The Elementals

Chapter 4

It's Friday morning, and both Elena and Lucinda are walking toward Ridgeview at a slower pace than usual because of Elena's injury. As they get closer to their school, they spot Alice seemingly waiting for them.

"What do you want, Alice? Come to defend your psycho friend?" Lucinda hisses.

"Come on, Lucie, stand down. She's still the student body president," Elena says, calming Lucinda. "Wait for me inside; I'll be fine."

"No, wait. Actually, I'd like it if Lucinda stayed. You'll know why after," Alice says.

"Alright, so... What do you want?" Elena says, wary.

"I'll admit it, Lucinda, you're scary when it comes to Elena, but she's your best friend, so I shouldn't be surprised," Alice starts. "You're wrong, though. I didn't come here to defend Maya or ask you to forgive her. I just... She told me what happened between you two, or at least her version of it, but I'd really like to know yours."

Elena closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, looking over at Lucinda with guilty eyes.

"I know it's painful for you, and you feel like you should've told me sooner, but it's okay. I'm not going anywhere," Lucinda says, wrapping an arm around her.

Elena nods and knows now is the time to finally tell Lucinda what happened seven years ago.

"Honestly, I don't remember much. Some parts are a blur, and others are as clear as day. We were kids, and we went exploring in the woods. We found some kind of old treehouse and climbed it. We had a fight, and... as I climbed down the ladder, she stomped, making it move and fall backwards. Apparently, I was unconscious as soon as I hit the ground, but I don't remember that. All I remember is waking up in excruciating pain, and I couldn't see anything around me or more like I couldn't see anything from my left eye. All I knew then was that I was alone, and no one was there to tell me that it was all going to be okay..," Elena says, her eyes starting to sparkle as she gets emotional.

Alice, being a caring person, reaches for her, but Elena pulls away, controlling her emotions, "Elena... I-"

"Anyway, that's all I remember before the hospital. I'm sure you already know from Maya what happened afterwards," Elena brushes it off.

"Yeah, I do. I'll admit, what you said was pretty harsh..," Alice mentions.

Elena scoffs at her remark, "Well, if you were in my position, you wouldn't have seen it that way."

Both girls leave and go to the front of their high school, and once they reach the doors, Alice makes a final comment.

"Just remember, Elena. You were both kids, and you both suffered the same trauma."

Both girls enter and disappear in the sea of students while Alice stays outside as Maya joins her from where she is hiding.

"I didn't know her memory of what happened was limited, but I can't believe the moment she recalls clearly is waking up in the forest... Alone and in pain," Maya says, wiping her tear-stained cheeks.

"It's no wonder why you're so bitter at each other; both of you recall the worst moment of that accident. You should talk to her and explain what happened," Alice tells her before walking inside as the first bell rings.

The morning passes quickly, and most students are in the cafeteria for their lunchtime. While Lucinda is buying lunch, Elena waits for her at a random table, trying her best to ignore the pain from her bruise.

"Alone, huh? Did you get dumped by your so-called friend?"

An all-too-familiar voice is heard behind Elena. She turns around and sees Maddie with her boyfriend Andrew.