Stella was shipped off to a boarding school for troubled kids after her foster parents died. For the next seven years, that is where she's been, but she's back, and things are not the same as they were before.
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I stayed after school because Teresa invited me to the club fair. As I entered the gym, I scanned around for the dance club booth. Spotting Teresa and two other girls under a banner labelled 'Dance Club,' I approached them. Teresa was engaged in a conversation with a freshman girl.
"The club is super fun. We take field trips, compete in competitions, and sometimes even skip class. But mostly, we hang out in the dance room, sharing ideas," Teresa explained to the freshman, who seemed excited.
"That sounds cool," The young girl responded enthusiastically.
"I know. If you're interested, sign up here with your first and last name," Teresa gestured to her clipboard at the booth. When she noticed me, her eyes lit up.
"Stella! Are you joining the club?" she asked eagerly.
"No, not a chance. I'm just checking it out," I replied.
"Oh, that's a shame. I'd have loved to have you in the club this year," Teresa sighed.
"Yeah, did Scott tell you about how I used to dance?" I interrupted. Teresa's eyes widened, and she looked uneasy.
"What? No," she stammered.
"Your terrible lying skills are painful to watch," I said, arms crossed.
"Okay, it's not Scott's fault. I practically begged him to tell me, so please don't be mad at him."
"I can't promise that, but I'll keep it in mind. What did he tell you anyway?"
"He mentioned that you loved dancing while growing up."
"What?" I blinked in surprise.
"I'm paraphrasing, but basically, he said that after the accident, you were never the same without dance in your life," Teresa continued. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my right hand, intensifying quickly. I clenched my teeth, trying to control my breathing. Teresa stopped speaking, noticing my distress.
"Stella, are you okay?" she asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, my voice shaky. Teresa placed a hand on my shoulder, and I flinched, feeling an unbearable sensation like a thousand knives piercing me.
"I'm going to go," I said, swiftly leaving the gym. Teresa called my name, but I couldn't hear over the pain.
There were too many people around, and I couldn't risk making a scene. I slipped out through the school's emergency exit, wincing at the pain in my sides.
It's happening again.
I struggled to control my breathing, but it only became shallower. A tear rolled down my cheek as my breaths slowed. I leaned against the rough brick wall, sitting on the concrete, trying to contain the agony. Despite the excruciating pain, I just closed my eyes tightly.
____
7 years ago...
After coming in and out of consciousness, I called out for Melissa and Tyler. I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat, and that's when I saw the glass shards embedded in my arms and hands. The rush of adrenaline masked the pain, but seeing the glass intensified it.
