13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw7eHIh1ZEChapter 1: The Late Arrival
"Hurry up, Dravena! We're going to be late for school!"
My elder sister Elara's voice cut through my dreams like a sharp bell shattering glass.
I was glad to escape my nightmare—an exam lying in front of me, questions blurred, my pen refusing to write. But I still felt as if all the energy had been sucked out of me into a giant sponge.
I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as I shuffled to my feet and began to get ready for school.
After changing hastily into my uniform, I slung my backpack over my shoulder as I rushed outside. I was already running late, so I couldn't check if I had all the right books in my bag. What if I forgot something important?
What if this was the day I messed everything up without even noticing?
What if the teacher would take a pop quiz and I wouldn't have a pen?
"Come on!" Elara muttered, looking more worried than angry, "I have an important assignment today, so I can't be late!"
I noticed that her voice was steady, uniform crisp, hair neatly smoothed.
I nodded as I stepped outside with her.
Why does she have to look so calm all the time regardless of what she's saying? I thought bitterly.
Was she always calm like that?
But how could that be possible?
Or maybe she was worried...
She might just be better at hiding it than me.
We walked quickly as I struggled to keep up with Elara's fast pace. She ran as if her assignment was the only goal in the world. Meanwhile, I had my own real drama to worry about.
Fake friends, difficult studies, exams approaching...
Elara turned back to look at me with concern, "Why did you stop?"
"Oh," I hadn't noticed that my legs had stopped moving, "Sorry, I just... wanted to catch my breath."
From running. From worrying. From everything.
Elara took my hand and pulled me forward with her.
When we reached school, I waved goodbye to Elara as I turned toward my class.
"See you," Elara's voice echoed through the hallways as I began to move to class.
"Oh, and Dravena?" she said, "Try not to overthink everything today."
How could I not?
I didn't reply, because I knew I couldn't stop it. How could I not overthink when everything was so complicated?
When I finally reached my class and saw the English teacher, Ms. Hollendaire, already teaching the class, I knew I was very late.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7K8jXBQNk
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