With a long, weary sigh, Elena leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the car window, eyes trailing over the passing blur of headlights and hurried lives. The world outside moved fast, vibrant—full of purpose. Unlike hers.
For the past two years, this has basically been her life.
Her heart clenched painfully as the haunting image of her parents drifted back like a shadow she couldn't shake. She blinked slowly, lashes trembling, trying—begging—her mind to forget. But the memories of them kept on pooling inside her head. No matter how many years have passed, she could still remember their death like it was yesterday.
Her mother had died bringing her into this world. And her father….her soul ached at the thought. She had been so young when he passed. Naive enough to believe that things were going to be okay...that doctors could make things better. But they didn't. They chose her instead. They let him go—to keep her breathing. Just like they had let her mother go.
Her jaw clenched as her eyes fluttered shut, a sharp sting burning behind her lids. The pain didn't come in waves anymore. It lived in her now—quiet, cold, constant.
"Ma'am!" The chauffeur's voice broke through, snapping her out of her daze. "We're here." He told her and she took a deep breath before peeling her eyes open to see they were already in the school premises.
Nodding stiffly, she gathered her things and stepped out, her gray sneakers crunching softly against the carpet of yellow leaves.
Have a nice day ma'am." The chauffeur offered gently.
She gave a small nod, the wind lifting strands of her dark hair as she shut the door and slipped in her earbuds. No words. Just silence and the slow, aching lyrics of 'Happy' by NF filling her ears—an irony that wasn't lost on her.
***
A blue vehicle pulled up in front of Silverlake college. Inside, a girl meticulously polishing her long fingernails while the man beside her held the steering wheel, eyeing her with mix of surprise and annoyance.
"For Pete's sake, get off my f***ing car." The man's jaw clenched in irritation as he snapped.
"Oh." She mouthed and took a quick glance outside the window before returning her gaze back to her business. "Gimme a sec." She mumbled, causing the man to grumble as he slammed his hands on the wheel.
"You heard me right, Jessy. Get out of my car, I've got better things to attend to."
"Ughh.." Jessy grunted, glaring at the man seated at the driver's seat. "So pesky!"
Rolling his eyes, the man nodded, agreeing to whatever she had said. "Fine. Fine. Just get ya tiny arse outta my car."
Jessy flung the door open and stomped out, slamming it hard. "Hope ya stupid car wreck, loser."
The young man inside the car chuckled softly at the little tantrum she threw before accelerating.
"Goddamn arsehole!" Jessy spat, retrieving her phone and navigating to instagram. She opened the app and with a few swift tap, went live.
With a quick hair adjustment, she beamed at the camera. "What's up, folks?" Her bright smile showcased her charming dimples. "Ya gurl, Jessy's back and I've got the scoop. Y'all know today's the official f***ing day one of our final year in this goddamned college and you sure damn know it's gonna be a wild ride but no stressing cuz I gat y'all covered. Buckle up, fellas!"
A girl shouted Jessy's name from behind. Jessy grinned, recognizing the caller through her phone. "Yo people! Mah pumpkin's here...ya wanna say hello?" She smiled, turning the phone to face the girl, who beamed and waved enthusiastically.
"Hey, cousin!"
"Yo cuzzo! How's it going?"
"Good. Just wanted to say a good morning to you on the first day of senior year, Jessy!"
"Oh yeah! Right back at you, sweetheart. The love's pouring in, everyone's sharing morning greetings!" A bright smile spread across her face as she displayed the flood of comments to her cousin.
Her cousin's eyes dilated in amazement. "Unbelievable, so many good morning wishes!"
"Child's play, Juliette." Jessy flashed a triumphant grin.
"Looks like someone's a social media sensation." Juliette chuckled.
"Not much! Just a mere 5.9 million fans." Jessy replied, her expression smug.
"No way! Are you kidding me?" Juliette's jaw fell, hanging open in awe.
"Hey, I don't kid. I'm dead serious.'
"Congratulations, that's super impressive."
"Appreciate it, gotta run. I need to get the face of every single motherf***er in this goddamned school in my f***ing video."
"That's quite a challenge, good luck!"
"Gracias, adiós!" Jessy waved goodbye and walked off in different direction.
"Yo fams, I'm back!" She froze, taken aback by a familiar figure. "Unbelievable! Of all people, she's here." A disapproving hiss slipped out from her lips as her gaze fixed on the girl's outfit. "The school's resident outcast, Elena's here and of course, wearing her signature oversized attire. That getup is an eyesore." She shook her head in disapproval.
"Let's not let her bring our morsle down." Jessy's expression transformed into a warm smile. "Time to capture some smiles." She gave a playful wink and ventured further into the school.
***
"Okay, people. Mark your calendar, Friday's the practical exam. Don't forget, your textbooks are the keys to success." Mrs. Lewis announced and the class erupted in discontented murmurs. "That's final!" She emphasized and the class went silent.
"Moving on, the origin of psychoanaleptics dates back to..." The teacher was rudely cut off by the door banging open.
All eyes fell on the group of girls who caused the distraction. "And why are you just coming to my class?" Mrs Lewis's eyes narrowed.
"We're really sorry ma'am." One of the girls apologized, bowing her head slightly.
"We were called by the P.E master." Another added.
"Okay. But this must never repeat itself, is that understood?"
"Yes ma'am." They chorused and immediately sauntered to get seated.
Mrs Lewis nodded and continued her lecture while the whole class fixed their gaze at her, listening attentively.
Thirty minutes into class, the door slammed open, making a few students jump. Mrs. Lewis spun around sharply, clearly irritated.
"Are you not aware of the time?" she snapped, her voice sharp as ice. "Class is nearly over, and you decide to waltz in?"
But Elena didn't even look her way.
Her music was up—loud enough to block out the world—and her expression calm, almost absent. She moved toward an empty seat at the back, earbuds in, hoodie drawn slightly over her head.
"I demand a response when I speak to you!" Mrs. Lewis voice blared, making the class recoil in their seats.
Still, Elena didn't react. She slid into the seat, dropped her backpack, pulled out her phone—and finally paused the music.
The moment the silence hit, she blinked and looked up, a little confused, like stepping back into a room she hadn't noticed was on fire. Slowly, she pulled out her earbuds, her head tilting.
And then the noise began—not from the teacher, but from the students...
"Did she just ignore Mrs. Lewis?"
"Bitch move."
"Is she actually serious?"
"Unbelievable!"
Totally insane!"
"What the hell?"
"Asshole!"
"That's just damn rude."
"She's gat some serious nerves."
"Who listens to music doing class?"
"Elena's got zero respect."
"She's so damn extra."
A sharp kick landed against the back of her chair. "I f***ing hate this girl."
As the comments piled on, Elena lifted her head higher—this time fully aware, but completely unfazed. Her eyes scanned the room, calm and calculated, before landing on Mrs. Lewis.
Their eyes locked.
But she didn't apologize. Didn't explain. Didn't flinch.
Just one bored blink.
And that was all she gave them.