Elara felt the stares the minute she stepped onto the school grounds. Whispers slithered through the air like some smoker, curling around her as she walked past groups of students huddled together, their eyes flicking to her shoes-new pristine, and expensive. "Did you see her shoes? where could she even get money for those?"
The air was heavier, curiosity and whispers, eyes darting towards her before quickly looking away but she managed to get to her class. She ignored the stares but the moment she made her way to her seat, Bianca's sharp voice cut through the low murmurs.
"Why did Damien drag you to his car yesterday?" The classroom fell silent. Elara froze for a split second before moving to sit, keeping her gaze low. She didn't answer. She had nothing to say. Bianca's silence snapped instantly.
"Oh, so you're just going to act dumb now?" She sneered, stepping closer, arms crossed. "He dragged you, you were reluctant to enter his car, and then today, you showed up with new designer school shoes?" Her lips curled in disgust.
"What, are you his charity case now?" Elara's fingers curled under the desk. More whispers. A few students chuckled under their breath she could feel the stares drilling into her skin, waiting for a reaction. She didn't give them one. She just stared at her desk. Her face back, hands still. Bianca scoffed.
"Pathetic, didn't take you for the type to latch into a guy's wallet," she spat, flipping her hair before walking away. Elara swallowed, forcing herself to keep breathing steadily. Damien hadn't even arrived yet. By the time he finally walked in, the whispers had died down, but the tension lingered in the air. Elara hesitated before speaking, her voice quiet.
"Good morning" He then looked at her, and then nothing. He just sat down, pulled out his notebook, and acted as if he had not heard her. Elara blinked, caught off guard. But then it hit her: he wasn't even her friend; how did she think he was going to talk to her anyway? She hadn't even gotten the chance to thank him but he had already drawn the line. Bianca kept throwing glances her way throughout the lesson, smirking every time Elara dared to look up.
The next class was about to begin but she felt suffocated. She made her way to the restroom. She didn't notice the quiet footsteps behind her, didn't sense the trap closing in. Until the door slammed shut. The lock clicked. Darkness. Elara spun, heart hammering against her ribs.
"Hello?" A faint giggle from the other side. Then silence. Her stomach dropped. Her hands pressed against the door, fingers trembling.
"Open the door....please" No response. Her breath hitched. She rattled the handle. Pounded her fist against the wood. "Let me out... Please....please let me out..." still nothing. Her chest tightened. The air felt thinner, pressing in. Her breathing turned shallow, too fast, too uneven. She reached for her pocket, her fingers shaking as she struggled to pull out the inhaler she always carried. But it slipped and fell to the floor. She dropped to her knees, vision blurring, fingers clawing at the cold tiles as she struggled to breathe.
The walls felt closer and her lungs burned. She couldn't. Footsteps. The sound of a key turning. Then light.
"Elara?" The janitor. A middle-aged woman with tired eyes staring down in alarm. She rushed forward, kneeling beside her. "Breathe, honey, easy-easy, where's your inhaler?" Elara struggled to form words.
"It's...its...down.. some...where." The janitor looked around and found it, then pressed it against her lips. "Deep breath, " Elara inhaled, the medicine rushing into her lungs. Again. And again. The dizziness faded slowly. The janitor's face softened with concern.
"Oh, you poor thing," she murmured, brushing Elara's tangled hair back. "What did they do to you?" Elara couldn't answer. Couldn't even look at her. Her hands curled into fists against her lap. The janitor helped her up, her grip gentle but firm. "Can you walk?" Elara nodded, unsteady but determined.
"You should report this.... these kids always pull the worst pranks on you all these years; what if something bad happened?" The janitor signed. "No I can't, it'll only make things worse...." the janitor looked at her. Pity flickered in her gaze.
"At least, sit for a bit- " "I have to go....thank you ...so much, auntie....thank you," and with that, she forced herself to move. She reached her classroom, but the lesson had already begun. The lecturer saw her. School rules were supposed to be strictly followed; it wasn't a matter of being rich or poor; if classes began while you were not inside, then there was no getting in.
"You're late....don't bother coming in." Elaras's stomach twisted, but she already knew that this was going to happen. Minutes dragged. The lesson blurred into a distant hum, words she couldn't grasp, couldn't focus on. Her body ached and her lungs still felt tight. But the worst part was the quiet snicker and side glances. Finally, the bell. The class was over, and students were spilling it, laughter ringing through the hallway.
Elara stood there, silent, stiff. A group of girls passed by giggling. One smirked at her before whispering something to her friend. More laughter. She kept her gaze down, but then, that perfume, that fragrance, that scent was one of a kind, and she knew whom it belonged to. Damien. She felt his presence before she saw him. He walked past her as if she was nothing; he didn't care; that was none of his concern. She then walked to her seat, picking some books and her bag then headed straight home.
Elara stepped into her rented apartment. It was not that big, but it was enough for one person, a place she moved into after her grandmother was taken into care. The living room was compact, with a single big plush sofa and, near it, a small coffee table. A TV was mounted on the wall, but she rarely turned it on. Next, a simple study desk that held some booms and a small lamp, its soft glow making the room feel warmer in the evenings. A small kitchen area on the side. A large sliding glass door separated the bedroom from the rest of the apartment, giving the illusion of space. A narrow closet and the bathroom. And it felt cozy. This was more than just a home to her.
Her fingers hesitated over the screen before she tapped the familiar number.
"You called so late, what took you so long? You don't love me anymore?" Her grandma's voice was frail yet warm. "Grandma, it's just some minutes late...I'm sorry...I'll make sure to call you earlier tomorrow," she said warmly. Her grandmother was the dramatic type but she loved Elara more than anything.
"I told the nurses I was not going to eat until you called me...I'm starving now" Elara frowned for a second.
"Halmi.....(korean word meaning grandma)" "C'mon, Elara, you worry too much,...I'm okay...I'll eat now....what about you have you eaten?" Her grandma asked and she replied quickly.
"Yeah, yeah I've had some noodles.. "
"Alright ..you are starting your shift soon right?....get some rest okay hunnie? I love you....so much" she said.
"I love you too, grandma....visit you during the weekend," she said. She almost cried after talking to her but ended up smiling; she felt relieved that she had spoken to her. She called her every day and six in the evening, but now she was ten minutes late. She then took a shower, changed clothes, and headed for her shift.
Elara stepped into the brew haven, the familiar scent of brewed cappuccino and warm pastries wrapping around her kuna in a comforting embrace. The soft hymnal of conversation, the occasional hiss of the espresso machine, and the faint sound of jazz playing in the background made her exhale a little easier.
"Elara! Perfect timing! " Maya, the head barista, called from behind the counter. She was frothing milk for cappuccino, her curly hair pulled into a messy bun.
"We are packed today; you ready?" Elara smiled and nodded. Mark, the owner, walked past carrying a tray of croissants. "Good, because table five just asked for their third round of macchiatos; either they are caffeine addicts, or they are staying the night," Elara chuckled and put her Upton on, grabbed a tray, glancing towards the group of students huddled near the window. She liked working here.
"Here" Maya nudged her elbow, handing her her a plate. "Take these cinnamon rolls to table three, and grab me a caramel latte while you're at it ....and if you get the chance, I made some noodles and kept some for you, so make sure you eat them....okay?" Elara nodded. These people treated her like family, even when everyone seemed to be against her, they treated her so well.