"Buckle up, babes. I'm just getting started."
The class fell silent. For a second.
Then came the whispers—quick, sharp, wildfire-like. Some giggled. Some rolled their eyes. But right in the center of it all, Elara strode confidently to the last bench, middle row, and flopped onto the seat like she owned it.
The girl sitting in front turned around, her lips stretching into a forced smile.
"Hi, I'm Mia."
Elara smiled back, casual and bright. "I'm Ara."
Before Mia could say more, a sudden knock interrupted them.
*Bang bang!*
A loud thud on the classroom door made everyone turn. A teacher entered, files in hand, sharp eyes behind rimless glasses.
"Silence," she snapped. "I'm Ms. Lin. Welcome to History. Let's get one thing straight—I teach, and you learn. If you act smart, I act smarter. Got it?"
She placed the files on her desk just as three boys casually walked in behind her. Elara's eyes lit up in recognition cause these were those three wall boys.
Ms. Lin gestured toward the boys. "These three have been transferred from Section C to our section—apparently so they can learn a little something about manners."
She pointed.
"This is Ron." (The chubby one, cheerful vibes.)
"This is Riven." (Thin, funny, glasses—definitely the class clown.)
"And this is Evan." (Straight out of a K-drama.)
"Find your seats."
The three went straight to the window-side seats at the back—coincidentally, right near Elara. Ron and Riven spotted her and grinned. She grinned back.
"Silence!" Ms. Lin barked, snapping them all to attention.
She opened a file. "As you've probably seen the results board outside, I'll still announce it once for clarity. Also, the next exam will be held in three weeks, so I suggest you start preparing."
"Emily, stand up."
Emily stood. Perfect posture. Perfect silence. Perfectly smug.
"Once again, Emily has taken the top position."
The class clapped. Elara clapped too—more out of shock than respect.
"And in second place… Calix."
A boy stood—tall, cold, unreadable. The class clapped again. Elara blinked, gave a delayed clap, and made a face like *Who is this ice prince?*
"And the third topper is… Ava."
No one clapped. Not a single soul.
Instead, everyone turned to look at her—sitting quietly in the last seat, as if trying to disappear into her chair. Emily and Jessi exchanged glances. Ava slowly stood up, met Emily's eyes for a second… then looked down.
Mia leaned toward Elara. "You're not supposed to clap for her."
Elara frowned. "Why?"
Mia said, "If someone's Emily's enemy, they're basically the whole school's enemy."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "Why, is she some kind of queen?"
Mia smirked. "Forget that. You really don't know about Emily and Calix?"
Elara shook her head.
Mia's eyes gleamed. "Then let me tell you—Calix is this school's—"
"Miss Mia. Miss Elara," Ms. Lin interrupted, glaring. "Since you two are so talkative, let's see how much you've studied. Answer this question—"
Elara answered without blinking.
Mia… stuttered. And failed.
"Stand in the back," Ms. Lin ordered. Mia sighed and shuffled to the back of the class.
Eventually, the bell rang. Ms. Lin left.
At lunch, while everyone moved to the canteen, Mia handed Elara her plate.
"I'll grab juice for both of us. You find a seat."
Elara wandered, looking for an empty spot. Nothing. Finally, she spotted a seat next to Ava and sat down.
Suddenly, the whole cafeteria turned to stare. Elara froze, remembering Mia's words. But instead of getting up, she faced Ava.
The girl's hands were trembling. Tears welled in her eyes, like she already knew what was coming.
Emily and Jessi stormed over, fury in their eyes.
"Third place?" Emily yelled. "I told you not to appear on that list!"
Ava stayed silent. Jessi snatched her tray, slamming the food onto Ava's lap. Then Emily tossed juice—meant for Ava—but it splashed right onto Elara's dress too.
That was it.
Elara stood. "What's your problem?" she snapped, lifting her own water glass and throwing it straight at Emily's face.
The canteen fell silent.
Without waiting for a reaction, Elara walked out, leaving everyone stunned.
Empty classroom. Dust dancing in sunlight. Elara sat alone, breathing in silence until Mia rushed in, out of breath.
"They called you to the director's office. Now. Emily and Jessi are already there."
Elara didn't flinch. She just stood and walked out.
The verdict was quiet. Sharp. Unfair.
"Clean the backyard garden."
The garden was a mess. Overgrown shrubs, dried leaves, and rusting tools. Elara sighed and grabbed the broom, sweeping with no real interest.
As she dragged a stubborn clump of leaves aside, something caught the light. A dull glint—easily missed. Probably junk.
She crouched, brushing the soil with her fingers. A small pendant lay half-buried under the roots, its metal warm despite the shade. An odd design—spirals etched into it, faint but precise.
She glanced around. No one.
Shrugging, Elara slipped it into her pocket without a second thought. Probably someone's lost trinket, she told herself.
Probably.
But as she stood, she felt it again—that tingling sense of being watched.
Her eyes flicked toward the trees.
A figure. Distant. Still. Cloaked.
For a second, their gazes locked—or at least, that's how it felt.
Then Elara blinked, and the figure was gone.
Behind her, Mia's voice broke the spell.
"Elara! Juice or cola? I got both!"
Elara didn't answer. She just walked toward her, hand brushing against the pendant through her pocket. It was cool now.
Almost too quiet.