Ellie trudged through the dimly lit hallway, her uniform clinging to her like a second skin, soaked through with water. As she made her way towards the girls' bathroom, a nagging question swirled in her mind: why had Damien stepped in to help her? They were practically strangers, and yet he had defended her. She finally pushed open the bathroom door and stepped inside, her reflection staring back at her from the mirror. The sight was nothing short of jarring. Memories of every cruel comment, every sneer, and every moment of humiliation she had endured came rushing back, threatening to overwhelm her.
Her heart ached, and her eyes stung with unshed tears as confusion swirled in her mind. Why did it feel like the entire world was against her? Even her so-called friends, Alice, Luna, and Chloe, seemed to relish in her despair, their laughter echoing in her ears instead of offering support. Ellie felt trapped in a cycle of longing; longing for acceptance, for friendship, and most desperately, for companionship. Her frustration deepened as she thought about her parents, who poured their energy into work and material possessions, leaving her feeling like an afterthought. They provided her with expensive clothes and gadgets, but it was a hollow consolation.
Taking a deep breath, Ellie focused on calming herself, willing the moisture to evaporate from her uniform before she stepped back into the world outside her sanctuary. Once her clothes had dried sufficiently, she was determined to seek out Damien and express her gratitude for his defense. She rushed out of the bathroom, a sense of urgency fueling her steps.
However, as she entered the classroom, a wave of disappointment washed over her. The room was empty, stark, and silent as if the laughter and chatter that had filled it hours before had never existed. She hadn’t realized how absorbed she had become in her turmoil; the school day had slipped away without her noticing. With a sigh, she reached for her phone and called for her driver to pick her up.
“Hello, Miss Ellie,” came his voice, laced with concern. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t come today; my mother is ill.”
He hesitated before asking, “Should I send another driver?”
Ellie’s heart twisted at his predicament, and she quickly replied, “No, it’s fine. I’ll call a taxi. I’m sorry to hear about your mom; I hope she gets better.” After ending the call, she stepped outside, the brisk air hitting her like a wave, and realized the school grounds were nearly deserted.
As her eyes adjusted to the fading daylight, she suddenly heard a commotion behind the school building—a cacophony of shouts and grunts. Her curiosity piqued, she hurried towards the source of the noise, only to stumble upon a scene that shocked her to her core.
She witnessed Damien assaulting another boy, forcefully striking his face with his shoes while smiling, as the boy cried out in pain and pleaded for him to stop.
YOU ARE READING
The Accepted Outcast
Teen FictionEllie Malcolm was born with unusual features: she had no body hair, pale skin, and wide blue eyes, which made her seem unattractive to others. As a result, her classmates bullied her, and she felt unloved by her parents. However, everything changes...
