Chapter 17: Burst

"S-steve?"

"I have to go. You guys need to talk privately," Cleo said, then walked away, leaving us in silence.

"What exactly did you say?"

I couldn't respond because I could sense his rage.

"Why Shiloa Smith?" He's upset.

"Would you like to respond?"

"Shiloa!" he exclaims, issuing a warning to me.

"I lied."

"But why?"

"I'm curious to see how they react."

"Did you even consider how we feel after learning about your forgetfulness? You made us believe you were suffering from amnesia."

"I'm sorry for hurting your feelings, but I have to get this done."

"Do you want to exact vengeance on them?"

"Huh? You're aware of it?"

"Shiloa, don't turn the tables on me."

"I guess I'm not the only one who has lied in this place."

"I lied because I didn't want you to go through that pain. Pain that isn't real? You're only in grade 10, how do you think about those things?"

"I'm not just a 10th grader; I'm just curious if they have any regrets about what happened."