The Tongue Is Sharp
1229 Words
At School
Elyna was met with scornful eyes — eyes that looked at her as if she was nothing.
Even her closest friends looked at her as though she was dirty, disgusting… someone to avoid.
Laughter echoed down the school corridor. Elyna kept her head low, hoping her footsteps wouldn’t draw attention.
But it was useless.
> “Hey, don’t get too close! You might catch her disease!”
She froze. Her chest tightened. The cruel words cut deep — sharp and cold, like knives.
She wanted to ignore them, she really did, but the words were too sharp to forget.
> “Look at her — sick and from a broken home too. Didn’t she see what they said in the group chat?
If I were her, I’d never come to school again. She’s just embarrassing the school.”
Suddenly, Elyna accidentally crossed paths with Lyra and Lara.
They noticed her teary eyes and distant stare.
> “Elyna, what’s wrong? Why are your eyes watery?” Lara asked softly.
> “They insulted me, Lara… Everyone looks at me like I’m disgusting, like I’m some kind of germ.
What did I do wrong? What’s my mistake?” Elyna’s voice trembled, her eyes red, each word like a sob she tried to hold back.
> “I know… I saw it in the group too. Don’t mind them, they’re not worth it,” Lara said firmly.
“Yeah, Lara’s right. Don’t listen to them — they’re just jealous of you.
Come on, class is about to start,” added Lyra with a smile.
Hearing their words made Elyna feel a little lighter, a bit calmer.
But if only she knew — Lara’s tone was sweet, yet beneath it hid disgust she could barely conceal.
They walked to class together. The room buzzed with chatter.
---
In the Classroom
> “Elyna…” the teacher called during roll call.
What came next pierced her heart like a blade.
> “Oh, you actually came? I thought you wouldn’t — too embarrassed, right?
Embarrassed because of what? Because you’re a sick kid whose parents don’t even care? Hahaha!”
The teacher’s mocking voice filled the room.
Laughter erupted — everyone laughed at Elyna.
Her eyes glistened, but she forced herself not to cry.
The bell rang.
> “Kriiiinggg—”
> “I’m going home,” Elyna said coldly.
> “Elyna, wait!” Lara called out, running after her.
But Elyna kept walking, faster, head down.
Her chest felt tight; her eyes burned. She didn’t want to hear anything anymore — not even from her friends.
> “What’s wrong with her? Still hurt over what the teacher said?” Lyra giggled as Elyna left.
> “Probably. Good — that means our plan worked.
Ugh, I can’t stand hearing her say ‘I’m hurt, Lara.’ Gross.”
Lara laughed cruelly.
---
At Home
When Elyna got home, she couldn’t stop crying.
Her chest ached with humiliation and pain.
Just then, Aunt Alora came in and saw her crying.
She dropped what she was holding and rushed over.
> “Elyna, what’s wrong? What happened at school?” she asked, panicking.
> “Am I… a curse, Auntie?” Elyna whispered.
Aunt Alora froze. Her eyes filled with tears.
> “No, sweetheart. You’re not a curse. You’re a strong, brave girl.
Tell me — what happened?”
> “They called me a curse, a disease. Even my teacher said—
‘Oh, you actually came? I thought you’d be too embarrassed! Embarrassed because your parents don’t even care about you!’
It hurt so much, Auntie… like being stabbed with a knife.
Since I was little, I never got any fairness in this world…”
Aunt Alora couldn’t find the right words.
> “Don’t say that, dear… You’re lucky in ways you can’t see yet.”
> “Auntie, can I ask something? Where’s Mom and Dad?”
> “They’re working overseas, sweetie. That’s why I come every day to take care of you,” Aunt Alora replied gently.
Elyna blinked, surprised.
> “D–Did you just call me sweetie?” she asked, her voice soft and unsure.
> “Why? Can’t I call you that, my dear Elyna?”
> “No, it’s just… weird. Mom and Dad never call me anything sweet. They just call me Elyna.”
> “Oh, my dear… Come on, let’s eat. I cooked your favorite.”
> “O-Okay,” Elyna said with a small smile.
They ate together, laughing a little.
But when Aunt Alora left, the house fell silent again.
---
Later that night, her mother came home after three days abroad.
> “Mom!” Elyna ran over. “I missed you so much. Have you eaten?”
> “No, why?” her mother replied flatly.
> “Do you want me to cook for you?” Elyna asked with a hopeful smile.
> “No. I don’t want to eat,” her mother snapped.
> “Oh… Mom, did you know I was bullied at sch—”
Before she could finish, her mother shouted:
> “CAN YOU JUST STOP TALKING FOR ONCE?! YOU’RE SO NOISY!
JUST GO TO SLEEP! YOU’RE NOTHING BUT BAD LUCK!”
Elyna froze.
Her heart shattered.
> “O-Okay…” she whispered, running upstairs, tears already falling.
She had never been shouted at by her mother before.
It was the first time — and it broke her completely.
Clutching her shirt tightly, she whispered to herself:
> “Don’t cry… Don’t be weak. You’re not a little kid anymore… You have to be strong…”
But her voice trembled as tears streamed down her face.
As she fell asleep, the words echoed in her mind:
> “YOU’RE NOTHING BUT BAD LUCK.”
Those words cut deeper than any knife.
---
The Next Morning
At school, Lyra called out:
> “ELYNA!”
But Elyna didn’t respond. Her face was pale, her eyes lifeless.
Then, suddenly, one student shouted loudly enough for the whole class to hear:
> “You guys still friends with her? She’s sick, unwanted, not like us — we’re rich and loved! Hahaha!”
> “Watch your mouth! That’s rude,” Lyra said quickly. “Come on, let’s just go to class.”
During class, another student smirked and said:
> “Teacher, do you think there’s a bad luck charm in this class?”
The teacher grinned.
> “Of course there is.”
Everyone turned to look at Elyna — and burst out laughing.
The bell rang again.
---
Elsewhere – Lara and Lyra
That evening, Lara and Lyra met Mr. Alex, Lara’s father, at a café.
> “You both know Elyna, right? You know how she’s been feeling — hurt, miserable?” Mr. Alex asked coldly.
> “Lyra, your father’s company is going bankrupt.
If you two don’t make Elyna disappear, we’ll all lose everything. Understand?”
> “Yes, we understand,” the girls answered quietly.
> “Good. If Elyna dies, I’ll give you both 30% of the company’s shares — yours, your father’s, and Lyra’s.”
They nodded silently.
As they left the café, Lara and Lyra exchanged glances.
They already had a plan for tomorrow.
---
✨ [To Be Continued]
- Writer
