Helix

Chapter 8 - Toph

I hoped I sparked at least something in Elaena. She needed a push to generate the desire to become stronger; only then can I help her and protect her. I couldn't do all the protecting alone, after all.

Right after I walked out of the cafeteria, I took a sharp left and jumped behind a bush. If the crowd from back there saw me like this, surely they would laugh. But I had to make sure I knew where Elaena was headed for class so I could follow her after school. I was sure that she would need a change of pace to let everything that had happened percolate. Probably after classes, just like the time we met at the market, I realized.

Sweat was starting to trickle down my forehead when Elaena's and Hady's figures emerged from the doors. Most students had left now, so it was quiet enough for me to hear their conversation.

"I'm heading out for Skills class next; what about you?" Elaena said,

"Natural Sciences."

"Shoot, that's my last class today!"

Great, now I knew where to look for her when classes ended. Swiftly, I crawled out of the bush and went to my classes.

I snuck out of my languages class early to get to Natural Sciences on time. The class was held in a large building that strangely resembled a farmhouse, with its large field, hay stacks, and grey stone roofs. The professor's voice traveled from inside.

"That's it for today, class. Next class, we'll do a lab on tree phenology." Immediately afterwards, shuffling and paper crumpling noises came. Footsteps and chatting followed, and soon I saw Elaena lurk out. She bid goodbye to her classmates, and I trailed her quietly to her dorm. When she emerged from her dorm again, ten minutes later, she had changed into the tunic and shorts combo she wore when we met at the market. Turns out she never threw them away.

Then, Elaena stretched her arms out in the sun. For a moment, I was dazed by how the sunlight of mid-afternoon enshrouded her in a golden glow. A gentle breeze teased her purple and blonde curls that melted with the sunlight. Elaena's eyes fluttered closed, her side face a sharp contrast against the pale green trees behind. Even though she was wearing nothing fancier than a simple brown tunic, Elaena looked divine. Absolutely gorgeous, I couldn't help but think.

Eventually, Elaena started moving again. I followed along, leaving ten meters of space between us, and we arrived at the local market.

"Fresh bread for sale!" a baker called, pulling out a pan of bread from the oven in a puff of aroma. Smelling the buttery scent, a line formed immediately at the baker's stall. Elaena must've smelled it too, for she started to move towards the baker as well.

Suddenly, a slum child pushed his way to the front of the line. Dressed in a ripped tunic two sizes too large, the child held out his hands, the sleeves draping over. "Would you, kind, generous sir, be willing to spare me just the spare bits of breadcrumbs you have left on the tray? Please, sir, I haven't eaten for two days," he begged. The baker glared at him, crossing his arms over his chest irritatedly.

"Scram, boy, before I call the guards! I ain't got no time to waste with you." Hastily, the boy was pushed aside; from a distance, I saw him linger near the bread longingly.

"Please? Sir? I can work for you in exchange for your bread!"

The baker wiped his hands on his apron and laid down the piece of bread he had in his hands. Curtly, he meekly apologized to his customer, "Sorry, one second." Then, turning to the boy, he raged, "Keep your dirty slum fingers away from my bread!" Raising his hand above his head, he continued, "This should teach you a lesson!" Mouth snarling, the baker slammed his hand down and connected to the boy's face with a resounding slap. The boy stumbled backward and fell on the dirt. Slowly, the baker approached the boy, shouting, "Do you learn, slum child?" He kicked at the boy, who was now cradling his head in silent whimpers. "Do you learn?"