WHERE ELLYNA BELONG'S

Since she was a child, Ellyna had grown used to carrying her pain alone. Every time her mother scolded her, she stayed silent — not because she didn’t want to speak, but because she knew that whatever she said would still be wrong. Her house was full of voices, yet none of them spoke to her with love. So she learned to smile even when her heart was bleeding, because that was the only way to survive. Sometimes, she asked herself, “Why can’t I be happy like everyone else?” And every time that question came, her tears would fall — quietly, helplessly. That afternoon felt unusually quiet. The clock on the wall showed 2:50 p.m. Ellyna sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly, until her phone buzzed on the table. “Eh? What’s this? Why is there a notification?” she murmured softly. She walked over, picked it up, and opened the group chat. In the group chat: “p,” wrote Liora. “What’s that? So short, did you forget how to type properly?” replied Laras. “Heh, your mouth really wants me to hit you, huh,” Liora joked. Ellyna giggled as she read their messages and started typing, “Come on, don’t fight again.” “See? Ellyn’s right,” Liora replied. “Hey, my mom said to tell your friends to come over later. She wants to see them,” said Laras. “Huh? Out of nowhere? Did you tell her about us?” asked Ellyna. “Nope, but she just said she wanted to meet my friends,” answered Laras. “Ohhh,” typed Ellyna. “I’ve got an ideaaa~,” wrote Liora. “Ugh, don’t act cute, it’s gross,” Laras replied. “I am cute!” Liora wrote back. Laras kicked Liora out of the chat. “Heh, Laras, don’t make her sulk again,” said Ellyna, adding Liora back. “Hey! You’re so rude, I’ll tell your mom!” Liora typed furiously. “Who told you to act cute?” replied Laras. “ENOUGH! Stop fighting! You two are so noisy!” Ellyna finally wrote in all caps. “Sorry, ma’am,” both of them replied together with laughing emojis. “Anyway, come to my house at 3:30, okay?” said Laras. “Okay, I’ll get ready now,” said Liora. “Byee everyone,” Ellyna sent before putting her phone down. She went to change her clothes, then a message popped up. “Pick me up, okayyy?” said Liora. “Yeah, yeah,” Ellyna replied. A few minutes later, she was already driving to Liora’s house. As soon as she arrived, Liora waved from the gate. “Ehh, Ellyn! Over here!” “No need to shout, I can hear you, you know,” Ellyna said with a small smile. They headed together to Laras’s house. When they arrived, Liora called out, “Larasss, it’s me, Liora!” A voice shouted back from inside, “Yeah, wait a sec! I’ll call my mom, come in!” Moments later, Laras’s mom appeared. “Ohhh, you two are Laras’s friends?” “Yes, Auntie. We’re her friends,” said Ellyna politely. “Does Laras have a boyfriend?” the aunt suddenly asked. Liora and Laras froze. “No, Auntie,” answered Ellyna quickly. “Oh, good! If she did, I’d smack her!” the aunt laughed. “Come on, eat something, don’t be shy.” “Thank you, Auntie,” the girls replied together. After chatting for quite a while, they finally got ready to leave. “Thanks, Auntie. We’ll get going now,” said Ellyna. “Alright, take care, girls,” the aunt replied kindly. Before leaving, Liora said, “You go home first. My brother’s picking me up later. I still wanna chat with Laras.” “Oh, okay. Just don’t stay too late,” Ellyna reminded. “I know, I know~ Bye, Ellyn!” Liora waved. “Bye,” Ellyna smiled and walked away. --- But once Ellyna left, Laras and Liora’s smiles faded. “She’s so full of herself,” Laras muttered. “Yeah. Makes me wanna pull her hair,” Liora sneered. “So, what’s your plan?” And right there, they started plotting — not a surprise birthday party like Ellyna hoped, but a plan to destroy her. --- Back at home, Ellyna sat on the sofa and unlocked her phone. “Liora, you home yet?” “Almost,” Liora replied. “Ohhh,” Ellyna smiled faintly, whispering to herself, “I wonder what they’re planning… maybe it’s a birthday surprise for me. I can’t wait.” She didn’t know the truth — that it would be the beginning of her heartbreak. ---The next day at school, Ellyna looked pale and restless. “Hey, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Laras asked, pretending to care. “My diary… it’s gone,” Ellyna said, panicked. “What’s in it?” asked Liora innocently. They both already knew. They were the ones who had stolen it — and now, every word of her pain was posted on the school news board for everyone to see. Students crowded around, reading, laughing, whispering. When Ellyna arrived, her heart shattered. Tears blurred her vision as she ripped her diary pages down and ran away. She cried for a long time, alone. --- That night, at home, Ellyna sat in silence until a gentle voice broke through. “Ellyna… why are you crying, dear?” She looked up, startled. “Ah, Tante Alora… it’s nothing, really.” “Tell me, sweetheart. What happened?” Ellyna hesitated, her voice trembling. “I don’t know, Tante. Maybe the world’s just unfair… or maybe I’m just unlucky.” Tante Alora’s eyes softened. “No, Ellyna. You’re not unlucky. It’s just not your time yet. Someday, justice will come to you.” Ellyna said nothing — just nodded, as her tears quietly fell again. “Now, go take a shower, okay? I’ll make you some warm tea,” said Tante Alora kindly. Ellyna nodded and walked to the bathroom. Each step she took left behind tiny drops of tears — silent, unseen, but heavy with pain. ---