NIGHTMARE : underneath the surface

CHAPTER SEVEN

The days that followed were a whirlwind of tension. The office atmosphere had shifted dramatically; people began to avoid Diva, their whispers and laughter echoing in her wake. It was as if the incident had drawn a line in the sand, and she was on the wrong side of it.

During lunch, I sat with Helen and a few others, trying to enjoy a moment of normalcy. But the moment Diva entered the dining area, the mood soured. The mocking began almost immediately, a chorus of insults and laughter that followed her wherever she went.

I watched as she moved closer to Helen, kneeling at her feet. "Please, I'm sorry," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I just wanted to apologize."

Before I could react, I felt a rush of anger and memories flooding back. I remembered the days when I had begged the bullies to leave me alone, the desperation in my voice. I couldn't let this happen to her, no matter how much she had wronged me.

"Hey! Stop it!" I shouted, rising from my seat. The room fell silent, all eyes on me. "You have no right to bully her. Yes, she messed up, but she's still part of this team."

Whispers erupted around the room, disbelief etched on their faces. "Who does he think he is?" I heard someone murmur. "As if he can tell us what to do."

I felt the heat of their judgment, but I pressed on. "We're all here to support each other, not tear each other down. We've all made mistakes."

As I spoke, I could see the confusion in Diva's eyes, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of empathy for her. But the moment was fleeting, and I quickly turned away, retreating to the bathroom to wash my face. The memories of my past flooded back, the taunts of the bullies echoing in my mind. I gripped the sink tightly, trying to steady my breathing.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Helen stepped in. I hadn't noticed she was there until she touched my shoulder, her presence calming me. "Alex, are you okay?" she asked softly, concern etched on her face.

I nodded, but the weight of my past still pressed down on me. "I just... I can't stand seeing anyone bullied. It brings back too many memories."

Helen's eyes softened, and I felt a connection between us, a shared understanding of pain. "You're stronger than you think, Alex. You're not that scared kid anymore."