THE VALENTINE'S DAY CONTRACT

CHAPTER 3

The Distance Between Us

Elara walked into the school, her head down once again. Her heart sank each time she heard the gossips, the whispers that followed behind her.

‘I think she’s put him under a spell,’ one would say to her friend beside her

‘What does he even see in her? She’s so plain and dope, unlike Clara,’ the other would reply

‘Maybe he’s just into broken girls like her’

Elara didn’t care anymore; she was used to the gossips. But what she didn’t understand was why they thought she had something with River.

‘We aren’t even friends,’ she thought to herself as she approached her locker.

Clara leaned against Elara’s locker, ready to create just another scene.

“Hey loser,” Clara smirked. “Do you think the world’s gonna change in your favour because you have some guy defending you?” Clara asked, examining her nails

“I never said that,” Elara replied, her voice low

“I don’t expect you to believe in yourself, and if you’re starting to…. Kill it,” Clara said with a look of disgust; as if Elara’s progress was a nail in her butt. “Because you are nothing, you have always been nothing and you will always be nothing. Don’t try to change the story,” she finally said and walked away.

Elara slammed the locker shut and began to rush over to the bathroom.

‘Did you hear?’ one began. ‘he told Clara she belonged in the dumpster,’ she continued

‘He also walked out on her… rude!’ another said

‘I think Elara’s doing this, she’s the only one who hates Clara enough to do this’

She slowed down a bit, because for the first time in forever the gossips were not about her. At least not all of it. Just as her mind was calming down, they started throwing food at her, but before it touched her… the principal appeared behind them, her voice firm and audible

“Anyone who wants cleanup duty should throw a piece of food one more time… and I’ll make sure you scrub her shoes and the floor till the end of this semester,” she said as the entire hallway went silent and they all started walking away. The principal walked forward to meet Elara, who was in awe.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Elara smiled

“Why thank me for doing my job? I was on my way to your class when I noticed the commotion, so I decided to stop by and say you. Anyways this is for you,” the principal replied, giving Elara a receipt

“Is that mine?” Elara asked shocked. ‘But I haven’t completed my payments. Why is she giving me a receipt?’

“Shocked right?” the principal asked. “The model mister River Riven completed your fees yesterday”

“How’d he know that I’m owing fees? How does he even know me?” she asked

“Turns out your friend River once schooled with mister Riven; they were close friends. Enough with the questioning. He said from now on, he’s responsible for your schooling”

“Thanks for the info principal Jully,” Elara replied about to walk away

“Just hold on Elara, could you please put in a good word for me with your friend River Vale? Seems like he schooled in Crown and Crest Academy”

“Sure, no probs,” she smiled and walked away

At lunch, she sat at her usual spot, this time her spirit was lifted a bit, she was feeling sightly happy. What she didn’t know was how River knew she owed.

‘Oh, God, he’s here, again. I must thank him’ she mused to herself

“Hey,” he greeted and sat beside her

She raised her head up. “Thank you”

“For what?” he asked

“For the fees,” she stammered

“No probs,” he stated and started reading

“How did you know that I hadn’t completed my fees?” she asked slowly

“I have my ways” he replied without looking up from the book

She was already used to his usual short answers, so she didn’t bother asking any further

“So, what are you reading?” she asked stretching her neck a bit to take a peep

“Almost stepbrothers,” he replied, eyes still on the book

“Really?” she asked

“Yeah,” he replied

“How? You’ve been reading this book for ages”

“It’s quite interesting,” he said in a low tone

“It’s really boring,” she stated simply

“How’s that?” he asked

“Well, I read the first, second and third chapters about phoenix, jack, Chloe, Mr Williams and Chloe’s mom, it was quite boring and the name was catchy. But I couldn’t continue, so I stopped” she replied

“You should have pressed on though, but…” he checked his time. “Oh shoot… I’m late!” he hit the table in anger.

“Are you okay?” she asked in concern, but he just stood up and walked away.

Elara let out a deep sigh, as a figure like Clara’s appeared.

‘Of course, it was Clara,’ Elara thought and rolled her eyes.

“You think you could snatch a spotlight you don’t deserve and expect it to last?” Clara asked in a mocking tone. “I am the queen and you are the pawn, you don’t move till I say so, you don’t speak till I permit,” she stopped and pulled Elara’s face harshly by her chin. “And the moment you took a move without seeking my permission, that was the day you got crushed”

Clara pushed Elara’s face back and flaunted her hair, then walked away.

The day passed in a haze and it was time for school to dismiss, and once again Elara walked home alone.

‘Why won’t a car just run me over, and just end this miserable life of mine here?’ she asked herself. ‘Am I not their real daughter?’ tears welled up in her eyes. ‘They never treat Clara like this, they never yell at her or scold her, they never make her cook or clean, they never hit her, they never abuse her verbally or physically, or even emotionally. Did I go wrong somewhere?’ she wiped off her tears before entering the house, this time when she entered a pill of hot water was poured on her, gosh… it burned her skin.

She hissed in pain. “Ouch, what the hell?!”

Then, Clara came out from the shadows

“Stay in the dark where you belong and stop trying to shine through my light,” she said

Elara laughed bitterly. “Your light?” she laughed again with a slight hiss of pain. “Do you really think you have a light? Or are you referring to the light you stole from me?”

Clara slapped Elara. “Don’t you dare slander me, you dirtbag!” Clara yelled

“You’ve never been better than me…” Elara said. “the clothes you’re wearing are a product of my hard work, the shoes you’re rocking… same, the nails? They are all my sweat!” Elara yelled then her mom slapped her

“Don’t you dare lie through your teeth!” their mom yelled

“Am I really lying? Or are you? The food you eat, the clothes you all wear, the bags you flaunt, the Jewelleries, the phone, the laptop, the headphones, the hair bands, they’re all supposed to be mine!” Elara yelled, tears streaming down her eyes. “Yet, you still dare hit me, insult me, slander me! Bully me! And I don’t blame you, I blame myself for not accepting me and standing my ground, for believing what you said I am, and for that reason? I hate you!” she yelled and walked out.

Clara was stunned; Elara had never confronted her before. ‘This just began,’ Clara thought. ‘And I am gonna make it end.’ she smiled at the thought.