THE VALENTINE'S DAY CONTRACT

Elara Quinn begins a new semester at Rose Gate College, a school where status was everything and basically, she had neither status nor saviours. She was a feast for bullies, because she was poor and invisible to her classmates. Elara always kept her head down, hoping to survive that way, also hoping and praying to escape the valentine’s day gala. The halls of Rose Gate College smelled like floor polish and expensive perfume, an odd mix of effort and entitlement. Elara Quinn tightened her grip on the frayed strap of her backpack and kept her head down, counting the tiles between her scuffed sneakers and the lockers that lined the corridor like polished teeth. Around her, students buzzed with energy. Valentine’s Day was two weeks away, and the school was already drowning in pink streamers, glitter hearts, and sign-up sheets for the annual Valentine’s Gala. The event of the year. The one where couples were crowned, reputations were made, and the rest… they were forgotten. Elara knew exactly which category she belonged to. “Yo… watch where you’re going, you smelly thing. Do you know how much these cost?” A girl asked, her tone, intimidating. But Elara kept mute. “Exactly, you don’t, so why don’t you keep those smelly shoulders to yourself” The girl flaunted her hair and walked away and Elara, she just kept moving. She walked into her classroom immediately the bell rang, sliding into the seat at the back, the one no one ever fought her for. The teacher went on and on about announcements, but Elara barely heard him. Her eyes drifted to the window, where the sky hung low and grey, like it might snow. Then the door opened and everything shifted. He walked in like he didn’t belong there. Tall, lean, with messy dark hair and a face that made the room go silent. Even the teacher paused. “This is River Vale,” he said. “He’s transferring in for the semester.” River gave a lazy smile, hands in his pockets. “Hey.” The girls in the front row giggled. Elara didn’t. She just stared, something about him tugging at her memory, though she was sure they’d never met. He scanned the room, eyes skimming over everyone... until they landed on her. And for the first time in a long time, someone looked at Elara Quinn like she wasn’t invisible. Like she was seen. Now her quiet routine was disrupted when River Vale, sits beside her. With striking looks and quiet confidence, he instantly captures the attention of the entire class, especially that of Clara Quinn, Elara’s sister who was the fashion diva of the school. Elara just thought he was yet another person who would bully her, so she didn’t bother saying Hi. Elara had mastered the art of disappearing, not literally, of course. But in the crowded halls of Rose Gate college, where designer shoes clicked against polished floors and laughter echoed like a private club, she moved like a shadow. She sat at the café alone, like always. Then… he sat beside her. “Hello,” he greeted “Uh…hi?” she forced a smile, clearly shocked that he sat beside her. “I’m River,” he replied “I’m Elara Quinn. Nice to meet you” “Great name. So, I was wondering if you could show me around?” “Are you serious?” she asked, her tone questioning. “Me? Show you around?’ “Is there something wrong with that?” he asked “No,” she replied sharply. “It’s just that, I’m shocked” “I could ask someone else,” he said standing up to leave. “I’ll do it,” she finally said He stared at her for a while before pulling out his phone “Shall we?” she asked “Am I not supposed to pay you? Or something?” he asked “That’s your choice,” she smiled He pulled out a couple of bucks and gave it to her. “You should really fix a price, that’s business strategy” ‘Is this him being generous or just being cool? He’s not wrong though, it is business,’ she thought “Thanks,” she smiled, then started the tour Some minutes into the tour, they stood at the largest building in the school… the library. “This is the library… there’s a sit out behind… and I guess that’s all,” she smiled “Is that it?” he asked, finally looking up from the phone “Yes. Were you listening to me?” Elara asked “I guess,” River shrugged “Well, I’m sorry, I gotta run,” Elara replied about to walk away. “You know your way back, right?” “I’ll find my way,” he replied as his eyes drifted back to his phone. “Great,” then she turned and walked away. At lunch, he decided to sit with her, since she was the first person he spoke to, also because she seemed approachable. “Hi,” he greeted. “Is the seat free?” “Always,” she forced a smile “So, how are the students here like?” he asked “Uh, to be honest… they are horrible.,” she replied. “From my perspective though” “How’d you mean?” “Well, from what I know, here, status is everything. If you’re rich, you’re treated right by both teachers and students with respect, but if you’re poor or average like me, you squirm your way to survive,” she replied. “So, they bully those below their status?” “Apparently,” “I guess I won’t be here long” he sighed and picked up his phone As they spoke about the school, he was intrigued and she was happy, she could be of help, until her sister’s gang came. They pushed her to the floor and sat where she was sitting. Just to talk to him. “Was that necessary?” River asked without looking up from his phone “She’s fine,” Clara replied and adjusted her hair. “I am Clara Quinn, the one and only fashion diva of Rose Gate senior college” “Is that supposed to be fascinating?” River asked finally looking up from the phone. “I do have one question for you” “Sure, go ahead,” Clara smiled as her minions giggled behind her “Elara’s your sister, right?” River asked Clara rolled her eyes before replying. “Well, nope. She’s not and she’ll never be” He continued scrolling through the phone, like nothing was happening. Although Elara had gotten up from the floor, she didn’t say a word. “So, River, I’m still single, let’s take a walk someday, talk, get to know each other, get in a relationship… you know,” she smiled “Get lost.” He said, both his façade and voice were calm and unstressed “Shall I take the dirt bag with me?” Clara asked, throwing shades at Elara. “If you’re out here looking for dirtbags, try the dumpster… where you’ll clearly feel most at home.” River replied, the phrase chopped down her ego real good. Then he turned to Elara, “Elara, mind giving me a tour into the library?” “Sure,” she replied and walked out with him “Thank you,” she stammered after the tour at the library “For what?” he asked “For that, standing up for me.” she continued “No biggie… I have violin lessons now; I’ll head out first,” he patted her shoulder like she was his younger sister, then left She smiled then her phone buzzed. It was a senior high student. Senior high fashion diva (online) Hello, Ms Elara… I’m at the your school’s library, for the lesson Elara Quinn Okay, I’ll be there in a jiffy. Don’t forget your cappuccino this time Senior high fashion diva Thanks for the reminder, I’ll go get it now It was her sixth job for the day and she was not having lectures till the next day, so it was convenient and fun, since she was very fond of the young diva. Unlike her so-called sister. WRITTER’S POV Elara always looked forward to her lessons with the senior college diva. The girl was sweet, funny, and had a way of making her laugh even on the worst days. Around her, Elara didn’t feel like a burden. She felt… seen. Something her own sister had never managed to do.