chapter three
693 Words
CHAPTER THREE
HER OTHER HELL
The clock was against her.
Eliana hurried down the sidewalk, her schoolbag pressed tightly against her side. Every step sent a dull ache through her ribs, but she kept moving.
She was already late.
Again.
She had spent too much time cleaning the kitchen that morning. Her father had left the mess behind without a second thought, and the pain had made every movement slower.
Now she had to cross the busy streets of Manhattan, just to reach school.
Her presentation was first period.
She couldn't miss it.
Eliana pulled the sleeves of her oversized hoodie over her hands and walked faster.
The hoodie was old and worn, far too large for her small frame. She had found it near a dumpster months ago. It wasn't pretty, but it was warm.
More importantly, it covered her.
The scars.
The bruises.
Everything she didn't want anyone to see.
Her father had never bothered buying her another one.
So she kept wearing it.
As she approached the school gates, Eliana's heart sank.
They were there.
Her usual bullies.
Waiting.
One of them noticed her first.
"Look who's finally here."
The others turned.
Their eyes immediately landed on her oversized hoodie.
"Did you steal that from a grown man?"
They laughed.
Another reached toward her sleeve and tugged it.
Eliana pulled her arm away.
"Leave me alone."
Her voice was barely audible.
"What was that?"
Nothing.
Eliana lowered her head.
She knew better than to argue.
They laughed harder.
"Look at her."
"She's scared."
"Of course she is."
Someone called her name in a mocking voice.
Eliana felt tears gathering in her eyes.
She swallowed them.
Not here.
She couldn't cry here.
She simply walked past them.
Their laughter followed her through the doors.
She kept her eyes on the floor until she reached the classroom.
---
Her teacher looked at the clock.
Then at Eliana.
"You're late."
Eliana stopped at the door.
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
Her teacher's expression softened slightly.
"Come in."
Eliana nodded.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Eliana."
She walked toward her seat.
Her presentation was supposed to be first.
She had spent hours preparing it.
But before she could reach her desk, someone stuck out a leg.
Eliana didn't see it.
Her foot caught.
She fell.
The classroom erupted in laughter.
Her books scattered across the floor.
Eliana's face burned.
For a moment, she couldn't move.
Then she slowly gathered her books.
Nobody helped.
She stood and walked to her seat without looking at anyone.
Her teacher's expression had changed.
"Enough."
The room became quiet.
The teacher looked at Eliana.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
It was the answer Eliana always gave.
Her teacher sighed.
"Your presentation was scheduled for this morning."
Eliana stared at her hands.
"I'm sorry."
"Why weren't you prepared?"
"I was."
The teacher paused.
"You were?"
Eliana nodded.
She had prepared everything.
The notes.
The research.
The presentation.
All of it.
But she couldn't explain why she was late.
She couldn't tell her teacher that she had spent the morning cleaning up after her father.
She couldn't explain why walking hurt.
She couldn't explain why she was always exhausted.
Nobody knew.
Her teacher studied her for a moment.
"Eliana, your grades are excellent. Your work is consistently some of the best in this class."
Eliana said nothing.
"But your lateness is becoming a concern."
"I'm sorry."
The teacher sighed.
"I'll give you another opportunity to present. Tomorrow."
Eliana looked up.
"Really?"
"Yes. You've earned a second chance through your work and behavior. Don't waste it."
"Thank you."
She sat down.
For the rest of the lesson, Eliana focused on her notes.
She tried to forget the laughter.
Tried to forget the pain.
Tried to focus on the words written across the board.
Eventually, the bell rang.
Another class.
Then another.
By the time the final bell of the morning rang, Eliana felt completely exhausted.
Break time.
The classroom suddenly filled with noise.
Students stood, laughed, and rushed toward the door.
Eliana slowly packed her books.
She wasn't looking forward to break.
Because she already knew one thing.
The school hallway was waiting for her.
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