The Masks We Wear

Chapter 4| This Wasn't Supposed To Happen

"Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble."
— Yehuda Berg

{ E L E N A ' S   P O V }

I should have known. I had this particularly weird feeling in my gut when I submitted the last photo to her.

Out of all of the moments in her life, why couldn't have Scarlett chosen another photo?

The better question is;

Why couldn't have I chosen another photo?

I understood that perhaps Scarlett wasn't the happiest person. I had tons of other photos I had with my friends, my sister, my family, even just myself!

What was I thinking, choosing the photo that was taken from what seemed like a lifetime ago?

I shifted my body to my right to look at Scarlett. Her breathing seemed erratic, as if she were a deer caught in headlights.

I think Mrs. Colfer noted the shift of emotion in the room. Nonetheless, she continued to talk.

"Of course, I can't doubt that this wasn't taken by one of you guys. The other pictures both of you sent to me were amazing, but I can't allow there to be to be two photos that are same. Both of you are still in Photography club, but I was just wondering if you guys can send me a different picture for your last entry?" She asked rhetorically.

I willed my face to act cool, calm, and collected. With a nonchalant shrug, I agreed.

Scarlett, on the other hand seemed to have trouble hiding her emotions. Her face was a mixture of confusion, anger, hurt, and humiliation.

"You two can now go back to discussing your project," she said kindly.

I gave her a quick nod of confirm, and sauntered back to my seat, as if nothing was wrong.

I went back to talking with this girl who's name I didn't even know. Soon, everything will be okay.

It had to be okay.
***
"I'm home!" I yelled out, once I opened the door and threw my backpack on the floor.

"Congrats. Now help me with baking the potatoes." My sister yelled out sarcastically. I groaned and unwillingly went into the kitchen.

"How was the Photography club?" She asked, putting on the ginormous baking gloves on.

"Meh." I responded.

"Are you going to hang out with anyone today? Maybe to the mall?" Autumn asked, while humming off tune.

"Nah. Plus, I have homework to do." I helped her chop up the potatoes into small pieces.

"What about that girl you used to invite over all the time? What was her name again? Uh, Sierra? No, wait, Sadie? Wait, wait, wait, I got it, Scarlett?" She asked.

I got a tight clenching in my gut.

"We parted ways." I responded bluntly.

Noticing the change of mood, Autumn went back to trying not to her burn herself during the process of baking potatoes.

Mom: Hey darling!

I frowned at the text. My mom rarely texted me.

Ellie: Yeah?

Mom: We're so sorry dear, but your dad and I won't be making it to eat dinner with you and Autumn today...

Ellie: Oh. That's fine, I guess. When will you guys be coming home?