The Isolated Shadow
1091 Words
The double doors of the cafeteria felt like the entrance to a courtroom. I stepped in and the silence was immediate. They were two steps ahead of me this time. Everyone was staring at the center table where the "new girl" sat like royalty. Elena. She looked radiant her laughter ringing out like bells as she charmed everyone within earshot. She always had a magnet for attracting people. My heart dropped into my stomach. How did she get here? When did she get here?
"Aria! Over here!" she called out waving me over with a sugary sweet smile. I froze.
"Omg she's so pretty" Jamie blurted out. Those words were like a punch to my gut.
Sitting right next to her his arm draped casually over the back of her chair was Kyle. He caught my eye and I saw a demonic smirk lingering on his lips.
"Aria come sit with us!" she called out again but I ignored her.
"Aria you know her?" Jasmine asked me.
"No" I denied it quickly my voice trembling.
"But she’s calling you" Jamie said looking confused.
"Maybe it's someone else. I'm not the only Aria in this world am I?" I said hoping it would dismiss the thought. "Let's just sit at the back."
I dragged them to the back seat feeling Kyle’s gaze on me heavy and mocking. I didn't want anyone in this school to know we shared a home a name or a life. The food tasted like ash. My hands were shaking and I kept sipping my water trying to relax. The horror had just begun. I watched as they both laughed together sending whispers to each other while Kyle closed the space between them. I was curious about why they were so close but the bell distracted everyone.
As the cafeteria cleared out I saw my opportunity. I pulled Elena into a corner after making sure no one was looking.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
She smirked and her real colors bled through the mask. "Everyone's so easy to fool. How pathetic" she said lazily. "Let's just say Dad had to rush my admission into here."
"And... and Kyle? What is...."
"Jeez Aria what's with the questions? Aren't you glad your sister is here with you?" She cut me off and leaned closer. "It's gonna be an interesting school year."
She chuckled and ran off. Those words made me sick. She had plans. They had plans. I walked to class with a heavy burden and when I got there I was stunned. My only two friends were sitting by Elena pulled in by her magnetic "perfection." They were laughing at her stories about life abroad and ignoring me entirely. I sat quietly feeling the familiar sting of invisibility.
Kyle walked in and the air grew thick. He sat beside me but didn't even spare me a glance. Throughout the lessons I couldn't concentrate. All eyes were on Elena, even the teachers were charmed by her. For the first time in years I felt lonely in my own school.
When the bell rang for recess I walked past Jamie and Jasmine slowly so they would notice me.
"Aria! OMG... the new girl Elena is so nice" Jamie said with excitement.
"She's actually interesting" Jasmine added. They filled me in on their discussion with her and I pretended to listen while sadness filled my heart.
"Guys I gotta go. Talk to you later" I said. They didn't even suspect a thing.
I bolted for the stairs heading straight for the rooftop. It was the only place where the air didn't feel like it was choking me. I sat on the edge where the view was perfect and the tranquility let me breathe. I wondered why the universe was against me—why everything I loved was so easily taken away. Tears rolled down my cheeks.
The heavy door creaked open. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. The smell of expensive cologne and cigarettes followed him. Kyle and his friends stepped onto the concrete.
"Look who's here. Hello princess. Thought you could hide up here?" Kyle asked his voice dripping with malice.
"Bro she's waiting for her ogre to come get her. Am I right princess Fiona?" one of his friends mocked. They all laughed.
On a different occasion I would have snapped but I didn't have the strength today. I was weak and I just wanted to walk away. I tried to push past them but Kyle blocked me.
"Leave me alone Kyle" I snapped standing up to face him.
They surrounded me backing me against the railing. Pietro reached out to tug at my hair but I shoved his hand away. "Don't touch me!" I yelled.
I swung my arm in a blind fit of defense trying to push Kyle back. My hand caught the metal band of his wrist and with a sickening crack his watch hit the pavement. The glass shattered instantly and the time stopped ticking.
I froze. It was a million-dollar timepiecesomething I couldn't afford in ten lifetimes. Kyle stared at the broken watch on the floor. A single tear escaped his eye sliding down his cheek before he could wipe it away. It wasn't the reaction of a man who lost an expensive toy; it was the grief of someone who had lost his last piece of hope.
"I'm... I'm sorry" I stammered swallowing hard.
"Sorry? Look at what you've done!" he screamed. This time I didn't see pure anger, I saw an atom of grief reflecting in his eyes. "You ruined it! Do you know where I got this from? You couldn't afford this even if you worked for the President!"
He was right. I couldn't afford his hairbrush probably.
"Get out! Just get out! I hate you!" he screamed. I felt a cold fear inside me and for the first time I felt truly guilty.
He hit me on my shoulder as he stormed out leaving the watch lying there in the dirt. His friends followed after him. I reached down and gently picked up the broken pieces. I had just seen the real Kyle Sterling. The devil had shed tears without caring that his enemy was right before him.
I was so curious. What was so special about this watch.....
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