The World Hates You

1

"We're here." I open my eyes slowly.

This is it. This town will be my life for the next... as long as I can keep my secret. First thing's first, new names. Gossip spreads fast. No matter how far away from Lockriorda we are, the entire nation and possibly others will know in a matter of time.

"Name generator?" I ask, already pulling it up. I guess I'm saying goodbye to Elcia Dyralei and becoming Cordelia Omaris. My mother no longer Melimara Dyralei, but Aaltalia Omaris. No one here knows the Dyralei's. But they'll get to know the Omaris'.

Somehow it feels like I've lost something important. I had no friends. No social status. I wasn't in any clubs. Yet somehow, something feels missing. I guess I've been Elcia for so long, I'm not ready to give that name up. How could I have been so foolish?

--

"Elcia, why don't you come explain your family origin?"

I stand, sweating and shaking. I was hoping she wouldn't call on me but I guess teachers can smell your fear. It feels like everyone is judging me with their stares and I haven't even said anything yet. When I make it to the front, I take a deep breath and try to stop shaking.

"My family is.. German. Mostly. We're also Irish and Elvish." My words take a moment to soak into everyone, including me, but when it does, gasps erupt from the class.

Did I really just tell everyone that we're Elvish?

--

From there, it's a blur. Even though it was only a few days ago, I feel like it was years. I can't remember, like I blacked out. Next thing I knew I was running from the school. I've done so well for fifteen years and it was all ruined by my cockiness that I could keep it.

It does make sense we're German. Elves are supposedly from German lore but elves themselves were first born in Germany. No one really knows how we were brought into this world but everyone is scared of us. Of our magic.

Every single day of my life, I've worn a hood to hide my ears. Sometimes I forgot to when I was little, but thankfully I had long hair. But after what happened, I don't think I've gone five minutes without checking that my hood is up. My father was burned at the stake in our very first town because he let it go like I did. I was only six when I was forced to watch and my mother and I had to pretend we didn't know.

My family is purely Elvish. No human has crossed our bloodline because we've never found a human worth telling. There are some accepting humans that are open minded. Some. Only a handful, though. That's why we're weary - cautious.

~~

Paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork. Stuff for our new names, my new school, a new job, a new house. Stacking up. Everywhere. All over the only thing we can afford right now; a motel. It's only temporary and cheap.

Of course, money is tight, so for dinner, I eat a Nutri-Grain bar. "You'd think that a big town would wield a bigger job circle to a doctor..." I hear Mom mutter.

"Plenty of people get hurt. You'll find something." I shrug, walking over to rub her shoulder.

"Maybe I can do something for the nurse's office at your new school."

"What's my new school called, anyway?"

"Willow High School. It's just down the road from a house I'm looking at, actually." My mother smiles for the first time since we've left Lockriorda.

Her smile is beautiful. Everything about her is beautiful. Her short, curly hair, her dimples, the way her eyes light up whenever she's genuinely happy. My mother is amazing in so many ways. Like now, how she's working the hardest I've ever seen her, trying to settle everything. "What's the house like?" I sit down next to her.

"It's pretty cheap for the size. Two floors - two beds, three baths. What do you think?"

I smile. "Sounds nice. Can we afford it?"

"Almost. Think you can go out and act homeless?" She nervously smiles up at me.

"I mean we technically are."

"True. Make a sign and I'll find us a busier side of town to sit in."

~

My mom and I sit out in the slightly chilly late-fall-early-winter weather practically begging for money. We make a good enough amount in the first day. Maybe it's because of our good looks but it's a good start.

~~~

Days pass and eventually, we make enough money to afford the house and food. We unload what boxes we have into what rooms their contents would go in. I only have two boxes but I don't feel like unpacking them now, I have a bed to figure out.

~

After getting my mattress and some sheets situated, I lay down after what seems like forever. I dig through my non-clothes box and pull out my journal. I haven't written in this since we left Lockriorda.

Sunday, Sept. 25, 20XX

Everything is so weird here. It feels strange, like this town has a different energy. I wish I could shake this feeling. Maybe it's just my--

"Hey mom?" I shout across the house.

"Yeah?" She replies.

"When do I start school?"

"Tomorrow." That's what I thought.

--'first' day of school jitters. I really can't mess this up again. I believe in myself, I got this.

~~

I walk in through the front doors, trying to look as invisible as possible. I stop at the entrance and look around, quickly finding the office. Turning left, I enter and awkwardly wait to get my schedule. "Hello, dear! How can I help you?" The receptionist smiles at me and looks past the girl she's talking to. The girl is average height with black, wolf-cut hair. She has piercings all over her face, the most prominent ones being her septum and her eyebrow. Thin, black sunglasses contrast greatly against her ivory skin and emerald eyes.

"Uhm I'm Cordelia, I need my schedule, please.." My mumble is barely audible.

She smiles. "Omaris, yes. Well, Opal here has the same schedule as you do, so she's showing you around," she points to the girl, who smiles politely and gives a small wave, "have a good day, girls!"

We walk out of the small room and her smile turns into a frown. "God, adults are so annoying."

"Why?" I ask, trying my best not to upset her.

"I don't know how many times I tell everyone that's not my name but do they listen? No." She tuts. I stay silent, not knowing what to say.

"Sorry," she becomes perky again, "My name is Echo, my pronouns are they/them. I'm your new best friend." They hold their hand out to shake mine.

I take it with a small smile. "I'm Cordelia," I pause for a moment before remembering what they just said, "she/her. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too," they hand me my schedule, "that also has your locker number and combination. So, usually everyone hangs out at their locker or in the cafeteria before they head to their classes. I normally go to the cafeteria but let's head to your locker for now."

When we arrive, no one is really around except for two people that seem bothered and leave. I open my locker just to get a feel for it. After closing it, I turn back to Echo. "What now?"

"Well, we still have a couple minutes so let's head to the cafeteria." I look around at the decorative plants and think about everything that could go wrong with my powers.

Suddenly, a vine leaps out and grabs their wrist. I can nearly feel the color drain from my face and begin to panic with instant regret.