Elena spent most of the next day trying to keep a low profile. The humiliation from the party still clung to her like a second skin, and she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was watching her. Whispers followed her wherever she went in school, interspersed with muffled laughs that made her stomach churn. Each giggle felt like a dagger, each hushed conversation a spotlight on her failure.
She tried to focus on her classes, but it was impossible. Her mind kept replaying the scene in the pool, the laughter echoing in her ears. Hamly's betrayal, subtle as it was, hurt more than she cared to admit.
During lunch, she and Hamly sat at their usual spot near the back of the cafeteria. Hamly, as always, seemed unbothered, chatting about random things that Elena barely registered.
"Seriously, you need to stop worrying so much," Hamly said, popping a fry into her mouth. "People are just bored. By next week, they'll find someone else to talk about."
Elena didn't respond. She poked at her food halfheartedly, her appetite long gone. Hamly's words, while meant to be reassuring, only made her feel worse.
"You should come to the park with me after school," Hamly continued, her tone bright. "Get some fresh air, clear your head."
Elena shook her head. "I don't think I want to go out anywhere right now."
Hamly rolled her eyes. "Fine, suit yourself. Just don't sit in your room moping all evening. It's depressing."
Elena forced a weak smile but said nothing.
---
After school, Elena walked home alone. The streets were quiet, the early evening sun casting long shadows across the pavement. She kept her head down, clutching her bag tightly.
As she neared her house, she found herself glancing at the park. The sight of it stirred a mix of emotions—nostalgia, longing, and a trace of unease. She used to love this park. It had been a place of joy, a sanctuary where she could forget her worries. But now, it felt tainted by the weight of her recent experiences.
Still, she couldn't bring herself to keep walking. Instead, she crossed the street and stepped onto the familiar path, her heart heavy with memories.
---
The park was quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. Elena wandered aimlessly, her feet carrying her along the winding trails. She passed the playground where she used to play with her siblings, the bench where her mother would sit with a book, the small pond where she'd fed ducks with her father.
She sat down on a bench near the pond, staring at the water. The surface shimmered in the fading sunlight, and for a moment, she let herself remember the good times.
Her family hadn't always been this way—distant, demanding, fractured. There was a time when they were happy, when laughter filled their home and the park was their favorite escape. But things had changed. Expectations grew heavier, and affection was replaced by criticism.
Lost in thought, Elena didn't notice the guard approaching until he was right in front of her.
"Excuse me, miss," he said, his voice stern but not unkind.
Elena looked up, startled.
"Didn't I tell you this park closes after dark?" he asked.
"I... I just needed some fresh air," Elena stammered. "I'll leave soon."
The guard sighed, his expression softening. "Be quick, and don't cause any trouble."
Elena nodded, mumbling a quiet thank-you. She got up and started walking back toward the entrance, her thoughts still tangled in memories.
As she reached the gate, she glanced across the street. That's when she saw him—the boy from the convenience store, sitting on a bench under a streetlamp.
Her heart skipped a beat. It was him.
For a moment, she stood frozen, her eyes locked on him. There was something about him that tugged at her memory, something familiar and yet elusive.
The boy looked up briefly, as if sensing her gaze. His dark eyes met hers for a split second, and she felt a jolt of recognition.
Before she could say anything, he looked away, his attention drifting back to the book in his hands.
Elena hesitated. Should she go over and talk to him? Ask him if he was the one who had saved her?
Her pulse quickened as she considered it, but doubt crept in. What if she was wrong? What if he had no idea who she was? The thought of embarrassing herself was too much to bear.
She turned and started walking home, her footsteps quick and purposeful.
---
Back home, Elena climbed in through her bedroom window, the way she always did when she didn't want her family to know she'd been out. She closed the window quietly and leaned against the wall, her thoughts racing.
The boy's face was etched into her mind. Even in the dim light, she could see the sharp angles of his jaw, the way his dark hair fell across his forehead.
Why didn't I say something? she thought, frustration bubbling inside her.
She changed into her pajamas and sat at her desk, pulling out her notebook. She tried to focus on her homework, but the words on the page blurred together. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about the boy.
Was it really him? she wondered. Could he be the one who saved me?
The idea seemed far-fetched, but she couldn't shake the feeling.
With a sigh, she closed the notebook and crawled into bed. The faint sound of her siblings laughing in the next room only made her feel more isolated.
She stared at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of questions and doubts. As sleep began to pull her under, one thought lingered:
I have to find out who he is.
---
The next morning, Elena woke to the sound of her alarm blaring. She groaned and reached over to silence it, her body heavy with exhaustion.
As she got ready for school, her mind kept drifting back to the boy. She replayed their brief encounter in her head, analyzing every detail.
At school, she found herself scanning the hallways, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. But he wasn't there.
"Who are you looking for?" Hamly asked, noticing Elena's distracted behavior.
"No one," Elena said quickly, averting her gaze.
Hamly raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue.
---
Later that day, Elena stopped by the convenience store where she'd seen him before. She wandered through the aisles, her heart pounding with anticipation.
But he wasn't there.
Disappointment settled over her as she left the store, her steps slow and aimless.
---
That evening, she returned to the park. She sat on the same bench by the pond, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of him.
But the park was empty.
Elena sighed, her shoulders slumping. Maybe she was chasing a ghost, a figment of her imagination.
As she stood to leave, she glanced across the street. The bench under the streetlamp was empty.
She turned and started walking home, her chest heavy with a mix of frustration and longing.
---
That night, Elena lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the verge of something important, something that could change everything.
But for now, all she could do was wait.