The first bell hadn't even rung yet and Elena already hated being here.
Her backpack felt heavier than it should've. The sleeves of her sweatshirt were starting to fray at the ends as she continuously twisted it in her fingers. Everywhere she looked people were watching her with Quick glances and whispering to each other about God knows what, which she thought was way worse than anything someone could say ever say to her face.
She kept her eyes on the floor as she made her way to her locker, and as if her day couldn't get any more unbearable the lock stuck; Of course it did. Her hand slipped once before she managed to get it open.
"Elena?"
She flinched at the sound of her name. Aliyah stood their binder pressed to her chest like a shield. Her braid was neat; edges laid like she'd gotten up early just to get it right.
"We saved you a seat in homeroom" Aliyah said, careful like every word was fragile.
"Thanks," Elena muttered. She pulled a notebook from her locker and slammed it shut before it could jam again.
Aliyah hovered. "If you don't want to—"
"I'll figure it out," Elena cut in.
Aliyah's lips pressed together. She nodded once and left with the flow of kids when the bell rang.
⸻
Homeroom dragged.
Mr. Dawson called attendance like always, but when he got to her name he paused. "Elena James" he said softly as though speaking louder might break her.
"Here" she answered, voice flat.
His eyes lingered too long before he moved on.
It was the same in every class with all the teachers treating her like she was made of glass.
In math, Mr. Dyer slid a worksheet onto her desk with a sticky note that said Take it easy today. He gave her a smile that felt too rehearsed.
Then in history, Mrs. Tran leaned against her desk and whispered, "If it gets overwhelming you can step out for some air."
Even the guidance counselor stopped her between periods. "We can set up a standing check-in, Elena. No pressure."
It was endless. Every adult in this building seemed to have a line prepared just for her.
None of them asked about the assignments she'd missed, nor did they treat her like she could actually do the work.
English was second period.
Elena went straight to the back row; She wanted space, craved the quiet solitude but someone was already sitting there.
A boy.
He was leaning over his notebook, pencil tapping a steady rhythm. His hood was down, dark hair falling into his face. When she sat, he looked up. His eyes landed on her and stayed there.
The stare made her somewhat uneasy, causing her to tighten the grip on her pen. "What?" she muttered more defensive than she meant.
He didn't answer. His pencil just stilled against the page.
"Adrian?" Ms. Avery's voice cut across the room. She walked up to him facing him directly, speaking slower than normal. Could you read the first stanza for us?"
The boy adjusted something small that was tucked behind his ears, then spoke. His voice was low but carried an unusual tone, almost flat in places, some words stretched a little too long. It wasn't bad—just different.
Elena blinked She hadn't expected it. For a second she wondered why he sounded like that.. Then she dropped her eyes back to her notebook and shook her head. She had other things to think about.
The assignment stared back at her from the board in neat black marker: Write about the most important person in your life.
Her stomach tightened. She wrote her name at the top of the page, but the pen froze there. Every thought pulled her back to Sophia—her laugh, her singing, her arm across Elena's chest in the car. The memory pressed too close, like trying to breathe with a pillow over her face.
She pressed the pen so hard it punctured the paper.
The page ripped.
Elena cursed under her breath then proceeded to rip the whole thing out, crumpled it, and shove it into her bag.
The movements drew a glance from the boy beside her. His pencil paused mid-stroke. She felt his eyes flick over, assessing her with what seemed like curiosity.
However, she did not return it.
The bell rung saving her from the awkwardness that just ensued.
Chairs scraped, backpacks zipped, voices rose all at once. She gathered her things as fast as she could.
The boy stood, swung his backpack over one shoulder and before leaving lifted two fingers in a small unfamiliar gesture.
Elena froze unsure what to do with it. By the time she thought to react, he was already gone.
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Lunch was worse.
The cafeteria buzzed with noise, too many voices layered over each other, the smell of fries and mystery meat was starting to make Elena's stomach turn. Across the room she could see her friends (if she could even still call them that considering she'd basically been ignoring them since the death of her sister) Aliyah, Kayla, and Jenna who were sitting at their usual table. Aliyah waved her over; Kayla gave a small tentative smile while Jenna's mouth moved like she was saying please.
Elena forced a half-smile back shook her head and walked out the side door.
The courtyard was cold but being away from everything was worth the slight chill. She dropped onto the stone ledge near the flagpole sweatshirt pulled close, headphone hanging uselessly around her neck.
A few minutes later, the door creaked open and Aliyah stepped out holding a yogurt and a granola bar. She sat beside Elena without asking.
"You weren't going to eat, were you?" she said, nudging the food toward her.
Elena peeled the foil off the yogurt. "Thanks" she muttered spooning some into her mouth. The strawberry was sweet. Before long Elena found herself devouring the small cup of yogurt grateful to Aliyah for bringing it.
They sat in silence for a while.
"Kayla cried in chem this morning," Aliyah said finally her eyes on the flag snapping overhead. "Mr. Ramirez lit a Bunsen burner, and she said it reminded her of candles. everyone was so confused, and Nobody knew what to do to calm her down."
Elena let out a breath that was almost like a laugh. "We're all falling apart."
Aliyah smiled faintly. "Pretty much."
The bell rang before either of them could say more. Elena handed her the empty container. "Seriously. Thanks."
"Anytime" Aliyah said giving her shoulders a quick squeeze before heading inside.
⸻
The rest of the day blurred.
In biology the projector flicked on to a slide titled Stages of Grief. Mr. Ramirez froze then coughed and clicked quickly to Plant Cells. He didn't look her way once for the rest of class.
In math, Mr. Dyer gave her another worksheet with a sticky note: You're doing great. She shoved it straight into her bag.
Everywhere she went, someone was trying to keep her from breaking. Maybe she really was breakable—but being reminded of it every five minutes only made her feel worse.
By last bell, her head throbbed.
At her locker she once again fumbled the combination twice before it opened. She shoved her books inside and slammed the door harder than she meant to trying to close it.
That's when she saw him again.
The boy from English. Adrian.
Hands in his pockets, backpack slung over one shoulder. He walked steady, unbothered by the rush of kids pushing past.
His eyes flicked toward her as he passed—then quickly shifted forward again.
Elena's pulse jumped before she could stop it.
She didn't say anything. Didn't move. Just slammed her locker again, much harder this time the sound chasing him down the hallway.
__________
At home it was different.
The silence there was worse than the noise.
Her dad was working late again.
On the counter sat a glossy brochure: Community Center Volunteer Program. Bright colors, Kids with paint on their hands, Smiles too big and innocent.
Elena picked it up flipped it over then set it back face-down.
Upstairs she lay on her bed her mind replayed the day in flashes.
For some strange reason that boy kept crossing her mind and the way he'd looked at her was Like he'd noticed something everyone else ignored.
For the first time all day she didn't feel like only a fragile object.93Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC57PFDpk6z
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and then Add to home screen.