Mashauva didn't want to go as she did not want to betray her feelings.
After pondering for a while, she still shook her head.
"I still don't want to."
Lena and Hailey exchanged glances, wondering what was up with Mashauva. The look on Lena's face had obviously changed; if Mashauva wasn't going to be useful to her, then why should they still butter her up?
"Why not, Mashauva?" Hailey, on the other hand, wasn't as bad- tempered as she desperately wanted the opportunity. So she kept trying to save the situation.
Hailey continued, "Mashauva, I'm genuinely inviting you to my birthday party. Can you tell me why you won't go?"
Mashauva pressed her lips together and remained silent.
Lena glared at her with her arms folded. "Just spit it out. Don't be so secretive."
Triggered by Lena's words, Mashauva suddenly looked up.
"I'm being secretive? Shouldn't I be saying that about you?!"
Frida hadn't actually gone to the library but walked a lap around the area and went back after enough time passed for it to be believable. When she reached the door of the dorm, she heard Mashauva's voice.
Her voice was so loud that even Frida was surprised.
Oh dear, was a fight about to break out?
Frida wanted to open the door and head inside, but a thought suddenly struck her. She stopped in her tracks and stood still, listening to what was happening inside.
"We're being secretive?" Lena looked at Mashauva, amused. "How so? Enlighten us."
"I didn't want to say it, but if you insist, I will." Mashauva pointed at the door, "I came back once before this, but I didn't come in right away, do you know why?"
Lena's and Hailey's expressions became twisted hearing that. The same thought occurred to them, but neither of them spoke, grasping onto the last bit of hope.
Mashauva had on a quiet smile.
"I've overheard what you guys said. You said you wanted me to attend your birthday party, but it's
not me you want. It's Bruno, isn't it?"
Hailey said, "Mashauva, you..."
"You don't have to deny it. I heard it loud and clear. They were your voices." Mashauva took a deep breath, seemingly having calmed down.
"I wouldn't be mad if you guys hate me. After all, nobody can get everybody to like them. But if you hate me, then don't use me. You guys buttered me up, and I even helped you deliver your gifts to Bruno. Although I don't like that you guys gave him gifts, I helped you out because we're roommates."
At the end of her speech, Mashauva looked down. "I thought you two really regarded me as a friend."
Who would've thought they were just using her.
Mashauva suddenly was stricken with the feeling that the adult world was serpentine. Oh, how she wished to return to her younger days when it was all sunshine and butterflies, days when no one called her fat and ugly, nor anyone tried to take advantage of her.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Perfect Mysterious Husband