Both of them were now able to talk more freely, without any interruption.
Slobodan is nervous. But with the help of his cold reason, he inhaled deeply, and calmed himself down.
Pravda, with a voice full of compassion, said:
"Look, it's a good thing you want to help your classmates out, and I support that. However, doing that because you fear someone is not alright. If you have any problem, please tell me, okay?"
'This bitch.'
Slobodan isn't angry at the moment, but he is slightly annoyed by some of her words.
'Me? Scared? By whom? That moron? Don't make me laugh. '
Putting on an act of a naive, but good hearted person, he said:
"Oh, no, you don't have to worry too much. I appreciate your help. But, it doesn't bother me what are they talking about me or anything. Thank you for your concern, but I am fine, really."
He has done this thing before. It's not the first somebody pretended to be considered about him. It's like preparing for a play at this point. So he prepared this talk, in case somebody would bother him with these kind of questions.
And he knows how it would usually play out. People would ask him afterwards:" Are you really fine? " To which he would just continue assuring them that he is, and that they shouldn't worry. After that he would get the sentence:" Well, if you want to talk to somebody, I'm here for you. " To which he replies that he is grateful, and that he will keep it in his mind.
Of course, he never did, because he can't be open about something so easily to a person that he sees three times a year.
However, she didn't seem satisfied with his response, as if she saw right through his act.
Now she changed her impression from compassionate, to a more serious one:
"Look, we both know that you can't stand these people. As I said, I saw how much you didn't like their company. Whenever they interacted with you, you seemed like you wanted to escape your own skin, just to avoid them. So I am asking you a question here, who are you lying here, me or yourself? "
"I'm not lying anybody here. I'm telling you, I'm fine. Do I like these people? No, no I don't. But I learned how to be around them, and enjoy myself at the same time. Once again, thank you for you consideration, but I don't need your help. "
After finishing his sentence, she didn't have anything to say.
He was slowly pulling him self from the conversation and is going to the classroom.
However, she grabbed his shoulder.
'Damn, she is persistent. Just leave me alone already. '
Pravda, now fully confident and proud said:
"Look, I've helped a lot of people who were bullied or mistreated by others in the past. Some of them would instantly break down, some of them asked me for advice, and some were like you, suspicious and afraid of opening up to me. But after opening up to me, they would be happier. They could move on from their chains and have a new life. So I'm begging you, talk to me. If you need time, I will wait. But don't ignore me.
'Well, the time for acting is over.'
Slobodan, now starting to get angry, looked at her with with cold eyes.
"Look, I don't care about some losers that you helped. I'm different. I don't need anybody's help, I just want to be alone. I do appreciate you standing up for me, and I felt some satisfaction when I saw him fall. But if you want to help me, just leave me alone. "
" Why is it so hard for you ask for help? Do you really think that you are just above anybody else, and that you don't need one? "
"Yes I do. And besides, why do you care so much?"
"Because somebody has to care. If I don't, nobody else will."