TORN

Ellena Skipping School

"Be the moon and inspire people even if you're far from full| K.tolnoe

[10]

ELLENA had a monthly Cab that drops her to and after school. Her parents didn't care so much about her. They only cared about feeding her and making sure she has the roof over her head when the sun sets.

Academically, Ellena is an A student, very sharp and smart. She cared more about her grades than anything else. She could pass a test she didn't study for, listening in class was simply enough.

What goes on in her daily life, she keeps all to herself. She's hard to read though, cause when she's sad, she always had a simple fake smile on and I bet that's what keeps her going.

Ellena could never miss a period unless she's sick to the core but what happened today kept me wondering. It was something new. I called her brother and he made it clear that she was perfectly okay when she woke up and that her taxi dropped her off to school but she wasn't there. Her presence wasn't felt in any lesson, although no body really notices her presence apart from me and Ashanty.

Just out here in the kitchen beating myself up and  making my lunch. Cooking is my passion, I love to try new recipes and nothing is more tastier in my mouth than my own food. Mom hardly cooks because she's got her own chef. Me! But most of the time she's at work though and she only comes home in time for dinner.

Truth is I had my own problems but I always felt like there was no one really there to listen. I was always the shoulder for those in need and a listening ear to those who can't be strong on their own. And so I've learned how to be stronger on my own.

Mom was never really there, but she made sure I got everything I've ever needed. Ellena's daily wailings didn't really bother me anymore, I understood, cause I felt like I knew her better than she knows herself.

Few minutes later after laying out my plate to eat, I hummed at the test of my new recipe "not bad for a first timer" I said to myself. I found myself laughing at the three idiots on TV, right before I heard my phone ring, catching me off balance.

"Just the person I've been dying to speak to" I said to myself after reading Ella♡ on my screen.

"Open the gate" she said.

I hurried to swift the gate open, ushering Ellena into the house. I studied her face to blew her up with questions.

"ELLENA?, why didn't I see you at school today" I asked worriedly.

"I had something that I needed to take care of" She responds looking down her feet.

"What could be so important than school right now. "

"I needed to update my followers since I won't be able to update them after school. Mom's picking me up today. Told her to find me at your place" She frowns.

"Ellena, are you out of your mind? What has gotten into you? You better change your behavior if you want to go to college my friend. Your followers dont even know who you truly are and they dont give a single damn about you. You don't wanna end up in the streets. Because no body will be there to support you.

"Just leave me alone miss perfect! You're not my mother" She yells.

"What" I scoff, mouth wide open. "I know your mom doesn't lecture you and being your friend gives me the right to" I  yelled simply reacting pissed to her baby acts.

"You have no idea how it feels like to feel like you're finally  alive after being dead for centuries" she shouts opening the fridge to get out a cold soda.

"You have no idea what I go through everyday of my life, to put up with this nonsense" a tear dropped on my cheek sitting comfortably on one of the dining chairs.

"What do you go through huh? Your life is perfect. You're beautiful and everybody adores you. What do you know about living each day like you're fading away and nothing that anybody says will change how you feel huh?" She blurts out angrily.

"You're right, I don't! And it doesn't matter" I said finally giving her what she needs to hear but my mind screams, yelling and judging me for not telling her how I just want to be like a normal teenager, how I wish my parents were in a loving relationship, how I wish I had a sibling and how I wish I could just get an A in all my subjects like other kids. How I wish I had somebody I could trust and how I wish everybody could just see me as a human, who isn't perfect, who makes mistakes just like any other.

I took a remote and swapped through channels, simply ignoring each other. Minutes later I stood from my seat to hug Ellena. "Look, I'm sorry okay, but I just want what's best for you. School should always come first"

"You're right, and I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again" She apologizes Peking me with a forehead kiss.

"Your Mom's here" I whispered after hearing Mrs Peterson's voice through the gate's alarm phone. "And don't forget, no more junk food and sugar for you" I said reminding her of her newly healthy lifestyle before closing the door behind her.