CHAPTER TWO
The lesson was already in progress when Elara staggered into the classroom, looking weak and drained. The room fell silent at once, every pair of eyes turning toward her.
Seraphina noticed her, and a smug smile curved her lips as she exchanged glances with Camille and Violet. They shared the same knowing look.
Mrs. Flora sighed after taking in Elara's condition. Elara, always intimidated, lowered her head.
"Where have you been, Elara Quinn?" Mrs. Flora asked, trying to keep her voice gentle.
"I… I went to__" As she tried to explain, she was cut off.
"Umm, Mrs. Flora," Seraphina said sweetly, "don't blame the ugly duckling. It takes time to put on makeup so she doesn't scare the whole school into chaos." she mocked and the class burst into laughter.
Elara dropped her head even lower, her fingers curling painfully into her palms.
Mrs. Flora slammed her hand on the desk and the laughter died down.
"Seraphina Vale! Do not use words like 'ugly' on another human being!" she scolded.
"Oh my, teacher," Seraphina replied with mock offense. "You hurt me. I don't use that word on humans… only on non-humans. And Elara is one."
Another wave of laughter rolled through the classroom. Mrs. Flora shot Seraphina a fierce look, but Seraphina only rolled her eyes.
"Elara, please take your seat and let the lesson continue," Mrs. Flora said.
Elara nodded and walked toward her desk. When she reached it, she froze.
The seat was covered in fresh, wet paint.
She hesitated, glancing at Camille, who was holding a paintbrush and smirking.
"Is there a problem, Elara?" Mrs. Flora asked.
"N… no, ma'am." Elara quickly said and sat down. The cold paint soaked through her skirt, but she stayed still.
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The final bell rang and the students poured out of the building. Some climbed into expensive cars, others onto motorbikes. Elara walked quickly to the bus stop nearly seven kilometers away.
When she arrived, she was lucky to catch a bus already boarding. She squeezed inside and tried to scan her card but it didn't work.
She tried again but nothing. After trying a few more times, the driver groaned in irritation.
"It seems you'll have to step out," he said impatiently.
"But sir__"
Before she could finish, a girl about her age stepped forward. She wore a hoodie, putting on an earpiece with one earbud hanging from her ear.
"I'll pay for her," the girl said, scanning her own card. The payment went through and she turned and smiled at Elara.
When the bus settled, Elara walked over to her seat.
"Hey," Elara said shyly.
The girl removed her earbud and looked up. "Oh... Hi."
"I… I just wanted to thank you for earlier."
The girl smiled. "It's nothing. By the way, I'm Kiara." She smiled and held out her hand.
Elara hesitated, unused to such kindness, then took it.
When the ride ended, Elara thanked her again before they parted ways.
As she walked home, she kept thinking about the girl. That small moment of kindness __ the only one she had received from anyone her age in years, aside from her sister __stayed with her.
When Elara got home, she reached out for her key from her bag, unlocked the door and stepped inside the apartment.
It was quiet, as usual.
The small living room was dim with worn out curtains. The old couch had a tear along the side and the carpet was faded. Their home was tiny old but it was all they had.
Elara looked around as she tossed her bag on the floor, tiredly. Nyra wasn't home as usual.
Elara sighed and headed to the bathroom. She took a warm bath, the hot water making her bruise sting but she remain calm. When she came out, she changed into her loose night clothes and tied her hair back.
She was drying her hair when she heard Nyra's voice.
Elara froze, surprised.
That was strange. Her sister always came home late.
She stepped out and saw Nyra in the kitchen, her jacket tossed over a chair, unpacking something from a small bag.
"Elara, " Nyra said softly upon seeing her.
Elara remained silent, staring at her sister.
"You're home." Nyra added.
They stood there for a second, looking at each other. And then, Nyra walked over and touched Elara's hair. "How was school today?" she asked.
Elara lowered her eyes and repied. "Fine."
Nyra studied her, clearly unconvinced, but only nodded. "Go sit. I brought your favorite."
As they ate dinner, Elara was silent, picking on her food. Nyra kept trying to fill the silence.
"What did you learn today? Did anything interesting happen?" She asked smiling but Elara only nodded.
"Are you keeping up with your work?" She asked again but Elara remained silent.
Nyra watched her closely and noticed her distant behavior. She had seen this mant times but it was getting more obvious.
When Elara stood to clear the table, the sleeve of her shirt slipped up, revealing the dark bruise on her arm. Nyra caught it.
"Elara." she called out sharply.
Elara stopped, confused.
"What happened to your arm?" Nyra asked, with her brow slightly furrowed.
Elara pulled her sleeve down quickly. "It's nothing."
Nyra stood up. "That's not nothing. Let me see it." She snapped.
"I said it's nothing," Elara muttered.
Nyra's voice tightened. "Did someone do this to you?"
"No."
"Then how did you get it?" Nyra questioned, clearly pissed now.
Elara stayed silent.
Nyra's worry turned sharp. "Talk to me." She shouted.
"I don't want to." Elara shouted back. For the first time, she raised her voice at her elder sister.
Nyra's hands clenched as she stared at Elara in suprise. "I work myself to the bone for you. The least you can do is tell me the truth."
Elara's eyes burned firmly. "I said it's nothing!" She replied softly.
They stared at each other for a while and neither of them said nothing.
Nyra finally looked away. "Fine. Do whatever you want."
Elara went to her room and shut the door.
That night, after Elara had fallen asleep, Nyra sat alone in the living room. Slowly, she removed her cap with shaky hands. Some strands of hair clung to the inside.
She closed her eyes, the doctor's voice echoing in her mind.
Immedaite surgery, Miss Nyra.
Tears slid down her cheeks.
After a while, she stood, took a small tube of medicine from her bag, and walked into Elara's room. She sat beside her and gently rolled up her sleeve.
Elara stirred and moaned softly in her sleep when the medicine touched her bruised skin.
"Shh… I'm here," Nyra whispered.
When she finished, she stayed there, watching her sister's face, tears falling freely. She bent and pressed a soft kiss to Elara's forehead.
"I'll protect you," she whispered.
Then she stood and quietly left the room.