and the once-familiar comfort of school now felt cold and empty. Aurora had tried to talk to her a few times, but Saevana pushed her away, her heart still aching from the confrontation with Ardania.

Sitting alone in the school library one afternoon, Saevana found herself thinking back to all the times she had copied Ardania. At first, it had felt harmless, a way to feel close to someone she admired. But somewhere along the way, admiration had turned into obsession, and she had lost sight of herself.

“What was I thinking?” she muttered under her breath, burying her face in her hands.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see Patricia standing there, a hesitant smile on her face.

“Hey,” Patricia said, sitting down beside her. “You’ve been kind of…distant lately.”

Saevana sighed, feeling the weight of her mistakes pressing down on her. “I messed up, Patricia. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

Patricia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to be anyone else, Saevana. Maybe it’s time to find out who you really are.”

The words hit Saevana with surprising force, and for the first time, she allowed herself to consider a future where she didn’t need to copy someone else to feel valued.

Ardania’s Journey of Self-Rediscovery

Meanwhile, Ardania found herself exploring new ways to express her individuality. She tried experimenting with different styles, picking out clothes that felt uniquely her own, instead of simply following trends. Her friends noticed the change and encouraged her, each of them offering ideas and inspiration.

One Saturday, Ardania decided to try her hand at painting, something she had always wanted to do but never had the courage to try. She spent hours in her room, splattering colors on a canvas, feeling an immense sense of freedom as she created something that was truly hers. By the time she finished, her heart swelled with a quiet pride.

“Wow, Ardania,” Krishina said when she saw the painting later. “That’s beautiful. You’re discovering so much about yourself.”

Ardania smiled, feeling a newfound confidence blooming within her. For the first time, she felt like she was truly embracing who she was, free from comparisons and imitation.

An Unexpected Encounter

One evening, while walking home from the school library, Ardania spotted Saevana sitting alone on a bench in the park. The two locked eyes, and for a moment, Ardania considered turning around. But something stopped her—a sense of unfinished business, perhaps, or a spark of curiosity. Taking a deep breath, she walked over and sat beside her.

“Hey,” Ardania said quietly.

Saevana looked up, her expression guarded. “Hey.”

They sat in silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Saevana broke the silence.

“I’m sorry, Ardania,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know I’ve made things difficult for you.”

Ardania glanced over, surprised by the raw honesty in Saevana’s voice. “Why did you do it?” she asked gently. “Why did you feel the need to copy me?”

Saevana sighed, her gaze distant. “I guess…I thought if I could be more like you, people would like me more. I was never confident on my own.”

Ardania felt a wave of sympathy, understanding now that Saevana’s actions had stemmed from her own insecurities. “You don’t need to be anyone else, Saevana. People will like you for who you are, but only if you let them see the real you.”

The two shared a small smile, and in that moment, the weight of their past tension began to lift. They weren’t friends, not yet, but they had reached a place of mutual understanding.

To be continue.........

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