The final examination day came in a jiffy.
I did all my best, not just out of excitement but from pure happiness that I wouldn't have to come back here again. Usually, I'm always at the bottom of the class, but this term, this farewell to Solaria, was different. I worked harder than ever and somehow made it to the middle of the class.
Just like always, Eden and Elena were fighting for first place. It's been that way since forever, one of the many reasons they're rivals and practically hate each other.
Eden is the gentle, angelic, cold genius.
Elena, on the other hand, is the loud, fiery devil, brilliant, arrogant, and impossible to ignore.
It's something, really. Even with Elena's spoiled background and terrible attitude, she's still one of the smartest people I know. I used to think her parents bought her results, but I was wrong. She studies. She works hard. She earns it.
When the results came out, Elena took first place this time.
The moment her name was called, the tension between her and Eden could've sliced the air in two. They locked eyes like wrestlers about to fight, and for a second, I thought someone might actually die. Luckily, the teachers broke it up before it turned into a full-blown scene.
Days went by.
Finally, the last bell of the term rang, echoing through a world I no longer belonged to.
Two years at Solaria.
Somehow it felt like ten, long glittering years wrapped in silence and restraint.
The hallways erupted with laughter. Girls screamed, hugged, and threw papers into the air like confetti.
I didn't join them.
I just stood at my desk, sitting close to Elena because what could I possibly do when she was doing nothing, and whispered under my breath,
"Enjoy, it's your time. In a few weeks, I will be free from you."
Maybe I should've added a slap to that statement, but I didn't dare, not yet. Let's save the revenge for when I'm truly out of this place.
Later that day, Sophie brushed past me in the hallway.
"Guess even miracles end, huh?" she said, smiling that kind of sweet, poisonous smile that burns colder than hate.
I didn't even bother responding or being hurt by what she said. I just kept walking, smiling to myself.
A few more days. A few more weeks. But not up to a month.
If I've survived two years here, I can survive that much more.
And after that, I'll make sure we never cross paths again in this life or any other.
After finals, Solaria shifted overnight.
Banners went up, the fields were freshly mowed, and gold ribbons shimmered from marble columns.
The air smelled like endings.
While everyone else prepared for banquets, photoshoots, and farewell parties, I was packing my dorm.
The sound of tape ripping over cardboard filled the room. Everything felt smaller now, stripped of the little things that made it mine.
Across the hall, laughter spilled from the other rooms, music, perfume, and the clinking of lip gloss tubes. They were getting ready for the farewell party.
They'd invited me once, back in the beginning, at the end of the first year.
I went and regretted it.
Elena had been there too, shadowing me the entire night like some jealous spirit. Smile too long at someone, and she'd appear. Laugh too loud, and she'd drag me away. That night, I almost lost my mind.
This year, I guess they didn't invite either of us.
I guess no one wanted to risk another episode of Queen Elena's Drama Hour.
Still, I couldn't hide my excitement. Even though we had a few weeks left, I started packing early. I couldn't wait to leave, not one extra day.
I was folding my blazer when the door swung open.
It was Elena.
She stood there, not stepping inside, her expression unreadable.
"Are you really that eager to get away from me?" she asked quietly.
"No, just eager to see my family," I said, forcing a smile.
She walked closer, stood beside me, and said softly,
"What about college? Wherever you're going, let's go together."
"No."
The word slipped out sharper than I meant. I stood up so fast my folded blazer fell to the floor.
"Why?" she asked, rising too. "You look like someone just sentenced you to death. Do you really want to get away from me that badly?"
Her voice was soft, too soft, the kind that almost made me question if she was really the same person who'd tormented me all this time.
"I took a peek at your career form," she said. "I chose the same school as you."
"What?!"
My voice echoed off the dorm walls.
Is she serious?
Does she want to haunt me for life?
Haven't I suffered enough?
"Are you that happy you don't even know what to say?" she asked, her lips curving into that unreadable half-smile.
"Happy?!" I wanted to scream, but no words came out.
"I chose a poor college, a local one," I said quickly, desperate. "Not for someone like you. You can't go there."
"I can. I can adapt anywhere," she cut in sharply.
"I'm sure your grandpa and family won't…"
"Settled. We are going to the same college. I would adapt anywhere," she interrupted, then turned and walked out, leaving me speechless.
The door clicked shut.
And I collapsed onto the floor.
So that's it?
Am I never leaving her grip?
Is she really planning to cage me forever, to turn my life into her little game?
"No. Total no. Nothing will make me go to the same college as her," I muttered, gripping my knees.
Whatever she's planning, I'll make sure it ends here.
Our bond ends in high school.
Not in college.
Not ever again.