The Ties That Bind

Chapter 3✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

The corridor echoed with agitated whispers as Alma made her way through the rows of lockers, her heart pounding in her chest. Curious glances and hushed murmurs followed her as she navigated towards the school's exit. News of her expulsion had spread like wildfire, sparking a flurry of excitement and gossip among the students. She could feel the weight of their judgmental stares, their murmurs echoing in her ears. She grabbed her backpack, feeling the weight of loneliness settle on her shoulders as she prepared to leave these familiar halls for the last time. But amidst the chaos, there was one familiar face that stood out from the crowd – Robyn.

In his hands, he held a bundle of colored pencils – a token from their shared past. She had given them to him when they were still in elementary school, and the fact that he had kept them all this time made her blush. Alma's heart skipped a beat as she remembered the countless hours they had spent together, lost in their own little world of creativity. Robyn approached her, his expression a mixture of concern and sadness, breaking the tense silence.

"Hey, Alma," Robyn said softly, "I heard what happened. I'm so sorry."

Alma accepted his words with a grateful smile, her eyes meeting his in silent understanding. "I know you didn't do anything, and it kills me to see you paying for everything. This is so unfair, Alma."

"How do you know I didn't push her?" she asked with a weak sarcastic smile, lowering her gaze in pain. "Nobody else is questioning it, apparently."

"Because I know you, Alma."

She raised her head to meet his gaze . She had known Robyn for as long as she could remember, and in that moment, she felt a surge of warmth and familiarity wash over her. She felt as if it didn't matter if no else believed her, as long as he did.

"I thought that you might want them back now," he said with sadness in his eyes, handing her the pencils he had brought.

"Keep them," Alma said with a soft smile and heat rising in her cheeks, her voice barely above a whisper. "To remember me by."

Robyn's eyes widened in surprise, but he shook his head gently. "I don't need anything to remember you, Alma. I don't think it's in my capacity to ever forget you."

Alma felt her heart swell with emotion at his words. She had always known that there was something special between them, something that transcended the boundaries of friendship. And as she looked into Robyn's eyes, she knew that their connection was deeper than she had ever imagined.

As Alma watched Robyn walk away, clutching the colored pencils she had given him so long ago, she couldn't shake the feeling of sadness that washed over her. She had the distinct impression that their story had reached its limit, that it was ending before it even had the chance to begin, just as it was beginning to unfold, now that their paths were likely never to cross again.

Alma found herself standing in front of the school gates, her heart pounding with infinite sadness. The sun was shining brightly, but it offered little comfort as she braced herself to turn her back for good. She felt all alone in this world once again, with nothing to rely on. She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, stealing a last glance at the familiar building that had been her second home for so many years. Today marked the end of an era, the day she got expelled from high school, the last familiar thing she had left, just weeks before the much-anticipated prom.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

In the comfort of her room, Alma tried to console herself, questioning whether being expelled from school was truly such a bad thing. She had been bullied relentlessly over the years, subjected to all kinds of cruel rumors. Maybe, she thought, it wasn't such a bad thing after all to be free of that torment. But these thoughts provided little solace, and soon she found herself crying.

High school had been difficult, but it had at least given her a sense of purpose. She knew what she was waking up for each morning, and even if many of the faces she encountered were unpleasant, it still gave her a chance to see some people. Some teachers, like Mrs. Cassara, her art teacher, had been kind to her. Mrs. Cassara had encouraged her, praising her artistic talent and giving her a safe space in the art room. Alma had even hoped that, eventually, she might make some friends.

But now, those hopes were crushed, and Alma felt utterly hopeless. High school, for all its pain, had been a part of her routine, a structure in her life. Without it, she felt adrift, lost in the vast emptiness of her manor. She no longer had a reason to get up in the morning, and the thought of facing endless days alone filled her with despair. As she lay in her bed, clutching Seraphina, she wondered how she would find a way to move forward from here.

"I wish I could stay positive Seraphina", she whispered to her doll while wiping her tears, "but sometimes it's too hard, even for me."

The future seemed bleak, and the loneliness weighed heavily on her.