The E in Enigma

Chapter 5 - A Mirror of Thoughts

Ellie's POV

Waking up from possibly the worst night's sleep ever, I stumbled into the bathroom to brush my teeth. Thoughts of yesterday's rendezvous still plagued my mind, but for the most part I was just ready to begin yet another day of torture at school.

My routine never changed. Brush my teeth, shower, dress, grab my lunch, run to the bus. Simple and efficient. Glancing at the clock across the hall, I could just about make out that it was 7.25am, five minutes to go before the bus would terrify my neighbors and beckon me outside.

Surprisingly, I just about made it as the bus doors opened, and I took my place in the center of the bus on the right isle of seats. As a creature of habit, my seating position rarely changed either. My classmates were all talking among themselves, and I could make out the odd word here and there. The district contest seemed to be the most popular talk of the class today...

As it was our final year, and we were all eighteen, this would be the final year for the athletes of the year to compete for the District Champion title. It might not exactly polish some of the CV's among my classmates, but everyone knew it was an achievement worth having, if you were well versed in the list of sports they provided. I'd personally never bothered evening signing before. My previously overly skinny, 'nerdy' figure often led to me assuming I'd be better off on the sidelines, fussing over the boys who needed water during their breaks.

This year, however, I was the strongest I'd ever been. Finally, embracing exercise as something for enjoyment over the summer, rather than a chore, had changed my build entirely. My legs were lean, my abs defined, and yet at 5ft 5 I was still quick and nimble enough to do sports that the heavier and taller athletes couldn't quite manage. Everyone had already commented on the change in my legs yesterday, but I kept my upper body strength well hidden under my shirt, tie, jumper and blazer.

Arriving at school, I could already see the posters being plastered on the notice board for the upcoming District Championship. By the looks of it, this year, the team would have just under two months to ready themselves against the other schools. I scanned the QR code at the bottom of the poster, looking to see which positions on the team had already been filled. Looks like you could do the discus? I thought, flicking through my options. Not wanting to overthink it, I tapped apply, and neatly tucked my phone back into my pocket.

I wondered what the sports teacher would think of me applying - I'd barely turned up to one of his lessons in the last six years, let alone apply for anything extracurricular. And I certainly didn't need a boost in academic points for university next year.

The schedule for the day ahead was dry. English, math, science, history, cooking double. God, I'd have to wait all day to see Mr Lauriel again. Not that I was eager, I just wanted to see if his behavior changed after me allowing him to turn my thighs a delicious shade of blue. Perhaps he'd want to see... or feel... or...

"ELLIEEEEEEE I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU SINCE BEFORE SUMMER BREAK!" A girl squealed from behind me, not any girl though. Her name was Mia, and everyone could hear Mia coming from a mile away. Certainly not the shrinking violet of the school that her parents thought she was. "Let's walk to English together. It's been too long." Mia continued as her pace finally caught up with mine.

"Sure thing Mia, anything new?" I gestured towards the bag she had slung from her shoulder. Usually, Mia had a tatty rucksack with every book in the sun squeezed within - it would almost make you feel claustrophobic just looking at it. Today she had a brand-new purse, pebbled leather, gold hardware, and not a book in sight.

"You haven't heard?!" She squealed again "Jack asked me to be his girlfriend at the end of summer. He got me this bag, so I wouldn't carry too many heavy things... What a gent!"

I shook my head. Mia had a new boyfriend after every summer. Their relationship would last weeks at most during the school year, and I was sure Jack would be no different. There was just one golden rule between myself and Mia, a peace treaty - if you want to call it that - we would NEVER steal the other's boyfriend. I'm sure that was half the reason she decided to be my friend in the first place, as she was the only girl in my year brave enough to come and ask me what my deal was with the boys,

Finally, we found our seats in the English class. Glancing up at the board, I could make out Of Mice & Men sprawled in cursive... pulling my copy out of my bag, I flicked through the worn pages. To think, Lennie and George's story had concluded itself within just four days...

The teacher took us through a pretty dull slideshow of the book, explaining the plot for those who hadn't bothered reading it. Summarizing the damaging effects of the Great Depression upon ordinary people. The plot made some uncomfortable, the thought of accidentally killing someone, and then having to effectively be "put down" by your best friend.

Yet for me, I revealed in the book, the feelings of loneliness it portrayed, and the inherent differences between being either physically or mentally stronger than those around you. Notes filled my paper, and before I thought too much about anything, the lesson was already over. Packing my things back into my bag, I planned my walk to my next lesson, and the one after that, and the next, and finally to the one that would bring me closer to understanding whatever was going through Mr Lauriel's head yesterday.