No words could describe the pain on Estella's hand and the grievance surging from within her after the fall. She massaged her little hand instinctively, almost breaking into tears.
After a while, she sniffled and got up to her feet. Then, she took out a notebook from the desk and started writing something in it.
All the other kids were not surprised by that. Since Estella was mute, she usually communicated with them by writing in her notebook. However, it seldom appeared as there was scarcely anyone to play with her.
A while later, she flipped her notebook toward Tammy after she finished writing.
Placing her hands on her hips, the latter snorted at the word “apologize” in it and questioned sardonically, “How could you have the cheek to request me to apologize to you? Estella, you're asking for it!”
With that, she advanced toward Estella with her nose in the air and stretched out her hand, thinking of giving the poor girl another shove.
It never occurred to Estella that Tammy would strike at her again. Standing rooted on the spot, she was unable to react.
In the meantime, Archie and Benny had been keeping their eyes on them.
Nobody was aware when Tammy suddenly gave Estella a hefty shove a while ago. The realization only dawned on Archie and Benny when Estella fell to the floor.
Now that Tammy was going to shove Estella again, they could not hold back any longer.
“Enough of that! How could you bully her!” Archie stood in her way swiftly, glowering at her with a look of sheer grimness.
Tammy was stunned at his sudden emergence in front of Estella.
Archie stated sternly, “Didn't your mother teach you to apologize after making a mistake? Since you'd shoved her just now, you must apologize to her!”
Irked by Tammy's domineeringness, the young boy exuded an imposing aura surprisingly.
An intimidated Tammy looked around apprehensively, hoping the other kids would back her up.
Moments later, when nobody stepped forward to do so, she could only retort guiltily, "I-I..."
Nevertheless, she was at a loss for words to speak up for herself.
At the sight of Tammy blushing crimson, Benny advanced toward her resignedly. “You shouldn't hurt anyone as you like. It's bad behavior! We're not supposed to fight among ourselves. Apologize to her, okay?”
Benny's voice was not as authoritative as Archie's, but there was still an unmissable hint of sternness in his tone.
On the verge of tears, Tammy flashed him a glance timidly.
Seeing that, Benny blinked a few times and relented. “Don't cry. You'll look ugly if you cry. Bad kids tend to look ugly, too. Not to mention, only bad kids hurt others. If you don't wish to be one of them, apologize to her sincerely. You'll automatically be a good kid again after she forgives you!”
Tammy sniffled hard, restraining herself from bursting into tears. No way! I don't want to be an ugly girl! But bad kids tend to look ugly...
After much hesitation, she snuffled and apologized to Estella, “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you just now. Could you please forgive me?”
Estella looked at Tammy for quite a while before nodding.
Benny grinned blissfully. “That's right! We're all classmates and should get along well with each other!”
Tammy nodded awkwardly at Estella's willingness to forgive her.
The other kids shared the same sentiments as Benny and echoed his words. Meanwhile, Archie turned to look at Estella. “Are you all right? Did you get hurt just now?”
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